Mini-Clini: Differentiating Causes of Hypoxemia - Essay Example

Differentiating Causes of Hypoxemia Introduction: Simply defined, hypoxemia is the insufficient oxygenation of arterial blood and itis determined by measuring the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood. On the other hand, hypoxia is a condition where the whole body or a specified region of the body has low oxygen supply. Some symptoms of hypoxemia include anxiety, headaches, lassitude, restlessness and confusion. Causes of hypoxemia include a wide range of health issues, ranging from carbon monoxide poisoning to respiratory disorders.

It is important to note here that hypoxemia can eventually cause hypoxia. Some of the causes are discussed below (Haddad & Yu, 2009).Pleural effusion.Pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the region between visceral pleurae and the parietal pleurae (the pleural space). Its main cause is transdiaphragmatic lymphatic blockage. The presence of pleural fluid in the pleural space may influence diaphragm and cardiac functions. In some cases, these effusions can become large enough to cause respiratory failure and hypoxia.

Normally, atmospheric pressure is higher than alveoli pressure. This decreased alveoli pressure is what inflates the alveoli. However, an increase in the contents of the pleural space causes an increase in pressure which in turn squeezes the lungs causing a potential collapse of a lobe. It is because of this that even the work of breathing becomes harder leading to hypoventilation which in turn definitely leads to hypoxia (McClatchey, 2002).Parkinsons disease.This is a brain disorder which leads to difficulties in coordination, walking and movement.

It occurs when the brain’s nerve cells that are responsible for making dopamine are slowly destroyed. A drop in dopamine causes depression, decreased mobility, muscle stiffness and eventually Parkinson’s disease. Without dopamine, the brain neurotransmitter that helps control muscle movement, muscle function is lost. Dopamine is responsible for triggering the heart to increase the strength of contractions causing re-oxygenation of tissues during heart failure. When the levels of dopamine are low, tissue re-oxygenation cannot occur.

This eventually leads to hypoxia. Dopamine is known to decrease hypoxic ventilator response (HVR). Therefore, Parkinson’s disease causes impairment to hypoxia chemosensitivity (Haddad & Yu, 2009).Guillain Barre Syndrome.This is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’simmune system attacks part of the nervous system, albeit mistakenly. It is a hypoventilation syndrome caused by loss of myelin. It causes inflammation of the nerves that in turn cause muscle weakness. It also causes difficulty in breathing and swallowing, loss of movement and fainting.

This syndrome leads to hypoventilation and diaphragmatic weakness which produces both hypoxemic respiratory failure and hypoxia. This is due to the paralysis of the respiratory muscles or organs in the body (McClatchey, 2002).Conclusion.Hypoxia, which is the reduction of oxygen supply in the body, is caused by different factors among them Guillain Barre Syndrome, Parkinsons disease and pleural effusion. The brain is the largest consumer of oxygen in the body. Therefore, it is highly sensitive to hypoxia.

Even short intervals of hypoxia can cause brain damage. (Haddad & Yu, 2009). Guillain Barre Syndrome is known to cause muscle weakness and difficulties in breathing. If a patient cannot breath properly, then they are susceptible to hypoxia. The reduced levels of dopamine in Parkinson’s disease compromise muscle coordination especially the cardiac muscles hence the heart cannot pump re-oxygenated blood properly. The accumulation of fluid in the pleural space squeezes the lungs hence increased work of breathing which lead to hypoxia (McClatchey, 2002).

ReferencesHaddad, G., & Yu, S. (2009). Brain Hypoxia and Ischemia. Berlin: Springer.McClatchey, K. (2002). Clinical laboratory medicine. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.