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Blood saturation, also called oxygen saturation level, is a key indicator of your body’s health. In this article we will discuss what exactly blood saturation is, what importance it has for our body, how to measure blood saturation and what factors can influence it.
Saturation – what is it? how does oxygen circulate in the body?
Blood saturation is an indicator that tells us what percentage of red blood cells in our body are saturated with oxygen. Optimal blood saturation is usually 95-100%, which means that most red blood cells are able to transport oxygen to all cells in the body.
The circulation of oxygen in the body begins in the lungs, where oxygen is taken from the air and transported through the bloodstream to all tissues and organs. There, it is used for the process of cellular respiration, which provides the energy necessary for the functioning of the body.
Low saturation – what can it be caused by? how can it manifest itself?
Low blood saturation may be the result of various factors. One of the main reasons is insufficient oxygen supply to the body, which may be caused by respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or respiratory infections. Additionally, low saturation can occur at high altitudes, where there is less oxygen in the air.
Symptoms of low blood oxygen saturation may include shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness and changes in consciousness. If these symptoms occur, consult your doctor immediately.
Saturation measurement – how and when to measure saturation?
Measuring blood oxygen saturation is a relatively simple and painless process. A special device called a pulse oximeter is used for this purpose, which is placed on the finger or ear. A pulse oximeter uses infrared radiation to measure the amount of oxygen saturation in the blood.
Blood oxygen saturation values should be monitored especially in certain situations, such as:
- In case of respiratory problems
- After surgeries
- During intense physical exercise
- During sleep in people with sleep apnea
Saturation in a child
Measuring blood saturation in children is as important as in adults, especially in infants and young children. Children are more susceptible to respiratory infections, so it is worth checking their saturation regularly to quickly detect any problems with the supply of oxygen to the body.
What can disturb the saturation results? what increases saturation?
It is worth remembering that blood saturation measurement results may be influenced by various factors. The result may be influenced by:
- Cigarette smoking – nicotine contained in cigarettes can narrow blood vessels, which reduces blood saturation.
- Extreme weather conditions – high altitude, low temperature or air pollution may reduce blood saturation.
- Heart and respiratory diseases – various types of diseases may affect the level of blood saturation.
On the other hand, there are also factors that can increase blood oxygen saturation, such as providing additional oxygen during oxygen therapy.
Cigarette smoking and saturation
Cigarette smoking is one of the main factors contributing to lower blood saturation. Nicotine and toxic substances contained in cigarette smoke cause blood vessels to narrow and reduce the amount of oxygen delivered to the tissues. Long-term cigarette smoking can lead to chronic respiratory diseases, which further reduce blood oxygen saturation.
Your suggestions
If you suspect a blood saturation problem or any symptoms that may be related to it, do not delay visiting your doctor. Regular oxygen saturation measurements can help detect possible problems at an early stage, which in turn will facilitate effective treatment.
Recommended articles
If you want to learn more about respiratory health, also read our articles on asthma, COPD and the effects of cigarette smoking on the body.
In summary, blood oxygen saturation is an important health indicator that should be monitored regularly, especially in people with respiratory problems. Take care of your health and regularly check your blood oxygen saturation level!