You take oxygen into your lungs with each inhalation. Your red blood cells get oxygen from your lungs. Every living cell in your body receives oxygen from your blood via your circulatory system. Oxygen molecules are used by your cells to produce energy and maintain life. Your cells expire without oxygen, and your organs stop working.
Oxygen is essential for human survival. Our body’s organs and tissues start to suffer when we don’t obtain enough oxygen, which is necessary for every cell to operate properly. But how low can your oxygen level go before you die? This article covers the answer to this query and the factors that might affect it.
How Low Can Your Oxygen Level Go Before You Die?
Each person has an individual level at which low oxygen levels begin to affect them. However, shortness of breath, exhaustion, and dizziness often occur when oxygen levels fall below 90%. Low oxygen levels have been known to be life-threatening, causing damage to organs and even death.
Your oxygen level appears dangerously low and might even be life-threatening if it falls below 60%. Your body’s tissues and organs may fail at this point, and you might start having seizures or lose consciousness. Also, your body’s tissues and organs may not receive sufficient oxygen to operate properly when your oxygen level falls this low, and you may suffer symptoms like:
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid breathing
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Change in heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Lack of coordination
- Blue tint to the lips or fingertips
Factors Affecting Oxygen Level
Several factors can influence your oxygen levels, including:
Altitude
At higher elevations, where oxygen is limited, your body has a harder time consuming it. This explains why many people who travel to high-altitude areas feel shortness of breath and other symptoms.
Heart Function
Blood rich in oxygen is pumped throughout your body by your heart. The supply of oxygen that reaches your organs and tissues might be impacted if your heart is not functioning properly.
Anemia
When your body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells to deliver oxygen to your body’s tissues, you have anemia. Low blood oxygen levels may occur from this.
Lung Function
Your body may have difficulty absorbing enough oxygen if facing a lung disorder like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
How To Treat Low Blood Oxygen Levels
The purpose of cures for low blood oxygen levels is to make your blood more saturated with oxygen. The fundamental reasons for your blood’s low oxygen levels are addressed with medicines and therapy. Your doctor could advise further oxygen therapy in a more serious situation. Low oxygen levels can also be helped by the self-care advice below:
- Quit smoking if you do.
- Avoid passive smoking.
- Take a balanced diet that is high in fruits and vegetables.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Engage in daily exercise for 30 minutes at least five days a week.
- Daily deep breathing exercises are recommended.
Final Thoughts
Your entire health and well-being depend on your oxygenation level. It’s important to maintain your oxygen levels and seek medical assistance if you have symptoms of low oxygen levels, even if the question of how low can your oxygen level go before you die is not easy to answer. Caring for your heart and lungs ensures your body gets the oxygen needed to function properly.
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