Hypoxia and Medicine

causes for low oxygen saturation level?

What exactly cause low oxygen saturation? and why is surgery unable to continue until levels are back to normal? does having diabetes have anything to do with LOS levels?

Public Comments

1. It could be any number of things. Pneumonia, Emphysema, COPD, Pleural Effusion. Basically anything that will block the alveoli from absorbing oxygen when inhaling. Your doctor will probably order chest x-rays and lab work to see what could be the cause. They can't do a surgery while sats are low because the risk of complicaiton is too high. Think of it like this: if you can breathe normally, then they will have an even harder time keeping your vitals normal. Low O2 sats can lead to respiratory arrest - meaning stopping breathing, and thats definitely not something you want to happen during surgery.
2. low oxygen saturation can be caused by many things. respiratory, cardiac, or the vasculature system, possibly low blood volume. levels have to be maintained because the lower the level the less oxygen profusing the brain and other organs and tissues which can cause ischemia or lack of oxygen and even tissue death. all body cells need oxygen. the heart lungs and vascular system carries blood around to all the tissues. the the sat drops during surgery they must stabalize the patient before proceeding
3. May causes of low Oxy sats. Heart or lung disorders usually. lack of O2 in the blood would be the reason why no surgery is indicated unless an emergency. Since the meds given to put you out will further depress the O2 levels. Yes diabetes is one of those diseases that affects circulation that could be causing saturation issues.