What does desaturation mean in medical terms?
Desaturation in medical terms refers to a decrease in the oxygen saturation of the blood. Oxygen saturation is a measure of the percentage of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin molecules in the blood that are actually bound to oxygen. Normal oxygen saturation levels are typically between 95% and 100%. When oxygen saturation levels fall below 90%, it is considered to be desaturation.
Desaturation can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
* Hypoventilation: This is a condition in which the lungs are not able to move air in and out of the body effectively. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia.
* Diffusion impairment: This is a condition in which oxygen is not able to move from the lungs into the bloodstream effectively. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as pulmonary edema, interstitial lung disease, and pneumonia.
* Shunting: This is a condition in which blood flows from the right side of the heart to the left side of the heart without going through the lungs. This can occur due to a variety of congenital heart defects, such as atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD).
* Anemia: This is a condition in which the blood does not have enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, so anemia can lead to desaturation.
* Carbon monoxide poisoning: Carbon monoxide is a gas that binds to hemoglobin more tightly than oxygen. This can lead to desaturation even if the lungs are functioning normally.
Desaturation can be a serious medical condition, and it can lead to a variety of complications, such as:
* Hypoxia: This is a condition in which the body does not have enough oxygen. Hypoxia can damage the brain, heart, lungs, and other organs.
* Metabolic acidosis: This is a condition in which the body produces too much acid. Metabolic acidosis can lead to coma and death.
* Death: Desaturation can be fatal if it is not treated promptly.
Desaturation is often diagnosed with a pulse oximeter. A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the oxygen saturation of the blood through the skin. If desaturation is detected, the underlying cause will need to be identified and treated. Treatment for desaturation may include oxygen therapy, medications, and surgery.