Pulse Oximeters, Vital for Effective Disease Management

What is Pulse Oximetry?
Pulse oximetry is a painless and non-invasive method for measuring oxygen saturation in the blood. A small probe is clipped on the finger tip or ear lobe.  Sometimes it is just to receive a singular reading or sometimes during a hospital stay it is used for continuous monitoring.

What is Oxygen Saturation?
We breathe in air through our respiratory system where the lungs filter out nitrogen and other gasses and send the useful oxygen molecules throughout the body via hemoglobin traveling through our blood vessels. Oxygen saturation is the measurement of how much oxygen is being transported through our blood stream at any given time.

Who can Benefit from the use of a Pulse Oximeter?

• Heart Attack Sufferers
• COPD Patients
• Those with Lung Cancer
• Anyone with Asthma
• People in Various Kinds of Heart Failure
• Patients who have Contracted Pneumonia

How does Pulse Oximetry Work?
The pulse oximeter makes use of light saturation to measure oxygen saturation and also heart rate. The top of the probe emits a light source that is received by a sensor in the bottom of the probe as light passes through your finger. Hemoglobin absorbs light so the less light the sensor sees, the more your oxygen saturation. This saturation is measured in percentages, as in the percentage of blood passing through your vessels contains oxygen molecules traveling via hemoglobin.

What is a Normal Reading?
This is a subject that your doctor will discuss at length with you depending upon your condition. Oxygen saturation readings must always be above 90, otherwise you should seek medical attention immediately. Normal, healthy readings are generally above 95%.

Why use a Pulse Oximeter?
For those battling COPD or certain heart conditions the use of pulse oximetry provides vital information that you require to take control of your treatment. It is a simple and inexpensive device that measures the oxygen level in your blood as well as your heart rate. Taking frequent readings throughout the day and at specific times such as while exercising, when first waking, etc, it can tell your doctor more about your respiratory or heart condition so that they can more effectively treat your disease including assessing if you need medical oxygen or customize pulmonary rehab accordingly. Your pulmonologist or primary physician can find out:

• How well your medication is working
• Measure your ability to handle certain activities
• Gauge the effectiveness of your oxygen concentrator
• To find out if the patient stops breathing at any point during the night and may have sleep apnea.

Advances in Pulse Oximetry

While pulse oximeters have been on the market for decades, recent technological advances in the life saving device have now made use of pocket pulse oximeters more accessible than ever. The latest pulse oximeters, often referred to as smart pulse oximeters, can now be used in conjunction with smartphones and tablets. The smart pulse oximeters can be plugged into Android and iOS devices, so no matter which smartphone or tablet you use, your pulse oximeter will be ready to connect. The new oximeters were designed with maximum efficiency and reliability in mind, allowing users to access readings 24/7.

Benefits of Smart Pulse Oximeters
One of the biggest benefits to smart pulse oximeters is that the devices can be easily read on whatever device you prefer. The corresponding app will display via phone or tablet:

• all blood oxygen saturation levels
• pulse rates
• respiration
• perfusion index

Choose whichever device you prefer, plug in and the smart pulse oximeter does all of the work for you.

Another feature that separates smart pulse oximeters from conventional oximeters is that there are no batteries required to power these devices. Because the pulse oximeter is plugged into the user’s smartphone there is no need for batteries, creating a more reliable device. You never have to worry about whether or not the device has power and ultimately save money without the need to replace batteries.

Smart pulse oximeters also allow users to store and track readings over time. The device can be used to track monitoring so that you can determine how well any changes made have been beneficial to your overall health. Both short and long term monitoring are available on smart pulse oximeters, too. Whether you’re in need of a quick read or a long term recording, the smart oximeter has you covered.

Common Pitfalls with Pulse Oximeters
Pulse oximeters are extremely easy to use but if your reading is way off from what you normally get, some of these factors may be to blame:

• Light measurement must be unhindered so nail polish or press on nails may affect the reading.
• Taking a reading in extreme low temperature or when hands are very cold should be avoided as that effects blood circulation.
• Avoid taking readings in extremely bright light as that may render the reading inaccurate.
• If you've recently had interveneous dye injected this may affect results.
• Skin with darker pigmentation my not render accurate readings. The doctor may have to test saturation with a blood draw and compare it to pulse ox readings so establish a new baseline. Try to choose an area where skin is lightest.

