What is SPO2 or Oxygen Saturation?

/0 Comments/in /by

What is SPO2?

SpO2, also known as Blood Oxygen Saturation, an estimate of the amount of oxygen in the blood. Which refers to the amount of oxygenated hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen and carbon dioxide. It is found inside red blood cells and gives them their red color. 

Understanding SpO2 and Normal Oxygen Levels

A measurement of your blood oxygen is called your oxygen saturation level. Your blood oxygen level is a measure of how much oxygen your red blood cells are carrying. Your body closely regulates your blood oxygen level. It is vital to your health to maintain the precise balance of oxygen-saturated blood.

A SpO2 reading of 95% or greater is generally considered to be a normal oxygen level. However, a SpO2 reading of 92% or less (at sea level) suggests that your blood is poorly saturated. Insufficient saturation can cause a range of adverse health conditions including chest pain, shortness of breath, and increased heart rate.

Measuring SpO2

There are two ways that the blood can be tested to ensure it contains normal oxygen levels. 

  • An arterial blood gas (ABG) test is a blood test and it’s called  Arterial blood gas. It also can detect the level of other gases in your blood, as well as the pH (acid/base level). An ABG is very accurate, but it’s invasive.
  • The most common way is to use a pulse-oximeter to measure the SpO2 levels in the blood. Pulse oximeters are relatively easy to use, are very accurate despite their low price point.

A measurement of your blood oxygen is called your oxygen saturation level. Good blood oxygenation is necessary to supply the energy your muscles need in order to function, which increases during activity. If your blood oxygen level is below-normal it is called hypoxemia and that could be a sign of poor blood oxygenation, also called hypoxia. Your doctor can provide recommendations as to what ranges of oxygen levels are acceptable for you.

Disclaimer

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

What is a pulse oximeter?

/0 Comments/in /by
Read more

5 Reasons to Buy from Us

/2 Comments/in /by

One- Is product health Canada approved?

This is by far the most important factor and concern many customers have. Health Canada has been working in the best interest of the public to set one of the world’s most comprehensive and diligent processes for importing and marketing medical devices.  Any company which imports and distribute products in Canada would need to have a valid Medical Device license meaning that the product has been tested and inspected by Health Canada to make sure is within the set guidelines. Unfortunately, Health Canada cannot have much control over companies who are based out of Canada, and also consumers who buy a product for personal use will not be addressed by the Health Canada device license requirement.  Potentially a customer could be buying a product which is made of inferior materials with low accuracy and health hazard from vendors which are based out of Canada even though the sold advertises shipping to Canada. One of the ways to spot this issue is the fact that many online vendors mention Sports use or leisure use or aviation use on the product which means the product is not a medical-grade product and is not reliable. All the product range listed on this website have valid medical device license issued by Health Canada.

Two – Where is the product shipped from?

We sent all our products from Canada. We have been using Canada Post as our main shipping partner since we can office our products to every single postal code in the country.

When you buy products that are shipped from outside Canada, you will not have any control over the shipping time as national holidays, customs clearance and many other factors can delay deliveries even up to a month.

Three- Is the price in the Canadian dollar and all other charges are included?

All our products are in Canadian Dollars. And the product customs and import duty had already been paid before we imported the product to Canada.  Our customers only pay the price which is listed and they are not liable to any import duty.

When you buy products from overseas and non-Canadian vendors, firstly you might go through the currency conversion which is not much in your favor most of the time as there is also the credit card company issues margin involved.  Moreover, when the product comes to Canada- CBS (Canadian border services) will inspect the package and depending on the value declared would add a percentage of custom duty on that and the receiver is liable for paying for that before the product gets released.

Four- What if I would need to return the product if the package is unopened?

We do understand that from time-to-time people’s decisions or needs change. Returning the product to us is pretty simple. You send the product back with your preferred shipping method. You will be liable for a full refund after a 15% re-stocking fee. (This is a fee covering the initial shipping cost that we send you the product)

When you purchase a product from overseas, we would certainly say “changing mind is not an option”. Your return shipping charges could be easily multiple times what you paid for the product.

Five- What warranty do I have for the products?

We have confidence in our product offering. Within the one year after the purchase for any reason if there has been an issue with the product you simply contact us via customer-serivce@123checkup.com. We will send you a pre-paid shipping label- you simply drop the faulty unit at the nearest Canada Post. Upon receiving the product, we will be sending you a brand new unit.

