The level of oxygen in the blood is an indicator of how well the body distributes oxygen from the lungs to the cells, and can be important to human health.
Most of the oxygen is carried by red blood cells, which collect oxygen from the lungs and deliver it to all parts of the body.
The body closely monitors the oxygen levels in the blood to keep them within a certain range, so that there is enough oxygen for the needs of every cell in the body.
Oxygen saturation has optimal ranges for most ages and can affect the personal health of people in some cases.
What is the “normal” oxygen saturation of the blood?
Oxygen levels in the blood can have implications for people’s health, as many conditions can arise from levels outside the ideal range.
High blood oxygen saturation may cause hyperoxia, and low blood oxygen saturation may result in hypoxia or cyanosis.
Doctors and other health professionals measure the oxygen in the blood with a pulse oximeter.
Normal blood oxygen level for children
Most children will need high levels of oxygen saturation to function normally.
Their normal blood oxygen saturation range is between 95% and 100%. Children with low oxygen saturation may need oxygen therapy.
Normal blood saturation level for adults
Adults need as high levels of oxygen as children, around 95% to 100%.
Anyone with lower saturation levels may have a problem with their lungs that requires treatment.
Adults with saturation less than 92% may need a blood gas assessment (BGA) to determine if they need to receive oxygen.
Normal blood oxygen level for the elderly
Older adults usually have lower saturation levels compared to their younger counterparts.
The acceptable level for some older men and women is around 95%. Some health conditions may lead to a difference in this value, but a blood oxygen level below 925 requires emergency treatment.
People should watch for symptoms of hyperoxaemia and hypoxemia, which refer to fluctuations in the level of oxygen.
Symptoms of hypoxemia include:
– cough
-confusion
– whistling
– headache
– Shortness of breath
– Rapid heartbeat
– cyanosis of the skin, nails and lips
Symptoms of hyperoxemia include:
Changes in skin color range from blue to dark red
– confusion
– cough
– rapid breathing
– Shortness of breath
– slow heartbeat
– Rapid heartbeat
Excessive sweating
Source: Express