Hypoxia is a condition in which cells of the body are deprived of oxygen. The reasons for this condition can vary within the body. However, the result is that tissues cannot survive for long without oxygen. Continued oxygen deprivation can eventually become fatal.

Cells get their energy from oxygen and glucose. Most cells can survive for a short period using an anaerobic metabolic (energy without oxygen) process. Unfortunately, brain cells cannot. The damage to brain cells when hypoxia occurs is immediate. The blood carries a limited amount of reserve oxygen and brain cell death can occur within minutes of falling below normal oxygen levels. This deprivation can lead to impairment of several functions as the brain cannot work as well and its control over all bodily processes fades. The consumption of alcohol can produce hypoxia, and is one of the reasons why brain functions are impaired when excess...