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Importance of Pulse Oximeter During COVID-19

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The whole world is greatly affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic caused due to emerging novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) which specifically attacks the respiratory system and reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity to develop hypoxia.

Many people with COVID-19 have low levels of oxygen in their blood, even when they feel well. Low oxygen levels can be an early warning sign that medical care is needed. The severely affected COVID-19 patients require ventilators to survive and to fulfill the need for oxygen. However, the number of ventilators is much less than that of the actual number of COVID-19 patients. 

What is a pulse oximeter and what does it measure?

A pulse oximeter is a small non-invasive device that is used to determine hypoxia in patients. The main function of the pulse oximeter is to determine the amount of oxygen saturation (SpO2), which indicates the amount of oxygen in the blood. This can give you valuable information about your health.

Can a pulse oximeter tell if someone has COVID-19?

You may be wondering if an oximeter can help detect COVID-19 early? 

Pulse oximeters are not recommended as a way to tell if someone has COVID-19.  Not everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will develop low oxygen levels. There are people who may have a very uncomfortable fever, muscle aches, and GI upset at home, but never demonstrate low oxygen levels. Get tested if you have signs of COVID-19 or if you have been in close contact with someone who has it. The pulse oximeter can be used in primary clinical care to determine oxygen saturation. Furthermore, pulse oximeters have become a game-changer in the COVID-19 pandemic to detect the oxygen requirement in patients. However, there are several factors affecting the sensitivity of pulse oximeters that need to be understood to get an accurate reading. 

Can a pulse oximeter be a helpful tool for monitoring COVID-19 at home?

An oximeter can be a helpful tool for monitoring oxygen levels so that low oxygen levels can be detected early if a person has a mild case of COVID-19 and is self-treating at home. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are concerned about any developing symptoms, check immediately with your healthcare provider. If you are experiencing severe chest pain, uncontrollable coughing, or dusky lips or fingers, it’s time to go to the ER.

The pulse oximeter gives only primary judgment about oxygen saturation and it is not at all a substitute for the ABG analysis. Moreover, the pulse oximeter cannot be relied on as a sole monitor to check the various events such as cardiac complications/arrests, respiratory tract-related problems, oesophageal intubation, or failure of oxygen supply.

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.

References:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00194506.2020.1845988

https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/aug/can-an-oximeter-help-detect-covid-19-at-home/

https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/pulseoximeter.html

Where can I buy a pulse oximeter?

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Pulse oximeters for use at home aren’t new, but as COVID-19 continues to make health and safety a top priority, more people are looking for ways to manage their health.

If you’re considering getting a pulse oximeter, you can have one shipped directly to your door and most can be purchased with pre-tax. While pulse oximeters are relatively easy to find right now, with coronavirus cases rising across the globe they may be in short supply soon. 

If you’re looking for recommendations, curious how pulse oximeters even work, and who can benefit the most from using them, read on. 

What types of pulse oximeters are available?

Pulse oximeter probes or sensors can be attached to the finger, nose, ear, toes, and forehead areas, however, the most accurate readings usually come from when the pulse oximeter is clamped to the finger, specifically the middle finger, as opposed to other body parts. 

There is a wide range of oximeters to choose from nowadays. There’s a basic pulse oximeter and sophisticated models, an oximeter that can store up t0 24 hrs of data, an alarm, and has wireless connectivity to a computer or smartphone via Bluetooth to transfer the recorded data. There’s also a wristband oximeter for the overnight recording of blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate 

How to choose an oximeter?

When shopping for at-home pulse oximeters, the first to consider is to find a medical grade and is certified by Health Canada, highly-rated pulse oximeters based on reviews and from reputable companies and sellers from Amazon, Walmart, BestBuy, drugstores, and more. These pulse oximeters are labeled for medical use. Most pulse oximeters also measure your heart rate, which is also a plus to many. Remember although it’s not entirely necessary for everyone, a pulse oximeter could help give you peace of mind. 

Where can you get a pulse oximeter?

Although it was nearly impossible to find a pulse oximeter in stock a few months ago, supplies are catching up with demand, and there are several available now if you would still like to buy one for extra assurance. Pulse oximeters, normally bought online like Amazon, Walmart, BestBuy, drugstores, or via medical device suppliers. Pulse oximeters can be easy to find right now.

Pulse oximeters can be very useful tools when they are used correctly. This means a Health Canada-approved device is being used according to instructions from the manufacturer or a medical professional. Not following the proper way in using the pulse oximeter can lead to faulty readings and misinterpreted results.

Although many places sell online there are very few products that are verified as medical grade and are certified by Health Canada. Health Canada is responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health. It ensures that high-quality health services are accessible, and works to reduce health risks. They are a federal institution that is part of the Health portfolio. If you are in Canada please make sure you buy a Health Canada-approved product. While FDA has a certain level of standard, Health Canada has more elements into consideration to approve products that are safe and accurate for public use. You can visit the Health Canada website https://health-products.canada.ca/mdall-limh/ to check the status of a product if it is registered and licensed.

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.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/best-pulse-oximeter

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2020/11/24/where-buy-pulse-oximeters-amazon-walmart-cvs-and-more/6413563002/

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-pulse-oximeters.html

What is The Normal Oxygen Level?

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Blood oxygen level is the amount of oxygen circulating in the blood. Your blood oxygen level measures how much oxygen is circulating with your red blood cells. The body closely monitors blood oxygen levels to keep them within a specific range, so that there is enough oxygen for the needs of every cell in the body. A person’s blood oxygen level is an indicator of how well the body distributes oxygen from the lungs to the cells, and it can be important for people’s health.

What should oxygen levels be?

Normal arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) measured using the arterial blood gas (ABG) test is approximately 75 to 100 millimeters of mercury (75-100 mmHg). A blood oxygen level below 60 mm Hg is considered low and may require oxygen supplementation, depending on a doctor’s decision and the individual case.

Hypoxemia is diagnosed by physical examination and generally detected using ABG testing and is defined as blood oxygen levels above 120 mmHg.

When the level goes below 75 mmHg, the condition is generally termed hypoxemia. Levels under 60 mmHg are considered very low and indicate the need for supplemental oxygen. Supplemental oxygen is provided through an oxygen cylinder that is connected to the nose via a tube, with or without a mask.

Your blood oxygen level is measured as a percentage—95 to 100 percent is considered normal.

You should be check your blood oxygen if

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Asthma
  • Congestive heart failure

Other conditions include:

  • Anemia
  • Sleep apnea (temporary cessation of breathing during sleep)
  • Smoking

How is the blood oxygen level measured?

The most efficient way to monitor blood oxygen levels is by an arterial blood gas or ABG test. For this test, a blood sample is taken from an artery, usually in the wrist. This procedure is very accurate, but it can be a little painful. Another fast and easy way is by the use of a pulse oximeter. It’s a small device that clips onto your fingertip. It shines a light into the tiny blood vessels in your finger and measures the oxygen from the light that’s reflected back.

When to see a doctor

  • severe and sudden shortness of breath
  • severe shortness of breath that get worse during exercise or physical activity
  • shortness of breath even when at rest
  • wake suddenly with shortness of breath or a feeling of choking

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.

References:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321044

https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_blood_oxygen_levels/article.htm

https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/teach-me/blood-oxygen-level-what-you-need-to-know

Uses and Benefits of Pulse Oximeters

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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.

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