Oxygen Saturation

measuring-the-amount-of-oxygen-in-blood-with-a-pulse-oximeter

Oxygen saturation is a measure of how much oxygen your blood is carrying. The normal range for oxygen saturation is 96-100%. If your oxygen saturation is below 90%, it is considered low.

Oxygen saturation can be measured with a pulse oximeter, which is a small device that attaches to your finger and measures the amount of oxygen in your blood.

Low oxygen saturation can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness. If you have low oxygen saturation, you may need to use supplemental oxygen.

Supplemental oxygen can be delivered through a nasal cannula, which is a small tube that goes up your nose, or through a mask.

Oxygen saturation should be monitored closely if you have any condition that may cause it to drop, such as COPD, heart failure, or sleep apnea. If you have low oxygen saturation, talk to your doctor about the best way to treat it.