Know the Difference Between Oximeter and Blood Gas Analysis

Here are the differences in how to check oxygen saturation with an oximeter and blood gas analysis that you need to understand:

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  Checking with Oximeter

  
  

Like a clip, how to use this tiny device simply by attaching it to the earlobe, or the tips of your fingers or toes. Generally, the oximeter is attached to the tip of the finger.

Quotes Healthline, The oximeter checks how well the heart functions in pumping oxygen throughout the body.

This tool is used to monitor the health of patients whose oxygen levels in their blood are disturbed, for example, COVID-19 patients.

In addition, the oximeter can also be used to monitor the health of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary conditions (COPD), asthma, inflammation or lung cancer, anemia, and heart disease.

When the oximeter is attached to a part of the body such as a finger, it works by emitting a light on the blood in the finger. This serves to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood.

The oximeter sensor captures the light in the oxygenated blood, then shows your oxygen saturation percentage. Overall, this process is painless.

Other Articles: What to Do If You Just Recovered from COVID-19

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  Check with Blood Gas Analysis

  
  

Doctor Theresia said, “Blood gas analysis is an invasive procedure. The sample that this method uses is arterial blood to assess the amount of arterial gases (blood gases), such as oxygen and carbon dioxide.”

"Blood gas analysis is also the standard of examination to assess (pH level) whether the blood tends to be acidic (acidosis) or alkaline (alkalosis)," he added.

The stages include:

- The doctor draws blood from the arteries

Unlike veins, arteries have a pulse that you can feel. In addition, the blood drawn from the arteries is oxygenated. Meanwhile, the blood in the veins is not oxygenated.

Doctors use arteries in the wrist. Because, this area is easier to feel than other parts of the body.

Even so, the wrist is a sensitive area. Drawing blood from an artery can be uncomfortable.

Other Articles: Can Oximeter Detect Happy Hypoxia? Here's the Medical Explanation!

Compared to veins located at the elbows, arteries are deeper, which can add to the discomfort. However, this process is still safe to do.

- The arterial blood sample is then used by the doctor to determine the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and blood pH levels.

The goal is to find out how well the lungs function to move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood.

Identification of pH balance and blood gas levels can also help doctors monitor the effectiveness of treatment for certain health problems, such as lung and kidney disease.

An imbalance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels known through blood gas analysis can also indicate the presence of certain disease conditions, such as kidney or heart failure, uncontrolled diabetes, and so on.

That's the difference between checking oxygen saturation using an oximeter and blood gas analysis. If you want to ask further questions about oxygen saturation checks, consult a doctor via LiveChat.

(FR/AYU)

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