Editing Hypoxia (medicine) (section)

==Treatment and management==
Treatment and management depend on circumstances. For most high altitude situations the risk is known, and prevention is appropriate. At low altitudes hypoxia is more likely to be associated with a medical problem or an unexpected contingency, and treatment is more likely to be provided to suit the specific case. It is necessary to identify persons who need oxygen therapy, as supplemental oxygen is required to treat most causes of hypoxia, but different oxygen concentrations may be appropriate.<ref name="Wagstaff 2014" />

===Treatment of acute and chronic cases===
Treatment will depend on the cause of hypoxia. If it is determined that there is an external cause, and it can be removed, then treatment may be limited to support and returning the system to normal oxygenation. In other cases a longer course of treatment may be necessary, and this may require supplemental oxygen over a fairly long term or indefinitely.

There are three main aspects of oxygenation treatment: maintaining patent airways, providing sufficient oxygen content of the inspired air, and improving the diffusion in the lungs.<ref name="Bhutta et al 2022" /> In some cases treatment may extend to improving oxygen capacity of the blood, which may include volumetric and circulatory intervention and support, [[hyperbaric oxygen therapy]] and treatment of intoxication.

Invasive ventilation may be necessary or an elective option in surgery. This generally involves a positive pressure ventilator connected to an endotracheal tube, and allows precise delivery of ventilation, accurate monitoring of F<sub>i<sub>O<sub>2</sub></sub></sub>, and positive end-expiratory pressure, and can be combined with anaesthetic gas delivery. In some cases a [[tracheotomy]] may be necessary.<ref name="Bhutta et al 2022" /> Decreasing metabolic rate by reducing body temperature lowers oxygen demand and consumption, and can minimise the effects of tissue hypoxia, especially in the brain, and therapeutic hypothermia based on this principle may be useful.<ref name="Bhutta et al 2022" /> 

Where the problem is due to respiratory failure. it is desirable to treat the underlying cause. In cases of pulmonary edema, diuretics can be used to reduce the oedems. [[Steroids]] may be effective in some cases of interstitial lung disease, and in extreme cases, [[extracorporeal membrane oxygenation]] (ECMO) can be used.<ref name="Bhutta et al 2022" />

[[Hyperbaric oxygen]] has been found useful for treating some forms of localized hypoxia, including poorly perfused trauma injuries such as  Crush injury, [[compartment syndrome]], and other acute traumatic ischemias.<ref name="UHMS" /><ref name="Bouachour et al 1996" /> It is the definitive treatment for severe [[decompression sickness]], which is largely a condition involving localized hypoxia initially caused by inert gas embolism and inflammatory reactions to extravascular bubble growth.<ref name="UHMS DCS" /><ref name="Brubakk et al 2003" /><ref name="Acott 1999" /> It is also effective in [[carbon monoxide poisoning]]<ref name="Piantadosi 2004" /> and [[diabetic foot]].<ref name="UHMS problem wounds" /><ref name="Zamboni et al 1997" />

A prescription renewal for home oxygen following hospitalization requires an assessment of the patient for ongoing hypoxemia.<ref name="ACCPandATSfive" />