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Blood Oxygen Level - Significance, Normal Level, and Associated Symptoms

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The right amount of oxygen in the blood is very important for maintaining our health. Read on for more information to contend the matter at hand.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar

Published At November 21, 2022
Reviewed AtMarch 10, 2023

Introduction

The quantity of oxygen contained in red blood cells is referred to as the blood oxygen level. Blood and oxygen are two different components. They contribute to the survival of the organs and overall health. There are several methods for measuring our blood oxygen level. During the time of Covid - 19, it was an important thing to monitor the blood oxygen level. If there was a decrease in it, it would be lethal. The drastic drop in it could mainly cause hypoxemia. Therefore it is critical to monitor their blood oxygen saturation.

The amount of oxygen in a person's blood reveals how effectively the oxygen is distributed from the lungs to the cells, and it is important for people's health. Oxygen helps in replacing worn-out cells, providing energy to them, and maintaining our immune system, among other things. That is why it is critical to ensure that our blood oxygen level is neither too high nor too low. In healthy adults, blood oxygen levels range between 75 and 100 millimeters of mercury. These are monitored with the help of a device called a pulse oximeter.

What Are Blood and Oxygen?

  • Blood: Blood circulates through the body, carrying nutrients, oxygen, and byproducts along with solid and liquid components. Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets make up the solid components of blood. Plasma is the fluid part of blood.

  • Oxygen: Oxygen is essentially a colorless gas made up of small molecules. It aids in oxidation and the generation of energy, which is required to maintain bodily activities like walking and thinking. The process of taking in oxygen is known as respiration.

Why Is the Oxygen Level in Blood Important?

The oxygen enters the body through the air we breathe, where it is combined with the blood. Red blood cells deliver and bind to oxygen. This mixture is caused by hemoglobin, a component of red blood cells. The more oxygen these cells receive, the better it is for overall health.

How Is the Blood Oxygen Level Detected?

There are two types of blood vessels in the body which are arteries and veins. The arteries transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart to many organs. The veins carry blood with no oxygen from different organs to the heart.

What Are the Common Ways to Measure Blood Oxygen Levels?

The blood oxygen level can be measured with the help of two different methods.

  • Arterial Blood Gas: This test requires a clinical setting, which we cannot perform on our own. This test measures the concentration of all gasses in the blood. It also properly determines if the body's pH is acidic or basic. As a result, this is considered the gold-level test for determining oxygen levels in the blood. This test, however, is rather invasive. Blood is drawn from an artery during this process. A wrist artery is typically preferable. This technique is regarded as unpleasant as it requires pricking, which is a painful procedure. This provides the precise level of the measurement known as PaO2 (partial pressure of oxygen).

  • Pulse Oximeter: It appears to be a clip-on with a digital panel on it. It can be placed on the finger. This gadget makes use of infrared light to function. This light is transmitted through the capillaries. The quantity of light reflected from the blood gasses will be computed and shown on the panel. This reading is known as the SpO2 level. It is simple to use, although it occasionally produces incorrect results.

What Is the Standard Level of Blood Oxygen?

  • The oxygen content in the blood is measured as oxygen saturation. In healthy people, the arterial blood gas level of PaO2 should be between 80 and 100 mm of mercury. The SpO2 level should be between 95% and 100% when measured using a pulse oximeter.

  • A PaO2 measurement of less than 80 mm Hg or a pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) of less than 95% is considered low.

  • A PaO2 value higher than 120 mmHg indicates elevated oxygen levels in the blood.

What Happens if the Blood Oxygen Level Decreases?

The condition known as hypoxemia may demand immediate medical attention. It is frequently accompanied by trouble breathing. It is particularly targeted at vital organs and body tissues, as they receive less oxygen-producing blood. As the oxygen level declines, the intensity of hypoxemia worsens. Hypoxemia is defined as a PaO2 and SpO2 level less than 80 mmHg.

What Is the Reason for a Low Blood Oxygen Level?

  • Pus, blood, or liquid obstructing the airways.

  • Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

  • Individuals who are having heart or lung issues.

  • Certain pain relievers and other pharmaceuticals, such as Opioids and Anesthetics, can impair breathing.

  • Poisoning from cyanide.

  • Sleep apnea.

  • The syndrome of obesity-hypoventilation (Low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels in the blood are caused by inadequate breathing in obese people).

  • COVID-19 (a viral infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak).

  • Pulmonary edema (an accumulation of fluid in the lungs).

  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (Fluid buildup in the lungs' alveoli).

  • Fibrosis of the lungs (scarred and damaged lungs).

  • Anemia.

  • Switching from low altitude, where it has a high concentration of oxygen in the air, to high altitude, when the air contains a low concentration of oxygen.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Low Blood Oxygen Levels?

A low blood oxygen level may manifest in varying ways depending on how severe the condition is and how individuals respond to it. Some of these include:

  • Headache.

  • Breathing problems.

  • Rapid heartbeat

  • Chest tightness.

  • Struggling to breathe (wheezing)

  • Confusion.

  • A bluish coloration to the skin, fingernails, or lips.

  • The color cherry red on the skin, fingernails, and lips (a sign of carbon monoxide poisoning).

What Are the Therapies for Low Blood Oxygen?

Individuals with low blood oxygen might also improve their lifestyle behaviors, such as food and exercise. These adjustments, when combined with oxygen therapy, can help increase a person's oxygen saturation level.

  • Typically, oxygen is delivered by a nasal cannula or a mask that covers the nose and mouth.

  • Steroids may be used to decrease inflammation.

  • Antibiotics may be administered if an infection is present.

  • Hyperbaric chamber oxygen and mechanical ventilation (intubation) treatment are necessary in severe cases.

  • Supplemental oxygen is one of the therapy options for low blood oxygen levels.

  • Doctors can either recommend home oxygen therapy (HOT), or it can be usually administered through a nasal cannula or a mask that covers the nose and mouth.

What Are the Ways to Manage the Normal Blood Oxygen Level?

  • Opening the windows or going for a stroll outside can boost the quantity of oxygen that the body draws in, which raises the total blood oxygen level.

  • By quitting smoking, circulation will likely improve dramatically within two to three weeks after quitting smoking.

  • Exercise breathing, and simple breathing techniques, such as pursed lips and deep belly breathing, can expand the airways and boost the quantity of oxygen in the blood.

  • Consuming a nutritious diet that is rich in fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and vegetables.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the amount of oxygen circulating in a person's blood is known as their blood oxygen level. A pulse oximeter can be used to measure blood oxygen levels. Health providers consider levels less than 95 % to be inadequate. Many conditions, such as asthma, anemia, and COVID-19, can cause low blood oxygen levels.

In case the blood oxygen level is low, oxygen saturation may need to be boosted. Supplemental oxygen is frequently used to boost oxygen saturation. Patients do not need to frequently monitor their blood oxygen level unless they have an underlying health issue that may impair the capacity of the body to take in oxygen. While an at-home pulse oximeter can be useful in some instances, it is not as exact as a blood test to determine blood oxygen levels. If there are symptoms of low blood oxygen levels or difficulty breathing, contact the health care professional as soon as possible.

Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar
Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

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