The fatal condition of hypoxia associated with Covid-19

Happy Hypoxia Knowledge Can Save Your Life…Learn more…

Tuesday, 15th June 2021

The coronavirus pandemic showed its most ugly visage during the second wave that shook every corner of our country. Millions were infected and innumerable people lost their lives too. Breathlessness issues suffered by millions in the country reached an alarming dimension and people were left in a horrible state simply gasping for some breaths.

As we already know, COVID-19 infection is actually a respiratory disease taking a huge toll on our breathing abilities and our lungs and also on other body parts.

In severe cases, the infection may lead to a significant fall in the oxygen levels, thus, making it pretty difficult to even breathe and the condition may be associated with chest pain too. But there are also people who suffer from ‘happy hypoxia’ once infected by the coronavirus. These people, in most cases, will hardly show any signs of declining oxygen levels…they’ll probably not have any sort of pains and breathlessness initially. Only at an advanced stage, they start showing the signs and it could be too late then!
Coronavirus infection, as we all know, is primarily a respiratory disease that causes large-scale inflammation in the respiratory tract, affecting one’s lungs the most. It impedes the circulation of pure, oxygenated blood in one’s body, thus, making it difficult for an infected person to breathe. According to experts, coagulation of blood or blood clotting in lung blood vessels is actually the key reason for a sharp fall in oxygen levels.

Also Read: All you need to know about nasal anti-covid vaccines.

When oxygen levels drop in one’s body, the condition is referred to as hypoxia. Oxygen saturation levels that are considered ‘normal’ should be between 94% and 99% but for someone who is infected with COVID-19 and the lungs are affected, the oxygen levels drop below normal. The symptoms of hypoxia include chest pain and breathlessness. There could be other respiratory issues too. But if the patient is suffering from happy hypoxia there won’t be any obvious external symptom or signs of poor oxygen levels and this inevitably leads to delay in diagnosis, treatment, and resultant complications. The patient with this condition seems happily alright until it’s too late.

Experts, therefore, advise regular oxygen level monitoring in case COVID infected patients. Whether one is mildly infected or is basically asymptomatic, they must keep a tab on their oxygen saturation levels through everyday checks. A pulse oximeter should help in regular checks. It’s portable and pocket-sized and can keep you aware of your daily oxygen saturation levels.

If happy hypoxia is detected at an early stage, severe complications may be avoided and timely treatment may be started reducing the risks of hospital admittance.

The News Talkie Bureau

Source:

Timesofindia Indiatimes