Pulse oximetry is a great tool for you and your doctor to use in battling your condition. Instruments are easy to use, inexpensive to buy, and readily available so speak to your doctor today to find out how this technology can help with disease management.

How To Choose The Right Blood Pressure Monitor

Choosing the best home blood pressure monitor for you

If you do decide to measure your blood pressure at home, you will need to get a home blood pressure monitor. There is a wide range of home blood pressure monitors available, but it is important to be sure that the blood pressure monitor you choose is accurate and the right one for you.

Automatic blood pressure monitors

There are many different kinds of home blood pressure monitor, but it is easiest to use a monitor that is fully automatic (digital). Choose one that measures your blood pressure at your upper arm, rather than at your wrist or finger. Upper-arm blood pressure monitors usually give the most accurate and consistent results.

Make sure your monitor is accurate

Make sure that the home blood pressure monitor you choose has been listed as 'clinically validated' for accuracy by the British Hypertension Society. This means that the digital monitor has gone through a series of tests to make sure it gives results that you and your doctor can trust.

Make sure you have the right cuff size

An upper-arm blood pressure monitor will come with a cuff that you need to wrap around your arm. If you use a cuff that is the wrong size for you, your blood pressure reading will not be correct. Measure around your upper arm at the midpoint between your shoulder and elbow, and choose your cuff size from the chart below.

Most home blood pressure monitors will come with a medium-sized cuff. You may have to order a different-sized cuff separately.

Choose a digital monitor to suit your budget

Blood pressure monitors can vary in price. This usually depends on the number of extra features that the digital monitor has, like a built-in memory for example.

All you need to measure your blood pressure correctly is a clinically validated monitor, and a pen and paper to record your readings. Extra features can be helpful but they are not necessary. Choose a home blood pressure monitor that you can afford.

Keep your home blood pressure monitor calibrated

Because your blood pressure monitor works automatically, it will need to be re-calibrated at least once every two years to be sure it is giving you accurate results. To have your automatic home monitor re-calibrated, you will need to send it back to the manufacturer. There will probably be a fee for this service.

Comparison Of Manual Versus Automated Blood Pressure Measurement In Intensive Care Unit

OBJECTIVE: 
To determine the accuracy of three automatic monitors (arm, wrist, finger) for blood pressure measurement manufactured by Omron compared with a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. PRIMRY END POINT: Difference in the mean blood pressure readings from each monitor; the secondary end point was difference in pulse readings.

DESIGN: 
A single-visit, crossover trial tested each device twice on the left arm of each participant; the average of the two readings was recorded. The pulse readings from each monitor were also recorded. ANOVA was used to compare mean blood pressure readings and pulse readings from each device.

RESULTS: 
A total of 55 persons (mean age 53 y; 36 women) met inclusion criteria and completed the study. The mean systolic and diastolic readings obtained from the electronic arm unit were comparable to the mercury readings (124.4/78.02 vs. 129.45/77.87 mm Hg, respectively; p > 0.05 for both readings). The mean results obtained from the wrist and finger monitors differed significantly from those of the mercury readings (145.44/89.58 and 113.94/69.07 mm Hg, respectively; p < 0.05 for both monitors compared with control). No difference was measured in the mean pulse readings between the comparisons (p = 0.72). The absolute difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings from control varied the least with the arm monitor.

CONCLUSIONS: 
Compared with the mercury sphygmomanometer, the arm monitor was the most accurate in measuring blood pressure. The wrist and finger monitors resulted in statistically significant mean systolic and diastolic differences compared with the mercury sphygmomanometer.

Pulse Oximeter Could Be Your New Favorite Training Gadget

Although pulse oximeters are ubiquitous in medical settings, only recently have they become available for athletes. These small but powerful devices can give you a snapshot of your body’s ability to process oxygen, which is a key factor in performance if you live or train at altitude, or tend to overtrain. Here we’ll investigate how these devices work, and how you might use them to optimize your performance.

What is a pulse oximeter?
A pulse oximeter is a device that measures blood oxygen levels (oxygen saturation or SpO2) by estimating the percentage of oxygen bound to hemoglobin in the blood. Pulse oximeters are small, portable, non-invasive and painless; they’re so convenient that they’re often used by pilots and people who work or train at high altitudes. Simply clip it to your (or your athlete’s) finger, and it will give you an accurate data reading.

