2006-11-18 14:26:36 · 5 answers · asked by Chelsea 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
Also, what does it mean?
2006-11-18 14:27:07 · update #1
If you have asthma, is a "normal" reading different for you?
2006-11-18 14:36:26 · update #2
Pulse oximetery actually measures the percentage of hemoglobin (Hb) which is saturated with oxygen.
Most doctors want their patients to measure 93% and above, so 88% is low.
The exception to that would be a patient with certain heart defects, generally babies and small children, for whom a higher percentage would be dangerous.
2006-11-18 14:39:00 · answer #1 · answered by revmissus 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what other problems you have. For instance, if you have moderate to severe COPD, the 88% would be fine. It some cases you do not want to over oxygenate. This could knock out your body's drive to breathe, raise the body's PCO2, etc. However, to answer your question, if you are younger and have no real other problems, the 88 reading is low and you should go see a physician. Adequate oxygenation is vital to all of your body's organs.
2006-11-19 22:23:23 · answer #2 · answered by JR 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's very low. That means that there is not enough oxygen being carried in the blood. Every part of the body requires oxygen to live. Below 92 is bad. You would need to supplement it with pure oxygen (if the patient is in the hospital).
2006-11-18 22:30:35 · answer #3 · answered by sveta_dr_mom 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
88 is not good. It mostly depends on your age and
if you have breathing difficulity and for how long.
For a normal person you should be above 90.
2006-11-18 22:40:21 · answer #4 · answered by rachael n 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
instead seeking and believing answers in public, i suggest talk to your doctor about it, in detail. and believe your doc!!
2006-11-19 04:53:40 · answer #5 · answered by Uday A Gupta 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