hypoxia

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablemedicaltechnical

   A condition in which the body or part of it does not get enough oxygen to work properly.

   Grammar: Not used with an or plural: the climber developed hypoxia.

   Patterns

   • suffer from hypoxia
   • hypoxia at high altitude

   Hypoxia can make mountain climbers dizzy and confused.

   The newborn was treated for hypoxia after a difficult birth.

   Pilots train to recognize the early signs of hypoxia.

2. 2noununcountablebiologytechnical

   Low oxygen levels in water or soil, which can harm living things in lakes, oceans or fields.

   Grammar: Used in science and environmental writing: hypoxia in the bay.

   Patterns

   • hypoxia in something

   Fish kills in the bay were caused by hypoxia.

   Farm runoff can lead to hypoxia in coastal waters.

Common combinations

suffer from hypoxia

Patients who suffer from hypoxia need extra oxygen.

cerebral hypoxia

Cerebral hypoxia can damage the brain within minutes.

altitude hypoxia

Altitude hypoxia affects people who climb quickly.

prevent hypoxia

The mask is designed to prevent hypoxia during flight.

signs of hypoxia

Blue lips are one of the signs of hypoxia.

Synonyms and how they differ

oxygen deprivation

Oxygen deprivation is the plain-language equivalent and is better in everyday talk.

oxygen deficiency

Oxygen deficiency is a broader phrase, often used for air or water, whereas hypoxia is the clinical term.

anoxia

Anoxia means a total lack of oxygen, while hypoxia means only that the supply is too low.

Opposites

Word family

hypoxic adjective

suffering from or caused by low oxygen

hypoxemia noun

low oxygen in the blood

anoxia noun

complete absence of oxygen

Commonly confused: hypoxia or hypothermia?

Practice

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