Oxygen saturation - what is it? Norms, testing, symptoms of low saturation

Saturation determines the level of oxygen saturation in the blood, which is crucial for the proper functioning of our body.

Saturation is falling! - we have heard this phrase in more than one medical series. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, this term has been used more frequently, not only among the series' doctors, but also by our friends and loved ones. 

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Blood saturation - what is it?

Blood saturation is one of the most importantand vital parameters, along with blood pressure, respiratory rate and body temperature. Saturation determines the oxygen saturation of the blood , i.e. it indicates whether our body is adequately oxygenated.

Hemoglobin is responsible for transporting oxygen  to the various tissues and organs in the body. A blood saturation test indicates how much haemoglobin is currently connected to oxygen.

Saturation status is given as a percentage and is designated by the symbol SpO2 or SaO2. A saturation of 98% means that the body is functioning properly and 98% of the haemoglobin is delivering  oxygen to the body's cells at any given time.

Why is saturation measured?

I asked Dr Witold Tomaszewski, M.D., what the purpose of testing saturation status is. 

As he explains, the purpose of the test is to check whether the blood is well oxygenated. Doctors can use pulse oximeters to monitor the health of people with ailments that affect the oxygen content of the blood, such as:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
.
• asthma,
.
• pneumonia,
• pneumonia,
• pneumonia
• pulmonary neoplasms,
• pneumonia,
• anemia,
• pneumonia,
• pneumonia
• anemia,
.
• heart attack or heart failure,
• infarction or heart failure
• congenital heart disease,
.

According to Dr. Tomaszewski, saturation testing is indicated to:

• monitor oxygen content during or after surgical procedures requiring sedation (e.g. anaesthesia),
.
• diagnose sleep apnoea,
.
• assess whether there is a need for mechanical ventilation with a ventilator,
.
• determine whether supplementary oxygen therapy is needed,
.
• assess the person's ability to tolerate increased physical activity,
.

Hypoxaemia and hypoxia

When discussing the topic of desaturation, the terms hypoxaemia and hypoxia often come up and are associated with hypoxia. Are they the same and can they be used interchangeably? No.

• Hypoxaemia (colloquially hypoxia) refers to a reduced oxygenand in arterial blood, which severely disrupts metabolic processes in the body's tissues.
• Hypoxia refers to a chronic deficiency of oxygenand in the tissues relative to the demand, leading to hypoxia in the body.

How to measure saturation

Saturation testing can be performed in a medical facility, but also conveniently in our own home. The test uses pulsoximeters.

Pulse oximeter - what is it?

Types of pulse oximeters

There are 3 types of pulse oximeters:

• Stationary - large devices used in hospitals, medical facilities and nursing homes. 
• Fingerstick (in the form of a clamp) - pocket-sized, portable devices. Measurement is taken by putting it on the finger of the hand.
• Wristband - a gadget inserted into smartwatches, watches and sports bands. It should be considered an interesting addition to the watch, not the main source of saturation measurement.

The pulse oximeter can measure saturation from: the fingers of the hand or foot, the auricle, the wing of the nose, in newborns - from the foot.

How does the saturation measurement work? Instructions

Learn how to take a pulse oximeter measurement correctly with a forehead pulse oximeter:

.
• Ahead of taking the measurement, avoid intense physical activity.
.
• Take the measurement in a darkened room - strong light may affect the measurement.
.
• Remove bandages, jewellery and nail polish from your finger. Your hand should be warm and relaxed.
.
• Sit up straight in a place that is comfortable for you.
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• Place your hand below heart level - e.g. on the back of a chair.
.
• Place the pulse oximeter on the index finger of your hand and hold it for as long as the manufacturer recommends.
.
• Read the result and remove the device at the end of the test.
.

Saturation - norm in adults and children

The pulse oximeter shows values from 1% to 100%. In healthy individuals, the measurement result should be at 95% or higherand. Saturation below this value may indicate inadequate tissue oxygenation. 

Saturation results - how to read?

What influences the saturation result?

When performing a saturation test with a napalcim pulse oximeter, it is important to be aware of factors that can falsify the result.

The reliability of the saturation result may be affected byand: nail disease and trauma, varnished or hybrid nails, finger tattoos, performing the test immediately after exercise, cold hands, intense ambient light.

Saturation versus skin colour

The colour of our skin can also affect the saturation result. A reportand from 2020 compared the accuracy of pulse oximetry tests and blood gas measurements in detecting hypoxaemia in people with white and black skin colour.

