Oxygen saturation (medicine)
(Redirected from Oxygenation (medical))
Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) is a crucial physiological parameter reflecting the proportion of hemoglobin in the blood that is bound with oxygen. Measured as a percentage, it serves as a key indicator of oxygen balance and respiratory function in the body. Healthy individuals typically exhibit oxygen saturation levels of 95-100%.
Physiology[edit | edit source]
Oxygen is transported in the blood via hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. Oxygen saturation signifies the degree to which these hemoglobin proteins are filled, or 'saturated,' with oxygen.
Measurement[edit | edit source]
Noninvasive measurement of oxygen saturation is commonly achieved using a pulse oximeter, a device placed on the fingertip or earlobe that uses light absorption to determine oxygen saturation.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Oxygen saturation is a key parameter monitored in many clinical situations, including surgery, anesthesia, and intensive care. An abnormally low level of oxygen saturation, known as hypoxemia, is defined as a level below 90%. Hypoxemia can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath (dyspnea) and can be a sign of serious health conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary fibrosis.
Severe hypoxemia, where arterial oxygen saturation falls below 80%, can compromise the function of vital organs including the heart and brain. Immediate medical attention is warranted in such cases to prevent complications like respiratory or cardiac arrest.
Oxygen Therapy[edit | edit source]
Oxygen therapy may be employed to increase blood oxygen levels in patients with low oxygen saturation. This can involve using devices such as nasal cannulas or face masks to deliver supplemental oxygen.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
Further Reading[edit | edit source]
- West, J. (2016). Respiratory physiology: the essentials. Wolters kluwer health.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
