Oximeter Aids Heat Wave
The heat wave that has struck the east coast of the United States has already claimed four unfortunate lives. As of right now, the four deaths are from Maryland and Tennessee. The heat wave has hit early this summer, with temperatures easily hitting 90 degrees or more. The temperature is only half of the problem. In more instances than not, it is the humidity that is the cause of the health related challenges. Individuals who have problems breathing or are suffering from respiratory illnesses are the first ones who are at risk. When an individual who is elderly and already has other documented health conditions, their level of risk multiples three fold. The northeast corridor is always been known for its dog days of summer due to its humidity, but as pollution levels are on the rise so are the number of deaths associated with heat. The local weather advisory centers are constantly monitoring the levels of risk associated with heat. They provide important information to the public in regards to the level of risk for any day where heat could be an issue.
A recent study of one hundred individuals was put out asking where they knew of a medical device they could use to monitor their breathing. With a shocking result, only 40% of them knew of a pulse oximeter. A pulse oximeter, also known as a pulse ox by some medical professionals, is a medical device used to measure the blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate of an individual. A simple reading of an oximeter will give you comparable data for how efficient one's lungs are working. A new finger pulse oximeter is designed to easily clip onto one's fingertip and provide its readings within seconds. The oximeter runs on standard triple A batteries, and can be easily carried in one's pocket or purse. Over the past decade, a finger oximeter has become widely available to the general public. More and more people are using it as a home health care device, which could be covered by health insurance.
The summer has just started, and the heat is already on. The risk associated with high temperatures and humidity does not only threaten the elderly, but everyone as a whole. Individuals who prefer to perform their exercises or activities outdoors when the temperature is over 90 degrees, must take certain precautions. The most important of the precautions is to stay hydrated.
A recent study of one hundred individuals was put out asking where they knew of a medical device they could use to monitor their breathing. With a shocking result, only 40% of them knew of a pulse oximeter. A pulse oximeter, also known as a pulse ox by some medical professionals, is a medical device used to measure the blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate of an individual. A simple reading of an oximeter will give you comparable data for how efficient one's lungs are working. A new finger pulse oximeter is designed to easily clip onto one's fingertip and provide its readings within seconds. The oximeter runs on standard triple A batteries, and can be easily carried in one's pocket or purse. Over the past decade, a finger oximeter has become widely available to the general public. More and more people are using it as a home health care device, which could be covered by health insurance.
The summer has just started, and the heat is already on. The risk associated with high temperatures and humidity does not only threaten the elderly, but everyone as a whole. Individuals who prefer to perform their exercises or activities outdoors when the temperature is over 90 degrees, must take certain precautions. The most important of the precautions is to stay hydrated.
Source...