Due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, most people are staying at home and following the guidelines. We are noticing in all social media the urge for oxygen required for this pandemic situation.
The hospitals require oxygen cylinders & refills for their patients and people are passing on messages asking these for their friends and family members. Many home-quarantine people are self-treating and monitoring their oxygen levels along with a balanced food that boosts immunity.
Let’s see the mechanism of breathing.
Blood delivers oxygen to all cells in our body. When we breathe oxygen into the lungs RBCs bind with the oxygen and carry it through your bloodstream. Oxygen helps to replace worn-out cells and supports the immune system. Hence it is important to maintain oxygen levels are on track.
How oxygen levels are measured?
Respiratory hygiene is also important apart from immunity-boosting foods for covid-19 infected people. Hence, concentrate on how to improve oxygen levels at home. So for that, it is important to know the ideal levels of oxygen using an oximeter. It is a device that clips to the finger and measures the level of oxygen indicating the ratio of RBC that carries oxygen to the cells.
The blood oxygen level (or oxygen saturation levels) of a healthy person ranges between 95%-100%. However, some people with the chronic respiratory illness show lower levels (considered levels are between 92%-90%). The levels below these levels definitely seek medical attention and oxygen supplementation.
Get Set Go!
Regular exercise is a key point of a healthy lifestyle. Simple walking increases lung capacity and removes waste through the lymphatic system. A short walk is required to improve oxygen levels. Deep breathing exercises are also beneficial to open the airways and reach more oxygen to the cells. This way gets the confidence back and relieves stress.
Iron & Oxygen levels:
Iron deficiency is one of the major cause of low oxygen levels.
Yes, oxygen saturation is how much hemoglobin is bound to oxygen and how much remains unbound. Hemoglobin is a protein present in the cells which are responsible to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. It also carries carbon-di-oxide out from our body. Hence, deficiency of hemoglobin reduces oxygen supply to the cells resulting in lower oxygen levels. Therefore, consuming well-balanced, iron-rich foods to maintain the levels ideally.
Fresh Indoor air:
The quality of the air we breathe is important for covid-19 positive patients/self-quarantine people. Hence, replace fancy materials with household plants that naturally provide oxygen.
Way to breathe:
As it is good to isolate in a single room away from family members. A short walk on a terrace is also not possible during quarantine. Hence, one can always open the windows take oxygen, or use your balcony to take fresh air. This also gives hope and combat stress.
It has been reported that use of beeswax candles with essential oils neutralize the particles from air pollutants and acts as natural air purifier.
Keep hydrated:
We all know that water is very much essential for various functions of our body. Drinking potable (lukewarm) in this situation relieves the throat.
Sufficient water is required in our body to transport nutrients and could help prevent toxins from building up that may have a negative impact on our immune system. Never drink tea/coffee as the compounds containing in these may tend to drop down water levels in our body.
Turning to Prone position:
Government of India
Covid-19 has spread throughout the world. However, very small percentage of people reaches to the condition called respiratory distress syndrome. In this case, infected people needs external support of oxygen as lungs are unable to work efficiently.
Proning is an effective way of boosting blood oxygen saturation levels. This process of turning a patient from their back onto their abdomen (stomach). It is a medically accepted position that improves breathing and oxygenation. Special care should be taken when proning. Proning may not be applicable during pregnancy, major cardiac conditions, unstable spine etc. Kindly visit Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Government of India portal for further information.
Accuracy of Oximeters:
Pulse oximeters are useful devices to detect the amount of oxygen in the blood. However, they may show errors in certain cases. Following factors may hinder in showing the accuracy in its readings;
- Person’s movement when clipping to the finger
- Application of nail polish
- Skin pigmentation
- Exposure to carbon-monoxide
Do not disregard or avoid professional medical advice before following these steps.
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