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It is worth adding a pulse oximeter to your medicine cabinet, especially if you or someone in your family uses oxygen therapy or suffers from certain chronic cardiopulmonary diseases.
The pulse oximeter measures and monitors the oxygen in the blood. Since low oxygen levels can be fatal in a few minutes, know if your body is adequate. Read on to learn more about pulse oximeters and things to look out for when buying a pulse oximeter for your family.
Use a portable pulse oximeter to measure heart rate and oxygen saturation levels in the comfort of your home.
A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the pulse rate and the percentage of oxygen in the blood, and displays the digital readings of both within a few seconds. Pulse oximetry is a quick and painless indicator that shows how your body transfers oxygen from your heart to your limbs.
Oxygen attaches to hemoglobin, which is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells. Pulse oximetry measures the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen, called oxygen saturation, expressed as a percentage. If all binding sites on the hemoglobin molecule contain oxygen, the hemoglobin is 100% saturated.
When you plug your fingertips into this small device, it uses two non-invasive LED lights-one red (measuring deoxygenated blood) and the other infrared (measuring oxygenated blood). In order to calculate the oxygen saturation percentage, the photodetector reads the light absorption of the two different wavelength beams.
Generally, oxygen saturation levels between 95% and 100% are considered normal. If it is less than 90%, seek medical attention immediately.
The commonly used pulse oximeters at home are finger monitors. They are small and can be clipped on the fingertips without pain. They vary in price and size, and are sold by brick-and-mortar retailers and online retailers. Some can be connected to smartphone apps to easily record, store data and share with your medical team, which is very helpful for people with chronic diseases or using home oxygen therapy.
The pulse oximeter can be used as prescription drugs or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Prescription oximeters must pass the FDA’s quality and accuracy checks, and are usually used in clinical settings-you need a doctor’s prescription to use at home. At the same time, OTC pulse oximeters are not regulated by the FDA and are sold directly to consumers online and in pharmacies.
“Pulse oximeters are most useful for people with lung and heart problems, which can cause abnormal oxygen levels,” said Dianne L. Atkins, MD, chair of the Cardiovascular Emergency Committee of the American Heart Association in Iowa, Iowa. .
She said there should be one for people who take oxygen at home, as well as babies with certain types of congenital heart disease, babies and children with tracheostomy, or people who breathe at home.
“Once someone tests positive, it is very useful to use a pulse oximeter during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Atkins added. “In this case, regular measurements can detect deterioration in lung function, which may indicate the need for more advanced care and possible hospitalization.”
Follow your doctor’s advice on when and how often to check oxygen levels. Your doctor may recommend a home pulse oximeter to evaluate the effects of lung medications, or whether you have any of the following conditions:
The technology used by pulse oximeters measures oxygen saturation by irradiating the skin with two wavelengths of light (one red and one infrared). Deoxygenated blood absorbs red light, and oxygenated blood absorbs infrared light. The monitor uses an algorithm to determine oxygen saturation based on the difference in light absorption. Clips can be attached to certain parts of the body, usually fingertips, toes, earlobes, and forehead to take readings.
For home use, the most common type is the fingertip pulse oximeter. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper use, because not all models are the same, but usually, if you sit still and clamp the small device to your fingertips, your readings will appear in less than a minute. Some models are for adults only, while other models can be used for children.
Since pulse oximetry depends on the absorption of light through a tissue bed with pulsating blood, certain factors may interfere with these parameters and cause false readings, such as:
All monitors have electronic results display. There are two readings on the pulse oximeter-oxygen saturation percentage (abbreviated as SpO2) and pulse rate. The resting heart rate for a typical adult ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (usually lower for athletes)-although a healthy resting heart rate is usually well below 90 bpm.
The average oxygen saturation level of healthy people is between 95% and 100%, although people with chronic lung disease may have readings below 95%. A reading below 90% is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment by a medical professional.
Don’t just rely on a piece of medical equipment to tell you when something goes wrong. Watch for other signs of low blood oxygen levels, such as:
There are many brand choices and cost considerations for pulse oximeters. Here are some questions to ask when choosing a pulse oximeter for you and your family:
Use a portable pulse oximeter to measure heart rate and oxygen saturation levels in the comfort of your home.
Tamrah Harris is a registered nurse and certified personal trainer at the American College of Sports Medicine. She is the founder and CEO of Harris Health &. Health newsletter. She has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and is passionate about health education and healthcare.
Post time: Aug-30-2021