Hypoxemia
abnormally low levels of oxygen in the blood. Hypoxemia may be mild to severe and leads to shortness of breath. Low blood oxygen can result from a variety of conditions that affect either the ability of the heart to pump blood to the lungs to receive oxygen or the function of the lungs themselves. Breathing at high altitudes can also cause hypoxemia. The level of oxygen in the blood can be measured by a test performed on a sample of arterial blood (referred to as an arterial blood gas measurement) or by an instrument known as a pulse oximeter , which is clipped onto the finger.
Read Also:
- Hypoxia-ischemia
Blood flow to cells and organs that is not sufficient to maintain their normal function, combined with a lower-than-normal concentration of oxygen in arterial blood.
- Hypoxic
Pertaining to hypoxia, a subnormal concentration of oxygen.
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Damage to cells in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) from inadequate oxygen. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy allegedly may cause death in the newborn period or result in what is later recognized as developmental delay, mental retardation, or cerebral palsy. This is an area of considerable medical and medicolegal debate.
- Hysterectomy
An operation to remove the uterus. Hysterectomies are most commonly performed as a treatment for fibroids, cancer or severe dysplasia of the uterus, and for dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
- Hysterectomy, abdominal
Surgical removal of the uterus through an incision made in the abdominal wall. As opposed to a vaginal hysterectomy.