The normal oxygen saturation levels do not change much with age, only as adults get quite a bit older.
| Normal oxygen saturation levels by age | |
| Kids | 95-100% |
| Adults | 95-100% |
| Older adults | 95% |
How accurate is the Apple Watch?
Smart technology has made leaps in the last few years. Such as a smartphone tracking your blood pressure and oxygen level would’ve sounded absurd just a few decades ago. But today, the reality is different.
Additionally, the same technology enhanced the use of a smartwatch to improve matters. Along with the feature that tells time, you can use your smartwatch to attend video calls and print ECGs.
Technology may have made our lives far more manageable, but just how trustworthy are these features? Professionals carried out multiple studies to reach a reliable answer. And to everyone’s surprise, the data collected by pulse oximetry technology and an apple watch was all the same.
With graphs and professionals supporting the Apple smartwatch technology, there’s no room for any doubt left.
What are the symptoms to look out for?
You will most likely feel it if you’re running out of breath. Unlike multiple other medical conditions, no hidden damage doesn’t make itself evident until months later. However, oxygen shortage goes beyond gasping for air.
Since gas is required by every cell to perform its tasks efficiently, there are a few other things that begin to malfunction. Such as headaches and dizziness.
With reduced oxygen supply to your brain, you’re also more likely to experience an increased heart rate, chest pain, and heart failure.
Your cognitive skills and decision-making ability are also significantly compromised. Confusion and lack of coordination run rampant on low blood oxygen levels.
So if you’re ever in a low-oxygen situation, we’d recommend you refrain from making crucial decisions. Alternatively, research shows that a sudden drop in oxyhemoglobin saturation causes euphoria for a brief moment.
What happens when it drops to 70%?
For a healthy person, any saturation below 88 is a sign that you must seek help. You don’t need to carry a pulse oximeter to detect the drop in oxygen levels. Instead, your body reacts to it with an increased heart rate. Additionally, the body’s struggle to take in more air becomes evident. As you gasp for air, the sudden change in saturation is made clear.
If the level drops to 70, you’re more likely to experience even worse symptoms. It no longer just feels like you’re short of breath. You experience severe symptoms like:
- lightheadedness
- headaches
- bluish skin
- confusion
- and trouble comprehending information.
At this point, the doctors will likely put you on supplemental oxygen to raise your levels artificially.
Failure to make a prompt decision puts additional strain on your organs. Your heart and lungs work overtime, but it’s seldom enough.
How to increase it immediately
Now that you understand your oxyhemoglobin level reduces by a certain percentage as you prepare for sleep, it’s easier to put things into perspective. You can’t alter the body’s mechanisms from slowing down in a state of rest.
But you can ensure it doesn’t drop below the expected level. It’s doubtful that with a level of 88 or below, you don’t experience any severe symptoms. It’s pretty easy to tell when you’re running out of air. However, pulling yourself together gets slightly trickier when you wake up.
Therefore, we’ve gathered a few ways you can make sure you’re exposed to a decent supply of air as you rest. Here’s how you can ensure your oxygen level doesn’t drop too far low:
Ensure a fresh supply of air at all times
Before you go to bed, it’s a good practice to open windows and ensure a decent air passage in the room. If your room is closed without proper ventilation, you’re more likely to feel suffocated.
Quit smoking
The damage caused by smoking may be harsh, but it’s not irreversible. Even if you’ve been an avid smoker for the past few years, giving up right now would drastically improve your lung activity. Within 2 weeks of quitting, your lung function will likely increase by 30%.
Improve your diet
You might have heard of the phrase you’re what you eat. To improve your body’s oxygen saturation levels, you need to increase the intake of foods that produce oxygen. These include foods rich in iron and antioxidants. A few common examples of such foods include:
- beetroots
- leafy vegetables
- sprouts
- meat
- nuts
- and seeds.
Practice breathing exercises
Adopting a few breathing exercises to be practiced daily allows your respiratory system to remain active. It trains your body to take in more oxygen. As you learn to lift more weight with repeated actions, your lungs improve their air intake as you consistently practice breathing.
