Get to know Happy Hypoxia in COVID-19

 Blog Dokter Sobri

Get to know Happy Hypoxia in COVID-19

Lately, the term ' happy hypoxia ' has often appeared and is associated with the Corona virus infection that is endemic around the world. Even though it has a name that suggests a feeling of happiness, the condition of happy hypoxia needs to be watched out for because it is dangerous for people with COVID-19.

Covid 19 can cause various symptoms, such as fever, cough and runny nose. In severe cases, this disease can cause shortness of breath and decreased consciousness due to lack of oxygen.

On the other hand, there are also people with COVID-19 who don't feel any symptoms. Well , even though sometimes there are no symptoms, it turns out that corona virus infection can make the sufferer's body experience a slow decrease in oxygen.

This phenomenon of reducing the amount of oxygen in the body without causing symptoms is known as happy hypoxia .

Hypoxemia and Happy Hypoxia

Normally, oxygen levels in the blood (oxygen saturation) are in the range 95-100% or around 75-100 mmHg. When the oxygen level in the blood drops below this number, the body will experience a lack of oxygen. This condition is called hypoxemia or hypoxia.

There are many things that can cause a person to experience hypoxia, including:

• Heart defects
• Impaired lung function, such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD and lung cancer
• Breathing problems during sleep or sleep apnea
• Anemia

In addition, hypoxia can also occur in people who dive to a certain depth or are at a certain height.

Hypoxia that is not treated properly can cause damage to tissues and organs, such as the brain and heart. When this happens, the function of the organs will be disrupted, causing various health problems.

Most people who experience hypoxia will experience symptoms of shortness of breath, weakness, pale skin, and bluish nails and lips. If it is severe, hypoxia can make the sufferer experience a decrease in consciousness or even a coma.

However, in certain cases, hypoxia can occur without any symptoms and is only detected when the patient undergoes a blood test or oxygen saturation check with a device called a pulse oximeter. This condition, called silent hypoxia  or happy hypoxia, is thought to occur in people with COVID-19.

Causes of Happy Hypoxia

There is a theory that states that happy hypoxia occurs due to inflammation of the lung tissue caused by Corona virus infection. There are also those who say that this occurs due to problems in the nervous system that regulates respiratory function and oxygen levels in the blood.

Although the cause of happy hypoxia in sufferers of COVID-19 has not been determined, several studies have shown that happy hypoxia can increase the risk of death in sufferers of COVID-19.

Therefore, everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 still needs to be vigilant even though they don't experience any symptoms.

Happy Hypoxia Handling

Hypoxic conditions, whether symptomatic or not, need to be treated by a doctor immediately. To treat hypoxia, the doctor will provide oxygen therapy and treat diseases or conditions that cause a decrease in oxygen levels.

In hypoxic patients who can still breathe, hypoxia can be treated by administering oxygen through a tube or oxygen mask. Whereas in patients who have decreased consciousness or cannot breathe, the doctor will provide oxygen through a ventilator and perform treatment in the ICU.

Regards

Blog Dokter Sobri