The Oxygen Monitor – Additional Functions and Advantages

I’ve already explained the basic features of a good oxygen monitor. As you know, this little device can be extremely useful in critical situations!

Here I’ll try to give you more details about how an oxygen monitor works, when it can be used and what kind of additional options it has.

As we all know, there are situations when it’s crucial to estimate our blood’s oxygenation. That’s when the pulse oxymeter comes to our rescue. Placed on the fingertip or earlobe, it determines the oxygen level in hemoglobin. The device also uses the pulse beat and many models can show a graph.

For estimating the saturation of haemoglobin, the oximeter emits two different wavelengths, usually 650nm and 805nm. By reading the absorption of red and infrared light, it calculates the blood’s oxygen levels.

There are certain situations that can influence the oxygen monitor’s reading accuracy. Let’s take a look at some of these factors – this way we’ll avoid unpleasant surprises, taking full advantage of our pulse oximeter’s posibilities.

Slow blood circulation can affect the functions of older models of oxygen monitors. However, the latest models are not influenced by poor blood flow. Before buying a pulse oximeter, try to find out as much as possible about the model and its characteristics!

Some units can show inaccurate results because of vasoconstriction and venous congestion. Believe it or not, there are also some funny causes that can affect the readings – for example bright lights or even nail polish! Be sure to remove your nail polish before using the oxygen monitor, especially if it has a darker color.

Besides being very useful at home and in our day-by-day life, the advanced models of oxygen monitors are used with great results in intensive care. For example, when a patient is under anesthesia, the pulse oximeter shows the oxygen levels and the pulse rate. The device can detect all sorts of oxygenation problems before their full manifestation, especially during mechanical ventilation. Also, a doctor can use the oxygen monitor for determining if the patient needs oxygen therapy. Sometimes the oximeter can be a life savior by alerting the patient and the doctor of a hypoxia.

But don’t forget that the main purpose of an oxygen monitor is, of course, monitoring the oxygenation of the blood. The device can’t analyze the oxygen’s metabolism. For this particular measurement, information about the levels of carbon dioxide is required.

In certain professions the use of blood oxygen monitors is mandatory. Pilots use them for determining if they need supplemental oxygen, especially when they fly a non-pressurized airplane. When climbing on high altitudes, alpinists use the pulse oxymeters as well. Oxygen levels can decrease also during hard exercise, that’s why oxygen monitors are very useful for athletes.

The oxygen monitor options are being constantly analyzed and developed. That’s why there are permanently new uses being discovered. One of the latest capabilities of the pulse oximeter is the measurement of the blood loss volume. The researches have determined a special algorithm for this purpose, combining data on blood oxygenation and levels of hemoglobin absorption.

Nowadays, an oxygen monitor is not a luxury item. You can find a large variety of models on the online market, including cheap oxygen monitors that every normal family can afford!