Due to various circumstances, a variety of pathological processes can develop in the human body. One of them is hemic hypoxia. Because of this, biological processes that continuously occur in the body are disrupted. This entails a number of failures, poor health of a person. Features of hypoxia, its varieties and development mechanisms will be discussed below.
Pathology Description
A fairly common pathology is hemic hypoxia. The reasons and mechanisms of its development deserve special attention. It is worth noting that this is a pathological process in which the body begins to experience a lack of oxygen. It develops as a result of insufficient oxidative biological processes. Due to hypoxia, the energy and plastic processes in the body are disturbed.
Such a state can develop due to both internal and external reasons. Failures in the metabolic processes of the body or insufficient intake of oxygen during breathing causes similar deviations.
There are various causes of hemic hypoxia. Moreover, such a condition should not be considered as a syndrome or diagnosis, but as a general pathological process. Often it is called in life oxygen starvation. It leads to the development of various diseases. Hypoxia is not considered an ailment. This is a cumulative biological process that can affect a variety of organs and tissues, such as inflammation or dystrophy. It determines the development of pathological changes in the future.
With the development of hypoxia, disorders are determined at the cellular level. They are conditionally divided into 2 groups. This may be decompensation or adaptive reactions. The second manifestations occur at the very beginning of hypoxia. At this time, the body is still able to maintain the relatively proper functioning of tissues and organs.
But with prolonged oxygen starvation, the body's resources are depleted. Adaptive reactions cannot be maintained for long. Next comes the decompensation. At this stage, changes in tissues and organs become irreversible. First, oxygen deficiency is observed at the level of organs, and then death occurs.
Development mechanism
Considering the pathogenesis of hemic hypoxia, it is worth noting that compensatory reactions occur at the cellular level. The effects that occur at this time are aimed at increasing the supply of oxygen to the tissues. Consistent compensatory reactions are provided by the organs of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Also, biochemical processes in the body begin to occur differently in the tissues that are most deficient in oxygen.
As long as compensatory reactions, organs, tissues do not experience a serious oxygen deficiency. But at the same time, it is extremely necessary to restore its normal intake into the body. If this does not happen, a gradual, slow decompensatory process will begin in the tissues. Cells are damaged. The whole organ to which they belong begins to work incorrectly.
Different manifestations are characterized by hemic hypoxia. The pathophysiology of this process deserves special attention. There is an acute and chronic form of hypoxia. They appear in different ways. In acute hypoxia during compensatory reactions, blood circulation and respiration increase. Tachycardia also appears, pressure rises. A person begins to breathe often and deeply. The load on the heart increases. Now it is forced to pump more blood. From the bone marrow, spleen in acute hypoxia, all red blood cell stores exit.
Such processes can enhance the process of oxygen delivery to cells. To do this, more blood passes through the vessels. If hypoxia is not only acute, but also severe, a redistribution of resources is observed. Blood rushes to vital organs, and it almost completely leaves other systems. Therefore, the heart and brain begin to receive a significant portion of the blood. In this case, the muscles and organs of the abdominal cavity begin to experience an acute shortage of blood supply.
Thanks to such processes, if acute hypoxia is eliminated in a timely manner, a person will be able to survive. All organs and systems that have not received the required amount of blood will work normally over time. But with prolonged acute hypoxia, compensatory reactions become ineffective. Irreversible changes take place that will remain even if the supply of the required amount of oxygen is resumed.
In the chronic form of hypoxia, compensatory processes develop against the background of various diseases. At the same time, the number of red blood cells in the blood increases. These cells also undergo changes, which facilitates the transfer of oxygen. With chronic hypoxia in the lungs, the number of alveoli increases. Breathing becomes deep, and the volume of the chest increases. The heart also increases, and the number of blood vessels in the lungs increases.
Tissue cells undergo changes. The number of mitochondria increases in them, the microcirculation of blood is activated. Because of this, a pinkish tint appears on the skin. Some mistake this manifestation for a healthy glow.
Adaptive reactions in acute hypoxia are reflexive. Therefore, with the resumption of the supply of a sufficient amount of oxygen to the blood, organs and tissues that are previously deficient in it begin to work normally. Reactions in a chronic form of pathology are not reflex. Therefore, even after elimination of oxygen starvation, organs and systems cannot immediately return to their previous mode of operation. In some cases, the body can adapt to conditions of chronic hypoxia so well that it will not suffer from a lack of oxygen.
Varieties
What is the difference between hemic and tissue types of hypoxia? These processes have slightly different causes of development. To determine the main features of hypoxia, you need to consider its types. According to the development mechanism, it can be exogenous and endogenous. In the first case, this condition is also called hypoxic hypoxia. This type of oxygen starvation is due to environmental characteristics.
Endogenous hypoxia is caused by diseases that a person has. It is in this category that hemic (or blood) hypoxia belongs. It may be anemic or due to inactivation of hemoglobin. In the first case, a person has a low hemoglobin level. In the second form of hemic hypoxia, red blood cells do not fulfill the functions assigned to them in full.
Blood hypoxia is caused by a decrease in the oxygen capacity of the blood. It loses the ability to attach oxygen to hemoglobin. Most often, this phenomenon is observed with carbon monoxide poisoning. Anemia, erythrocyte hemolysis can also lead to this type of hypoxia. In addition to blood oxygen starvation, it happens:
- Breathing It is also called pulmonary or respiratory.
- Circulating. It manifests itself in violations of the functions of the cardiovascular system. This kind of pathology can be stagnant or ischemic.
- Tissue. It is also called histoxic hypoxia.
- Substrate.
- Reloading.
- Mixed.
Development speed
The following types of hypoxia are distinguished by the rate of development:
- Instant (lightning fast). It lasts no more than 2-3 minutes, but develops in just a few seconds.