How does a Pulse Oximeter work?
At the point when oxygen is breathed in into the lungs, it connects to hemoglobin (a protein in red platelets). The red platelets at that point transport oxygen into the circulation system, enabling it to be scattered to tissue. The vast majority of us need around 550 liters of oxygen for every day to work, yet that volume can twofold or triple amid exercise. As you train, your body will most likely use more oxygen, all the more effectively.

To discover how much oxygen is in your blood, a pulse oximeter produces light (normally red and infrared) through one side of your finger onto a photodetector on the opposite side. As it goes through your finger, the light hits your platelets, and is consumed distinctively by the hemoglobin without oxygen (deoxyhemoglobin) than by the hemoglobin with oxygen (oxyhemoglobin). The nature of the light that influences it to the photograph identifier to can disclose to us how much oxygen is in your blood—ordinary reaches are regularly from 94 percent to 100 percent.

Distinctive oximeters are made for various purposes. Some are planned only for use in medical clinics, however others can be increasingly valuable for athletic execution. The SantaMedical specifically offers four different measurements notwithstanding the standard blood oxygen immersion (SpO2). With pulse (HR), breath rate (RR), Perfusion Index (PI), and Pleth Variability Index (PVI), you can keep point by point tabs on your preparation movement, which can all be matched up to Training Peaks.

Using Pulse-Ox For Recovery
Using Peripheral Saturation of Blood Oxygen (SpO2) readings with your usual training metrics can, first and foremost, help you gauge whether you’re recovering properly.

Take the athlete below, who woke up feeling “not right” after a hard training block. You can see the block in his Training Stress Score (TSS) for Tuesday. To make things worse, he was sleeping less than 7 hours a night. Sure enough, he found that his morning SpO2 was low—just 93%.

This is a great case of an athlete who may feel well enough to go train, but his low sleep hours and low SpO2 corroborate his sense of “not feeling right.” Instead of continuing his training as planned, this athlete focused on recovery and sleep for the next two days (you’ll see he got 9 hours of sleep for two consecutive nights). Subsequently His SpO2 normalized and the following training days went very well.

Simply paying attention to the right numbers can result in a good training block and even help avoid an over-training scenario.

Using Pulse-Ox for Altitude Acclimatization
At height, where the air is more slender, it is progressively troublesome for your body to get sufficient oxygen to your muscles and tissues. For instance, in case you're hustling or preparing at 10,000 feet (3000 m), the measure of powerful oxygen noticeable all around is around 15 percent (contrasted with 21 percent adrift dimension). In case you're accustomed to living adrift dimension, this adjustment in oxygen accessibility will commence a course of physiological adjustments, some of which are invaluable regardless of where you're dashing.

To begin, there will be an expansion in your respiratory and pulses; and the volume of blood catapulted from the heart (stroke volume) will be diminished. Over your initial 24-48 hours at elevation, blood plasma volume will likewise be diminished to improve the oxygen-conveying limit of your blood by volume. These adjustments won't really feel better—in actuality you'll presumably feel like you're accomplishing more work for less reward.

Nonetheless, delayed introduction to height will make your body increment generation of red platelets with bigger hemoglobin, taking into consideration a halfway or full reclamation of the blood volume and blood vessel oxygen content. Following a month or more, your maximal pulse reaction will be lower, as will your pinnacle cardiovascular yield—your blood is conveying more oxygen, so your heart won't have to siphon as quick or hard.

Once completely acclimatized, your pinnacle oxygen take-up will be equivalent to adrift dimension, however the immersion of blood vessel oxygen will be expanded for example you will have progressively total oxygenation of the blood in the lungs. That implies you'll have the capacity to race and prepare as ordinary at height, and will probably appreciate some additional oxygen consuming perseverance adrift dimension.

To comprehend what period of acclimatization you're in, and upgrade your preparation around it, the SantaMedical can quantify a large portion of the adjustments referenced previously. This is what to search for specifically:

Blood Oxygen and Heart Rate
In the first couple of days at altitude you want to see a lower Peripheral Saturation of Blood Oxygen (SpO2) and an elevated heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR). This is your body attempting to balance out the lack of oxygen in the air by moving it faster through your body.
With prolonged stays at altitude, most people’s SpO2 will stay about the same or increase slightly; but your heart and respiratory rates should normalize, as well as the your ability to perform exercise at altitude. A SpO2 of 88 to 92 percent will give you the most beneficial training adaptations without causing undue fatigue.

