July 31, 2009 keralamonitor.com

Oxygen Shortage in atmosphere Intensifies Neurological and Psychological Disorder among Expatriates

Oxygen shortage in the atmosphere is causing many health and neurological problems for people living the Gulf countries. A leading psychologist says the amount of oxygen available in the desert countries is less than the normal regions due to the lack of plants and greenery that produces oxygen through photo synthesis. Dr K M Ansari, a leading psychologist in the UAE says the normal functioning of human brain demands uninterrupted supply of oxygen and a shortage of oxygen in the atmosphere due to various reasons can lead to many mental and physical disorders. While it is common to see dead fish in the region's beaches due to oxygen shortage in water, a similar situation in the atmosphere is causing serious health hazards for human beings. The Gulf countries, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, are likely to be sitting on a low oxygen area.

"There is oxygen shortage in the atmosphere because there is not enough plant and greenery to create and replenish atmosphere oxygen level. Due to high temperature, especially in summer, whatever oxygen available in the atmosphere moves up," says Dr K M Ansari, a member of the Emirates Psychological Association. The use or air conditioner and closed door working environment also reduces the availability of oxygen to the brain, which may cause forgetness and other stress related issues" he said. "Some of the leading IT companies in the region install separate oxygen supplying machines to their staff because IT professionals need to be more alert, vigilant and intelligent. Due to the shortage of atmosphere oxygen, additional oxygen cylinder is provided in their offices," he added.

Human brain and nervous system needs three types of proper nutrition (protein and balanced blood sugar), stimulation/activation and lots of oxygen. As people get old, they face difficulty in getting oxygen supply to brain. Oxygen retards the aging of human cells, relieves headache, alleviate tiredness, fight depression and improves physical performance by 25 per cent, say experts. The human brain controls mood, emotions, thoughts, attention, vision etc and oxygen shortage to the brain disrupts these functions. The brain demands at least 20% of the body's oxygen supply, when it doesn't get this supply it can lead to issues such as sleep apnea, poor concentration, forgetfulness, mood swings, restlessness, depressive thoughts and low drive. People living on the top floors of a few premium properties may have to use compressed oxygen.

In the process of photosynthesis, phytoplankton release oxygen into the water. Half of the world's oxygen is produced via phytoplankton photosynthesis. The other half is produced via photosynthesis on land by trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants. According to the National Geographic, the oxygen level in the atmosphere of the planet is less than 18%. It is approximately between 16.5 and 17.7% at any time, anywhere on the planet. In order to survive, the human body needs to breathe an atmosphere that has at least 15% oxygen content. Air pollution and the presence of mono carbons also reduces the availability of oxygen in the atmosphere.

According to Memory Loss and Brain Online, the brain is the body's single largest consumer of oxygen. "Although the brain represents only about 2% of the body's weight, it utilizes about 20% of the body's oxygen. As a result, the brain is especially sensitive to hypoxia. After about 4 to 6 minutes without oxygen, large numbers of brain cells begin to die. Prolonged hypoxia (e.g. suffocation) results in death. Shorter intervals of hypoxia may result in lesser degrees of brain damage.

The brain requires approximately 3.3 ml of oxygen per 100 g of brain tissue per minute. Initially the body responds to lowered blood oxygen by redirecting blood to the brain and increasing cerebral blood flow. Blood flow may increase up to twice the normal flow but no more. If the increased blood flow is sufficient to supply the brain's oxygen needs then no symptoms will result. However, if blood flow cannot be increased or if doubled blood flow does not correct the problem, symptoms of cerebral hypoxia will begin to appear. Mild symptoms include difficulties with complex learning tasks and reductions in short-term memory. Breathing exercise and Yoga can help improve the stress level caused by the oxygen shortage.

If oxygen deprivation continues, cognitive disturbances and decreased motor control will result The skin may also appear bluish and heart rate increases. Continued oxygen deprivation results in fainting, long term loss of consciousness, coma, seizures, cessation of brain stem reflexes, and brain death. Yoga and deep breath exercises can reduce the effect of low oxygen situation in the atmosphere and there is an urgency to plant more trees, gardens along with skyscrappers and building complexes.