Oxytoxemia

Oxytoxemia involves the body’s physical and biochemical response to an environment that is rich in volcanic ash and low in oxygen. Over generations, the inhabitants of the Dragon’s Realm have undergone physiological adaptations to survive in this unique environment. These adaptations have altered their respiratory and circulatory systems, making them dependent on ash-laden air and intolerant to high levels of oxygen.

The condition is a progressive, degenerative reaction to oxygen exposure that gradually deteriorates the body’s ability to function. Over time, the condition exacerbates, leading to increasingly severe symptoms and complications.

Symptoms

Early Stages:

• Mild Respiratory Issues: Initially, individuals experience occasional shortness of breath and mild coughing when exposed to oxygen-rich environments.
• Fatigue: Early fatigue and weakness, especially after minimal physical exertion, become common as the body struggles to adapt.

Intermediate Stages:

• Chronic Respiratory Distress: Persistent coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing become more frequent, even with minimal oxygen exposure.
• Frequent Cyanosis: The bluish tint to the skin and mucous membranes becomes more pronounced and occurs more often.
• Chest Pain: Regular chest pain and discomfort due to the strain on the lungs and heart.
• Neurological Symptoms: Increased frequency of headaches, dizziness, and confusion, with occasional fainting spells.

Advanced Stages:

• Severe Respiratory Failure: The lungs’ ability to breathe deteriorates significantly, leading to severe respiratory distress and the need for constant use of breathing apparatuses.
• Organ Damage: Prolonged oxygen exposure leads to damage in vital organs, including the heart, liver, and kidneys, causing multi-organ dysfunction.
• Muscle Atrophy: Progressive muscle weakness and atrophy due to chronic fatigue and lack of proper mineral utilization.
• Neurological Decline: Severe cognitive impairment, frequent seizures, and potential loss of motor functions.

Treatment

As Oxytoxemia progresses, individuals and their communities develop various strategies to manage the condition:

• Advanced Breathing Apparatuses: More sophisticated devices have been developed to introduce ash, reduce oxygen, and maintain the necessary air composition have become essential for daily life.
• Medical Interventions: Development of treatments to slow the progression, such as ash-based inhalers, detoxifying agents, and regenerative therapies.
• Environmental Control: Enhanced living environments with strict control over air quality to minimize oxygen exposure.

Affected Groups

All living beings in the Dragon's Realm suffer from this disease to varying degrees.

Cultural Reception

The degenerative nature of Oxytoxemia has deeply influenced the culture and social structure of the Dragon’s Realm:

• Reverence for Ash: The ash has become not just a survival necessity but a symbol of life and health, deeply ingrained in rituals and daily practices.
• Community Support: Strong communal bonds have formed as individuals rely on each other for support and care, especially in advanced stages of the disease.
• Adaptation and Innovation: Innovation continues in technology and medicine to improve the quality of life and manage the disease’s progression.

Type

Physiological

Origin

Natural

Rarity

Common