Dehydration
Another common problem at high altitudes is dehydration. Luckily the Mighty Sat has a parameter called the Pleth Variability Index (or PVI). It is a complicated measurement, but ultimately shows your body’s hydration status, or ability to respond to additional fluids, way more accurately than the standard pee color test. For most people, if the PVI is 25 or above, it is safe to say that you should drink more. If it is below 20, you are probably fine. This is a great metric to use if you commonly find yourself dehydrated, or experience headaches at altitude.

Respiratory Rate Change
The Respiratory Rate (RR) work gives you a chance to measure recuperation after higher power exercises. For instance, in the event that you know the time it returns your RR to come to gauge in the wake of playing out a 5 minute interim adrift dimension, you will see that your RR takes more time to recoup at elevation. As you adapt, you should see the ideal opportunity for recuperation float back towards your pattern.

Note: If you find that you are not adjusting at all following half a month, you may need to investigate what's going on your body. A few things could be continuing, including deficient iron admission, hidden ailment and overtraining (every great knowledge to have in case you're not seeing execution upgrades!)

Regardless of whether you utilize a pulse oximeter for height preparing or simply checking your recuperation status, it is a basic and simple to-utilize apparatus that can give you some extremely important bits of knowledge.

Dr. Jonathan Edwards contributed to this article.

Uses And Benefits of Pulse Oximeters

A pulse oximeter is a device intended for the non-invasive measurement of arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate. Oximeters are widely used in hospitals, medical clinics, operating rooms, and homes. Both oxygen saturation level and pulse rate are vital signs of a patient. Oximeters are inexpensive and can report an accurate reading within seconds. Speed is important especially in an emergency situation.

Pulse oximeter is used medically by patients with asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic obstructive airway diseases (COAD), and other respiratory conditions. Patients with serious respiratory problems should have their SpO2 levels check regularly and especially if they are not feeling well.

For many patients, doctors often recommend exercise to improve their physical stamina and overall fitness. However exercise can result in increasing shortness of breath. Patients should monitor their oxygen saturation with pulse oximeters while exercising so they can adjust the pace as the oxygen saturation decreases.

Patients with serious cardiac condition would often experience low SpO2 levels. Pulse oximeters would help them monitor their conditions and use supplementary oxygen when required. Plethgraph produced by a pulse oximeter shows the change in blood volume during a heart pulse is often a good indication of certain heart conditions.

Pilots, mountain climbers and people in high altitudes also use pulse oximeters to help guard against hypoxia.

Proper breathing techniques, such as pursed lip breathing, can increase your oxygen saturation level. Lots of patients with low oxygen saturations are able to increase their saturations all the way up to 93% with good breathing techniques. Practice and pulse oximeter will help patients to achieve this level of efficiency.

Pulse oximeter can also help athletes in high altitude training. The reduction in oxygen level can increase red blood cells in athletes and help to increase his/her endurance.

The Effectiveness Of Tens Unit Electrodes

Entering a few details TENS represents Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Electric driving forces are utilized to give rest from torment. It's a blend of designing and your body to get relief from proceeding with torments.

Cathodes have a deciding case while offering the loosening up alleviation. They're utilized in the things cushions. These cushions sit close to the tormenting some portion of the body. In certain cases these patches should be put specifically of the tormenting zone as well. Furthermore, this truly is the place in actuality the gadgets cathodes begin their work. They convey mitigating and loosening up driving forces from the machine cushions through the skin. These motivations are the focal point of the Hundreds items cushions as they confine the experiencing signs accomplishing the cerebrum.

Units cathodes have one more errand to finish. These terminals egg on the human body to deliver the regular enduring killing synthetic compounds. These mixes are called Hormones and Encephalins. The entire straightforwardness of utilization is what's creation these Hundreds things cushions so mainstream. The TENS Unit Pads items anodes work with differing frequencies. At times, they can stay successful and in this way their influence can keep going for times just as for quite a long time in specific cases.

The switch zone is that, the Devices patches must be connected likewise much of the time and for a more extended timeframe. The time span and the strength of effect can contrast from individual to individual, notwithstanding when a similar kind of unit patches is utilized.

