What are the signs of confirmed hypoxia? 2 "Simple Breathing Techniques" to Increase Vital Capacity and Resistance
Diagnosis: Is the drop in blood oxygen related to respiratory function?
COVID-19 infection may cause blood oxygen to drop, and even lead to dangerous symptoms of “happy hypoxia”. Is it related to the quality of respiratory function? Xiao Wanyun, secretary-general of the Taiwan Respiratory Therapy Association and head of the Respiratory Therapy Department of China Medical University Hospital, explained that using the metaphor of “cargo”, “factory” and “truck”, oxygen is the cargo and organs are the factory. To deliver the goods to the factory, a truck is needed. Hemoglobin" effect, therefore, breathing exercise has little direct impact on blood oxygen values.
Respiratory therapist Xiao Wanyun said that the main reason why blood oxygen is an important observation indicator is that the human body has a “compensatory” mechanism. When infection with COVID-19 and other diseases leads to gradual hypoxia, the body will initiate coordination and compensation, which may cause “happiness” “Hypoxia”, patients may not be aware of respiratory failure and lung disease. By the time hypoxia symptoms occur, they may have worsened to the point of requiring intubation or the use of a respirator.
What are the signs of confirmed hypoxia? 4 symptoms plus blood oxygen observation
Once diagnosed, how to pay attention to hypoxia? Respiratory therapist Xiao Wanyun pointed out that as long as you are infected with COVID-19, the virus may invade the lungs, but the degree of invasion is related to the resistance. Healthy adults are advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they have persistent high fever, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and feeling breathless after being diagnosed, and if their blood oxygen detection is lower than 94%.
On the other hand, if you only have a mild fever, your breathing is smooth and normal, and your body functions are not affected, it is recommended to take medicine at home, get plenty of rest, and drink enough fluids. Most fevers will subside in about 2-3 days, so they are considered mild and there is no need to overdo it. Worry about hypoxia and respiratory distress.
Could low blood oxygen levels mean severe pulmonary fibrosis?
Respiratory therapist Xiao Wanyun reminds that normal people’s blood oxygen should be maintained at more than 97%, and healthy young adults should be at 99% or even 100%. For people with congenital heart disease, if they carry out normal daily activities, their blood oxygen will fall around 94%-95%. However, if you are a young adult and have no medical problems, but your blood oxygen level is only 94% or 95%, you should pay attention to whether bacterial invasion has caused pulmonary fibrosis and lowered blood oxygen. It is recommended to seek medical attention to find out the cause and treat it.
When the lung parenchyma is invaded by pathogens, so-called pulmonary fibrosis, which is similar to a traumatic “scab”, will occur. Therapist Xiao Wanyun said that pulmonary fibrosis is partially reversible, but if it is severe fibrosis caused by COVID-19, there is still a certain chance of causing irreversible damage. Pulmonary fibrosis is usually observed for 6 months. Most cases of COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis will gradually improve, but the degree of recovery may only be 60 to 80%.
Are you afraid of hypoxia and preparing oxygen bottles? If warning signs appear, you should still seek medical attention as soon as possible
To avoid acute breathing difficulties, should oxygen bottles be available at home? Respiratory therapist Xiao Wanyun said that if elderly people with multiple chronic diseases, those who have suffered from coronary heart disease, or those with stents have respiratory distress when they are diagnosed with COVID-19, oxygen bottles can play an emergency role, and “pursed mouth” breathing can be used to Avoid inhalation of oxygen or changes in consciousness during the process of being sent to the hospital to reduce first aid or irreversible life hazards.
However, respiratory therapist Xiao Wanyun reminds that pursed mouth breathing or abdominal breathing is more helpful for the lung function of patients with lung diseases such as chronic pulmonary obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. If respiratory distress or acute respiratory exacerbation occurs due to virus infection, there is no special treatment effect. You should still pay attention to changes in blood oxygen and symptoms, and call 119 for emergency treatment as soon as possible when warning signs appear.
Exercise combined with pursed lips and abdominal breathing can increase muscle endurance and lung capacity.
During the epidemic, appropriate exercise can help improve muscle endurance and lung capacity. Respiratory therapist Xiao Wanyun suggests that you can practice aerobic exercise such as stepping, or perform yoga, Tai Chi, and gentle physical exercises at home, combined with pursed-lip breathing and abdominal breathing—inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth—to help improve lung capacity. Increase.
Respiratory therapist Xiao Wanyun said that if older people practice 10-15 minutes of gentle exercise combined with breathing training every day, it can increase muscle endurance and fattening capacity, and can also reduce the infection rate and risk of severe illness, even if they are infected with COVID-19 symptoms. Relatively mild. We call on everyone in the family to exercise appropriately and perform correct breathing exercises to increase resistance and maintain health during the epidemic.
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