I am just not getting a normal reading with my pulse oximeter

Jan 10
09:02

2011

Jacob  Walters

Jacob Walters

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

How to get a normal reading with a pulse oximeter.

mediaimage

Have you ever purchased a pulse oximeter and then start to use it only to find out that you are getting really abnormal readings? Well you are not alone so do not worry about this as it is very common. There are so many different factors that actually come into play when determining why is it that your readings are abnormal. I will be sharing with you some of the most common occurrences that may be giving you these false readings. One of the most common is actually the use of nail polish that may have a profound effect on the actual accuracy of the pulse oximeter. The infrared light that passes through the finger when it is placed inside the device seems to not work properly when there is nail polish present. The reason for this is that the light can not pass through the finger properly and thus the internal computer is not able to process the readings properly and you get unusual vital signs. The other issue that is quite common among individuals is the fact that the way that you hold the pulse oximeter when your finger is inside of it is very important to the reading. If you hold your arm vertically in the air and your index finger is held straight upward essentially pointing to the sky then you will have issues. The reason for this is that when you hold your finger upward to the sky the blood does not get to that portion of your body properly and as such the pulse oximeter can not process the results in an accurate manner. The thing that is suggested is that you have your hand on a horizontal plane whereby then you can use the product. You will suddenly notice a change in the results and in fact this is the practice that should be followed by everyone. A pulse oximeter works quite effectively to measure the pulse rate as well as the blood oxygen saturation of an individual The device is only a fraction of the size of a typical cell phone and thus it is extremely portable. It also is very accurate and instantly gives a reading of the oxygen saturation as well as pulse rate within seconds. By inserting your finger inside the portable device an infrared light passes through you finger. Hemoglobin absorbs light at different frequencies and as such the infrared light that goes through the finger bounces back to the oximeter device computer with a number that represents the oxygen levels of the body. This number means the world to people who live with conditions that require accurate monitoring of the oxygen levels in the body. Oximeter devices continue to break ground not only in the hospital setting but also the home setting as well. No longer do individuals need to be at their physician’s office or a hospital in order to take advantage of such a device to monitor their health. The newest generations of devices are not only extremely small and portable but they also are extremely affordable. So individuals living with various health conditions that are necessary to measure their oxygen levels can now use the device in the comfort of their home without ever having to worry about not monitoring their health on a continuous basis. The portability also allows them to take the device wherever they desire to go.