As the doctors and medical experts started gaining more information, one thing we all came to know is that the certain impact of Coronavirus on lungs health. For the same reason, doctors advise the patients to regularly monitor their oxygen levels so any deformity can be caught and treated on time.
However, when we struggle to breathe normally, handling the situation consciously is tough. Many panic that things will spiral out of hand, some stock oxygen cylinder or insist on getting admitted to the hospital. But with the right information at hand, you need not panic. Here’s what the doctors advise on how to handle situation during COVID times that involves distressed breathing and lungs issues.
Do not panic.
The first thing doctors advise for the patients is to keep calm. Monitor oxygen (spo2) levels at home 2-3 times a day. One may experience mild problems such as fever, cough, and mild breathlessness for first 4-5 days.
Monitor oxygen levels.
The oxygen level dropping below 95% indicates mild to moderate pneumonia. In such case, doctors advise to monitor spo2 level when you are relaxed, then walk for six minutes and re-monitor your oxygen level. If it drops by 4% or more, this indicates the lungs have not coped up, and one should immediately consult a doctor in this case.
The spo2 level between 90-95% indicates moderate to severe COVID pneumonia and one should be cautious, specifically individuals over age 60 or those who are suffering from additional conditions such as diabetes, asthma, COPD, cardiac, or kidney issues. Depending on the severity of the condition, doctors may recommend hospitalization.
Follow prone position for relief.
Lying on stomach also called prone position can help improve oxygen supply to the lungs. However, overweight people might find difficult to follow prone positions. Hence doctors recommend sleeping on right-hand side and changing position every two hours to improve oxygenation to lungs.
With these techniques one can manage mild breathlessness without getting panicked and consult a doctor when absolutely needed.
