A pulse oximeter is a device that can help measure the oxygen saturation levels of the blood. These can rapidly detect the more minor changes in the oxygen levels. These levels show the efficiency of the blood carrying oxygen to the farthest levels in the body. This can be seen with the ability to carry oxygen to the tips of the legs and fingers. This blog will teach you how to use pulse oximeter, the reading of a pulse oximeter, and how to check the reading.
What is a Pulse oximeter?
A pulse oximeter is a small clip-shaped device attached to different body parts and is commonly used on the finger to measure the oxygen levels in the body. Professionals can use this medical equipment in acute settings in emergency rooms or hospitals. Many doctors and medical professionals like to have them in their office settings. You can even buy the best pulse oximeter for home use.
How to use Pulse Oximeter?
A Pulse oximeter can be helpful in both inpatient and outpatient settings. These can be recommended by doctors and can be used at home. To use a pulse oximeter, one should follow these steps -
- Remove the jewelry or rings that you are wearing on the finger.
- You should also avoid wearing fingernail polish while getting the readings.
- Make sure your hands are warm, relaxed, and below the level of your heart if you attach the device to the finger.
- You can also place the device on the earlobe or the toe.
- Keep the machine on for as long as needed, and monitor the pulse and oxygen levels.
- Remove the device from the finger once you have received the reading.
It is a straightforward process of getting a reading on a pulse oximeter, but let's see here how an oximeter works -
How does a pulse oximeter work?
A pulse oximeter can be a small beam of light passing through the fingers and help measure the oxygen levels in the body. A pulse oximeter can help by measuring the changes in the light absorptions in the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
How to read a pulse oximeter?
One can check the reading on a pulse oximeter with the help of the blood oxygen levels, and they are typically precise and can be of high-quality equipment found in many hospitals and offices. Moreover, these pulse oximeters are now standard in homes.
- With this oximeter, many healthcare professionals can accurately judge the condition of their patients. This oximeter can help provide an accuracy range of 4 to 6 percent.
- A typical reading from a pulse oximeter is more than 89 percent of the blood carrying oxygen. These are the oxygen saturation levels needed to keep your cells healthy.
- Having an oxygen level temporarily below the saturation levels can cause damage, and repeated, consistent instances of lower grades may be damaging.
- An oxygen saturation level of 95% is typical for most healthy people and can indicate potential hypoxia or higher oxygen levels in the blood.
- Ninety-two percent or lower levels can indicate potential hypoxia or seriously lower levels in the blood.
If your pulse oximeter keeps giving wrong readings, it might be faulty. You can report this problem to MedWatch, which is the FDA's program for reporting safety issues with medical devices. MedWatch works to protect patients and help companies make their products better.
Also Read: 10 Ways How to Increase Blood Oxygen Levels Naturally?
Main Factors Affecting Oximeter Reading
Various factors can affect the readings of an Oximeter. These can be -
- A person's skin tone
- Accuracy of the pulse oximeter
- Blood oxygen measurements in detecting hypoxemia
- Poor blood circulation
- Tobacco use
- Fingernail polish
If you're using a pulse oximeter at home, the FDA says you should let your healthcare provider know so they can make sure you're doing it right. Your doctor can better help you understand the results of your pulse oximeter.
How can doctors use an oximeter?
The primary purpose of a pulse oximeter is to see if the blood oxygens levels are accurate or are meagres. This pulse oximeter is used in emergencies to visit the affected oxygen groups and give oxygen to a person. The Pulse oximeter is used to monitor the health of a person in the following conditions-
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Lung cancer
- Anaemia
- Heart condition
Also Read: Diagnosis of Heart Conditions: Essential Tests For Heart Diseases
Benefits of Using a Pulse Oximeter
Now that you know how to use the pulse oximeter, let's discuss its benefits. This device measures lung capacity and evaluates any human's breathing rate. Sometimes an oximeter is used to check the effectiveness of ventilator machines.To monitor the oxygen levels during and after a surgical process that requires anesthesia or even to prevent the need for supplemental oxygen. To assess the ability of a human to tolerate increased physical activity and evaluate a person's sleeping habits. The pulse oximeter is a quick, non-invasive, and completely painless test. That comes with zero risk and prevents potential skin irritations from adhesive-used probes.
- Bluish coloring on the face or lips
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Restlessness
- Discomfort
- Chest pain or tightness
- Racing pulse rate
Only a healthcare provider can diagnose a medical condition such as hypoxia (low oxygen levels).
Also Read: 7 Natural Ways to Sleep Better for Healthy Lifestyle
5 Smart Tips While Using a Pulse Oximeter-
Follow all the instructions mentioned on the box of the pulse oximeter, as these can be the recommendations about when and how the oxygen levels are checked, and also be aware of the factors that can weigh in on the device's accuracy.
- To get the perfect readings, place the oximeter on the finger and make sure the finger is warm, relaxed, and below the heart level. It would be helpful to remove the nail paint and sit still.
- Do not move the parts of the body where the pulse oximeter is located, as it can read. Stop changing the displays.
- Write down the oximeter readings in the journals and track the changes in the esports on these healthcare providers.
- While taking the pulse oximeter reading, points to check to pay attention to whether the oxygen levels are decreasing over time.
- The change in the trends in the measurements may be more beneficial than one single measurement. Over-the-counter products can buy at the store or online and can be intended for medical purposes.
Conclusion
Though you might think it is difficult or impossible to check your oxygen levels regularly, you should know that if you have any condition of hyper blood pressure or low blood pressure, it becomes essential to review the oxygen levels in the body periodically. We have learned in this blog how to use the pulse oximeter, and it is pretty straightforward to use an oximeter. However, in case the levels of blood oxygen are too high, average, or too low for a frequent day, you must get in touch with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two different types of pulse oximeters?
The two main numbers on the pulse oximeter are oxygen saturation and pulse rate. These readings are the amount of oxygen in the blood. These are based on using infrared light to measure blood oxygen saturation levels.
How to use the pulse oximeter?
A pulse oximeter can be worked by shining through the skin and measuring the light absorption in the blood. This process is delicate, even if you use it multiple times throughout the day. Instead, you should take more readings that can be taken two to three times every day until you feel more unwell.
What is an average reading of an oximeter?
A pulse oximeter can read the oxygen levels from 95% to 100%. An ideal heart rate for the same can be from 50 to 90 beats per minute. You can use an oximeter twice a day, every day.
Which finger is used for the oximeter?
Make sure your hand is warm due to the touch. There can be rest on the chest for five minutes. The ideal finger for the oximeter can be the middle finger or the thumb. Switch the oximeter on and let it record your oxygen levels.
What are some top-rated home pulse oximeter brands?
Well-reviewed options include Zacurate, CHOOSEEN, AccuMed, iProven, and Innovo. Look at accuracy ratings, user reviews, and warranties when choosing.
Can a home pulse oximeter replace medical-grade equipment?
No, home units are not a substitute for professional medical devices used in hospitals. But they can be a useful home health monitoring tool when used properly.
What health conditions warrant using a home pulse oximeter?
They are often recommended for people with COPD, asthma, sleep apnea, heart conditions, and those at higher COVID-19 risk. Always consult your doctor.
Can you use a pulse oximeter on your toe?
Yes, a pulse oximeter can be used on the toe as an alternative measurement site if a finger reading is not possible or accurate. The toe, like the finger, has good circulation for detecting blood oxygen levels.
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