Oxygen Hypoventilation and Hyperventilation Are Respiratory Conditions

Oxygen Hypoventilation and hyperventilation are respiratory conditions related to differential intakes of air. Hypoventilation refers to the inadequate (hypo) intake of air, causing decreased levels of oxygen and increased levels of carbon dioxide in the body. The necessary gas exchanges for maintaining equilibrium become upset. Hypoventilation is caused and characterized by shallow and/or excessively slow breathing. As a result of inadequate gas exchange, carbon dioxide cannot be properly removed and levels of CO2 in the blood become elevated, a condition called hypercapnia.

When levels of CO2 in the blood change, the body's pH changes too. Hyperapnia causes the blood to become more acidic, a condition called Respiratory Acidosis. A person who has lost control over his or her respiratory system may not be able to self-regulate by breathing deeper or faster (Agrawal, n.d.). Hyperventilation is the opposite of hypoventilation. Too much (hyper) air is being taken in and cannot be metabolized efficiently enough.

Paradoxically, the person may feel that they are not getting enough air, but that feeling is due to circumstantial variables like anxiety, yawning, or lightheadedness ("Hypoventilation and Hyperventilation Syndromes," n.d.). In fact, too much air intake is the problem and the person needs to relax. During hyperventilation, levels of partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) drop below 5 kPa, leading to alkalosis in the body ("Hyperventilation and Hypoventilation," n.d.).

Thus, hypoventilation causes acidosis due to elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood; hyperventilation causes alkalosis due to insufficient levels of CO2 levels. 2. About five percent of air passengers get deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) blood clots; the risk of developing a clot doubles on flights of four hours or more (Layton, n.d). According to the American Society of Hematology (n.d.).

flights of 8-10 hours in length can be dangerous because "a blood clot formed in the deep veins of your leg may detach and travel to your lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism." This is when the clot enters the lungs and cuts off oxygen flow to the heart. Initial symptoms of the DVT blood clot are swelling in the leg, redness or discoloration, and skin being warm to the touch (American Society of Hematology, n.d.).

The clots are formed for several reasons: decreased levels of oxygen in the cabin, dehydration, and decreased movement. Decreased levels of oxygen in the cabin cause the blood to clot naturally. Blood reacts to the decreased levels of oxygen by increasing their platelet count and subsequently increasing the viscosity of blood (Layton). Increased platelet count facilitates clot formation. Dehydration further leads to increased blood viscosity. Lack of movement likewise leads to clots due to the lack of circulation.

Because economy class seats are cramped, the awkward position of the legs introduces yet another variable that can cause dangerous DVT clots, which is also why the condition is called economy class syndrome. All people are susceptible to clotting, but people who have a history of heart problems, or who are taking medications that promote blood clotting are at a higher risk. Likewise, older people are at higher risk for clotting.

Getting up from the seat and moving around is one of the methods by which to successfully prevent clots from forming or to help reduce their severity. Moving around is important because circulation can loosen the blood.