Pulse oximeters
The sale of fingertip pulse oximeters has witnessed a significant spike since the first week of March 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic. Find out how to find the best pulse oximeters for home use.
Why are these devices suddenly getting so much attention?
COVID-19 can bring on what’s called COVID pneumonia — an infection in which the lung’s air sacs fill with fluid or pus. And it’s possible that someone infected with the novel coronavirus might be in the early stages of COVID pneumonia – including a drop in blood oxygen level — without experiencing any difficulty breathing.
In such cases, a pulse oximeter might signal that you’re in trouble before you realize it.
Furthermore, rising awareness regarding noninvasive devices coupled with the widespread adoption of healthcare devices by population is projected to drive the growth of the pulse oximeter market.
Why Pulse Oximeter? best pulse oximeters for home use
A pulse oximeter is an electronic device that is extensively used to monitor the amount of oxygen in the blood as well as to track the pulse rate. Furthermore, undiagnosed or untreated hypoxemia may lead to shortness of breath, rapid breathing, dizziness, lack of coordination, and visual disorders. A pulse oximeter provides numerous assistance, like valuable acumens regarding oxygen saturation percentage, notifying inferior oxygen levels on anesthesia state, and surveillance of breathing motion of neonates under particular drugs.
In addition, the pulse oximeter has the ability to act as a diagnostic device for respiratory and cardiac diseases. Moreover, the simplicity of usage and ability to deliver constant and instant oxygen saturation values have made pulse oximeters of acute prominence in emergency medical care or first aid. Pulse oximeters are beneficial for patients with cardiac problems, respiratory problems, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
Understanding Oxygen Saturation best pulse oximeters for home use
Oxygen saturation (SpO2) measures how much oxygen blood carries in comparison to its full capacity. In other words, it’s an estimation of how much oxygen the hemoglobin in your blood contains compared to how much it could contain. Pulse oximetry devices represent this measurement using a simple percentage. So if your red blood cells contain 95% oxygenated and 5% non-oxygenated hemoglobin, your SpO2 would be 95%. Simple, right?
Now, this is where things get more complicated. It’s possible (and perfectly natural) for your SpO2 to change throughout the day, particularly if you’re transitioning from low-energy to high-energy activities. However, as long as your SpO2 stays within a healthy range amidst these fluctuations, there’s no need for concern.
Changes in activity aren’t the only factors that impact oxygen saturation. Several adverse conditions and diseases can negatively impact SpO2, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People afflicted by these health problems often have a lower SpO2 average, necessitating the use of supplemental oxygen and other treatment methods.
Your “Normal” SpO2 Range
According to the Mayo Clinic, normal pulse oximeter readings usually range from 95 to 100 percent. Values under 90 percent are considered low and indicate the need for supplemental oxygen. This condition is often referred to as hypoxemia, and its symptoms include severe shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and chest pain.
For people with chronic lung conditions and other breathing problems, the “normal” SpO2 range of 95% to 100% doesn’t apply. These individuals should always consult with their doctor for information on acceptable oxygen levels for their unique state of health. That being said, here are a few general guidelines on SpO2 for individuals with acute respiratory issues and chronic diseases:
● In a patient with acute respiratory illness (e.g., influenza) or breathing difficulty (e.g, an asthma attack), an SpO2 of 92% or less may indicate a need for oxygen supplementation.
● In a patient with stable chronic disease (e.g., COPD), an SpO2 of 92% or less should prompt referral for further investigation of the need for long-term oxygen therapy.
Measuring Your Oxygen Level pulse oximeter
Today’s medical experts have access to a wide variety of SpO2 monitoring tools, including finger pulse oximeters. These compact, noninvasive devices attach painlessly to the fingertip and send wavelengths of light through the finger to assess SpO2 and pulse rate. Under the guidance of their physicians, people with heart and breathing problems can use personal finger pulse oximeters to manage their conditions and assess the efficacy of treatment methods. Pulse oximetry can be a useful aid in decision-making, but is not a substitute for a clinical assessment, nor sufficient for diagnosis by itself. Arterial blood gas measurements, obtained by arterial puncture, remain the gold standard for measurement of oxygen saturation.
A personal finger pulse oximeter is designed to be fast, durable and intuitive. All you have to do is place it on any finger and wait a few seconds for it to measure your current SpO2 and heart rate. However, not all pulse oximeters deliver the same level of performance and versatility. Many other brands of finger pulse oximeters are unable to perform with accuracy on patients with low perfusion or dark skin pigmentation, and can’t stand up to repeated daily use. That’s why in-home caretakers and people suffering from respiratory problems count on clinically proven self-monitoring solutions. best pulse oximeters for home use
Knowing your oxygen level is easy.
Besides large and well-known manufacturers of pulse oximeters such as Masimo, Medtronic, Koninklijke Philips, Smiths Medical, Nonin Medical etc. many other vendors are providing this product with similar or even better specifications at lower prices.
One of them is Wellue OxySmart™ Bluetooth Fingertip Pulse Oximeter.
Vellue Health users can check their real-time data of SpO2, PR, and PI on the app via Bluetooth. Once you put on the oximeter, the device will start measuring by itself. When you take it off, the measurement will end automatically. When a low oxygen level or an abnormal pulse rate is detected, users will receive sound alerts on the device.
Vellue users can Review Data on the app
The history section on the app will store precise details of your SpO2 and PR value. You can always have an overall picture of your body index (Bluetooth ONLY).
Free iOS/Android APP— ViHealth
Download the APP Vihealth in Google Play for Android, or in App Store for iOS. It is suitable for the Bluetooth connection of all WELLUE products, accurately detects your physical data. Conveniently manage your health data at any time, anywhere. Want to buy best pulse oximeters for home use? Get your oximeter here.
