How to increase blood oxygen levels at home: Since the onset of the pandemic, every now and then, people have been advised to take good care of themselves and their health.
Now that we are all aware of the breathing problem that occurs as one of the worst symptom and consequence of the virus, people are also advised to practice certain methods and ways in order to increase blood oxygen level right at their homes.
The second wave of the pandemic had spread fast and most of the covid-19 patients faced or even are facing some breathing problems and there were times when the country went through an oxygen cylinder crisis.
Well India still continues to battle a severe second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which consequently led to the overburdening of hospitals.
The shortage of beds and oxygen cylinders had led to scarcity, while the demand for oxygen cylinders has shot up, as more and more people see their blood oxygen levels dipping.
Hospitals are advised for people whose oxygen levels are dropping beyond 92% saturation level.
The Indian government specifically has announced a medically approved technique of ‘proning’ to help increase your blood oxygen levels and keep them in the safe zone (above 94%), for people, who are COVID-19 positive and are in home isolation.
Meanwhile, the patients who are isolated at home are too advised not to panic as it is important to stay in a well-ventilated room and practice proning when there is a mild problem in breathing and oxygen levels have dropped below 94, but not beyond 90-92.
Well if you are somebody facing the same, or even your loved ones or the people you know do, we have come with certain steps to practice in order to increase the blood oxygen level.
How to measure blood oxygen level?
- Pulse Oximeter: You can measure the oxygen level of a patient using a pulse oximeter which you can place on their finger, toe or earlobe. It’s a painless test, taking less than two minutes.
- Respiratory Rate: Respiratory rate is the number of breaths a person takes per minute. Dr Somashekhara, Director, National Tuberculosis Institute, Bangalore explained a simple method to measure the respiratory rate without any device.
Here’s how you can practice proning, as advised by the Indian health ministry
Proning with pillows
– Lie down on the bed and place one pillow below the neck, one or two more under the chest through upper thighs and two pillows below the shins.
You can also try proning by following the below mentioned steps for 30 minutes each
– Sleep on your belly
– Lay down on your left side
– Lay down on the right side
– Sleep on your belly
– Sit up with a pillow on your back
However, avoid proning immediately after meals and ensure that you aren’t uncomfortable in any given position. “Keep a track of any pressure sores or injuries, especially, around bony prominences,” as mentioned in the ministry bulletin.