The use of framework cushions are expanding with each driving day and the amazing impacts that the Tens items terminals are fit for making, is perceived around the world. Whenever saw in a more extensive view, sportsmen are without a doubt the most in amount to be inclined to muscle torments. Screen and subject players, Golf players, footballers, hockey members and cricketers harm their muscles following an awkward fall. Crotch harm, agonies and hamstring damage are popular to the point that muscles must be given moment help from agony. Ice blocks are utilized to make the fundamental body numb to have relief from the agony. Notwithstanding, nothing can defeat the Hundreds gadgets cushions in that race.

It wouldn't be inaccurate to express that the Tens items anodes truly are a shelter in accordance with muscle torments in the past age. Until an individual gets in his middle age or crosses 60, he may be inclined to scatters like Body Stress, Diabetes, and so forth. These come both genealogical or because of maturity. Keeping on the grounds that another incorporating conditions, each time, a specialist can not recommend drugs. The genuine history of the individual is critical to be evaluated. On the off chance that focuses touch base at the front line, at that point a specialists can't endorse any sort of a medication. This is wherever Hundreds things terminals appear to be progressively similar to a blessing. Also, why simply elderly people men, Tens terminals are a stroke of fortune for us all.

All things considered, you've heard the word cathodes, however you would never give worry to what Hundreds items anodes really implies. From a perplexing point of view, TENS is little for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. The electrical inclinations are utilized to give reprieve from terrible sensation. This can be a relationship of the human body and designing to get rest from steady issues and torments.

The Electrodes will have a deciding variable while giving the loosening up solace and they're used inside the machine cushions. The cushions are situated close to the agony district of the body. At times, these patches should be arranged completely on the torment place as legitimately and this truly is the place the terminals models will begin to work by giving charming and ameliorating driving forces to the skin. Those driving forces will be the heart and heart of the framework cushions, since they'll prevent the experiencing pointers getting to the cerebrum.

All About Electrotherapy and Pain Relief

If an individual is not experiencing sufficient control of pain and other symptoms, electrotherapy—a treatment that directs mild electrical pulses to the problem area—may be an option.

Electrotherapy includes a range of treatments using electricity to reduce pain, improve circulation, repair tissues, strengthen muscles, and promote bone growth, leading to improvements in physical functioning.

Electrotherapy units usually consist of a battery-powered device connected by wires to adhesive electrode pads which are placed on the skin. The electrode pads are sticky, so they will adhere to the skin. Once the electrodes are attached and the unit is turned on, a mild electric current is sent to the skin via the electrode.

A number of newer electrotherapy devices bypass the wires, combining electrodes and battery power into a single unit that can be worn inconspicuously on the back, arm, leg, or elsewhere during work or other daily activities. A hand-held controller is used to adjust the level of stimulation.

While a large number of people find electrotherapy helpful, others do not. The medical literature on electrotherapy's effectiveness has been mixed, and not all electrotherapy treatments are supported by research.

Electrotherapy devices range in cost from less than $30 to hundreds of dollars. Several of the newer products are available over the counter, offering flexibility for those who can afford them. Devices sold without a prescription are often not covered by insurance, but people with health savings accounts may be able to apply funds from these accounts toward the cost. Trying electrotherapy in a medical or physical therapy setting before purchasing a unit may be helpful, since the therapy does not work for everyone. In some cases, a device can be returned if the treatment is not helpful, so saving the receipt is advised.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) verifies that these medical devices are safe to use, but does not test whether the devices are effective. Interestingly, the FDA process for approving a medical device is less rigorous than the approval process for drugs, which requires the pharmaceutical company to show evidence of a drug's effectiveness before introducing it to the market.

When Electrotherapy Is Advised

Electrotherapy is typically used in conjunction with other treatments, rather than by itself. For people undergoing physical therapy, electrotherapy may alleviate pain sufficiently for an individual to participate more actively in targeted exercises. Electrotherapy is among pain relief options gaining attention as the potential risks and side effects of opioid (narcotic) medications have become more apparent.

Efforts to use electrical current to aid in healing go back to ancient times. The modern era of electrotherapy in the United States began with treatment for anxiety and depression, and the number of potential uses has grown since. Electrotherapy has been used to address chronic pain and chronic fatigue in general, as well as:

• Diabetic nerve pain

• Fibromyalgia

• Migraine headaches

• Wound healing

• Stimulating bone growth

Electrotherapy can take many forms, but the most common type is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS.