As much as 90% of our energy comes from oxygen.
Breathing uses chemical and mechanical processes to deliver oxygen to every cell in the body and get rid of carbon dioxide.
Our body needs oxygen to provide energy for all of our life processes.
Carbon dioxide is a by-product of this process.
The respiratory system, with its conducting and respiratory zones, delivers air from the environment to the lungs and promotes gas exchange both in the lungs and inside the cells.
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Table of Contents
Why is Oxygen Optimal Level in The Blood Important?
Oxygen concentration (SpO2) is the term used to measure the level of oxygen in the human bloodstream and is a standard part of diagnosing patients worldwide.
Breathing through the lungs provides our cells with oxygen, makes our brain work, and a continuous heartbeat ensures that oxygen is delivered to the tissues.
By exercising the inspiratory muscles (respiratory, intercostal, chest muscles), you can significantly increase the amount of oxygen.
Do Oxygen Levels Change Throughout The day?
We inhale oxygen through our respiratory system, further oxygen enters directly into our blood and is further pumped into our body through the blood vessels.
Oxygen transport occurs at the expense of our red blood cells (erythrocytes), which are responsible for the transport of gasses in the blood.
When we breathe, we take in oxygen and take out carbon dioxide.
This gas exchange takes place most efficiently in the final part of our lungs (the alveoli).
Therefore, deep breaths are important, they ensure that the air reaches the alveoli where gas exchange takes place and makes the blood more oxygenated, which increases the level of oxygen in your blood.
Increased oxygen levels help us perform better by giving energy to both our mind and body. If we lack oxygen (a state of hypoxia), we cannot work physically, and we will feel tired and overtired.
Oxygen levels can vary greatly from person to person and depend on environmental factors.
Normal SpO2 levels are between 94% and 99%. People with lung disease usually have lower SpO2 levels.
SpO2 below 90% is very dangerous and can put stress on the heart, lungs and liver.
Although, Saturation may gradually decrease over hours, sometimes even days.
It is often possible to observe a decrease in saturation by 1-2% per day.
If a complication occurs, for example, a thrombus formation in the pulmonary artery, then the level of oxygen in the blood can drop to critical levels in a matter of minutes.
In many patients, most often the worsening of the situation is associated with thrombosis.
Could There be Too Much Oxygen in the Blood?
The level of oxygen in the blood can be 100%, but it is important what oxygen we inhale.
It is only 20% in the air.
And if you breathe pure oxygen, for example, from an oxygen cylinder (which, unfortunately, many have begun to do at home due to COVID-19), this can lead to very dangerous conditions and even death.
Oxygen poisoning, lung burns, development of free radical oxidation with toxic reactions are some of the main risks.
Can a Pulse Oximeter Show an Incorrect Result?
Yes, the pulse oximeters can show incorrect results.
In addition to technical problems with the device, this can be caused by improper preparation of a person for measuring oxygen in the blood.
The pulse oximeter may show low saturation after strenuous exercise or strenuous work.
In addition, the device will show a false result if the patient’s hand is cold – vasoconstriction occurs.
If the nails are damaged or covered with gel polish, this will also affect the indicator.
If the patient breathes through a wet respirator, or if their mask does not breathe well, this can also affect the level of oxygen in the blood and, accordingly, the performance of the pulse oximeter.
It is better to measure the saturation again a few minutes after the first attempt in order to get a more accurate result.
At What Level of Oxygen in the Blood to Call a Doctor at Home?
The oxygen level measured by a pulse oximeter is not the only way to know how sick you are.
Some people may feel very sick and have good oxygen levels, and some may feel fine but have low oxygen levels.
You may also have low oxygen levels if you feel short of breath, breathe faster than usual, or feel too sick to go about your normal daily activities.
If you have these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
What is The Long-Term Oxygen Therapy Assessment?
Some people with very low oxygen levels may benefit from oxygen therapy.
The Long Term Oxygen Therapy Assessment is a set of tests to measure blood oxygen levels to determine if they are low enough for oxygen therapy to be beneficial.
An oxygen therapy assessment is used to determine oxygen levels in people with chronic diseases such as COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, or cystic fibrosis.
The result can help your healthcare provider decide if you should receive oxygen therapy.
An oxygen assessment is usually done when your lungs are stable, and you don’t have a chest infection.
Oxygen levels can drop during infections, but unless oxygen levels remain low, there is usually no need to have oxygen at home.
The assessment includes blood gas measurements on 2 occasions several weeks apart.
Your oxygen level will be checked while you are seated. You will have a pulse oximetry test and possibly a lung function test with a spirometer.
Sometimes you will be asked to take a walking test to assess if your oxygen level drops during exercise and, if it does, to determine if supplemental oxygen is needed.
For some people who do not need to use oxygen all the time, it may be useful during exercise. This is only useful for people whose oxygen levels drop significantly when walking.
What Are The Complications of Low Oxygen Levels in The Blood?
If you leave it untreated, low blood levels can lead to progression of the severe manifestations of high-altitude pulmonary edema and high-altitude cerebral edema.
Oxygenation at high altitudes can help such individuals or their companions acclimate to high altitudes and therefore prevent or alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness or the progression of severe illness.
Why Does Saturation Decrease with Coronavirus Infection?
One of the common complications of coronavirus is severe forms of bilateral pneumonia.
Due to a strong inflammatory process, the volume of the lungs decreases, breathing problems arise.
Additionally, the causative agent of coronavirus infection infects immature erythrocytes, which leads to a deterioration in oxygen transport, a weakening of the immune response. The number of immature erythrocytes in the blood of a healthy person is not more than 1%. In patients with severe covid – up to 60%.
Why does the level of oxygen in the blood decrease with coronavirus?
The body, in order to avoid the depletion of healthy immature red blood cells, begins to produce these cells in large numbers to eliminate hypoxia.
FAQ
Does Blood Oxygen Drop During The Day?
Your SpO2 can change during the day, it can happen when you are moving from low energy activities to high level activities.
How Long Does It Take for Oxygen Levels to Change?
A healthy adult takes from 12 to 20 breaths per minute, although a much smaller number of breaths can saturate the blood with oxygen – about 6 – 8 breaths per minute.
How to Check Saturation Without a Pulse Oximeter?
If a pulse oximeter is not сlose to you, there is a simple test that can be performed to determine the saturation level. Inhale, count to 10 before exhaling.
With normal lung function, this will take at least 7 seconds.
At the same time, there is no desire to take a second breath. If a person begins to choke, counts quickly, the level of saturation is reduced.
