What is the difference between Hypoxia and Anoxia?

Hypoxia refers to a medical term that describes the insufficient supply of oxygen in the body tissues; while on the other hand, anoxia refers to a medical term that describes the complete absence of oxygen in the whole body or a part of the body. Anoxia is usually as a result of hypoxia. Some organs of the body such as the kidney, heart, and the brain deteriorate so fast in performance in the occurrence of anoxia. In the condition of hypoxia, the likable symptoms include bruising, wheezing, cough, vertigo, chronic fatigue, insomnia, rapid breathing, sweating, headache, etc.

While the symptoms for the condition of anoxia (especially in the brain) include: loss of memory, weakness, headache, mood and personality changes, slurred speech, dizziness, lack of concentration, disorientation, etc. The following are the types of hypoxia: hypoxic hypoxia, circulatory hypoxia, hematological hypoxia, and mixed hypoxia. The types of anoxia are anoxic anoxia, toxic anoxia, anemic anoxia, and stagnant anoxia.

Hypoxia is a term which describes the lack of enough oxygen to maintain healthy life functions. Hypoxia may vary in strength, and it may be acute or chronic. Some tissues can endure hypoxia for a specific time period, while others are severely ravaged by oxygen deficiency. Hypoxia symptoms include trouble concentrating, diminished ability to move, coma, and seizure. It involves low oxygen saturation of arterial blood. If hypoxia disturbs the brain, it can rapidly cause brain damage or death.

Anoxia is a term which describes the occurrence where the body or parts of it completely lose oxygen supply. Usually, anoxia is a result of hypoxia. Anoxia is even more detrimental to the brain. Even a short time in this state may cause irreversible damage to it. Symptoms include slurred speech, weakness, dizziness, and severe headache.

Hypoxia and anoxia are two medical terms that cause health problems to the body. With hypoxia, the symptoms can range from coughing, pain in the chest, fatigue, headaches, problems breathing, easy bruising, insomnia, and sweating. Other symptoms could take place if the hypoxia has traveled to the brain, which is much more severe. Anoxia is a condition where there is no or a loss of oxygen.

The symptoms with anoxia in the brain does not seem to have as severe symptoms as hypoxia, but they are a weakness, trouble speaking, dizziness, headaches, and changes in mood and personality. That is not to say that anoxia can’t be deadly because it certainly can if it is left untreated. Hypoxia affects normal everyday activities.