The Influence of Hypoxic Hypoxia on the Human Ability to Identify Smells

Abstract

Abstract—The data on the influence of hypoxic hypoxia on the human ability to identify smells are presented. The study was conducted in male volunteers aged from 18 to 20 years without ENT disorders with low tolerance to hypoxia under the supervision of a physician. The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test adapted for Russians was used to evaluate the ability to identify smells. Hypoxic hypoxia was simulated by breathing with a gas mixture containing 10.5% oxygen. The oxygen level in the blood was monitored by the degree of hemoglobin oxygenation measured with a digital portable pulse oximeter. The results of the study indicate that the human ability to identify smells is disturbed under a low concentration of oxygen in inhaled air (p ≤ 0.01). Such a reduction in olfactory memory may indicate a worsening of cognitive functions of the brain under acute hypoxic hypoxia in humans.