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Hypoxia and Nerve Damage 

How it happens, what can be done

Hypoxia is a condition in which tissues are deprived of an adequate supply of oxygen.   It is the failure of oxygen to gain access to, or to be utilized by the body.   The term anoxia is commonly used but the more precise term is hypoxia as there is rarely a complete oxygen deprivation. 

For some reason the tissues are deprived of oxygen.  This can happen in different ways. 

Hypoxia is shortage of oxygen, while anoxia is the absence of oxygen

There are four types of hypoxia which means that the tissues are starved of oxygen. 

Hypoxemic - low blood oxygen county as in altitude sickness, low blood transport, anemia, low blood oxygen carrying capacity (ie. carbon monoxide poisoning)

Distribitive - low blood flow such as in shock or atherosclerosis

Histotoxic - poisoning (ie.- cycanide) or anything that keeps cells from using oxygen.

If not reversed quickly, hypoxia can lead to necrosis (tissue death) as in heart attack or nerve damage. 

The brain cannot be deprived of the necessary oxygen for more than a few minutes.  Nerve cell degeneration begins quickly, and damage to the respiratory centers prevents resumption of breathing. 

Nerve Damage

An inadequate supply of oxygen can result in nerve damage, There are many ways in which the this can occur.     See Risks for Neuropathy

For more information about Neuropathy and what can be done for relief see Neuropathy

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