What are the dangers of low oxygen saturation?

author: Raisa

2022-03-31

What is blood oxygen saturation?

Blood Oxygen Saturation refers to the percentage of a person's red blood cell load or amount of oxygen. Oxygen is carried by red blood cells to body organs such as the brain and heart. If blood oxygen levels are too low, not enough oxygen is being delivered to the organs. Human body functions cannot function properly without adequate blood oxygen. Oxygen saturation doesn't always stay the same, normal fluctuations are present. But a sudden drop in oxygen saturation often means you're not breathing enough and having trouble keeping your body full of oxygen. Normal blood oxygen saturation should be between 95-100%, with readings below 90% considered abnormal. This condition is also called hypoxia. Below 80% is severe hypoxia. Low blood oxygen saturation, or hypoxemia, is a condition that can have serious consequences without proper treatment.

What are the dangers of low oxygen saturation?

Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath is one of the symptoms of low blood oxygen saturation. It means this dangerous disease needs immediate treatment. Shortness of breath can also be caused by a variety of factors, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two examples of lung diseases that prevent enough oxygen from reaching the bloodstream. Sustained low oxygen saturation can lead to permanent damage where the body cannot breathe. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is mainly caused by smoking and kills many people every year.

Energy
Oxygen supplies energy to the body and cells. Low oxygen saturation can deprive cells of a source of energy. Fatigue, listlessness, and muscle weakness are hallmark symptoms of a lack of energy. Cells are hypoxic and unresponsive to the entire supply. If you also experience extreme fatigue symptoms, you should consider whether low blood oxygen saturation is the result. You can find out about this with a blood test.

Psychology
Brain function depends on oxygen. Brain cells die without oxygen. Low blood oxygen saturation can cause psychological problems such as confusion and short-term memory loss. If it is accompanied by other symptoms of low blood oxygen saturation, such as finger tingling and chronic cough, it should be treated immediately.

High altitude pulmonary edema
This happens when traveling at high altitudes. The rarefied air here is low in oxygen, and the body becomes hypoxic very quickly. Air drying and dehydration can also be a problem. Symptoms include headache, edema, cough and shortness of breath. The disease can affect anyone who travels to high altitudes and is at risk of fatality without proper treatment.

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