Why Use a Pulse Oximeter?

Anyone who has been in a hospital has likely seen those little medical devices that encompass the tip of a finger and are covered with numbers. This is called a Pulse Oximeter . It uses light to measure the wavelengths of the patient’s blood. It then calculates and displays the oxygen level of that blood. It may also monitor heart rate.

This all makes sense in the context of a hospital or doctor’s office. The design and use of home oximeters is more confusing. These devices are battery operated and portable. They usually have the ability to keep a record of the user’s oxygen levels for long periods of time.

The main advantage of using a pulse oximeter is that the only other way to test blood oxygen levels is by drawing a specimen and then running it through diagnostic tests. Oximeters are non-invasive and can provide constant monitoring of oxygen levels, which is simply impossible using the blood drawing method.

Pusle oximeters are especially useful with individuals who are experiencing cardiac or respiratory problems. They can be used at home by patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) as well as those with sleep disorders like sleep hypopnea or apnea. Other uses of pulse oximeters include monitoring mountain climbers while at high altitudes, pilots flying in non-pressurized atmospheres above certain heights, and even athletes exercising at peak levels.

Recovery From Addiction

Drug rehab, is the medical or psycho-therapeutic treatment for dependency on addictive substances such as prescription drugs, alcohol, as well as illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine. The overall objective is to help patients to stop their drug abuse in order to avoid the resultant social, legal, financial, psychological, and physical consequences that can be the end result of such abuse.

Many drug rehab centers attempt to get rid of psychological dependency by educating the patient on appropriate means of getting by in an environment free of drugs. Often, patients are encouraged, though not required, to avoid hanging out with companions that still abuse drugs or alcohol. 12-step programs help addicts to examine and alter habits related to their addictions in addition to the standard prevention of the use of drugs or alcohol. Many rehab programs state that recovery from drug and alcohol abuse is a process that continues throughout the patient’s lifetime. For legal addictive substances such as alcohol, complete abstention is always encouraged.