Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

Best pulse oximeters to keep a check on your SpO2 readings

<ul><li><keyword id="6567847" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Oximeters">Oximeters</keyword> have become an essential household device to keep your blood oxygen levels (<keyword id="4944789" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="SpO2">SpO2</keyword>) in check. </li><li>Dipping SpO2 levels is one of the key indicators of the <keyword id="8864712" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19-infection">COVID-19 infection</keyword> in people. </li><li>Oximeters can help you indicate the symptoms early, which lets you take proper treatment in time.</li></ul>Disclaimer: it is recommended to consult a doctor or an expert before choosing the oximeter. Blood oxygen monitors or popularly known as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/insider-reviews/best-pulse-oximeters-to-keep-a-check-on-your-spo2-readings/articleshow/82192832.cms">oximeters</a> have suddenly become a common household name. The oximeter is by no means a necessity for an average household — unless there is someone with breathing issues like asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other lung diseases — at your home. However, ever since the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/a-covid-triple-mutant-found-in-india-could-be-much-more-deadly-and-may-be-resistant-to-existing-vaccines/articleshow/82209835.cms">coronavirus pandemic</a> has hit the world the oximeters have become a necessity for every household. The COVID-19 enters the body via the respiratory system causing a direct injury to the infected person's lungs via inflammation and pneumonia, which impacts the oxygen saturation in the bloodstream. The oxygen impairment can occur in anyone, even if the infected person has no other symptoms. This is exactly why an oximeter can help detect COVID-19 early. However, not everyone who tests positive for the virus will develop low oxygen levels, which means you must not count an oximeter as the only screening test to determine if you're infected or not. Formal testing is always a must if you suspect COVID-19 infection. If you wish to save your time and want a list of <keyword id="11149673" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="reliable-pulse-oximeters">reliable pulse oximeters</keyword>, you can go to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/insider-reviews/best-pulse-oximeters-to-keep-a-check-on-your-spo2-readings/articleshow/82192832.cms">our list of best pulse oximeters</a> to keep a check on your SpO2 readings. An oximeter isn't a mainstay in many homes, but it's advisable to keep it handy in your medical kits just like how we're used to keeping thermometers. Also, there are a few very important factors you need to keep in mind before buying a pulse oximeter. <h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:18pt;margin-bottom:6pt;">Things to check while buying a pulse oximeter</h2> Type of oximeter The first thing to determine is the type of oximeter you need for home use. So, there are three types — fingertip pulse oximeter, handheld oximeter and fetal pulse oximeter. For home use, the fingertip pulse oximeter is the best fit. The other two are primarily used in hospitals and clinics while costing slightly higher. Price and features Finger pulse oximeters start from around ₹1000 and go up to ₹5000 or more, but note that you don't need to pay a higher amount as its main job is to read blood oxygen level and it doesn't matter how much the device costs as long as it's giving accurate readings. Usually, you can get a decent oximeter at around ₹2000 in India. In terms of features, you look for the ones that have a bright and clear display, are made of good durable material, some are water-resistant and it's a plus if they also give heart rate readings. Accuracy is the key factor Accuracy is the key factor to consider while buying any medical equipment. Unfortunately, there’s no way to check accuracy at the time of purchase, but the best way is to check for reviews and certifications before buying. The same is the case with pulse oximeters, as it's the readings that hint at the current state of your health. Incorrect reading on the oximeter can turn out to be extremely serious, later on. Check for certifications Make sure to check for certifications to ensure the quality of the oximeter. There are a few organisations that certify the quality and standards, which also assures the accuracy of the device. Some reliable certifications are FDA, RoHS and CE. ALSO SEE: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-covid-19-first-wave-versus-second-wave/articleshow/82216963.cms">'We're in a much better situation' claims India's Principal Scientific Advisor as COVID-19 claims more lives than ever before</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/faster-vaccination-is-the-only-way-out-for-india-us-chief-medical-advisor-fauci/articleshow/82226921.cms">Faster vaccinations is the 'only way' out for India, US' chief medical advisor Fauci</a>

