What is Blood Oxygen Saturation
Blood Oxygen Saturation refers to a person’s red blood cell load, or the percentage of the amount that contains oxygen. Oxygen is carried by red blood cells to body organs such as the brain and heart. If blood oxygen levels are too low, not enough oxygen is being delivered to the organs. Human body functions cannot function properly without adequate blood oxygen.
There are several ways to help measure the blood oxygen saturation of the human body. A pulse oximeter is the easiest and least invasive way to measure blood oxygen levels. Most of these instruments use a finger probe with a sensor that measures oxygen saturation. When the probe is placed on the finger, the oximeter gives a digital reading of the oxygen level.
Another method is to measure oxygen saturation by arterial blood gas. A blood sample is first taken from the arm, femoral or radial artery, which is then passed through a blood gas device that analyzes the blood and prints out results including oxygen saturation.
Oxygen saturation is usually part of a routine examination. People on supplemental oxygen at home also need to monitor blood oxygen levels frequently, which can help patients determine how much oxygen they need. Some seriously ill patients also need to continuously wear a pulse oximeter to check oxygen saturation.
Oxygen saturation doesn’t always stay the same, normal fluctuations exist. But a sudden drop in oxygen saturation often means you’re not breathing enough and having trouble keeping your body full of oxygen. Normal blood oxygen saturation should be between 95-100%, with readings below 90% considered abnormal. This condition is also called hypoxia. Below 80% is severe hypoxia.
Conditions such as emphysema, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and shock can all cause oxygen levels to drop. People with sleep apnea may also develop hypoxemia during sleep. In addition, breathing at high altitudes can also reduce blood oxygen levels.
Supplemental oxygen is often the remedy for problems when oxygen levels are too low. Oxygen saturation is sometimes only raised when needed, but sometimes a permanent supply of oxygen may be required.
Causes of low blood oxygen saturation
1. Whether the partial pressure of inhaled oxygen is too low. When the oxygen content of the inhaled air is insufficient, it can cause the oxygen saturation to drop. In combination with the medical history, the patient should be asked whether he has ever traveled to a plateau above 3000 m above sea level, and has flown at high altitudes, ascended after diving, and poorly ventilated mines.
2. Whether there is airflow obstruction. It is necessary to consider whether there are obstructive hypoventilation caused by diseases such as asthma, COPD, tongue back, and foreign body obstruction by airway secretions.
3. Whether there is ventilation dysfunction. Consider whether the patient has severe pneumonia, severe pulmonary tuberculosis, diffuse pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism and other diseases that affect the ventilation function.
4. What is the quality and quantity of Hb transporting oxygen in the blood? The appearance of abnormal substances, such as CO poisoning, nitrite poisoning, and a large increase in abnormal hemoglobin, not only seriously affects the transport of oxygen in the blood, but also seriously affects the release of oxygen.
5. Whether the patient has appropriate colloid osmotic pressure and blood volume. Appropriate colloid osmotic pressure and adequate blood volume are one of the key factors to maintain normal oxygen saturation.
6. What is the patient’s cardiac output? There should be enough cardiac output to support the normal oxygen delivery to the organs.
7. Microcirculation of tissues and organs. Whether the body can maintain proper oxygen and metabolism is also related to the body’s metabolism. When the body’s metabolism is too large, the venous blood oxygen content will be significantly reduced, and the venous blood will lead to more severe hypoxia after shunting the pulmonary circulation.
8. The utilization of oxygen in surrounding tissues. Tissue cells can only use free oxygen, and the oxygen bound to Hb can only be used by the tissue when it is released. Changes in pH, 2,3-DPG, etc. affect the dissociation of oxygen from Hb.
9. After eliminating all the above factors, don’t forget that the oxygen saturation may be decreased due to the malfunction of the instrument.
Hazards of low blood oxygen saturation
1. Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath is blood oxygen One of the symptoms of low saturation. It means this dangerous disease needs immediate treatment. Shortness of breath can also be caused by a variety of factors, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two examples of lung diseases that prevent enough oxygen from reaching the bloodstream. Sustained low oxygen saturation can lead to permanent damage where the body cannot breathe. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is mainly caused by smoking and kills many people every year.
2. Energy
Oxygen supplies energy to the body and cells. Low oxygen saturation can deprive cells of a source of energy. Fatigue, listlessness, and muscle weakness are hallmark symptoms of a lack of energy. Cells are hypoxic and unresponsive to the entire supply. If you also experience extreme fatigue symptoms, you should consider whether low blood oxygen saturation is the result. You can find out about this with a blood test.
3. Psychology
The brain functions on oxygen. Brain cells die without oxygen. Low blood oxygen saturation can cause psychological problems such as confusion and short-term memory loss. If it is accompanied by other symptoms of low blood oxygen saturation, such as finger tingling and chronic cough, it should be treated immediately.
4. High altitude pulmonary edema
This occurs when traveling at high altitudes. The rarefied air here is low in oxygen, and the body becomes deoxygenated very quickly. Air drying and dehydration can also be a problem. Symptoms include headache, edema, cough and shortness of breath. The disease can affect anyone who travels to high altitudes and is at risk of fatality without proper treatment.
What to do if the blood oxygen saturation is low
1. Use fixed or portable oxygen cylinders (cans) to increase blood oxygen saturation. Oxygen supply companies provide these products with specific instructions for use. The mask that comes with the device can be placed over the nose and mouth and breathed for as long as needed.
2. Exercise regularly. Exercise improves blood circulation and increases oxygen levels. Walking, swimming, and jogging are some of the exercises that increase blood oxygen saturation. If you have respiratory problems, it is best to consult your doctor before incorporating exercise into your daily activities.
3. Avoid secondhand smoke. Air pollution not only disrupts breathing, it also reduces oxygen levels. Obese people should try to lose weight. People who are overweight suffer from low oxygen saturation due to breathing difficulties during sleep. Additionally, obesity increases the risk of sleep apnea.
4. Listen to the tape on relaxation and breathing methods. These audio materials teach you to breathe properly, which is great for improving your blood oxygen saturation.
5. Take vitamins and iron daily. Eat a healthy diet rich in leafy green vegetables like broccoli and spinach. Anemia has been shown to cause hypoxia, so it should be maintained through proper diet and nutrition.
