What to do about low blood oxygen
Feb 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Low blood oxygen levels typically refer to low blood oxygen saturation, which may be caused by high-altitude environments, iron-deficiency anemia, chronic illness or frailty, airway obstruction, heart failure, and other factors. It is recommended to treat the condition through oxygen therapy, respiratory muscle training, symptomatic medication, and other appropriate measures. Patients are advised to seek timely medical attention at a hospital and follow the guidance of their healthcare provider for treatment. During the treatment process, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits is also recommended.
Low blood oxygen usually refers to low blood oxygen saturation, which may be caused by high-altitude environments, iron deficiency anemia, chronic illness or frailty, airway obstruction, heart failure, and other reasons. It is recommended to treat through oxygen therapy, respiratory muscle training, symptomatic medication, and other methods. Patients are advised to visit a hospital promptly and follow medical advice for treatment. The analysis is as follows:
1. High-altitude environment: In high-altitude environments, the oxygen content in the inhaled air decreases. Even if lung and heart functions are normal, insufficient oxygen intake may lead to reduced blood oxygen levels. It is recommended to provide timely oxygen therapy using portable oxygen cylinders or oxygen stations to alleviate altitude sickness and improve blood oxygen saturation.
2. Iron deficiency anemia: Iron deficiency anemia results from an imbalance between iron absorption and excretion in the body. This condition leads to reduced hemoglobin content in red blood cells, thereby affecting the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity and causing decreased oxygen saturation, often accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, and tinnitus. It is recommended to follow medical advice to supplement iron, such as ferrous sulfate tablets, iron-polysaccharide complex capsules, ferrous fumarate granules, etc.
3. Chronic illness or frailty: Long-term illness or physical weakness may lead to weakened respiratory muscles, affecting respiratory function and subsequently causing reduced oxygen saturation. Patients are advised to perform respiratory muscle exercises, such as pursed-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing, under medical guidance to strengthen respiratory muscle strength.
4. Airway obstruction: Obstruction of the airway by foreign bodies or bronchospasm can hinder air entering the lungs, causing insufficient pulmonary ventilation and restricted oxygen intake, ultimately leading to decreased blood oxygen levels. If airway obstruction is caused by a foreign body, patients should promptly visit a hospital to remove the foreign body using methods such as the Heimlich maneuver or bronchoscopy. Bronchospasm can be relieved by bronchodilators such as salbutamol aerosol, ipratropium bromide aerosol, aminophylline injection, etc., as directed by a physician.
5. Heart failure: The causes of heart failure are typically myocardial damage and abnormal cardiac load. During an episode, the heart's pumping function declines, leading to poor circulation and insufficient oxygen delivery, thereby causing reduced oxygen saturation. It is recommended to promptly follow medical advice to use medications such as metoprolol succinate sustained-release tablets, aspirin enteric-coated tablets, clopidogrel bisulfate tablets, etc., to aid recovery.
During treatment, it is recommended to maintain good lifestyle and dietary habits, enhance physical fitness, and improve immunity, which also helps improve low blood oxygen saturation conditions.