Pulse oximeter buying guide - here's how to choose the right oximeter for home

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> patients are coming into hospitals with "silent <keyword id="735318" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Hypoxia">hypoxia</keyword>," a condition in which they've had dangerously low blood-oxygen levels for days with no shortness of breath.</li><li>Doctors traditionally put patients with such low oxygen levels on a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ventilator-high-flow-oxygen-coronavirus-patients-ards-dying-2020-4">ventilator</a>, but some are recovering without that treatment.</li><li>Sick people without shortness of breath can monitor their blood-oxygen levels at home using an over-the-counter device called a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-pneumonia-signs-over-the-counter-pulse-oximeter-2020-4">pulse oximeter</a>.</li><li>For the latest coronavirus <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="news">news</keyword>, see <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-coronavirus-us-cases-health-risk-2020-1">Business Insider's live updates here</a> or <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">visit the homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>Some coronavirus patients are developing dangerously low levels of oxygen long before they start to feel any shortness of breath.Dr. Richard Levitan noticed the condition, called "silent hypoxia," when he volunteered at a New York City hospital for 10 days in March. Seemingly mild patients came in with blood oxygen levels so low they should have been unconscious, he wrote in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/opinion/sunday/coronavirus-testing-pneumonia.html">The New York Times</a>, and their chest scans revealed rampant <keyword id="6363125" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Pneumonia">pneumonia</keyword>."Their X-rays looked awful, their oxygen was terrible, and yet they're completely awake, alert on a cell phone, and all they said is they've been somewhat sick for days," Levitan, who works as an emergency-room physician at at Littleton Regional Healthcare in New Hampshire, told <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/06/health/happy-hypoxia-pulse-oximeter-trnd-wellness/index.html">CNN</a>.<div type="image" title="ground glass coronavirus lung" height="570" width="760" msid="75628619" hostid="261"></div>By the time these people start to notice difficulty breathing, their illness could be dangerously advanced. Levitan said that usually happens two to seven days after their first <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19">COVID-19</keyword> symptoms."Some may ultimately require a ventilator," he added.Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can scar lung tissue — if the patient survives.New York City officials have said <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-ventilators-some-doctors-try-reduce-use-new-york-death-rate-2020-4">at least 80% of coronavirus patients who were on ventilators in the city died</a>. Survivors can walk away with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-physical-psychological-effects-of-being-on-a-ventilator-2020-4">long-term physical and psychological damage</a>.Levitan says that catching pneumonia early on, before shortness of breath sets in, could spare patients with silent hypoxia.<h2>Doctors aren't sure how they should treat silent hypoxia</h2><div type="image" title="coronavirus ventilator" height="1199" width="1599" msid="75628622" hostid="261"></div>Pneumonia causes fluid to fill the microscopic air sacs of the lungs, preventing the sacs from diffusing oxygen into the blood. With regular hypoxia, that fluid buildup stiffens the lungs quickly and causes the sensation of breathlessness.But for those with silent hypoxia, the lungs remain pliable, even as they slowly lose their ability to absorb oxygen."The problem is we're not used to seeing this volume of patients with ARDS that are profoundly hypoxic and yet aren't looking sick," Dr. Trevor Pour, an emergency-medicine physician at Mount Sinai Health System, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ventilator-high-flow-oxygen-coronavirus-patients-ards-dying-2020-4">told Business Insider in early April</a>. "It's confusing to us."A <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ventilator-high-flow-oxygen-coronavirus-patients-ards-dying-2020-4">debate over whether to put oxygen-deprived COVID-19 patients on a ventilator</a> — or "intubate" them — has emerged in the last month."We started treating this as a knee-jerk intubation-ventilation process because that's what we've done with people who have such profoundly low oxygen levels," Pour said.Patients who aren't struggling to breathe may recover with simple oxygen treatment rather than a ventilator, even if their blood-oxygen levels are low, Dr. Astha Chichra, a critical-care physician at Yale School of Medicine, told <a href="https://www.livescience.com/silent-hypoxia-killing-covid-19-coronavirus-patients.html">Live Science</a>."The key difference we've found between these folks is that the people who are working hard to breathe are the folks who usually need to be intubated," Chichra said.<h2>A cheap, over-the-counter medical device can detect low blood-oxygen levels</h2><div type="image" title="Pulse oximeter" height="2746" width="3661" msid="75628626" hostid="261"></div>People at home can measure their blood-oxygen levels with a device called a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-pneumonia-signs-over-the-counter-pulse-oximeter-2020-4">pulse oximeter</a>. They cost $30 to $50 at most drugstores, and Levitan says they are "extremely reliable.""Pulse oximetry is no more complicated than using a thermometer," Levitan wrote in the Times. "These small devices turn on with one button and are placed on a fingertip. In a few seconds, two numbers are displayed: oxygen saturation and pulse rate."Doctors typically look for an oxygen saturation of 95% to 100% for healthy patients. Oxygen <a href="https://www.who.int/patientsafety/safesurgery/pulse_oximetry/who_ps_pulse_oxymetry_training_manual_en.pdf">levels below 90% signal a clinical emergency</a>, according to the World Health Organization.Levitan said some COVID-19 patients were walking into the hospital with levels as low as 50% — which should leave them unconscious.To avoid that, people with other <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/covid-19-symptoms-cdc-list-2020-4">COVID-19 symptoms</a>, like coughing, fever, or fatigue, can use a pulse <keyword id="8273535" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="oximeter">oximeter</keyword> daily for two weeks. If you get an alarming reading, Levitan wrote, call your doctor before heading to the ER, just in case you misinterpreted it.Anybody who has trouble breathing should seek immediate medical attention, according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>. Lydia Ramsey contributed reporting.Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/silent-hypoxia-coronavirus-patients-unknowingly-losing-oxygen-2020-5">Business Insider</a>

