With the onset of the pandemic, certain words, if not firmly entered into our everyday life, then quite often sound in the news and from the lips of acquaintances. One such word is saturation. Let’s figure out what this indicator is and what it should be.
The most affordable option to determine if oxygen saturation is normal is to use a pulse oximeter. This is a small device that counts the percentage of oxyhemoglobin in the blood in seconds.
The hospital also uses a pulse oximeter or can measure the gas composition of the blood in a laboratory. For this, a blood sample is taken from an artery or vein. This is not a routine test and is usually done for serious medical conditions.
Saturation is a measure of oxygen saturation in the blood. Lung problems can be suspected by low oxygen saturation. This became especially relevant after the emergence of a new coronavirus infection. Viral pneumonia is becoming one of the main complications of COVID-19. If you notice in time that a person does not have enough oxygen, it will be easier to help him.
The normal oxygen saturation for a healthy person is when 95% or more of hemoglobin is associated with oxygen. This is saturation – the percentage of oxyhemoglobin in the blood.
In COVID-19, it is recommended to call a doctor when the oxygen saturation drops to 94%. Saturations of 92% and below are generally considered critical. A person with such a low blood oxygen reading requires urgent medical attention.
There are exceptions. For example, in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is common in smokers, the oxygen saturation rate can be between 88% and 92%. Usually, the body of such people is adapted to lower oxygen levels. If you have a pulmonary disease, your doctor will tell you which oxygen saturation reading should be an alarm for you.
This can happen for a variety of reasons. For example, problems can arise with diseases of the blood or respiratory system.
The latter is just characteristic of COVID-19. After pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis often occurs when, due to the disease, the “breathing” lung tissue is replaced by connective tissue. It can be compared to closed vents. You would love to breathe, but fresh air does not pass through tightly closed windows.
Another reason is blood diseases. For example, common anemia. When there are not enough red blood cells or hemoglobin itself, then oxygen simply has nothing to move around the body. In this case, saturation also falls below normal.
Shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, headache and fast heartbeat, cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle and fingertips – these unpleasant symptoms can appear if the oxygen level in the blood begins to fall.
As a rule, no. An exception if you have sick lungs and you observe the dynamics of the disease.