14
votes
Accepted
Oxygen saturation value of smokers
The OP observes:
When I was a smoker, my own SpO2 was usually 100%.
Although long-term smoking often does lead to changes in the lungs that cause hypoxemia (low peripheral O2 Saturation, a.k.a. ...
- 4,355
11
votes
Accepted
What is iron's role in oxygenation in the human body?
This a vast topic, and sorry for the superficial nature of my answer.
Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a coloured pigment which binds to oxygen and carries it across the ...
- 1,039
9
votes
Is a hyperventilation+hypoventilation breathing exercise (Wim Hof Method) more likely to prevent or promote cancer?
Hyperventilation can lead to reduced oxygen transport to cells. As a result, ineffective breathing patterns can cause cell and tissue hypoxia, chronic inflammation, immunosuppression, and many other ...
- 958
8
votes
Accepted
Pulmonary diseases and oxygen therapy
The basic idea is that people with pulmonary diseases that involve chronic hypoventilation rely on mild hypoxia to stimulate respiration.
To understand this, consider a basic homeostatic feedback ...
- 4,355
7
votes
Accepted
What is proper capacity of adult non-rebreather masks?
Ah, but they can and do. A non-rebreather (NRB) mask with 100% O2 flowing at 12-15 L/min will provide about 90% O2 concentration to an adult. This is true even for the largest adult in severe ...
- 9,564
6
votes
Accepted
Is a hyperventilation+hypoventilation breathing exercise (Wim Hof Method) more likely to prevent or promote cancer?
Apart from monks and nuns who showcase impressive abilities Wim Hof is onto something. One anecdote reads as follows:
I’ve also experienced the positive changes myself, […] My cardiovascular and ...
- 6,827
5
votes
Oxygen saturation value of smokers
Yes, SpO2 levels can be depressed in smokers, but the body will compensate for some of the effects which can explain why you may have had normal saturation levels. There are also age considerations, ...
- 6,570
5
votes
Accepted
Does carbon monoxide poisoning make you tired before it kills you?
Does carbon monoxide poisoning make you tired before it kills you?
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can vary per person it affects, and it can also depend on the the levels of exposure to ...
- 449
3
votes
Contraindications for administrating oxygen
In addition to circumstances where an oxygen source would itself be a hazard for external reasons, and in those with chronic type 2 respiratory failure as pointed out in Graham Chie's answer; there is ...
- 701
3
votes
Accepted
Contraindications for administrating oxygen
Clearly if there's a risk of fire, then giving oxygen outside the hospital risks fire. And in neonates, high flow oxygen can cause oxygen toxicity.
If there is no such risk, then the main objection ...
- 13.2k
2
votes
Nasal congestion on wakeup in healthy individuals vs. vasomotor rhinitis sufferers
Let's first clarify that "vasomotor rhinitis (VMR) otherwise known as non-allergic rhinitis" is the non-allergic reaction (NAR), which can be similar in symptoms to the allergic reaction (AR), but not ...
- 4,866
2
votes
What is a normal lower limit for blood oxygen (sp02)?
According to Minnesota Dept. of Health:
A normal level of oxygen is usually at least 95% or higher. Some people with chronic lung disease or
sleep apnea can have normal levels of around 90%. The SpO2 ...
- 5,918
1
vote
Is it possible to survive too high CO2 by also having too high O2 concentration?
CO2 is a simple asphyxiant, which means it's only toxic when it's displacing oxygen. And since your question proposes that the O2 level is being supplemented, then if the percentage of O2 in the air ...
- 9,564
1
vote
Accepted
What effects does an oxygen saturation between 90% and 94% have on the body?
Reduced oxygen saturation in blood is called hypoxia (though strictly that means reduced oxygen in the tissues). If there is marked reduction in oxygen saturation of blood, it may lead to bluish ...
- 1,770
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