The study found that among black patients, there were up to three times as many cases in which pulse oximetry tests failed to detect latent hypoxaemia, whereas blood gas measurements did.

Saturation critical value

Saturation versus COVID-19

Many patients with COVID-19 have low blood oxygen concentrations, even if they feel well. Low saturation can be an early warning sign that medical attention is needed. The oxygen saturation level for COVID-19 patients currently considered to be the target is 92-96%and.

Saturation levels in smokers

Smoking can affect the accuracy of pulse oximetry. The result of saturation measurement in smokersand can be low or falsely high. This is affected by hypercapnia, the abnormal concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood caused by compulsive smoking. With hypercapnia, the pulse oximeter has difficulty distinguishing blood oxygen from carbon monoxide.

Indications for saturation testing

Saturation level testing in hospitals is performed when there is a risk of ischemiaandof the body. Such situations are:

.
• general anaesthesia (narcosis),
.
• planned or unplanned surgery,
.
• childbirth or antenatal condition,
.
• severe condition of the patient,
.
• pharmacological coma,
• surgical conditions
• post-operative conditions,
.
• endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract (gastroscopy), 
.
• cardiac catheterisation,
.
• respiratory failure,
.
• bronchoscopy procedure,
.
• oxygen therapy,
.

Dr. Witold Tomaszewski, M.D., adds that regular testing of saturation status with a pulse oximeter using a napalcimeter should be performed by:

• asthmatics,
.
• people with COVID-19 infection or other respiratory stress infection (e.g. bronchitis),
.
• performance athletes,
.
• Alpine climbers,
.
• pilots,
.
• parachute jumpers,
.

Causes of low saturation

Low blood oxygenation in the body can causeand:

.
• heart disease,
.
• asthma,
.
• anemia,
.
• COVID-19,
.
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
.
• interstitial lung disease,
• pneumoconiosis,
• pneumoconiosis,
pneumonia
• emphysema,
.
• pneumonia,
• pulmonary inflammation,
• pneumonia
• pulmonary fibrosis, i.e. scarring and damage to the lungs,
.
• arterial obstruction in the lungs,
.
• excess fluid in the lungs,
.
• presence of air or gas in the chest that causes the lungs to collapse,
.
• sleep apnoea,
.
• high altitude (above 1500 m above sea level,and),
.
• some groups of medications, including some painkillers (especially opioids ).

Symptoms of low saturation

Don't just rely on the saturation test result on the device. Symptoms of low saturationand that should worry us are:

• headache,
.
• dizziness,
.
• excessive drowsiness,
.
• spiration,
.
• bad mood,
.
• coughing or wheezing,
.
• fast heartbeat,
.
• feeling of confusion or disorientation,
.
• blue colouring of the skin, lips or fingernails (cyanosisand),
.
• slow pulse,
.
• hidrosis,
.

Effects of low saturation

Prolonged, low blood oxygen levels can lead to:

• high blood pressure,
.
• severe organ damage and failure,
.
• death,
.

How to treat low saturation

Low saturation levels should be treated immediately to prevent damage to key organs. If you have a low saturation level, call the emergency department straight away. There, a doctor - with the right medical equipment at their disposal - will make a diagnosis and provide expert help, including pharmacological treatment.

Home remedies to increase saturation

Care for adequate oxygenation of your body on a daily basis. Share these ways with a loved one! 

.
• Learn to breathe with your diaphragm. Breathe in through your nose and use the movement of your diaphragm. Practise conscious breathing several times a day.
.
• If you smoke cigarettes, give up the habit. Not sure how to start? Check out the Ministry of Health guideand.
.
• Drink about 2.5 litres of liquids per day, especially water. Adequate hydration ensures oxygenation of the cells and proper functioning of the body. Correct concentrations of magnesium, sodium, potassium and calcium are crucial for the body's water and electrolyte balance.
• Find your favourite physical activity and exercise regularly for health. Walking, team sports, cycling, swimming, tennis - what do you like best?
.
• Pay attention to your diet. Your diet should be rich in vitamins, minerals, omega acids and antioxidants. Limit processed foods and saltand.
.

Not sure how to compose your diet? Take a look at our Diet tab for inspiration - we've put it together with our team of nutritionists.

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The next time you hear in a TV series: Saturation is dropping! - you'll know what's going on. Sometimes you'll even take note of the ridiculous behaviour of the fictional doctors who are saving the patient.

If you have questions about saturation - leave them in the comments. You can also share your thoughts on the behaviour of doctors in medical series. This seems like an interesting topic for another article - can you help me with this one?"

Summary