Proning to Increase Oxygen Saturation Level!
It is indeed scary to hear various types of horror stories in connection with the second wave of COVID19 pandemic sweeping the country. We read about people desperately running from pillar to post in search of hospitals equipped with oxygen cylinders and ventilators. The purpose of this post is to make people aware that they can use a simple technique to increase their oxygen saturation levels while at home.
Those who are lucky to get admitted in hospitals are facing cruel and gruesome situations of different types in terms of being at the mercy of untrained staff, ill-equipped to handle the advanced ventilator machines.
In this situation it is important that we take all steps to stay away from hospitals.
The major reason people with COVID get admitted to the hospital and end up in the ICU is the complication caused by pneumonia and lung damage. It starts with fever, cough, and respiratory symptoms that results in their oxygen saturation levels becoming dangerously low, causing shortness of breath and other breathing difficulties.
Oxygen saturation in the blood below the level of 94, as measured by a pulse oximeter, is considered a matter of concern for people suffering from Covid-19.
However, people can use a simple technique to increase their oxygen saturation levels while at home.
This simple technique helps patients breathe better just by changing their body position. It involves putting a patient in the ‘prone' position - that is flat on their belly with their chest and face down, rather than on their back.
This technique that needs no equipment will help patients avoid being taken to hospitals unnecessarily.
Watch Dr Rifai Ahmad from Panama City, Florida demonstrating the “proning” technique:
Another demonstration of pronal breathing to keep oxygen saturation level high, as shown on a pulse oximeter, is here:
If you are interested in understanding the science behind this simple technique and the medical explanation behind its efficacy then please read this article:
We often hear about shortage of oxygen cylinders and lack of ICUs with ventilators. The difference between Oxygenation and Ventilation is explained below just for information:
Oxygenation is the process of providing oxygen when a patient's oxygen saturation level is low. This is a non-invasive measure to aid breathing as the oxygen is given via a face mask and not through tubes introduced into the body. The patient is responsible for his/her own breathing.
In ventilation, the ventilator machine completely takes over the breathing process so that the patient can rest and allow the body to heal. It is invasive since a tube is introduced into the lungs through the patient's mouth and throat. The other end of the tube is attached to the ventilator machine that pushes air in and out of the lungs. Also, the machine has different settings that can be adjusted to control lung pressure, oxygen concentration, and duration and frequency of breaths to cater to the individual needs of a patient.
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