Pulse Oximeter

Dr Gourish Karande explains the role of a pulse oximeter in monitoring health especially in people with COVID-1

- Dr Gourish Karande

Oxygen plays an important role in the survival and functioning of the human body. Presence of normal levels of oxygen in the blood is important for the proper functioning of different parts of the body. Oxygen level may temporarily slightly decrease at different times of the day. This is considered normal. Persistent low levels of oxygen may indicate the presence of a serious infection or a disease. To check the oxygen levels in the blood, pulse oximetry test is recommended.

Pulse oximetry is a way to measure the amount of oxygen being carried in theblood. The blood oxygen level is checked using a small, non-invasive device called a pulse oximeter. The blood oxygen level measured with an oximeter is called oxygen saturation level (O sat or SaO ).

Pulse oximeter explained

A pulse oximeter is a small hand-held device with a wire probe. It is attached to a person's finger, toe or earlobe and is relatively inexpensive and is practical for home use. The device releases beams of light that pass through the blood in the finger, earlobe or toe to measure the oxygen level. These light beams are 'read' to calculate the percentage of oxygen carried in the blood. It also provides a reading of the heart rate.

When the oxygen levels drop low, the kidneys, heart, brain and all other vital organs start deteriorating because they are not getting the required amount of oxygen.

The pulse oximeter helps to measure the drop in blood oxygen level; hence a pulse oximeter reading should be used along with other symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever, cough and fatigue.