What Should Do If Oxygen Level Is Low and There Is Difficulty in Breathing?

Dear Samadhan Bansode Ji,

Low oxygen levels along with difficulty in breathing is a medical emergency and should not be ignored. It can be caused by serious conditions affecting the lungs, heart, or other organs, and requires immediate medical evaluation.

What Could Be the Possible Causes Of Low Oxygen Level?

A low oxygen level (hypoxia) with breathing difficulty occur due to :

• Pneumonia or severe lung infection.

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

• Asthma attack.

• Heart failure or other heart diseases.

• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs).

• COVID-19 or other viral respiratory infections.

• Severe anemia.

• Other serious lung or medical conditions.

Only a doctor can determine the exact cause after examination and appropriate investigations.

What Should You Do Immediately?

• Seek emergency medical care immediately or visit the nearest emergency department.

• If available, check the oxygen level using a pulse oximeter.

• If the oxygen level is below 90%, or if the person has severe breathlessness, bluish lips or fingers, confusion, or difficulty speaking, call emergency medical services immediately.

• Keep the patient sitting upright rather than lying flat, unless advised otherwise by a doctor.

• Do not delay treatment or rely only on home remedies.

Hospital Evaluation

The treating doctor recommend :

• Physical examination and oxygen saturation monitoring.

• Chest X-ray or CT scan, if required.

• Blood tests.

• ECG and heart evaluation, if indicated.

• Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis, if required.

• Other investigations depending on the suspected cause.

Treatment For Low Oxygen Levels

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and include :

• Oxygen therapy.

• Nebulization for asthma or airway obstruction, if required.

• Antibiotics if a bacterial infection is diagnosed.

• Medicines for heart or lung conditions.

• Hospital admission or ICU care in severe cases.

• Ventilatory support, if medically necessary.

The exact treatment will be decided by the treating doctor after evaluating the patient's condition.

Do Not Ignore These Warning Signs

Please seek immediate emergency care if the patient has :

• Oxygen saturation below 90%.

• Severe or worsening breathlessness.

• Chest pain.

• Bluish lips or fingertips.

• Confusion, drowsiness, or difficulty waking up.

• Difficulty speaking due to breathlessness.

• Loss of consciousness.

How HexaHealth Can Assist

At HexaHealth, we understand the urgency of such situations. We can help you by :

• Connecting with Specialists: We can help you find and book an immediate consultation with top pulmonologists or emergency care doctors in your area.
  
  
• Hospital Admissions: If required, we can assist you with understanding hospital options and admission processes.
  
  
• Guidance and Support: Our team can guide you through the next steps and ensure you receive timely medical attention.

Please do not delay seeking professional medical help for your breathing difficulties and low oxygen levels. Your health is our priority.

Kindly Share the Following Details

• What is the patient's age?

• Your City and State.

Based on these details, we will help you connect with the most suitable specialist and partner hospital. However, if the patient is experiencing severe breathlessness or very low oxygen levels, please seek emergency medical care immediately rather than waiting for an online consultation.

Wishing you and your family good health always.
Warm regards,
Team HexaHealth