By Lisa Melbith, Content Writer
Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been causing Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is responsible for the pandemic. Today, India is going through the critical second wave of the pandemic. The ongoing second surge in Covid-19 cases has seen a huge rise in the demand for supplemental oxygen. Today I would like to talk about Oxygen, its demand and crisis.
Oxygen is a colourless gas found in the air. It is one of the life-sustaining elements on Earth and is needed by all animals. Oxygen is also used in many industrial, commercial, medical, and scientific applications.
Oxygen in our body
Oxygen’s primary function is to provide our body with energy. It all happens within the cells, in little organelles called mitochondria which are real energy generators. They use oxygen to transform nutrients from the digestive process into energy that can be used directly by the cell. Oxygen also helps to counter pathogens and control highly reactive free radicals, too many of which harm the body.
How does oxygen get into the cells?
The air around us contains about 21 % oxygen. When we breathe oxygen goes directly to the pulmonary alveoli that are covered with blood capillaries which enable the oxygen to pass into the bloodstream and binds to the haemoglobin of the RBC that act as carriers. The oxygen is then released by the haemoglobin and penetrates the cells. The human brain needs to be without oxygen for only four minutes before permanent damage occurs.
Covid-19 and under-oxygenation
The body is in a state of under-oxygenation (or hypoxia) when there is a deficit of available oxygen in the tissues. Even if there is a sufficient quantity of oxygen in the air the body is no longer able to assimilate it correctly. It all depends on the intensity of the hypoxia and the amount of time it lasts. When it’s long-lasting most of the body’s functions are affected and illness sets in.
SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus can infect the epithelial cells that line the respiratory tract. The primary function of epithelial cells is to protect the airway tract from pathogens and infections, and also facilitate gas exchange. To fight such infection, the body’s immune system releases cells that trigger inflammation. When this inflammatory immune response continues, it impedes the regular transfer of oxygen in the lungs. Simultaneously, fluids build up too. Both these factors combined make it difficult to breathe. Shortness of breath occurs because of the way Covid-19 affects the patient’s respiratory system. In these situations, we need to provide oxygen externally to rescue the patients. With the sudden surge of critical Covid 19 cases, demand for oxygen cylinders has created a crisis for them. Efforts are being taken to produce oxygen for such a medical crisis.