Pulse oximetry is a test which measures the level of oxygen in the blood. It is designed to help individuals with infections, cardiovascular conditions and infants. So, what exactly is pulse oximetry, why is it used, and what can you expect from it.

Pulse Oximetry

Oxygen is crucial for the body to survive and if there is a lack of oxygen, the cells start working improperly and die, which can trigger organ failure. The body filters the oxygen through the lungs and transports it to the organs. Then, the lungs transport the oxygen in the blood through hemoglobin proteins in red blood cells. These are the proteins which provide oxygen to the rest of the body.

Hence, pulse oximetry is a test which measures the percentage of oxygen in hemoglobin proteins, called oxygen saturation. The oxygen saturation level shows how much oxygen gets to the organs. The normal levels of oxygen saturations are between 95 and 100 percent. If the levels are below 90, it is considered to be a clinical emergency.

How Does Pulse Oximetry Work?

The test is performed with the use of pulse oximeters, which are actually clip-on devices attached on the finger, the foot, or the wrist.

The levels of oxygen saturation can be low due to choking, drowning, suffocation, pneumonia, inhaling poisonous chemicals, allergic reactions, some diseases such as lung cancer or infections, sleep apnea, heart failure, and general anesthesia.

The pulse oximeters function by shining a light through a relatively transparent area of the skin and the light shines through to a detector positioned on the other side of the skin. Hence, the amount of light which is absorbed by the blood determines the oxygen saturation. It’s crucial to note that pulse oximeters don’t directly measure oxygen saturation, but use a complex equation and other data to determine the exact level.

Benefits of Using Pulse Oximeters

Pulse oximetry is a very beneficial and useful test, especially for people who have conditions, such as snoring or sleep apnea, which have an impact on oxygen saturation. Pulse oximeters are also used to access the effectiveness of breathing interventions, the safety of physical activity in people with cardiovascular or respiratory problems, or can be part of a stress test.

Pulse oximeters are also used for vulnerable patients, such as infants in neonatal intensive care units. The pulse oximeters can detect a drop in oxygen saturation. Therefore, some of the most common benefits of using pulse oximeters include:

• detecting drop in oxygen levels in newborns;
• monitoring oxygen saturation levels;
• calming people with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions;
• monitoring oxygen saturation levels in people under anesthesia;
• determining the need for supplemental oxygen;
• showing the side effects of drugs which have an impact on breathing or oxygen saturation;

What to Expect from Pulse Oximetry?

Pulse oximeters are noninvasive and using them comes with no risk. However, there are people who experience some minor irritation or numbness when using them device for a prolonged period. Probably the main risk which comes with pulse oximetry is a false reading as it depends on positioning changes and the proper fit. So, if you are a person who tosses and turns a lot during sleep, you might notice some inaccurate reading. They also provide some false sense of security for many people.