Some coronavirus patients who should be unconscious from lack of oxygen can appear totally fine. Doctors call it 'silent hypoxia.'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Emergency rooms measure the oxygen levels of COVID-19 patients with a device called a pulse <keyword id="8273535" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="oximeter">oximeter</keyword>. The tool is available over the counter as well.</li><li>Low oxygen levels may indicate that a <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> patient has <keyword id="6363125" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Pneumonia">pneumonia</keyword> — and requires immediate medical attention — even before they feel a shortness of breath.</li><li>Normal oxygen levels could signal to patients that they don't need to visit a hospital.</li><li>For the latest coronavirus <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="news">news</keyword>, see <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-coronavirus-us-cases-health-risk-2020-1">Business Insider's live updates here</a> or <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">visit the homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>A month ago, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-patient-experience-new-york-emergency-room-test-2020-4">I found myself in a Manhattan emergency room</a> with a searing pain in my rib cage, struggling to breathe.Earlier that day, a doctor had informed me that I almost certainly had COVID-19. By the evening, I knew I needed to go to the hospital. My breathing was heavy and I was having trouble finishing a sentence without gasping for air.At the ER, the doctor measured the level of oxygen in my blood with a device called a pulse oximeter. I walked back and forth across the hospital floor with the tool clipped to my index finger."I wish everyone had one of these so they could monitor themselves," the doctor said. "Then maybe we'd have fewer people come in."My reading turned out normal: 96%. Doctors typically look for a range of 95% to 100% for healthy patients. Oxygen <a href="https://www.who.int/patientsafety/safesurgery/pulse_oximetry/who_ps_pulse_oxymetry_training_manual_en.pdf">levels below 90% signal a clinical emergency</a>, according to the World Health Organization.Since my symptoms weren't severe enough to require hospitalization, I wasn't tested for the virus, as per New York City policies. That also meant my case wasn't flagged as COVID-19 on my medical claim, which left me saddled with a four-figure bill.A pulse oximeter from the drug store costs around $30 to $50. A few days after my ER visit, a friend got me one of the tiny machines and dropped it off outside my door. From then on, whenever I woke up in the middle of the night struggling to breathe, I could roll over, clip the tool to my finger, press a button, and immediately check my oxygen levels. It gave me invaluable peace of mind. <div type="image" title="Pulse oximeter" height="3024" width="4032" msid="75306349" hostid="261"></div>Oximeters are also crucial because COVID-19 patients can have pneumonia for days before they ever develop shortness of breath. Low oxygen levels are a way to detect these cases earlier — without a coronavirus test or doctor's visit. . "We are just beginning to recognize that COVID pneumonia initially causes a form of oxygen deprivation we call 'silent hypoxia' — 'silent' because of its insidious, hard-to-detect nature," Richard Levitan, an emergency physician, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/opinion/coronavirus-testing-pneumonia.html">wrote in the New York Times</a>.Levitan said he has encountered COVID-19 patients at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan who were breathing more heavily to acquire enough oxygen without realizing they were doing so. A pulse oximeter could encourage patients to seek treatment before they reach that point.<h2>Oximeters can detect low oxygen levels before symptoms worsen</h2>Pulse oximeter readings are sometimes fickle if you don't keep your hands still. But the machine itself is "extremely reliable," <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/opinion/coronavirus-testing-pneumonia.html">Levitan wrote in the Times</a>, even if isn't "100% accurate." "Pulse oximeters helped save the lives of two emergency physicians I know, alerting them early on to the need for treatment," he said. "When they noticed their oxygen levels declining, both went to the hospital and recovered."Though many coronavirus patients <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-80-percent-cases-are-mild-2020-2">start out with mild symptoms</a> such as a fever, dry cough, muscle soreness, or fatigue, severe cases <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-when-to-go-to-hospital-shortness-of-breath-2020-4">tend to see symptoms worsen</a> within five to 10 days."If somebody is recording shortness of breath, that's an important symptom," Megan Coffee, an infectious-disease clinician in New York City, told Business Insider. "But that usually is what happens five, eight, 10 days into the course of the illness."<div type="image" title="covid 19 ventilator shortage.JPG" height="1451" width="2200" msid="75306351" hostid="261"></div>Pneumonia patients who show up to the hospital early have a better chance of receiving non-invasive treatments like an oxygen mask, as opposed to ventilators, which require a breathing tube to be inserted through the windpipe.Patients on a ventilator have to be sedated, so they <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-physical-psychological-effects-of-being-on-a-ventilator-2020-4">can't communicate or move around</a>. In some cases, the machine itself can <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-ventilators-some-doctors-try-reduce-use-new-york-death-rate-2020-4">damage a person's lung tissue</a>. Ventilators are also in short supply around the world and require multiple hospital staff to operate, so doctors have tried to use them as sparingly as possible.Some patients, of course, can't avoid this fate — particularly if they are <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6915e3.htm">older or have underlying health problems</a>. But earlier information about a potential patient's oxygen levels could help prevent a turn for the worse."What you never want is to have to do everything as an emergency," Coffee said.Healthy oxygen levels could also signal to people with mild or moderate cases that they're not at the point of requiring emergency care. In my case, a doctor found my symptoms concerning enough to warrant an ER visit. But it would have been helpful to have my oximeter before I went in."It's really important to have a primary care doctor or someone you can talk to about your case so that you can decide whether you need to go to the emergency room or not," Coffee said. "Hospitals are just so overstretched that if someone doesn't immediately need oxygen, they may not be able to find a place for them."Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-pneumonia-signs-over-the-counter-pulse-oximeter-2020-4">Business Insider</a>

