Benefits Of A Pulse Oximeter

Over the last few years a series of portable oxygen delivery systems have been developed so it is not surprising that portable pulse oximeters  are also available.

Benefits Of A Pulse Oximeter

 All mammals, including us, need oxygen to survive, however our bodies are unable to store oxygen as we do water and food, and yet we must have it to survive.  This means we must receive it constantly which is basically why we breathe.  We need oxygen to carry out various metabolic processes in organisms. Thus, our body can survive for different periods of time with lack of food or water, however, in the absence of oxygen death occurs within minutes.

For a long time the only way to monitor how much oxygen was being absorbed and carried through the blood stream (oxygen blood saturation) was by going to or being stationed at a clinic. However over the last few years where a series of portable oxygen delivery systems have been developed ( allowing thousands of people to be mobile even as they receive supplemental oxygen), it is not surprising that there are portable medical devices -pulse oximeters - used to measure oxygen concentrations in the body as and when you need to.

The way a pulse oximeter works, in layman's language, is by beaming light over a finger, a toe or the ear lobe, and then measuring the amount of light absorbed by the blood beneath the surface of the skin.  This determines the amount of oxygen in the blood and thereby determining the amount of oxygen saturation.

The development of these devices has greatly benefited the medical field and more importantly, patients, as you can now easily detecting the amount of oxygen in the blood, instead of depending on less accurate means, i.e. through physical signs. For example, the pale skin of the patient or the presence of cyanosis, which is a darkening of the skin. Pulse oximeters readings are based on changes in the absorption of a light wave and so identifies the percentage of oxygen that is present in the hemoglobin.

A question that may arise is what good does this do? what benefits do these devices bring?

This is very easy to answer because, as mentioned, without oxygen the body can not survive. Thus, when a patient undergoes an operation, has a respiratory disease or an accident affecting breathing, a low intake of oxygen can take place and the oxygen saturation be affected. By using a pulse oximeter the decrease in blood oxygenation will be immediately detected and so preventive measures can be taken on a timely basis - such as hypoxia that might otherwise result in death.

Using a pulse oximeter is simple, depending on the model, you can attach it to a finger, toe or even ear lobe. The device calculates the average oxygen saturation in the blood and if inadequate, activates an alarm.

There are several different models available and which also include other useful data such as pulse rates. You will find both on line and offline the various brands and models of pulse oximeters so you only need to decide which one best fits your needs.