Question: I am a hypochondriac. Have had sinus congestion and dry cough for some time. Assuming it was related to ACE inhibitor I take or allergy/post nasal drip that I've had for years.
I purchased a pulse oximeter to check my oxygen levels. Here's the result.
Seems to range in the 93-95 level.....but I am a shallow breather. If I slow down and slightly deepen my breathing - inhaling for 2-3 seconds - it consistently registers at 96/97; although sometimes at 95...sometimes at 98.
Does this seem concerning, like emphysema or other.
I do walk 3-4 miles per day at a 16 minute pace - with hills. Don't have a problem - no panting or gasping for air. Just breathing more deeply when I do the hills.
Could my shallow "inhaling in" (maybe 1 second to 1.5 seconds) cause the low readings? Can I take comfort given that inhaling for a little longer (2-3 seconds) almost always drives the % up to 95-98.

Thanks.


Meant to add........
if I inhale through my mouth rather than my nose (which always seems to be congested to some degree), the pulse oxygen % rises to that 95 -97% range.

Do you think my nasal congestion could contribute to the slightly lower percentage?

Thanks.

Doctor, thank you very much for getting back so quickly. Much appreciated.
Don't mean to be a nuisance, but one follow up question if I may.

Sometimes when I take the Spo2 measure it will start off around 93 or so, and then rise to maybe 96 or 97.

Is this due to the oximeter.....is it normal......anything concerning? Just trying to understand.

Thanks again.