COPD can cause hypoxia, which can be managed with oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or changing sleeping position. Regular monitoring is important to prevent complications, and as the condition worsens, mechanical ventilation may be necessary.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can cause hypoxia, in which the body doesn’t get enough oxygen to meet the needs of all of its organs and tissues. This is a known complication of the condition that can be addressed in a variety of ways as part of the patient’s treatment. Some options for managing hypoxia may include giving oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or changing the patient’s sleeping position. Patients may also be routinely evaluated for signs that they are experiencing low oxygen levels.
In people with COPD, a combination of emphysema and chronic bronchitis restricts airway function. This condition is usually associated with smoking, although not always, and is progressive in nature. Over time, the patient’s lung function will decrease, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Strong coughing fits are commonly associated with COPD, and patients can develop painful inflammation of the airways. Hypoxia and COPD are commonly seen together because the patient is not getting enough air.
This can be a particular concern at night. Patients may notice that they have a headache or feel sluggish when they wake up, which is a result of not getting enough oxygen during the night. If a doctor suspects sleep-related hypoxia and COPD, the patient may need to wear an oxygen mask at night. The masks provide oxygen to the patient to limit hypoxic symptoms in the morning and prevent long-term damage.
As a patient’s condition worsens, the connection between hypoxia and COPD can become a bigger problem. The patient may experience shortness of breath during relatively short physical activity and may experience symptoms such as redness and cooling of the extremities. Organ damage can also be a potential problem, especially in the brain, which is very sensitive to episodes of low oxygen supply. Management of hypoxia and COPD is critical to quality of life and patient comfort.
Regular monitoring may include pulmonary function tests to see how well the patient is breathing and oxygen saturation tests. This checks the oxygen level in your blood to determine how much is in circulation. When it drops, this indicates that the patient is not getting enough oxygen and may be prone to complications.
Eventually, the airway inflammation and damage associated with COPD can become so severe that the patient is no longer able to breathe on their own. Mechanical ventilation may be offered as an option to help the patient breathe. Long-term ventilation carries significant risks, such as airway infection, but patients can consider them acceptable to prolong their life.
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