Hypoxia 101: Types, Symptoms, and How EWOT Can Help

You know oxygen is vital to your life, but what if your body isn’t getting enough oxygen? Fatigue, shortness of breath, and brain fog become your daily companions. Hypoxia, the condition where your body or a part of your body is deprived of oxygen, can lead to a host of problems, whether it’s due to altitude, sleep disorders, or chronic respiratory issues.

Conquering Hypoxia with Exercise with Oxygen Therapy

While hypoxia may seem daunting, here’s a proactive solution: Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT). Let’s discuss how EWOT can address the issue of hypoxia.

What is Hypoxia?

First, let’s take a look at what hypoxia is. The National Institute of Health defines Hypoxia as “a condition in which there is a decrease in the oxygen supply to a tissue.”

When you inhale, your lungs take in oxygen and transport it to your blood. Your blood is responsible for transporting oxygen to the cells and tissues in your body. Inside the cells, oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide, a waste product generated during cellular activity. When you exhale, your lungs expel this carbon dioxide from the body.

But what if your oxygen levels drop? Your blood is unable to carry sufficient oxygen to your tissues to meet your body’s oxygen demands.

Hypoxia vs. Hypoxemia: Are they the Same?

You might have seen the terms hypoxia and hypoxemia being used interchangeably. Are they the same? Well, the answer is no.

Hypoxia is the reduced oxygen supply to the tissues.
Hypoxemia, on the other hand, is a condition where the oxygen levels in the blood are lower than normal. It can be considered a precursor to hypoxia because blood transports oxygen throughout the body. When oxygen levels in the blood decrease, it leads to inadequate delivery of oxygen to the tissues, potentially causing hypoxia. But it’s possible to have hypoxia without hypoxemia, and the reverse is also true.

Types of Hypoxia

1. Classification by Cause


Type of Hypoxia	Description	Causes
Hypoxemic Hypoxia	The tissues don’t receive enough oxygen because there is a lack of oxygen in the blood.	High-altitude environments Low levels of oxygen in the air Shallow breathing Pulmonary edema Asthma
Anemic Hypoxia	Occurs when the ability of blood to transport oxygen is reduced, often due to the decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells.	Anemia Blood loss Carbon monoxide poisoning
Stagnant Hypoxia	Also called circulatory hypoxia, this occurs when poor blood flow prevents oxygen from reaching tissues, even if the blood is well-oxygenated.	Edema (swelling of tissues) Blood clot Stroke
Histotoxic Hypoxia	Cells are unable to utilize oxygen effectively, even though sufficient oxygen reaches the bloodstream and tissues.	Cyanide poisoning

2. Classification By Extent


Type of Hypoxia	Description
Generalized Hypoxia	Affects the whole body Synonymous with hypoxemic hypoxia Occurs when there is a lack of adequate oxygen in the air you breathe
Localized Hypoxia	Localized to a body part such as an organ or limb

3. Classification By Affected Part


Type of Hypoxia	Description	Causes
Cerebral Hypoxia (Brain Hypoxia)	Occurs when your brain doesn’t get sufficient oxygen Can be life-threatening	Cardiac arrest Head injuries Smoke inhalation Severe anemia Seizure Severe blood loss Surgical complications Stroke
Corneal Hypoxia	Lack of oxygen supply to the cornea, the transparent part of the eye	Prolonged use of contact lenses
Intrauterine Hypoxia	The fetus is deprived of oxygen, Also known as fetal hypoxia 3 main subtypes: Preplacental Hypoxia: Mother and fetus are hypoxic Uteroplacental Hypoxia: The mother’s oxygenation is normal, but the placenta and fetus are hypoxic. Postplacental Hypoxia: Only the fetus is hypoxic.	Preplacental Hypoxia High altitude environments Cyanotic maternal heart disease Pulmonary hypertension Uteroplacental Hypoxia Abnormal placental implantation IUGR Pre-eclampsia Postplacental Hypoxia Mechanical obstruction of umbilical cords Progressive fetal cardiac failure Genetic abnormalities

Nocturnal Hypoxemia

A condition in which blood oxygen levels drop during sleep.

