Introduction
Understanding the factors contributing to the hypoxia condition and its symptoms is critical for developing knowledge about flight physiology and acquiring the necessary information about avoiding dangerous events during flights. Furthermore, aviation physiology is closely connected with understanding the laws of atmospheric pressure and its measures. This paper will focus on defining the hypoxia condition, explaining hypoxia symptoms, exploring the common stresses experienced by flight passengers, and listing possible measures to help avoid hypoxia.
Discussion
Firstly, hypoxia during flights occurs due to changes in atmospheric pressure where oxygen is released from the blood. Thus, hypoxia is characterized by a low level of oxygen in tissues. Hypoxia is not necessarily limited to flight physiology, as some people can experience hypoxia on the ground due to hypoventilation or during scuba diving because of low oxygen levels. Hypoxia condition is dangerous because it can cause significant permanent brain damage in a short time and even cause death.
Flight passengers are exposed to several stress factors, such as decreased partial pressure of oxygen or low concentration of oxygen in the air and barometric pressure. Furthermore, the thermal changes and decreased humidity during flight can also cause additional stress for passengers. Lastly, exposure to loud noise and vibration during flight can worsen the existing stress factor of fatigue from work. A combination of stress factors can cause anxiety or shortness of breath and lower oxygen levels in the blood.
Hypoxia has additive effects, which means that depending on the stage of hypoxia, the condition can manifest in different symptoms, making it more difficult to detect. The indifferent stage of hypoxia which occurs during flights below ten thousand feet, can manifest in relatively mild symptoms such as increased respiratory rate and heart rate. The compensatory stage of hypoxia can manifest in lower oxygen saturation in the blood (80-90%), nausea, and impaired thinking (LVHN MedEvac Education Channel, 2016). A further stage of hypoxia, also known as disturbance, occurs during flights between 15,000 to 20,000 feet and manifests in more severe nervous system dysfunctions such as tunnel vision. Another significant example of hypoxia symptoms is cyanosis or a visible change of color in body tissues to a blue or purple tint; however, the absence of cyanosis symptoms does not indicate adequate oxygenation. The last critical stage of hypoxia can be characterized by a low level of oxygen saturation in the blood (60-70%), incapacitation, and unconsciousness (LVHN MedEvac Education Channel, 2016). Without treatment, the critical stage of hypoxia can result in a state of coma or death in a short time.
The measures focused on the prevention of hypoxia focus on the provision and maintenance of necessary equipment for treatment, such as positive pressure ventilation devices and supplemental O2. Furthermore, prevention activities also include prompt recognition of hypoxia symptoms among passengers. Other techniques focus on reducing the impact of barometric pressure on the gastrointestinal tract by prohibiting chewing gum, carbonated beverages, and other products that complicate food digestion. Lastly, it is recommended to avoid flights for passengers with URI since barometric pressure can cause significant pain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper defined hypoxia and explained its symptoms and different stages. The paper also listed potential measures that can help avoid hypoxia and its progression to further stages. The recommendations focus on minimization of the impact of barometric pressure on passengers, early detection of hypoxia symptoms, and protection of passengers from additional stressors in the form of loud noises, temperature changes, and vibration.
Reference
LVHN MedEvac Education Channel. (2016). Flight physiology. YouTube. Web.