{"id":464,"date":"2022-07-31T10:30:48","date_gmt":"2022-07-31T09:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.x-wrist.com\/news\/?p=464"},"modified":"2022-07-30T21:33:43","modified_gmt":"2022-07-30T20:33:43","slug":"the-importance-of-proper-oxygen-saturation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.x-wrist.com\/news\/the-importance-of-proper-oxygen-saturation","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Proper Oxygen Saturation"},"content":{"rendered":"

A person’s blood oxygen level is the main indicator of how well the body distributes oxygen from the lungs to the cells.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the oxygen is carried by red blood cells (the hemoglobin protein from red blood cells), which collect it from the lungs and deliver it to all parts of the body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The body closely monitors the oxygen levels in the blood to keep them within a specific range, so that there is enough oxygen for the needs of each cell.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the normal oxygen saturation level<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Values above 95% are considered normal for oxygen saturation. Specifically, the closer they get to 100%, the better it is for the body and the health of its organs.<\/span><\/p>\n

A value below 95% of oxygen saturation indicates that the person\u2019s health must be closely monitored, and when the values fall below 90%, there\u2019s an immediate need of emergency medical care or mechanical ventilation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How is blood oxygen measured?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are multiple effective ways to monitor blood oxygen levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Blood test to measure oxygen saturation<\/span><\/h3>\n

You can find out your oxygen blood levels by having a test called blood gas or ABG.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For this test, a blood sample is taken from an artery, usually from the wrist (the procedure is very precise, but can be a little painful). The main disadvantage of this test is that you\u2019re required to visit a health care provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulse oximetry\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive test that measures the oxygen saturation level of your blood by having a small device attached to a finger (sometimes to an earlobe though the accuracy of this method is unknown).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The pulse oximeter indirectly measures oxygen in the blood by absorbing light through a person’s pulse.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the use of a pulse oximeter is easier, faster and painless, the accuracy can be influenced by factors such as dirty fingers, strong lights or nail polish\/fake nails.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is it useful to know your oxygen saturation?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Knowing the oxygen saturation is useful, especially in diseases affecting the lungs or the entire respiratory or circulatory system, including the recent pandemic-responsible virus, COVID-19.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When oxygen saturation drops below 93%, the proteins synthesized by the body in response to inflammation begin to take over the air sacs in the lungs, and oxygen no longer reaches the blood.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, the organs are no longer properly oxygenated and various processes are triggered that might irreparably impact the body and can ultimately lead to death.<\/span><\/p>\n

Low blood oxygen levels can be a sign that your condition is getting worse, even before it causes noticeable symptoms such as severely affecting your breathing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Here’s how to interpret values of oxygen saturation levels:<\/span><\/p>\n

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95 to 100 – Safe level values<\/span><\/p>\n

93 or 94 – Check your blood oxygen level again within an hour, especially after a short walk around the room; if it is still 93 or 94, call emergency services or your family doctor for advice;<\/span><\/p>\n

92 or less – Check your blood oxygen level again immediately – if level 92 persists or decreases, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why does oxygen saturation decrease?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A low level of oxygen saturation in the blood is called hypoxemia and this can be triggered by various medical conditions, including but not limited to:<\/span><\/p>\n