What are symptoms of hypoxia?

Hypoxia, a condition characterized by insufficient oxygen supply to the tissues, exhibits several distinctive symptoms as the body attempts to adapt to the reduced oxygen levels. Increased breathing, or tachypnea, is a primary response; the body naturally compensates for the lack of oxygen by trying to intake more air in an effort to deliver additional oxygen to the blood. Accompanying this can be feelings of lightheadedness or dizziness, which arise because the brain is highly sensitive to oxygen levels. Reduced oxygen supply can impair cognitive functions, leading to these sensations.

The other choices present symptoms that are not typically associated with hypoxia. Exhaustion and muscle cramps can be linked to several other conditions but do not specifically indicate a lack of oxygen. Severe headaches and digestive issues can occur due to various reasons unrelated to oxygen deficiency. Feeling cold and shivering might suggest hypothermia or other issues rather than hypoxia. Therefore, increased breathing and lightheadedness are the hallmark symptoms that relate directly to the body’s physiological response to hypoxia.