- Sharp. It develops in several tens of minutes, but not more than 2 hours.
- Subacute. Oxygen starvation lasts from 3 to 5 hours.
- Chronic It can last for years.
Description of hemic oxygen starvation
What causes hemic hypoxia? This condition develops in the event of a violation of the qualitative characteristics of the blood. It reduces the amount of hemoglobin. Depending on the provoking factor, this type of hypoxia may be due to changes in hemoglobin or anemic characteristics. Its treatment depends on the type of pathology.
With anemic hypoxia in the blood, the amount of hemoglobin decreases. The causes of this phenomenon may be fluid retention in the body or any type of anemia. These violations occur in different circumstances.
The causes of hemic hypoxia of the second form are quite specific. Such a pathology develops due to poisoning by toxic gases, substances. Because of this, hemoglobin forms appear that lose the ability to carry oxygen molecules.
With anemic hypoxia, hemoglobin binds normally. But it is too small in the blood, which does not allow for the normal functioning of organs and systems. Because of this, chronic hypoxia often develops.
A dangerous condition for humans is hemic hypoxia. The reasons for it may be different. This, for example, may be a violation of the ability of hemoglobin to transport oxygen molecules, the pathology manifests itself in an acute form. A sufficient amount of hemoglobin passes through the lungs. But, changing its properties, it cannot be saturated with oxygen. Because organs lack it. Poisoning can occur with such chemicals as carbon monoxide, nitrates, sulfur, nitrites, etc. They bind to hemoglobin in the body, affecting its properties.
Causes of Anemia
In laboratory conditions, it can be revealed that a person develops hemic hypoxia. The causes of the pathology of the anemic type are different. For example, it can be certain diseases. So, in men, a chronic lack of iron in the body or other important trace elements or vitamins can lead to a similar condition. Because of this, metabolic processes proceed incorrectly.
Hormonal disruptions, heavy menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, and lactation can lead to a lack of hemoglobin in the blood of women. In the fair sex, anemia is diagnosed more often than in men.
In representatives of both sexes, the hemic type of hypoxia caused by a lack of hemoglobin can be caused by latent gastrointestinal diseases, manifested by intestinal erosion, hemorrhoids, and peptic ulcer. Parasitic diseases, benign or malignant neoplasms can also lead to a similar outcome.
In addition, with an improper diet, starvation, anemia develops in people of any age and gender. Especially this condition is often diagnosed in women who are trying to lose weight. Strict diets negatively affect overall well-being, lead to the development of anemia and oxygen starvation. Therefore, it is important to include meat, milk, eggs, legumes, lots of greens, and cereal in the diet. In this case, the unpleasant symptoms that accompany hypoxia will soon pass.
Poisoning
Signs of hemic hypoxia are also determined by poisoning with various chemicals. In this case, the amount of hemoglobin in the blood is sufficient, but it is not able to carry oxygen. Poisoning can happen in different circumstances. Most often this happens during a fire. If a person inhales carbon monoxide, he develops acute hypoxia.
However, not many people know that, in addition to carbon monoxide, inhalation of cigarette smoke, car exhausts, solvents, etc. leads to similar consequences. Nitrates and nitrites are found in some chemicals. So, you can be poisoned by substances such as aniline, bertoletova salt, methylene blue, naphthalene, potassium permanganate and others.
Other toxic substances
Blood type hypoxia can be diagnosed after a person has contact with such substances:
- Anestezin.
- Vikasol.
- Aspirin.
- Hydroxylamine.
- Red blood salt.
- Novokan.
- Saltpeter.
- Nitric oxide.
- Sulfanilamide preparations (e.g., biseptolum).
- Phenylhydrazine
- Phenacetin.
- Citramon
- Quinones.
Toxic substances in contact with hemoglobin change its quality. In addition to the listed methods of poisoning, a person can suffer during the production of silage, during acetylene welding, as well as in contact with defoliants, herbicides, explosives, etc.
Symptomatology
Hemic hypoxia is characterized by special manifestations. Symptoms occur in all forms except lightning. In this case, the symptoms simply do not have time to manifest. With fulminant hypoxia, quick death occurs (no more than 2 minutes).
The acute form lasts for 2-3 hours. Oxygen deficiency manifests itself immediately in several organs and systems. Breathing quickens, as does the frequency of the heartbeat. Blood pressure drops. Further, if the causes of hypoxia are not eliminated, the person falls into a coma. There is agony followed by death.
Symptom in subacute form
In the subacute form of hemic hypoxia, hypoxic syndrome develops. First of all, disorders of the central nervous system develop. It is the brain that is most sensitive to a lack of oxygen. Necrotic foci quickly appear in its tissues. As a result, hemorrhage may form. A person because of this at an early stage feels euphoric. His condition becomes agitated; he cannot sit without movement. However, a person does not usually understand how serious this phenomenon is.
If hypoxia is not eliminated, inhibition of the functions of the cerebral cortex appears. The manifestation of this condition is similar to alcohol intoxication. Drowsiness, dizziness, lethargy and tinnitus appear. A person may feel headache and lethargy. Sometimes involuntary discharge of feces and urine appears, vomiting, nausea appears. First, you can observe a disorder of coordination of movements, and then cramps. The latter appear in the presence of external stimuli. First, facial muscles begin to twitch, then cramps are observed on the arms and legs. Further, erratic contractions of the abdominal muscles join.
In case of chemical poisoning, the skin acquires a pinkish tint. Pressure drops, a man falls into a coma. At the same time, brain functions fade away. If the pressure drops below 20 mmHg. Art., a person dies.
In chronic hemic hypoxia, symptoms are less pronounced. Over time, they can pass completely. Man is gradually adapting.