![]() If you have one of these devices, follow the directions they give you as closely as possible. Cells are darker if they’re oxygen-deprived, and by measuring the color of your blood cells, the sensor can give a percentage of oxygen saturation. Oximeters that attach to the finger-the last time you were at the doctor, a nurse might have taped one to your pointer-takes a reading by measuring the light that goes all the way through the fingertip. See the array of LEDs on the back? That’s the sensor. Wrist-mounted devices, like the new Fitbit and Apple Watch, measure light that is reflected back into the sensor. Oximeters take measurements differently depending on where they are placed on the body. How do I actually determine my blood oxygen level? Look, I just skipped past all that explainery stuff. You should always consult with a doctor before relying on any information gleaned from a device to make critical decisions about your health. There are a whole host of signs and symptoms that can indicate that someone has contracted the virus. ![]() Conversely, if a device isn’t taking readings properly, a seemingly normal SpO2 rating might belie other underlying problems and give wearers a false sense of security. It’s important to note that an abnormal SpO2 rating alone isn’t enough to diagnose Covid, or any other illness. Medical institutions have issued wearables to Covid patients that let them monitor their own blood oxygen levels from home. Oxygen levels can dip without the patient noticing, allowing pneumonia to develop undetected. As we’ve seen in recent days, blood oxygen levels are one of the most important indicators of how well someone who has Covid-19 is coping with the virus. Even in the early days of the pandemic, demand for pulse oximeters exploded as people were eager to monitor themselves or loved ones for Covid-19 any way they could.
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