In contrast, many overseas sellers offer a warranty knowing the fact that it will never be economically viable for the customer to claim the warranty in case the product fails. Simply the shipping charge for sending the product will be very high. Most vendors would need 2-3 weeks to repair the unit and send you back with another 3-4 weeks transit time

We always trust our customers’ gut feelings and concerns. We are happy to answer any questions you might have.

lacking Oxygen – what are the symptoms?

/0 Comments/in /by

Oxygen is one of the most abundant elements in the universe. It’s a bit ironic, then, that people with breathing problems can’t seem to get enough of it. The body needs a certain amount of circulating oxygen in the blood at all times to effectively nourish the cells, tissues, and organs. When blood oxygen levels drop below normal, a condition known as hypoxemia may occur.

Hypoxemia can be acute, occurring suddenly because of an emergency situation, or chronic, taking place over time because of a long-term health condition like COPD.  Hypoxemia is the main reason that people with COPD are prescribed supplemental oxygen. But many people with COPD are unaware that they’re hypoxemic and, unless prompted to do so for another reason, they don’t immediately seek medical attention. This is unfortunate, because hypoxemia associated with COPD contributes to a reduced quality of life, impaired skeletal muscle function, decreased exercise tolerance and an increased risk of death.1 If you or a loved one have COPD or another chronic illness that puts you at greater risk for hypoxemia, it’s important that you’re able to recognize signs and symptoms of lack of oxygen so that appropriate action can be taken if, or when, it occurs.

Symptoms of lacking Oxygen in Blood (Hypoxemia)

Low oxygen symptoms of hypoxemia vary depending upon its severity. If you or a loved one experience any of the symptoms listed below, contact a health care provider as soon as possible:

  • Confusion
  • A sense of euphoria
  • Restlessness
  • Headache
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid breathing
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness and/or fainting spells
  • Lack of coordination
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Visual disturbances
  • A bluish tint to the lips, earlobes, and/or nail beds (cyanosis)
  • Elevated red blood cell count or polycythemia (if a long-term problem)

Monitoring Oxygen Levels at Home

The best way to detect hypoxemia is through arterial blood gases (ABGs), however, this is generally not possible in the home setting unless you have a doctor’s order for a home care nurse or respiratory therapist. Although it should not be used to replace ABGs in the initial diagnosis of lung disease and the evaluation for long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), a pulse oximetry monitor plays an important role in the home monitoring of patients with lung disease,2 whether they’re using supplemental oxygen, or not. In fact, along with blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and temperature, oxygen saturation is now considered to be the fifth vital sign in many institutions.3

A pulse oximeter is a non-invasive device that measures the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the blood. Because it is able to rapidly detect changes in oxygen saturation, it can provide a warning to patients and health care providers alike of impending or existing hypoxemia.3

Normal oxygen saturation levels run between 95% and 100%, but it’s typical for patients with lung disease to run lower. Nonetheless, once oxygen saturation levels drop consistently to 88% and below at rest, a patient should be evaluated for supplemental oxygen therapy.4

What to Do if Oxygen Saturation Levels are Low

If you’re not already using supplemental oxygen and you’re experiencing symptoms of hypoxemia and/or low oxygen saturation levels, don’t wait; contact your health care provider immediately to see about being evaluated for LTOT. Oxygen therapy is appropriate for many conditions that cause hypoxemia, COPD included.

If you are a current user of supplemental oxygen and experiencing symptoms of hypoxemia and/or low oxygen saturation levels, troubleshoot your oxygen equipment to make sure it’s working correctly. If troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue, contact your health care provider; you may need an adjustment in your oxygen dose or your current course of treatment.

Source: https://www.inogen.com/blog/signs-your-loved-one-may-not-be-getting-enough-oxygen/

Author: Deborah Leader RN, BSN, PHN

1Kent, Brian D., et. al. Hypoxemia in patients with COPD: cause effects and disease progression. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2011; 6: 199–208. Published online 2011 March 14. DOI:  10.2147/COPD.S10611.
2Pierson, DJ. Pulse oximetry versus arterial blood gas specimens on long-term oxygen therapy. Lung. 1990;168 Suppl:782-8.
3International COPD Coalition. Clinical Use of Pulse Oximetry. Pocket Reference. 2010.
4WebMD. COPD and Oxygen Therapy Guidelines: When is it Necessary? Updated 2013.

How asthmatic kids can benefit from the pulse oximeter

/0 Comments/in /by

The pulse oximeter is a device that can tell how much oxygen is in the blood. Ideally, oxygen saturation should be between 95-99%. If it hits 95% or lower would result in hypoxemia and should be a major concern. The child should be rushed to the ER if it is anything below 90% because, without enough oxygen, the major organs in the body such as the brain, liver, etc. can be damaged just minutes after the symptoms start.

