The amount of oxyhaemoglobing contained in the blood is referred to as oxygen saturation. This measure is particularly important as it indicates the level of blood oxygenation. Long time ago, the measurement was carried out by invasely examining blood samples. This approach proved rather difficult as far as real time measurements were concerned. It is this disparity that led to the design of
wrist pulse oximeters.
A pulse oximeter merely implies a device which non-invasively determines the blood oxygenation in arteries and the pulse rate. The method enhances clinic officials to ascertain the oxygen saturation, particularly in patients that are unconscious, sedated, unaesthetic and unable to control own oxygen supply. It prevents irreversible tissue supply and is widely applied in hospitals, surgical rooms, and medical clinics and in homes.
The device is medically used by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, emphysema among other respiratory conditions. People in very high altitudes such as mountain climbers and pilots also make use of it to aide guard against hypoxia. The oximeter technique can be helpful to athletes while training at high altitudes. The drastic depletion in oxygen level could increase the red blood cells of the athlete and help to increase their endurance.
The benefits accruing from this crucial equipment are many and diverse. To begin with, they are quite mobile and portable, with no need for an external source of energy. They are appended to the wrist, which makes them convenient and portable for users requiring continuous monitoring. Also the measuring tools come in lightweight without cables which could otherwise be subject to interruptions by being tangled or caught.
Their simplicity makes them easy to operate. To operate such simple equipment, one does not employ a lot of technical know-how and expertise. The only part that demands for some minor technical know how is in transferring the data. Taking readings from the screen is also quite simple as a result of their big display. This is completely contrary to the other Oximeters, such as finger based which have small displays and views of saturation levels.
The gadgets are readily available and within the reach of many people. When compared with handheld and finger pulse Oximeters, they have favorable prices. Their services are appreciated widely and from all age groups, ranging from pediatric to adults. Multiple of them fit pediatric and adult population, according to the size of the finger and unit ability of the individual to use different sizes and types.
Record and data storage is also part of its application. This measuring gadget is fitted with storage memory capable of keeping the data. It can also be programmed to give readings at the set time limits to provide a reading of oxygen saturation.
It is out of doubt that such instruments are state of the art innovations. However, their application should be carefully planned and monitored. Not all measurements call for a wrist pulse, particularly where alarms are required and when spot checking is the main service carried out. For alarm services, be sure to employ handheld and tabletop pulse oximeter types.
When I was in graduate school, and had a blast of anxiety that the numbness in my hand was Guillain Barre Syndrome, and went to see a psychologist at the Health Center, she gave me a cassette tape of guided progressive muscle relaxation. Tense each muscle group and then let it go. Later, I had a therapist that wanted me to imagine a relaxing enjoyable scene and invoke it when I felt anxious. This didn't offer me much relief though.
