Discover the importance of monitoring blood oxygen saturation and how an oxygen concentrator can help improve it. Learn about the causes of low blood oxygen saturation, tips for daily improvement, and the benefits of using a modern oxygen concentrator for optimal respiratory health.
What is blood oxygen saturation?
Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) is the blood oxygen concentration in the blood and is an important physiological parameter of respiratory circulation.
Generally speaking, the normal value of blood oxygen saturation is 95%-100%. Respiratory failure may occur when the blood oxygen saturation is lower than 90%.
We may not pay much attention to it in daily life, but once we are in a state of "hypoxia" for a long time, the damage to the body will be comprehensive.
Hypoxia will not only make us more prone to fatigue, mental fatigue, migraine, dizziness, and chest tightness. It will also increase the incidence of various chronic diseases.
Especially at present, it will greatly reduce our immunity. , It will be more vulnerable when facing viruses and more likely to cause severe illness.
Who needs to monitor blood oxygen saturation?
① Special groups such as the elderly, obese people, pregnant women, etc.;
② People with chronic diseases, immunodeficiency diseases, and malignant tumors;
③ People with severe snoring;
④ People living in high-altitude areas; outdoor sports and mountaineering enthusiasts;
⑤ All patients undergoing surgery and operations under anesthesia;
⑥ People who are long-term alcoholics.
What is the normal level of blood oxygen saturation?
The normal oxygen saturation of human arterial blood is 95%-99%.
What are the causes of low blood oxygen saturation?
Reasons for low blood oxygen saturation
Low blood oxygen saturation means the body may have functional disorders and diseases. Common reasons are as follows:
(1) Hypoxia in the body:
"Lack of oxygen". The oxygen content in the air you breathe decreases, such as in high altitudes, which can lead to a decrease in blood oxygen saturation;
(2) Disease factors:
"Organ problems".
Ventilation dysfunction, diffusion dysfunction, and ventilation/blood flow imbalance can all lead to a decrease in blood oxygen saturation.
Acute exacerbation of clinical bronchial asthma can lead to a decrease in blood oxygen saturation.
Severe pneumonia can lead to a decrease in blood oxygen saturation.
Cardiogenic pulmonary edema can lead to a decrease in blood oxygen saturation.
The inhibition of the central respiratory center leads to respiratory arrest and weakening, which can lead to a decrease in blood oxygen saturation.
There are also neuromuscular diseases that lead to respiratory weakness or loss of spontaneous breathing, which can also lead to a decrease in blood oxygen saturation;
(3) Other reasons: Various poisonings can lead to a decrease in blood oxygen saturation, such as drug poisoning, ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, etc.
Normal people may also experience a decrease in blood oxygen saturation in the following situations:
Intense exercise affects the rheology of the blood, causing a decrease in the oxygen content of the blood. Due to physical fatigue, the body will fail and affect the body's aerobic capacity.
Pregnant women consume more oxygen during pregnancy. If the oxygen uptake capacity decreases, hypoxia will occur, affecting the growth and development of the fetus. Pregnant women need to maintain adequate internal oxygen and good physical function during pregnancy. Blood oxygen monitoring should be performed daily to promptly detect if the body is hypoxic and replenish oxygen in time.
Working overtime for too long in a closed environment and operating the body under high load are prone to hypoxia.
Long-term hypoxia can lead to physical function failure, a decrease in metabolic capacity, memory, and immunity, and thus lead to illness.
The cardiopulmonary function of the elderly is aging, and the oxygen-carrying and oxygen uptake capacity decreases. When the daily monitoring shows that the blood oxygen saturation is too low, oxygen should be replenished in time.
Insufficient blood supply to the finger, low temperature, too short wearing time, use of nail art and nail polish, finger movement, and other factors may cause the pulse oximeter to fail to measure or measure inaccurate values. It is generally recommended to wait for several seconds to tens of seconds after wearing the pulse oximeter before taking a reading. For instruments witha waveform display function, the value can be read after a stable tidal waveform is obtained.
It should be noted that some diseases that are easily overlooked can also cause a decrease in blood oxygen saturation:
① Snoring: Snoring causes respiratory obstruction, leading to hypoxia, poor sleep quality, and in severe cases, organ damage.
② Alcoholism: The human body needs three units of oxygen to completely decompose one unit of alcohol. Therefore, hypoxia is one of the important manifestations of drunkenness. However, long-term alcoholics have formed a certain tolerance to alcohol and hypoxia, and they are unable to detect it when they are slightly drunk. Such people need to pay more attention to monitoring blood oxygen changes when drinking.
③ Anemia: Anemic patients have reduced hemoglobin content, and hemoglobin has the function of carrying oxygen. Therefore, in the state of anemia, especially severe anemia, the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity decreases, so the blood oxygen saturation is at a low state.
How to improve blood oxygen saturation in daily life
- Maintain good living habits
Regular exercise
Aerobic exercise (such as jogging, cycling, and swimming) can enhance cardiopulmonary function and improve oxygen absorption efficiency. Moderate-intensity exercise 3-5 times a week, 30 minutes each time, can help improve blood oxygen levels.
Reasonable diet
Intake of foods rich in iron, vitamin C, and folic acid (such as green leafy vegetables, lean meat, beans, and fruits). It helps to increase hemoglobin levels, thereby improving the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
- Optimize breathing methods
Deep breathing exercises
Performing deep breathing exercises for a few minutes every day can help increase lung ventilation and improve blood oxygen saturation. You can try abdominal breathing or yoga breathing.
Improve posture
Sitting or standing incorrectly may compress the lungs and affect breathing. Keeping your back straight helps you inhale oxygen more fully.
- Improve the home environment
Air quality
Keep the indoor air fresh and avoid inhaling pollutants. You can use an air purifier or place green plants in a well-ventilated area.
Use of humidifier
Moderate air humidity (30%-50%) can reduce respiratory discomfort and help inhale oxygen more efficiently.
- With the help of technological products
Oxygen concentrator
It should be noted here that you must not blindly ingest too much pure oxygen on your own!
Once excessive oxygen is inhaled, respiratory alkalosis may also occur.
Respiratory alkalosis can cause a relatively large impact, which is often mild at first. Later, with excessive ventilation, numbness, and a tingling sensation will appear in the hands, feet, face, and especially around the mouth. Then symptoms such as chest tightness, chest pain, dizziness, fear, and even convulsions in the limbs will appear, and finally,y coma and shallow and slow breathing will occur.
Quit smoking
Smoking damages lung function and reduces the efficiency of oxygen exchange. Quitting smoking is a necessary step to improve blood oxygen saturation.
Limit alcohol intake
Excessive drinking may suppress the function of the central nervous system and lead to reduced breathing efficiency.
6. Medical advice
If you have persistent symptoms of low blood oxygen (such as dizziness, fatigue, or difficulty breathing), you should seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor may recommend a lung function test or provide professional treatment options.