A cheap, over-the-counter oximeter device was my saving grace as I fought the coronavirus. It can flag dangerous downturns.

A new study has revealed that <keyword id="3632521" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="apple-watch-series" source="Orion">Apple Watch Series</keyword> 6 "is a reliable way to obtain heart rate and oxygen saturation (SpO2) in patients with lung diseases under controlled conditions". The study, published in the journal Scientific Report, observed "strong positive correlations between the <keyword id="1577486" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="apple-watch" source="Orion">Apple Watch</keyword> device and commercial oximeter", reports 9To5Mac. It notes that "there was no statistical difference in the evaluation of skin colour, wrist circumference, presence of wrist hair, and enamel nail for SpO2 and heart rate measurements in Apple Watch or commercial oximeter devices". The study, from the University of Sao Paulo, was conducted with 100 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease from an outpatient pneumology clinic. It collected SpO2 and heart rate data with Apple Watch Series 6 and compared them to two commercial pulse oximeters. The tests were conducted with healthy individuals, people with Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They observed that strong positive correlations between the Apple Watch Series 6 device and commercial oximeters when evaluating heart rate measurements and oximetry measurements. The Apple Watch has a tendency of higher SpO2 values than commercial oximeters, however, heart rate measurements were similar in both devices. In the different groups, ILD, COPD and healthy individuals, the study didn't observe significant differences between the Apple Watch and commercial oximeter devices for both parameters, SpO2 and heart rate. Overall, the study said that "despite a tendency to present higher values when compared to conventional oximetry devices, the Apple Watch device was accurate and similar" although it's important to note that results were made "under controlled conditions". SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/how-to/how-to-update-your-apple-watch-to-watchos-8/articleshow/86468400.cms">How to update your Apple Watch to WatchOS 8</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/iphone-with-under-screen-touch-id-could-take-even-longer-than-expected/articleshow/86388624.cms">iPhone with under-screen Touch ID could take even longer than expected</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/lenskart-vision-fund-will-invest-20-million-in-eye-technology-startups/articleshow/86188885.cms">Lenskart is setting aside $20 million for technologies like instant glasses, spectacles for the colourblind and other breakthrough ideas</a>

