Friends always asked me below questions during outbreak of COVID-19, let’s learn more about blood oxygen and pulse oximeter:
What is blood oxygen saturation?
Blood oxygen saturation is the amount of oxygen that is bound to hemoglobin in the red blood cells. It is usually expressed as a percentage and is an important indicator of health and well-being. Normal blood oxygen saturation levels typically range from 95 to 100 percent. Oxygen saturation lower than 90 percent will be a sign of an underlying health condition.
Why should we measure blood oxygen saturation at home during COVID-19?
Measuring blood oxygen saturation at home during COVID-19 can help identify early signs of infection and help monitor the course of the disease. Low oxygen saturation levels can indicate the need for medical attention and help identify those who are at risk of developing more severe forms of the disease. Monitoring oxygen saturation levels can also help to identify when supplemental oxygen therapy is needed to ensure proper oxygenation of the body's tissues.
Who need to focus on blood oxygen monitoring? How to monitor blood oxygen?
People with chronic lung diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and people with sleep apnea should focus on monitoring their blood oxygen levels.
Blood oxygen levels can be monitored using a pulse oximeter, which is a small device that clips onto the end of a finger and measures the oxygen levels in the blood. The device measures the amount of oxygen in the blood by shining a light through the finger and measuring the amount of light that is absorbed.
The pulse oximeter works by shining two small beams of light through the skin and measuring the amount of oxygen in the blood. This information is then displayed on a digital display.
Pulse oximetry is a very important medical procedure, as it can help diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions. It is often used in emergency rooms and intensive care units to monitor patients with breathing difficulties, such as those with asthma or COPD. It can also be used to monitor patients who have had surgery, as well as those who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Pulse oximetry is also used to monitor the oxygen levels of newborns, as well as to detect sleep apnea. It can also be used to detect heart arrhythmias, and to help diagnose conditions such as anemia or hypoxia.
Using a pulse oximeter is very simple. The patient simply places their finger inside the device and the device will then measure the oxygen saturation of the blood. The results are then displayed on the digital display.