Instructions for the elderly to use the blood oxygen probe
As an important medical device for detecting blood oxygen saturation, the blood oxygen probe is also particularly important for the elderly in daily use, so how to choose a suitable blood oxygen probe for the elderly?
Red blood cells carry most of the oxygen in your body. These cells collect oxygen from your lungs and deliver it to various parts of your body to perform necessary functions. This means that if your blood oxygen saturation is low, you will need some medical attention, as it can prevent you from carrying out your daily activities and cause serious health risks.
Your doctor will use a test to check your blood oxygen saturation. These can include pulse oximeters (sensors you slide over your finger), arterial blood gas tests (needles that remove blood from arteries to measure oxygen saturation), and other breathing tests. But what do you do once you understand these issues? In this article, we'll review what you need to know about blood oxygen saturation in older adults and when you need to be concerned.
What is the normal blood oxygen saturation in the elderly?
The normal oxygen saturation is 97-100%, but the oxygen saturation of the elderly is usually lower than that of the young. If a person is over 70 years old, the normal oxygen saturation of the elderly may be around 95%, which is acceptable. In extreme cases, low oxygen levels can lead to hypoxemia or hypoxia. The former is low oxygen in the blood, which leads to the latter, which is low oxygen in the tissues. However, "hypoxia" is often used to describe both problems. If you have symptoms, you should call 119 immediately.
Causes of hypoxia in the elderly
Below are some examples of what can lead to hypoxia.
Anemia
cyanide poisoning
heart problems
high altitude
Painkillers with side effects that make breathing more difficult
severe asthma attack
Lung injury due to trauma
Lung diseases (ARDS, bronchitis, COPD, emphysema, pneumonia and pulmonary edema)
sleep apnea
Now that we know some of the causes, let's review some of the symptoms of hypoxia in older adults.
Signs of hypoxia in the elderly
Low oxygen levels can cause a variety of symptoms. Below are some signs of low oxygen.
Changes in skin color, from blue to red
chest pain
confusion
cough
Dizziness
fast or slow heart rate
Headache
high blood pressure
lack of coordination
Shortness of breath
restless
Euphoria
Shortness of breath
sweating
visual impairment
gasp
If you experience severe shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat and any of the above symptoms, it is important to contact your doctor immediately for medical attention.
Treatment of dangerous oxygen levels in the elderly
Now that we know more about these signs, the big question is how to achieve normal oxygen saturation levels in older adults? There are several devices that can help a person get extra oxygen, but many are considered medications and require prescription. However, there are steps you can take to reduce hypoxia symptoms. Below, you'll find some of these methods.
deep breathing exercises
drink a lot of water
Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
exercise regularly
Regular monitoring of blood oxygen saturation
Quit smoking or avoid secondhand smoke where others smoke
What kind of blood oxygen probe is suitable for the elderly
When choosing a blood oxygen sensor for the elderly, you should pay attention to the following points:
Pay attention to the quality of the blood oxygen probe, because it meets the needs of continuous monitoring and spot check monitoring:
Choose a suitable blood oxygen probe according to the finger size of the elderly;
Choose a blood oxygen probe with a soft material for reuse or a disposable material