Question 1

causes for low oxygen sats93-97%?

Accepted Answer

Many possibilities: With a proper medical history one might make some good guesses.   That along with a proper physical exam might help better explain.   Blood work could possibly even help.   Not uncommonly it is a combo of things age included.    Generally, it is not a major issue as long as it remains above 90,  but still if there has been a sudden change it warrants looking into further.

Question 2

what's a low oxygen level in general?

Accepted Answer

92 % plus....: In all patients, but certainly in post op patients, we'd like to see oxygen saturation of at least 92%. Supplemental oxygen may be necessary, at least for a short time. Good pulmonary toilet and breathing exercises are also employed. Good luck.

Question 3

what fixes low oxygen level at night?

Accepted Answer

Depends on cause...: Most often, this is related to obstructive sleep apnea.  This is when your airway becomes "floppy" while sleeping.  The airway closes and no air can pass into the lungs.  Therefore, the oxygen level drops.  Using oxygen at night won't fix the problem if this is related to sleep apnea.  You will need a special machine that increases the pressure in your airway while sleeping.  See a sleep doctor.

Question 4

can the body adapt to low oxygen levels ?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Think about americans who live in denver, sherpas that live in tibet, & the maya in south america. These are populations of people who have become accustomed in one way or another to a lower atmospheric oxygen level, and in the mayans a lower blood oxygen level. Another sea-level example would be a person with emphysema who may run a blood oxygen level of 88% and still be walking around home depot.

Question 5

how does low oxygen make you feel and how would you know?

Accepted Answer

Hmmm.Why do you ask?: Short of breath and unable to get up and move around. Usually lips turn blue and you develop altered mental status and chest tightness. It's typically not subtle. Ever seen a fish out of water? That's what people who are hypoxemic look like until they tire out and stop breathing. Then they appear peaceful for awhile before it's obvious they're dead. If you think someone is in trouble 911.Emergency

Question 6

please explain what it means if you have low oxygen levels?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen: The normal o2 in the blood is calculated as that which should be calculated by knowing the lung, the age, water vapor pressure, etc. Very complicated. For our purposes, we set at that oxygen which will give us a saturation of hemoglobin at least 90% in the arteries. If it is lower than that it is low.

Question 7

what are the causes that can contribute to a low oxygen sat reading?

Accepted Answer

Many, many, many: There are many causes of a low oxygen sat: true low oxygen in the blood, which can be caused by a whole multitude of things like pneumonia, or scarring, or fluid, or heart failure. 

Sometimes, the monitor itself is not working properly, and it can give you a false reading. Nail polish can also interfere with the sat reading. Poor circulation or cold hands can do that as well.

Question 8

can  stress cause  low  oxygen  level ?

Accepted Answer

No: No, certainly not directly.  That is, stress can cause a lot of problems, but it would not in of itself cause you to have a low oxygen level.  For example, stress could lower your immunity.  You could then be more susceptible to getting a lung infection, and then the lung infection could cause a low oxygen level.

Question 9

what are causes of low oxygen in elderly?

Accepted Answer

Not normal: As we age, our lungs become less elastic and with aging changes, there is less transfer of oxygen, so more likely to have low oxygen levels. However, healthy elderly will not manifest with low oxygen levels unless there is underlying lung disease(ie emphysema) or an illness(ie pneumonia). If one is bedbound, there maybe less useable lung space, and lower oxygen levels may occur.

Question 10

can i still sleep with low oxygen levels?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: Don't really have any choice.  Not sure why your levels are low or how low, but staying awake eternally is not an option.  If low levels are due to a temporary illness oxygen is often prescribed.  If due to sleep apnea then CPAP is offered.

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What number is too low for oxygen

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Causes for low oxygen sats93-97%?

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What's a low oxygen level in general?

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What fixes low oxygen level at night?

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Can the body adapt to low oxygen levels ?

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How does low oxygen make you feel and how would you know?

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Please explain what it means if you have low oxygen levels?

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What are the causes that can contribute to a low oxygen sat reading?

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Can stress cause low oxygen level ?

A member asked:

What are causes of low oxygen in elderly?

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Can i still sleep with low oxygen levels?

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