TRIBUNJOGJA.COM – The blood in your body delivers oxygen to all your cells. When you breathe and pull oxygen fresh air into your lungs, red blood cells bind oxygen and carry it through the bloodstream.
At the cellular level, oxygen helps replace damaged cells, gives you energy, supports your immune system, and more.
That is why it is important to make sure that blood oxygen levels are not too high or too low.
Measurement oxygen saturation
Measurement of blood oxygen, also called oxygen saturation, is by using an oximeter.
This is a small device that pinches your finger (or other part of your body) and determines the ratio of red blood cells that carry oxygen to those that are empty.
Also read: Know the Causes of Hypoxemia, When Oxygen Saturation is Below Normal
Checking or monitoring blood oxygen levels is non-invasive and painless. There are no known risks or dangers of using a pulse oximeter to measure your blood oxygen level.
The pulse oximeter emits light that passes through your nails, skin, tissues, and blood to the sensor on the other side.
The device measures how much light passes through without being absorbed by tissue and blood. It then uses that measurement to calculate how much oxygen is in your blood.
Normal measure of oxygen saturation
Your blood oxygen level helps you know how well your lungs, heart, and circulatory system are working.
Normal oxygen saturation levels for healthy people range between 95% and 100%. This means that almost all red blood cells carry oxygen to your cells and tissues.
While low oxygen saturation levels, also called hypoxemia, occur in the range between 90% and 92%.
This low number means you may need supplemental oxygen or there may be challenges affecting your lung function.
Even a result below 90% indicates that you should seek medical care. (*/WebMD)
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