We need oxygen to live, as does almost every living organism on Earth. Without oxygen we would perish. Not having enough oxygen in our cells is a serious condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia can cause brain problems – which is responsible for circulating oxygen to our heart, cardiovascular system and more. Here are 7 possible reasons why you may be suffering from low oxygen.
1. Low Blood Pressure
Blood flow is measured by blood pressure. They can indicate hardened blood vessels or lower nitric oxide. Any one of these is a result of high blood pressure, which means your body needs to use more force to move your blood throughout your system.
2. Red blood cells
Hemoglobin carries oxygen. Red blood cells carry that hemoglobin. Therefore, we carry more oxygen throughout our system the more red blood cells we have. We want as much hemoglobin as possible, as it is a protein that transports most of the oxygen. When you’re determining your complete blood count, pay attention to your red blood cell and hemoglobin measurements. These will tell you about your levels of hypoxia or hypoxemia. These two dangerous conditions occur when your body doesn’t have enough oxygen. You can increase your hemoglobin levels by eating more spinach, beetroot, broccoli, chickpeas, black beans, or brown rice.
3. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea means that air flow is blocked through the throat. This is a result of upper airways collapsing during sleep. This means that sufferers are receiving less air – and oxygen levels dramatically plummet. Symptoms of sleep apnea include memory problems, loud snoring, irritability and headaches. This can be improved by using a portable oxygen concentrator.
4. Nasal Problems
Any problem breathing through your nose obstructs the passage of oxygen. To prevent nasal congestion so you can get more air through, mix 1/2 tsp. of sea salt to a pinch of baking soda. Mix in a tiny amount of lukewarm water. Pour this into a fine-mist spray bottle to create your own saline spray that will clear out mucous.
5. Stress
High levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) sends your cardiovascular system into overdrive, resulting in a series of frequent, shallow breaths. This helps cause low oxygen levels. A popular form of obliterating stress is to practice proper meditation techniques.
6. Poor Circulation
Are your hands and feet always cold? You may have low blood circulation. Another symptom is breathing difficulties, because your heart isn’t getting the oxygen it needs. Having poor blood circulation also results in stiff joints and nerves. A quick, painless remedy is to perform 10-20 air squats daily. Ideally, any form of exercise that gets you moving is perfect – air squats have a lot of additional health benefits.
7. Chronic Inflammation
Cytokines stops oxygen from reaching tissues throughout your body. This causes severe chronic inflammation in your sinuses, throat and muscles. Since inflammation is our body’s way of healing itself (via white blood cells), neutrophils (which release free radicals) help destroy pathogens and bacteria. Unfortunately, free radicals damage healthy cells in the process. As we’ve discussed, our body needs healthy cells to transport oxygen. Turmeric is a sensational anti-inflammatory medicine that is touted by health experts everywhere.
Conclusion
If you experience a sudden shortness of breath, or while you’re resting, it is vital that you go to a hospital immediately. Obstructed airways prevent oxygen from circulating, which can be potentially fatal. However, not all low oxygen levels are harmful, as they may occur if you are in a high altitude.
