Across, the world terms like social distancing, staying at home, and home quarantines fill the newsstands and conversations due to the continued spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Normal things like going to the market, hanging out with your friends, and just going out to get a cup of coffee has been considered dangerous to our health.
Even going to the hospital to have your health checked up has now become a frightening task. As hospitals are now occupied by COVID-19 patients, many people who need regular check-ups are stuck at home. Good thing is, there are medical devices that are handy and easy-to-use even when you are at home. One of these super convenient devices is the pulse oximeter.
So, what is a pulse oximeter?
A pulse oximeter is a snicker-sized, handy device used to measure the oxygen level or oxygen saturation of your blood. It is a lightweight and non-invasive tool that measures how well oxygen travels to the different parts of your body.
A pulse oximeter is often like a clip-like device attached to your fingertip. Once attached to your fingertip, it will measure the amount of oxygen in the blood coming from your heart as well as your pulse rate. The results of this quick examination can help you identify your pulse rate and whether you have normal oxygen levels in your body.
A pulse oximeter is helpful not just in hospitals or the doctor’s office – it is beneficial for use at home, too. Let us say you are a person who experiences frequent drops of oxygen levels in the blood, a reliable pulse oximeter can give you accurate measurements of your pulse rate and oxygen levels.
For example, pulse oximeters are often used in monitoring sleep analysis of people with sleep apnea, you know, that abnormal snoring that a person experiences during sleep? This device helps in checking whether a person momentarily stops breathing while sleeping. So, if you or a housemate experiences sleep apnea, this device is one of the tools that aid in curing this sickness.
Now, let us come closer to home. It is especially helpful if you have asthmatic household members. Increased physical activity usually causes low blood oxygen levels. Having your personal pulse oximeter at home sure is handy in monitoring your family members’ blood saturation.
Do I need a pulse oximeter in my home/office?
Clinicians, first responders, and in-home patients are encouraged to have pulse oximeters within their reach.
If you are a clinician attending to patients whose conditions require blood oxygen levels monitoring, it is advised that you own one in your office. If you are a first responder attending to emergencies, better have a pulse oximeter in your first aid response kit. Finally, if you are a caregiver to an in-home patient or someone who needs to have their blood oxygen levels monitored at home, it will help assess your oxygen saturation right at the comforts of your home.
A pulse oximeter is of great help from the simplest monitoring procedures to the most challenging health environments and emergencies. Just make sure that you purchase durable and easy-to-use pulse oximeters in the market that will provide you with reliable and precise measurements.
