Today I did not find any current political news item, on which I could write and hence today I am writing on a general and relevant topic, the information about the same will be useful to every one.
The current Corona virus pandemic has brought a lot of new information to the forefront. With many states finding it difficult to cope with surge in cases, home quarantine is being advocated now. Even when you are hospitalised, the medicines which are provided are only to handle the complications which can arise due to this virus. In a such a scenario, few govts have provided the patients with the option of home quarantining when symptoms are not very severe. The patients are allowed to isolate themselves in a room at home, and essential parameters like temperature, Oxygen levels are monitored at home.
One of the biggest risk in corona virus is when patients oxygen level in blood goes down and patient needs oxygen, for that purpose hospitalisation is needed, and in some stages even support of ventilator is needed which also require hospitalisation. Now for home quarantine the monitoring of Oxygen level is must, and it is done by instrument called OXIMETER. One being used currently is pulse oximeter. So what is this device and do we need one at home?
What is an Oximeter ?
It is a simple medical device that allows the tracking of blood oxygen levels. This is required for many health conditions like cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, asthama, pneumonia, anaemia, and certain other pulmonary diseases, and of course, recently the corona virus. The pulse Oximeter is a simple device, the device is painless and non invasive detection method using which the medical professional can gauge how the heart is supplying oxygen to rest of the body. Most modern digital oximeters display pulse rate also.
How does it work ?
This is small device and is simple clipped to the tip of the finger. For right handed person the finger to be used is middle finger of your right hand, and for left handed person , the middle finger of left hand. With the help of infrared light passed through the finger, the sernsors present on the device detect the blood oxygen levels. This is expected to be in 95 to 100% range, and it is matter of concern if the range drops below 92%. It is based on this reading the doctors may decide if patient need to be put on oxygen, and further treatment as well. The device is used to monitor the blood oxygen reading to rule out any chances of Covid pneumonia in asymptomatic patients. Early detection is said to be key to provide timely treatment to patients for their recovery. Many patients reach hospital when it is too late because their oxygen levels were not monitored properly, which may lead to fatal condition. With this reason it is very important for home quarantine patients to monitor their blood oxygen levels on regular basis to avoid any complications. This also helps the attending medical people to decide about the treatment.
Should a person have one ?
Just like thermometer, this may well become a common device in our homes, especially if we have to learn to live with corona virus. Since it is not an expensive device, one could choose to buy one to monitor the readings, if one wish to do so. Many people are already having one at home, in case they are already suffering from any of the chronic diseases that need oxygen level monitoring. As the numbers of asymptomatic patients are rising, people who have elderly people at home or help coming from outside, and even they have to move out on daily basis for work, definitely should have one at home. Sometimes with all the precautions one may contract the disease, hence there is no harm in keeping one at home and using it for safety of all family members.
However it is best to consult your doctor(physician) to see if this is needed for you. A tele consultation with your physician describing your other symptom/conditions can help in understanding if you need to go in for Covid test because of low oxygen reading. There are other factors to be taken into account, and there is no need to panic, in case reading is low. The oximeter is easily available in medical shops, and it is even available on line.
Hope the above information will be useful.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
30 September 2020.
R. N. Mungale.
Very useful information indeed.