Apple Watch Series 6 is 'reliable' for heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, according to a new scientific study

Diwali, the festival of lights, is just around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about the perfect gifts for your loved ones. One of the best gifts to give is something that is used frequently and makes life easier. It might be a good idea to go with something like a smartwatch or a Bluetooth headphone as they offer a lot of features without burning a hole in your pocket. Here's a list of some of the best <keyword id="22647823" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tech-gifts" source="keywords">tech gifts</keyword> you can consider for this festive season for your friends and family. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G If you are in the market for a powerful and reliable Android smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G is an excellent option. It features a 6.8-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset coupled with 12GB RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage. It features a quad camera setup at the back and comes with a 12MP front camera. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery and comes with 45W charging support. <keyword id="20052997" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="OnePlus-12" source="keywords">OnePlus 12</keyword> The OnePlus 12 is a good option if you are looking for a flagship device without burning a hole in your pocket. It features a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. The device offers up to 16GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage. It features a triple camera setup at the back and comes with a 32MP selfie camera. Powering the OnePlus 12 is a 5,400mAh battery with 100W fast charging support. iQOO 12 The iQOO 12 is another value-for-money flagship device that is aimed at users looking for a camera-centric device. The iQOO 12 features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and offers up to 16GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage. The device comes with a triple camera setup at the back and features a 16MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging support. Apple iPhone 13 If you are looking to purchase an iPhone without burning a hole in your pocket, the iPhone 13 is currently available at a discounted price. The iPhone 13 features a large 6.1-inch Super Retina display and is powered by the powerful A15 Bionic chipset. The device features a dual camera setup at the back consisting of a 48MP primary camera and is equipped with a 12MP selfie camera. OnePlus Watch 2R Keeping track of your health and wellness is important and these is where smartwatches come in. The OnePlus Watch 2R is a good option that offers good fitness tracking while providing a decent battery life. The Watch 2R runs on runs on WearOS 4 and RTOS. It offers sensors such as an Acceleration sensor, Gyroscope sensor, Optical heart rate sensor, Ratio Optical pulse oximeter sensor, Barometer and more. Noise Twist Go If you are looking for a more affordable option, the Noise Twist Go is worth considering. It features a 1.39-inch circular display. The watch comes with over 100 sport modes and offers continuous heart rate tracking and sleep tracking. The watch is available in several strap options, including metal, silicone and more. OnePlus Buds 3 The OnePlus Buds 3 is a good option if you are looking for reliable TWS earphones at an affordable price. The earphone comes with a 10.4mm + 6mm dynamic driver that delivers powerful bass. It comes with a low latency mode and offers a battery life of up to 44 hours. It offers quick pairing for easy pairing and allows you to quickly switch between devices. Sony WF-C500 Sony is another popular name when it comes to audio products. The Sony WF-C500 is a good option if you are looking for reliable true wireless earbuds. It comes with a compact form factor and fits snugly in your ear. The earbuds come with IPX4 water resistance support, allowing you to use them outdoors and during workouts. It offers a 20-hour battery life and a 10-minute charge offers an hour of playback.