How can the pulse oximeter be beneficial for kids with asthma? When a child has a flare or a severe asthma attack, the airway narrows making it hard for the child to breathe and the air to get in the lungs. Coughing to clear the lungs uses more oxygen thus making the symptoms worse. Oxygen levels can also drop even when the child has stopped coughing or when sleeping. There are some people with breathing problems that have died in their sleep because they weren’t getting enough oxygen. So, by regularly using the pulse oximeter, the level of oxygen saturation can be measured determining whether the child is still getting enough oxygen or the oxygen saturation level is too low.

The pulse oximeter like the CMS-50QB ‏is one device that can be used to monitor oxygen saturation. It is a simple, portable monitor for measuring oxygen saturation and pulse rate and is suitable for use indoors and outdoors. It is also used in monitoring COPD patients or those who suffer chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Other people who benefit from regularly measuring the level of oxygen saturation are patients with heart problems and anemia among others.

What is Oxygen Saturation Monitoring in Children?

/0 Comments/in , /by

As parents, making sure that your child is healthy and happy is always a topmost priority. We are always in the lookout for any signs that can compromise their health. We want to monitor as much as we can on everything that happens to them.

One of the signs that we should be on guard for is Cyanosis or Turning Blue. This happens when there is not sufficient level of oxygen in the blood. It can be evident at birth but can also appear any time later in life and most often accompanies conditions in which the lungs or heart is compromised.

Cyanosis is one of the symptoms of Hypoxemia, a medical condition wherein there is an abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood. More specifically, it is oxygen deficiency in the arterial blood.

Oxygen saturation means the amount of oxygen being carried in your child’s red blood cells. The optimal oxygen saturation of the blood lies between 95-98 %. Anything less than 95% results in hypoxemia and should be a major concern.

How is oxygen saturation monitoring in children done? One way to measure oxygen saturation is through a test called arterial blood gas. Instead of taking the blood from the vein, it is taken from the artery and the amount of oxygen present is determined.

Another way is through a pulse oximeter. A pulse oximeter like CMS-50QB ‏is one device that can be used to monitor oxygen saturation. It is a simple, portable monitor for measuring oxygen saturation and pulse rate and is suitable for use indoors and outdoors. It is also used in monitoring COPD patients or those who suffer chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

On one side, the clip contains a strong light source, which shines through the finger. On the other side, a sensor measures what proportion of the light penetrated through the finger and what was absorbed. Different proportions of light penetrate the finger according to the level of saturation of the blood. From this, the oxygen saturation figure is calculated. The pulse rate can also be measured and displayed. The sensor or probe is connected to the monitor by a long thin, wire. It can be used on the finger or the toe.

The monitor and sensor or probe is totally safe, non-invasive and will not hurt your child when it is applied securely but not tightly on the finger or toe. The probe or sensor may be used on a different toe or finger every 8 hours to make sure that the device is working and to give the child’s finger or toe some rest.

Children with low level of oxygen saturation need to be connected to the monitor at all times so that their level of oxygen is constantly monitored. While for others, monitoring can be done when they are sleeping. Your doctor or health provider will determine how long your child needs to be monitored.

When your child’s oxygen is low, oxygen therapy is done so that your child will receive a higher concentration of oxygen than we normally breathe in the air. A face mask or nasal tube is connected to a mechanical ventilator.

Uses and Benefits of Pulse Oximeters

/0 Comments/in /by

A pulse oximeter is a device intended for the non-invasive measurement of arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate. Oximeters are widely used in hospitals, medical clinics, operating rooms, and homes. Both oxygen saturation level and pulse rate are vital signs of a patient. Oximeters are inexpensive and can report an accurate reading within seconds. Speed is important especially in an emergency situation.

A pulse oximeter is used medically by patients with asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic obstructive airway diseases (COAD), and other respiratory conditions. Patients with serious respiratory problems should have their SpO2 levels check regularly and especially if they are not feeling well.

For many patients, doctors often recommend exercise to improve their physical state. However exercise can result in increasing shortness of breath, patients should monitor their oxygen saturation with pulse oximeters while exercising so they can adjust the pace as the oxygen saturation decreases.

Patients with serious cardiac conditions would often experience low SpO2 levels. Pulse oximeters would help them to monitor their conditions and use supplementary oxygen when required. Pleth graph produced by a pulse oximeter shows the change in blood volume during a heart pulse is often a good indication of certain heart conditions.

Pilots, mountain climbers, and people in high altitudes also use pulse oximeters to help guard against hypoxia.

Proper breathing techniques, such as pursed-lip breathing, can increase your oxygen saturation level. Lots of patients with low oxygen saturations are able to increase their saturations all the way up to 93% with good breathing techniques. Practice and pulse oximeter will help patients to achieve this level of efficiency.

The pulse oximeter can also help athletes in high altitude training. The reduction in oxygen level can increase red blood cells in athletes and help to increase his/her endurance.

Hold the SUGAR!

/0 Comments/in /by

If you were to add a few teaspoons to coffee, then snack on toast with jam, and choose pop and barbecue chips at lunch – guess what? You would have just consumed 18 teaspoons (72 grams) of sugar.

Sugar contains simple carbohydrates but no other nutrients, and because it is in so many food products, it can add significant calories to your diet if you’re not careful. Read on to learn about sugar and how you can decrease your daily intake. One teaspoon (4 g) of sugar equals 15 calories.

Why you should cut back

According to Statistics Canada, the average Canadian eats about 23 teaspoons (92 grams) of added sugar each day from a combination of packaged and prepared foods. That’s a lot of sugar, considering that the Dietary Reference Intakes suggest we consume no more than 12 teaspoons (48 grams) of added sugar in a 2,200 calorie diet.

Sugar naturally occurs in fruit, vegetables and milk, but these are not considered “added” sugars and are not part of the 12-teaspoon (48 grams) daily maximum. These foods provide an abundance of vitamins and minerals and are important dietary staples.

So if you’re eating 23 tsp/92 g of added sugars a day, it means you’re ingesting 345 empty calories. If you fill up on sweets instead of more nutritious foods such as vegetables, fish and whole grains, your diet can become deficient in important nutrients. High-sugar diets may contribute to obesity and increased triglyceride levels, which are both risk factors for heart disease.

Where’s the sugar?

Most Canadians know that candy and pop contain lots of sugar. But what surprises most people is that foods such as tomato sauce, deli meats, salad dressing and barbecue chips are also loaded with sugar. Even though these foods may not taste sweet, they can still contain “hidden” sugar, since sweeteners can be used as preservatives, browning agents or to provide texture. If you don’t see the word “sugar” on an ingredient list, look for these alternative descriptions:

  • Glucose
  • Fructose
  • Glucose/fructose or high fructose corn syrup
  • Honey
  • Cane juice
  • Sucrose
  • Syrup (corn, malt, golden, maple, refiner’s)

When these words appear in the ingredient list, the sugar content may be high. Use the Nutrition Facts table to determine total sugar content. Four grams is equal to a teaspoon of sugar, so a food with 16 g of sugar would contain four teaspoons of the sweet stuff.

Are some sweeteners better than others?

All sweeteners are high in calories and low in overall nutritional value, so you need to watch the total amount of added sugar you consume, regardless of the type. If you must use a sweetener, opt for maple syrup, honey or molasses, since they have more antioxidants than corn syrup or white sugar.While options such as brown sugar or honey contain trace amounts of minerals, you’d have to eat cups and cups (which I don’t recommend!) for the amounts to be nutritionally significant.  

 

Athletes Keep Tabs on Low Oxygen Levels with Pulse Oximeter

/0 Comments/in /by
Athletes and sports stars the world over use oxygen to increase recovery time and reduce lactic acid build-up. Low oxygen levels can cause fatigue, headaches, nausea and a general feeling of ill health. While some people may accept these symptoms as a side effect of strenuous exercise, identifying low oxygen levels in the first place could be the perfect prompt to take supplemental oxygen. A pulse oximeter is compact, light and easy to use anytime and anywhere. It has been designed to be used in a variety of situations to monitor blood oxygen saturation levels, and in particular to take a spot check before during and after exercise. If you partake in recreational sports such as scuba diving, mountaineering or mountain biking, you too could benefit from checking for low oxygen levels. A study in Germany revealed that athletes that took supplemental oxygen for ten minutes a day over a 6 week periods greatly improved their overall sporting performance.

 

Canadian health groups warn against commercial ultrasounds

/0 Comments/in /by

The doctors who treat pregnant women are warning mothers-to-be against using “entertainment” ultrasounds solely to determine the sex of their fetuses.

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, along with the Canadian Association of Radiologists, put out a new joint policy statement this week calling for an end to ultrasounds offered by non-medical clinics.

 

KELLY GRANT – HEALTH REPORTER

The Globe and Mail

Published