An oxygen deficiency can drastically reduce your quality of life, and the symptoms may grow slowly. Over a million adults in America suffer from respiratory disorders and need oxygen therapy. Here are the signs that you need supplemental oxygento help you breathe easier.
Blood Oxygen Level
Healthy blood oxygen levels are over 95 percent. If your doctor determines that your blood oxygen levels are below 88 percent, it’s a sure sign action should be taken to correct your levels. Your cells need a constant supply of oxygen since they don’t have a way of saving up extra.
Low Oxygen Symptoms
When you experience constant or near-constant shortness of breath with or without exertion, your body is not getting the oxygen it needs. You may also experience rapid breathing, an accelerated heart rate, coughing, and sweating. If you’ve experienced confusion or lightheadedness, this could be a sign of oxygen deprivation as well; cognitive function requires ample oxygen.
Low Oxygen Causes
While respiratory issues tend to affect senior citizens more than other age groups, anyone can have low oxygen. You may notice the symptoms of low oxygen if you have respiratory illnesses such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or chronic bronchitis. People recovering from lung cancer treatments or other respiratory diseases may also experience symptoms.
Benefits of Oxygen Therapy
Thankfully, supplemental oxygen is accessible and extremely beneficial. Oxygen therapy can have a significant impact on diminishing the feeling of breathlessness. When you breathe more easily, your quality of life will be much higher. On top of that, oxygen therapy reduces the risk of heart disease and statistically increases your lifespan.
You might worry about being caught without an oxygen device, but there’s no need. In addition to heavier devices for home use, there are portable oxygen concentrators that you can bring along anywhere you go.
Now that you know the signs that you need supplemental oxygen, you have a sense of what to look out for. Spot the symptoms early and talk to your doctor about oxygen therapy.