Diwali gifting made easy – best tech gifts to give this festive season

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The new <keyword id="6354427" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="apple">Apple</keyword> Watch Series 6 measures blood-oxygen levels — a critical tool for flagging severe COVID-19 cases.</li><li>Doctors have become increasingly reliant on small medical devices called pulse oximeters that give the same measurement.</li><li>Knowing when blood oxygen is low could help a patient get to the hospital in time to save their life.</li></ul>The <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> can be sneaky: Patients may feel fine one hour, then start gasping for air the next. And while some people feel sick within two days of being infected, COVID-19 symptoms can take up to two weeks to manifest.So doctors have become increasingly reliant on a small medical device called a pulse oximeter that measures the level of oxygen in a person's blood.Blood-oxygen readings can help flag serious cases even before a person has developed severe symptoms like shortness of breath. They can also signal to patients when it's time to go to the hospital.Now they're <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/watch-apple-event-september-live-blog-ipad-watch-all-announcements-2020-9">one of the many features</a> on the new Apple Watch Series 6, which launches Friday.The watch is far more expensive than a pulse oximeter sold over the counter at drug stores: $400 compared about $30 to $50. Traditional oximeters also clip around the fingertip instead of the wrist. But there are advantages to having the tool on hand at all times.A <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acem.14053#">June study</a> from the Swedish Hospital in Chicago found that pulse oximeters reliably flagged severe cases of COVID-19 among patients who consistently monitored their blood-oxygen levels throughout the day.The study involved 77 COVID-19 patients, most of whom had recently been sent home from the emergency room. The patients were asked to check their blood-oxygen levels every day for a week in the morning, afternoon, and at night. If their resting blood-oxygen level dipped below 92%, patients were told to return to the ER.Doctors typically look for a range of 95 to 100% for healthy patients. Oxygen <a href="https://www.who.int/patientsafety/safesurgery/pulse_oximetry/who_ps_pulse_oxymetry_training_manual_en.pdf">levels below 90% signal a clinical emergency</a>, according to the World Health Organization.Ultimately, less than 20 of the Chicago patients recorded blood-oxygen levels below 92% while they were at home. Almost all of those patients returned to the ER and were hospitalized. Of the 58 patients who had blood-oxygen levels at or above 92%, less than 20% returned to the ER.That suggested that blood-oxygen levels were a strong indicator of when a person needed immediate medical attention — perhaps even a better indicator than a patient's physical symptoms.Patients also reported that they were more comfortable not returning to the ER after seeing that their blood-oxygen levels were normal. That could help prevent sick patients from unnecessary exposure at the hospital.<h2>Pulse oximeters can flag 'silent hypoxemia'</h2><div type="image" title="pulse oximeter" height="2726" width="3862" msid="78139096" hostid="261"></div>Of the 16 patients who returned to the ER with low pulse oximeter readings, only half of them had worsening symptoms. That could be a sign of "silent hypoxemia," where patients develop dangerously low levels of oxygen before they have trouble breathing. "As oxygen levels drop in patients with COVID-19, the brain does not respond until oxygen falls to very low levels — at which point, a patient typically becomes short of breath," Dr. Martin Tobin, a professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the Loyola University Medical Center, <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-how-do-we-explain-happy-hypoxemia">told</a> Medical <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="news">News</keyword> Today. Patients with silent hypoxemia may still breathe heavily to supplement their lack of oxygen — an activity that can create more inflammation and collapse the tiny air sacs in the lungs. That's why it's important to treat patients as soon as their blood-oxygen levels start to dip.The window is often short, since many coronavirus cases turn critical in a matter of hours."Pulse oximeters helped save the lives of two emergency physicians I know, alerting them early on to the need for treatment," Richard Levitan, an emergency physician, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/opinion/coronavirus-testing-pneumonia.html">wrote in The New York Times</a>. "When they noticed their oxygen levels declining, both went to the hospital and recovered."Those who show up to the hospital early have a better chance of receiving noninvasive treatments like an oxygen mask, as opposed to ventilators, which require a breathing tube to be inserted through the windpipe. That decreases a person's risk of lung injury. Like any technology, however, pulse oximeters aren't foolproof: Readings can be faulty if a person has jaundice, anemia, or another blood disorder. Even shaky hands can throw off a result. But doctors continue to recommend the tool for patients — especially in areas where hospital capacity is limited.

You Searched For "reliable pulse oximeters" and got 7 results

Best pulse oximeters to keep a check on your SpO2 readings

Rahul Verma

Pulse oximeter buying guide - here's how to choose the right oximeter for home

Sudhanshu Singh

Some coronavirus patients who should be unconscious from lack of oxygen can appear totally fine. Doctors call it 'silent hypoxia.'

Morgan McFall-Johnsen

A cheap, over-the-counter oximeter device was my saving grace as I fought the coronavirus. It can flag dangerous downturns.

Aria Bendix

Apple Watch Series 6 is 'reliable' for heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, according to a new scientific study

IANS

Diwali gifting made easy – best tech gifts to give this festive season

Sourabh Jain

Apple's new smartwatch has a monitoring device that doctors credit with saving coronavirus patients' lives. It can flag dangerous downturns.

Aria Bendix

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides