Question 1

what common medical conditions are associated with low oxygen saturation levels?

Accepted Answer

Lung & Heart Disease: Hypoxia (low oxygen saturations) are usually caused by lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis, etc). Many heart conditions (especially congenital defects in the new born) may result in low oxygen saturation levels. Beware of false lows with pulse oximetry readingson cold hands, peripheral vascular disease or really callussed finger tips.

Question 2

does bronchiolitis cause low oxygen saturation?

Accepted Answer

It happends: Bronchiolitis causes a build up of secretions in the tiny airways and blocks transfer of oxygen into the tissues. It can and does cause a drop in blood oxygen in many cases.

Question 3

how much does a low oxygen saturation level affect judgment?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen: A low oxygen saturation definitely affects judgment. Your brain is one of the organs that is heavily dependent on proper oxygenation. If you decrease the oxygen saturation, judgment may be impaired.

Question 4

can being in low oxygen saturation levels for over 40 years cause osteoarthritis?

Accepted Answer

No: No, there is no correlation.

Question 5

what damage does low oxygen saturation have on a childs brain?

Accepted Answer

Depends on variables: Low saturations are a variable issue.In the womb, the baby draws oxygen from the mothers blood and during all of pregnancy, their oxygen saturation is below what we expect  after their first hour of age.That said, when it is too low for the period, it forces the metabolism into a weaker method of supplying energy, starving brain cells of energy and could result in cell injury or permanent damage.

Question 6

hypoxia in the 80s% for 5 minutes, but not short of breath, can you have low oxygen saturation without symptoms?

Accepted Answer

: Not likely. Check your home device to be certain it is accurate. Was this during a sleep test? Do you have sleep apnea? Discuss with your Dr.  If you think you have COVID-19 go to urgent care now.

Question 7

does low oxygen saturation cause brain damage ?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Possibly, if low enough for long enough.

Question 8

can acid reflux cause low oxygen saturation as seen in a pulse oximeter?

Accepted Answer

: No. O2 saturation is related to lungs. Get the instrument checked for accuracy and try another one if still low see MD

Question 9

does asthma cause hypoxia? what is the oxygen saturation in people who have asthma?

Accepted Answer

It can: Asthma can reduce the area of the lung available for co2/oxygen exchange and can do so with variable intensity during an asthma attack. Given a normal o2 % of 94-100, I have seen levels below 50% recorded but patients are usually quite symptomatic below 90%. When an attack is passed and the patient relaxed, the levels return to normal with work of breathing decreased to normal.

Question 10

how much can a low venous oxygen saturation affect judgement?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Low oxygen levels can affect someone's judgment and arousal. But, this is variable between people. I have met plenty of people with very low oxygen levels and can act and feel fine. 

So, there is no general rule about that...

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Doctor answers about:

Low oxygen saturation effects

A member asked:

What common medical conditions are associated with low oxygen saturation levels?

A member asked:

Does bronchiolitis cause low oxygen saturation?

A member asked:

How much does a low oxygen saturation level affect judgment?

A member asked:

Can being in low oxygen saturation levels for over 40 years cause osteoarthritis?

A member asked:

What damage does low oxygen saturation have on a childs brain?

A member asked:

Hypoxia in the 80s% for 5 minutes, but not short of breath, can you have low oxygen saturation without symptoms?

A member asked:

Does low oxygen saturation cause brain damage ?

A member asked:

Can acid reflux cause low oxygen saturation as seen in a pulse oximeter?

A member asked:

Does asthma cause hypoxia? what is the oxygen saturation in people who have asthma?

A member asked:

How much can a low venous oxygen saturation affect judgement?

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