a woman is checking her oxygen levels using a oximeter

How to Increase Oxygen Levels?

The oxygen is transported in the body through blood. Red blood cells connect to oxygen and convey it through your circulation as you breathe and take new oxygen into your lungs. You may naturally raise your blood oxygen level or talk to your doctor about alternative options for maintaining or raising your blood oxygen level.

How is the level of blood oxygen measured?

Blood oxygen can be measured with the help of a pulse oximeter. Using a pulse oximeter to assess your blood oxygen level has no recognised hazards or problems. It utilises the information (light goes through fingernail, blood, tissue, and skin) to compute the amount of oxygen in your blood.

What Are Typical Blood Oxygen Levels?

A healthy person's blood oxygen level typically varies between 95 and 100 per cent. Lower readings are common among persons who live at higher altitudes or who have chronic illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A value between 90% and 92 per cent is considered a low oxygen level, commonly known as hypoxemia. A value this low indicates that you may need more oxygen or that you are experiencing difficulties with your lungs' function. A score of less than 90% implies that you should seek medical help.

Increase your levels of oxygen in the blood with these tips

The quantity of blood oxygen can be increased. Some examples are:

To obtain some fresh air, open the windows or go outdoors. Simply opening your windows or taking a brief stroll improves the quantity of oxygen your body takes in, which raises your blood oxygen level overall.
Stop smoking. Many individuals see a considerable improvement in their circulation and general oxygen levels after only two weeks of not smoking. In this short period, lung function may improve by up to 30%.
Plant some flowers. Indoor air quality has been found to be improved by houseplants. They eliminate carbon dioxide and restore oxygen levels in a space, allowing your body to absorb more oxygen.
Exercise your respiratory muscles. Simple breathing exercises such as pursed-lip breathing and deep belly breathing are recommended by pulmonary rehabilitation professionals to open your airways and boost the quantity of oxygen in your body.
You can monitor your blood oxygen level at home with a pulse oximeter and boost your blood oxygen level naturally with some of these natural methods.

Pulse oximeters: How Reliable Are They?

Pulse oximeters may help you figure out how much oxygen is in your blood. However, reading mistakes can occur sometimes. Readings on pulse oximeters can be influenced by the following factors:

Patient motion
Various types of lighting
Skin discolouration
Coloured nail polish
dyes injected intravenously
Carbon monoxide poisoning

If your doctor suspects that your pulse oximeter value is incorrect, an arterial blood gas study may be ordered. This research includes collecting blood from an artery in your wrist or arm and measuring the quantity of oxygen in the blood in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). The average reading is between 80 and 100 millimetres of mercury.

What Should I Do If My Blood Oxygen Level Is Low?

Your doctor may prescribe supplemental oxygen if your blood oxygen level is low. This treatment gives you more oxygen than you would get from typical room air, which may help you boost your blood oxygen level. A nasal cannula (a little plastic tube with prongs that insert into your nostrils) or a face mask are commonly used to administer it.

Supplemental oxygen may be given to a patient for a short period of time — such as after an accident or an acute sickness — or for a lengthy period of time for patients with COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, or sleep apnea. While managing these problems, more oxygen may help you feel better, recover faster, and stay active.

Check out these simple home remedies for increasing your oxygen saturation:

Get into a "prone" posture

Proning has been scientifically established and is recommended by most physicians and the Indian Ministry of Health. The individual must lay down on his or her stomach with his or her chest lifted utilising cushions as support. You may lay down on your stomach or belly with one cushion behind your neck and two pillows beneath your shins.

You may also practise quick breathing by lying on your right or left side or sitting at a 90-degree angle in the "fowler" posture. We suggest staying in the prone position for at least two to three hours if you observe a reduction in your SpO2 level. As a result of improved ventilation in your lungs, your oxygen saturation level should improve.

Eat an antioxidant-rich foods

Antioxidants help your body utilise oxygen more effectively, resulting in a higher oxygen saturation level in your blood. To maintain your SpO2 level, add more antioxidants to your regular diets, such as blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, blackberries, kidney beans, plums, and artichoke hearts.

You can also eat foods that are high in fatty acids and Vitamin F. These meals act to boost the oxygen-carrying capacity of haemoglobin in your circulation. Green vegetables, fruits, beans, fish, chicken, and other iron-rich meals may also aid by strengthening your body's red blood cells.

Focus on calm, deep breathing

Your breathing pattern has a significant impact on the oxygen saturation level in your blood. You may significantly increase your blood's SpO2 level by modifying your breathing technique. Doctors and scientists have found that those who breathe via their upper chest and inhale less air have lower oxygen levels in their bodies.

As a result, proper breathing entails inhaling slowly and deeply while utilising your diaphragm rather than your chest. This will enable you to inhale as much air as possible, allowing your body to get more oxygen. It's also preferable to breathe via your nose rather than your mouth.

Drink plenty of water

Another key way to boost your blood's oxygen saturation level is to stay hydrated. Your lungs stay hydrated when you drink enough water, which boosts their capacity to oxygenate and expel carbon dioxide.

Additionally, consuming 2-3 litres of water might increase your blood oxygen saturation by up to 5%. Drinking enough water also aids in body temperature regulation and immune system enhancement.

Try doing some aerobic workouts

Aerobic exercises not only enhance your body's metabolic processes but also relieve respiratory issues and improve the oxygen saturation level in your blood. They assist our body's cells in better obtaining and using available oxygen, resulting in a higher SpO2 level. They also boost your body's resistance and endurance.

Take Away

It is not required to constantly check your blood oxygen level unless you have an underlying health problem that might influence your body's capacity to take in oxygen. While an at-home pulse oximeter may be useful in certain instances, it isn't as reliable as a blood test for determining blood oxygen levels. If you have signs of low blood oxygen levels or are experiencing problems breathing, call your healthcare professional right away.