oxygen saturation
low oxygen level
A low oxygen level might indicate that a coronavirus patient suffers from COVID-19 pneumonia. This person requires immediate medical attention, even before he or she feels a shortness of breath.
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early detection
Low oxygen levels are a way to detect COVID-19 pneumonia early, without a coronavirus test or doctor's visit. That said, normal oxygen levels can signal to patients that they don't need to visit a hospital.
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saturation measurement
A pulse oximeter estimates the saturation of oxygen in the blood. Desired is a number in the 95% to 100% range. If the number drops to say 92%, that's a cause for concern. A result of 90% or lower requires immediate action.
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inaccurate results
The pulse oximeter sends red and infrared light into capillaries in your finger and measures its reflection.Things like dark nail polish or artificial nails, cold extremities or poor blood circulation can cause it to read lower than normal.
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Pneumonia patients who show up to the hospital early have a better chance of receiving noninvasing treatments like an oxygen mask, contrary to a ventilator. Patients on ventilators have to be sedated, and the machine can damage a person's lung tissue.
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