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What are the causes of low blood oxygen saturation?

Feb 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, there are various causes of low blood oxygen saturation, mainly including environmental factors, medication factors, anemia, pneumonia, and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. In addition to drug therapy, comprehensive measures such as lifestyle adjustments and dietary modifications should also be adopted to improve blood oxygen saturation. When low blood oxygen saturation occurs, timely medical consultation and treatment according to medical advice are necessary.

Generally, there are various causes of low blood oxygen saturation, mainly including environmental factors, drug-related factors, anemia, pneumonia, and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Environmental factors

Environmental factors may affect blood oxygen saturation. In high-altitude or thin-air environments, reduced atmospheric oxygen content or insufficient oxygen supply can easily lead to bodily hypoxia, resulting in low blood oxygen saturation. It is recommended to promptly move to an environment with fresh air and sufficient oxygen. If necessary, oxygen devices can be used to increase blood oxygen saturation.

2. Drug-related factors

Certain medications may affect the respiratory center, leading to decreased blood oxygen saturation. For example, inhaling air excessively diluted by inert gases or anesthetic drugs, or receiving transfusions of large volumes of stored blood or excessive amounts of alkaline fluids, may result in low blood oxygen saturation. It is recommended to discontinue or switch to medications with lesser effects on respiratory function under a doctor's guidance.

3. Anemia

Anemia refers to a deficiency or impaired function of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is the primary substance responsible for oxygen transport; when hemoglobin levels decrease or its function becomes abnormal, oxygen-carrying capacity declines, causing reduced blood oxygen saturation, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, and other symptoms. Follow medical advice to take medications such as ferrous sulfate and folic acid tablets, vitamin B12 tablets, ammonium ferric citrate effervescent granules, etc., to improve symptoms.

4. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of lung tissue caused by lung infection. The normal function of alveoli may be impaired, reducing oxygen exchange in the blood, which can lead to low blood oxygen saturation, tissue hypoxia, and decreased immune function. It is recommended that patients follow medical advice to take medications such as levofloxacin hydrochloride capsules, amoxicillin capsules, cephalexin capsules, etc., for treatment and improvement.

5. Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease

Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease is a condition caused by plaque buildup or narrowing of the coronary arteries, resulting in insufficient blood supply to the heart. Narrowed coronary arteries restrict blood flow to the heart, preventing it from supplying sufficient oxygen to the body, leading to low blood oxygen saturation, angina, chest tightness, and other symptoms. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions and use medications such as metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets, labetalol hydrochloride tablets, aspirin enteric-coated tablets, etc., for treatment.

In addition to drug therapy, lifestyle modifications, dietary adjustments, and other comprehensive measures should be combined to improve blood oxygen saturation. When low blood oxygen saturation occurs, timely medical attention should be sought and treatment followed as advised by a physician.

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