Several factors contribute to the drop in oxygen levels, including:

Underlying medical conditions such as COPD, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, heart conditions

Unhealthy lifestyle choices: smoking, alcohol consumption, use of sleeping pills

Altitude

Sleep position

Who Can Be Hypoxic?

Hypoxia can be caused by any condition that limits oxygen in the blood or impairs blood flow. People with heart or lung conditions, such as COPD, emphysema, or asthma, are particularly at risk. Infections like pneumonia, flu, and COVID-19 can further increase the risk of developing hypoxia.

What are the Symptoms of Hypoxia?

Identifying the signs of hypoxia is important for timely intervention. While the symptoms may vary depending on the severity, type of hypoxia, and the affected body part, here are some common hypoxia symptoms:

Shortness of breath
Rapid breathing
Fatigue and weakness
Dizziness
Confusion
Chest pain
Increased heart rate
Headache

If hypoxia is severe, you may notice some additional symptoms, such as

Slow heart rate
Bluish tinge to the skin
Extreme restlessness

Can Hypoxia Be Cured?

Now, you may ask, “Is hypoxia curable?” The answer largely depends on the underlying cause of oxygen deficiency. The common treatment approaches include:

Oxygen Therapy:
Oxygen therapy is the most direct treatment for chronic hypoxia, where supplemental oxygen is administered to increase oxygen levels in the blood. An oxygen concentrator delivers oxygen through a mask or a nasal cannula connected to your nose.
Medications
In some cases, especially if the cause of hypoxia is a one-time event, medications may be prescribed to treat the underlying condition. For example, if you have COPD or asthma, bronchodilators or steroids may be used to open the airways and increase oxygen intake.
Exercise with Oxygen Therapy
Exercise with Oxygen Therapy, as the name implies, is the practice of combining physical activity with the use of supplemental oxygen to improve oxygen delivery to your tissues and organs. When exercising, your body has high oxygen demand.

By supplementing with additional oxygen during exercise, EWOT helps improve your lung function, increase blood flow, and optimize oxygen utilization at the cellular level. Over time, engaging in EWOT sessions regularly can improve exercise tolerance and the body’s ability to handle low-oxygen conditions, making it a complementary therapy for people with hypoxia and related conditions.
Lifestyle Modifications
Making healthy lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, weight management and regular exercise can help improve lung function and prevent or manage hypoxia.

Preventing and Managing Hypoxia: The Role of EWOT

Preventing and managing hypoxia needs a comprehensive approach. While acute hypoxia requires immediate medical attention, chronic forms of oxygen deprivation can often be managed through Oxygen Therapy, lifestyle changes, and adjunctive therapies such as EWOT.

Still confused about how EWOT can address hypoxia? It’s simple logic—increasing your body’s oxygen levels (hyperoxia) is the best way to counter hypoxia. Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT) works on this exact principle, effectively eliminating hypoxia and restoring healthy oxygen levels.

Now let’s take a look at what EWOT can do to address hypoxia:

1. Increased Oxygen Delivery

EWOT works by delivering higher concentrations of oxygen while engaging in moderate-intensity exercise. This increases oxygen availability to the tissues, even if you have a compromised respiratory or cardiovascular system. EWOT works on improving lung function, improving blood flow, and supporting effective utilization of oxygen at the cellular level, addressing the main issue of hypoxia: oxygen deprivation.

If you are at risk of developing nocturnal hypoxemia, EWOT can offer you a long-term solution. EWOT can benefit:

People with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea
Those who are overweight or obese
Anyone looking for a natural way to manage nocturnal hypoxia

2. Improved Immunity

Exercise with Oxygen Therapy has been shown to improve immune function. Increased oxygen levels improve circulation, which helps immune cells travel more efficiently throughout the body. This ensures that immune responses are faster and more effective, especially in those with respiratory conditions prone to cerebral hypoxia and nocturnal hypoxemia.

Always consult your healthcare practitioner before starting any exercise program, including EWOT, especially if you have underlying medical conditions or a history of hypoxia.

Takeaway

Hypoxia, whether it’s acute or chronic, demands careful management and treatment. By understanding the types, causes, and symptoms of hypoxia, you can take charge of your health and can better manage the condition. Incorporating Exercise with Oxygen Therapy(EWOT) into your fitness routine is a proactive step to address hypoxia and prevent serious complications down the road.