Pulsoximeters: Track your oxygen levels and heart rate.
Why monitoring your oxygen is important
COVID interferes with cardiac and pulmonary function in several ways:
• Inflammation of the nerves that control the lungs and heart.
• Hypoxic (lack of oxygent) damage to the area of the brain that regulates cardiac and pulmonary function, especially for those that experience post COVID headaches.
• Blood vessel inflammation.
• Lung infections like pneumonia.
• Lung damage like fibrosis or scarring.
• Impaired lung function related to allergies, asthma, reactive airway, COPD, or shortness of breath.
• Microclotting / blood clots.
• Strokes / mini strokes.
• High ferritin levels.
• Chronic physical (like illness) or mental stress.
Understanding oxygen saturations
In a healthy adult, we expect to see oxygen saturation levels (O2 sats) between 97-100%, and definitely 95% or higher. When oxygen levels consistently hover around 90% or lower it can cause symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, dementia, confusion, memory issues, cloudiness, dizziness, elevated heart rates, depression, anxiety or a sense of doom.
Monitoring your oxygen levels daily can give you information to share and discuss with your doctor(s). Treatment can be as simple as antihistamines, or as complex as supplemental oxygen. There are also options like respiratory muscle training with The BREATHER, or breathwork - slow deep breathing you can do anytime to bring more oxygen into your lungs and blood stream.
The covidCAREgroup clinical team reviewed Amazon products for quality, customer satisfaction, accessibility, product features, and cost. Find options you can easily use at home to start monitoring your oxygen levels then discuss concerns with your doctor. You can find additional options through the links below.
Two ways to monitor your oxygen levels
Finger Tip Pulse Oximeter
A fingertip pulse oximeter (or pulsoximeter) is an inexpensive, easy to use tool to help you track data about your oxygen levels. You can find these devices in pharmacies anywhere. The basic models are the most affordable option on the market. The best models come with an app to track your data. They can also be used without the app to spot check your sats.
Wearable Pulse Oximeter
Another valuable option for more severe cases is a wearable pulse oximeter. This tool would be valuable for severe symptoms like progressive Long COVID symptoms like vibrations, trembling, speech / vision / hearing issues, pain, brain fog. An easy way to determine if you are at risk of severe hypoxic organ damage is to observe whether your symptoms are getting worse. If they are staying the same or improving, even slightly, you may not be as vulnerable as those who keep getting sicker and have worsening symptoms.
This option is more expensive, but alerts you when your sats drop dangerously low, putting you at risk of brain damage. This type of monitor straps to your thumb and wrist and gives you continuous feedback and alerts you when your sats drop, even when you sleep.
Brand: Wellue - Rated 4.6/5 stars on Amazon with 7,000+ reviews
COVID Care Group, LLC, (CCG) offers clinical education and healthcare resources, but is not a healthcare provider that renders medical diagnosis or treatment.
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Read about Long COVID and Oxygen
How Low Oxygen Levels Affect Your Body — covidCAREgroup
Post COVID-19 Lung and Oxygen Issues — covidCAREgroup
How breathwork can help you recover from COVID-19 and Long COVID. — covidCAREgroup
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