Blood oxygen saturation – do you know how important this indicator is? Oxygen, which hemoglobin is responsible for transporting through the body, ensures the normal functioning of body cells. In case of its deficiency, we feel a loss of strength, dizziness, headaches and weakness.
A pathological condition accompanied by a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the blood is called hypoxemia. Symptoms of such a phenomenon may include skin discoloration, tachycardia, decreased blood pressure, impaired consciousness, fainting. The quality of life deteriorates and the risk of developing dangerous diseases increases. That is why it is important to control the level of oxygen saturation in the blood.
What is the danger of a decrease in the level of oxygen in the blood?
Various pathologies, including coronavirus infection, provoke a decrease in saturation. This means that an insufficient amount of oxygen is supplied to tissues and organs, i.e. hypoxemia develops. Such disorders are accompanied by:
- Decreased blood pressure;
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing;
- Headache and dizziness;
- Confusion or loss of consciousness;
- Heart palpitations;
- Chest pain;
- General weakness;
- Lividity of mucous membranes and extremities.
If not taken in time, significantly increases the risk of respiratory failure, a number of health and life-threatening pathologies, including irreversible. Hypoxemia can lead to stroke, hypotension, pulmonary edema, arrhythmia. That is why it is so important to control the degree of blood oxygen saturation.
How do I check saturation at home?
You can check your saturation level at home in just a few minutes. For this purpose, a special device called a pulse oximeter is used. It shows not only the degree of oxygen saturation in the blood, but also the pulse rate. The pulse oximeter is put on your finger, and measurements are made with the help of a light flux without puncturing the skin. To obtain a result, it is necessary to:
- Turn on the device – after self-testing it will be fully ready for use;
- Place the device on your finger – it is fixed on the clothespin principle;
- Perform the measurement using the appropriate button;
- Evaluate the results, which are shown on the display.
Saturation standards
To assess the result, it is worth using the table of saturation norms in adults:
The meaning of saturation | Interpretation |
95% and above | Normal |
92-94% | Low saturation, urgent medical attention is required |
90% and below | Respiratory (oxygen) failure |
Regardless of the patient’s age and health status, low saturation values should be considered highly abnormal. Saturation values below 90% are an indication for oxygen therapy after preliminary assessment of the patient’s clinical condition. And saturation values below 70% are classified as life-threatening. Persistently low blood oxygenation values lead to severe brain damage, impaired perception of stimuli, and then to death.
Causes of decreased saturation
Oxygen concentration in the blood can decrease due to COVID-19 virus damage to the body, as well as in:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- Pneumonia caused by coronavirus or other causes;
- Severe anemia;
- Blood disorders;
- Bronchial asthma;
- Impaired airway patency;
- Pulmonary fibrosis, which can also be a complication of coronavirus infection.
The risk of decreased saturation appears during pregnancy, when the load on the blood vessels and heart increases, and the volume of blood in the body increases. The content of oxygen in the blood can fall during intense physical exertion, when tissues actively absorb it. In old age, there are often disorders in the respiratory and circulatory systems, which also lead to a decrease in saturation.
Symptoms of decreased oxygen in the blood
Any saturation value below 95% indicates a risk of hypoxia. Hypoxia is a condition in which the blood does not deliver enough oxygen to the tissues. The condition can be limited to the entire body or a single organ. Symptoms of hypoxia can vary depending on the rate of hypoxia, the degree of oxygen resistance, and the ability to compensate for oxygen deficiency. The main symptoms of hypoxia and hypoxemia are:
- shortness of breath;
- difficulty breathing;
- increased and then decreased respirations;
- impaired coordination of movement;
- slurred speech;
- blurred vision;
- tachycardia;
- increased respiratory rate and depth;
- loss of consciousness.
Factors affecting the level of oxygen in the blood
In addition to diseases and pathologies, there are a number of factors that can temporarily or permanently reduce saturation:
- High altitude – at high altitudes the air contains less oxygen, which can lead to hypoxemia. This is especially noticeable in people who are not adapted to life in the mountains.
- Smoking – inhaling tobacco smoke reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, as hemoglobin binds to carbon monoxide rather than oxygen.
- Obesity – excess body weight increases the workload on the lungs and heart, which can lead to decreased oxygen saturation.
- Poor indoor ventilation – being in a closed, poorly ventilated space for long periods of time reduces blood oxygen levels and can cause dizziness and fatigue.
- Chronic stress – severe stress can cause rapid, shallow breathing, resulting in less oxygen to the blood.
How to increase the level of oxygen in the blood?
To maintain a normal saturation level, you can follow the following recommendations:
- Get outdoors more often – walks in the woods or parks are especially beneficial, where oxygen concentration is higher.
- Watch the level of physical activity – regular aerobic exercise (walking, swimming, running, yoga) improves blood oxygenation.
- Practice breathing exercises – deep diaphragmatic breathing helps to increase oxygen levels and improve lung ventilation.
- Ensure clean air in the home – regular airing and using humidifiers or air purifiers helps maintain a healthy climate.
- Eat right – iron, magnesium and B vitamins help oxygenate the blood. Foods rich in these elements: spinach, buckwheat, red meat, nuts, fish.
- Control respiratory diseases – it is important for people with asthma, or chronic lung diseases to visit the doctor regularly and follow treatment recommendations.
- Give up bad habits – smoking and alcohol abuse negatively affect oxygen transportation in the body.
Conclusion
Monitoring blood oxygen levels is a crucial aspect of maintaining overall health. Low oxygen saturation can lead to serious complications, including respiratory failure, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. By regularly checking saturation, recognizing early symptoms of hypoxemia, and taking preventive measures such as improving air quality, staying active, and practicing healthy habits, you can significantly reduce health risks. If oxygen levels drop below the normal range, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly. Prioritizing oxygen saturation monitoring helps ensure proper oxygen supply to the body’s organs and tissues, ultimately contributing to a healthier and longer life.
