Understanding Pulse Oximetry: What It Measures & Why

An oxygen monitor test, or pulse oximeter reading, gives doctors and patients some statistics about oxygen levels in a patient's blood. Knowing this information can help with specific blood disorders and also can provide insight to well-being in general.

Function

• Typically, an oxygen monitor consists of a small box placed over a fingertip. Inside, the machine painlessly transmits red and infrared waves of light through the finger. Specially calibrated sensors then use data from the wavelengths to give an oxygen reading. The oximeter specifically looks for information about different types of hemoglobin that have been oxygenated, revealing data that can be helpful in monitoring health or treating illnesses.

Significance

• Having chronically low oxygen levels in your blood is called hypoxemia and can cause difficulty breathing and other problems. Many other conditions require oxygen levels to be monitored, however. Low oxygen aggravates respiratory issues, from bronchitis to emphysema and a range of other conditions. Sleep apnea can also be treated better with oxygen monitoring.

Types

• In hospitals, patients often have an oximeter working constantly if they are connected to standard monitoring machines. People with a frequent need to monitor their oxygenation can purchase small, hand-held machines specifically for this purpose. Athletes can also use these machines simply to gauge their blood circulation.