Oxygen saturation
Oxygen saturation is a measure of how much oxygen the red blood cells in your body are carrying. Oxygen is vital for the cells in your body to function properly, and the lungs are responsible for taking in this oxygen and passing it into your bloodstream. The oxygen saturation level shows the efficiency of this process by indicating the percentage of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, that is filled with oxygen.
Typically, a healthy person's oxygen saturation should be between 95% and 100%. If the level falls below this range, it could be a sign of a respiratory or circulation problem, such as lung disease or a heart condition. Monitoring oxygen saturation is crucial in healthcare, especially for individuals with respiratory illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma.
People often measure their oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter, a small, non-invasive device that clips onto a finger. This device shines light through your skin to estimate how much oxygen is in your blood. It's painless, quick, and easy to use, making it a valuable tool for both medical professionals and individuals at home looking to monitor their respiratory health.
An ABG (arterial blood gas) test measures levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acidity in the blood to assess lung and kidney function.
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