Pulse Oximeter: Read on to Know How to Use it Correctly!

India is setting new records with the daily rise in COVID-19 cases. The second wave of corona in India has awfully hit the health infrastructure. It is difficult for people to look for COVID beds especially for critical patients who require high medical assistance. Those who are affected with no or mild corona are avoiding going to the hospitals as those are full with COVID patients. People are now preferring online medical consultations.

In this pandemic, the one gadget which you will find at everyone’s place is the pulse oximeter. The health authorities are making appeals to people to seek medical help online in case they show COVID symptoms and only visit hospitals when the condition is severe. The most common symptom is a drop in oxygen levels. The pulse oximeter will help you know your oxygen levels.

What is a pulse oximeter?

The pulse oximeter is a device that measures your oxygen saturation levels in the human body. It is a small handheld device where a person is required to put their index finger inside the device and within seconds it will show the oxygen level.

Reading of 95 percent and above is considered healthy. However, you should consult a doctor when reading drops below 92-93. The device also gives the heartbeat reading, showing 60-100 beats per minute for a healthy person.

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How to use a pulse oximeter correctly?

1. Before checking the oxygen level, the first thing you should do is take a deep breath and rest for 10-15 minutes to get an accurate reading.

2. Keep your hand on the chest and hold still for a while.

3. Place the index finger inside the device and if the oximeter is showing random figures, try again by changing the hand.

4. Keep the pulse oximeter in the same position till the reading is stable.

5. Register the highest reading which is the correct result but for that you need to wait for new seconds.

6. Make sure that you identify the reading carefully.

7. At least thrice a day you should check your blood oxygen levels. Those who are experiencing COVID symptoms and weakness must track the oxygen levels more frequently.

8. In case the blood oxygen level falls below 92 percent or less or facing breathlessness, make sure to consult a medical professional.

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Tips to buy Pulse Oximeter

1. Check the type of oximeter you want. At homes, people look for an oximeter that is readily available at an affordable price.
   
2. Make sure to go for accuracy which is extremely important. Do not look for cheap ones as they may not show you the correct result.
   
3. Always look for the certifications that are very important for health gadgets.
   
4. Do not go for local quality. Always prefer a known and good brand and before buying from a particular brand, check all the features. 

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