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What Causes A Drop In Oxygen Level While Lying Down?
Question: My oxygen level is normal when I am upright but drops to 82 when lying down. I am in the hospital and they have ruled out a blood clot in the lungs, no heart issues, no diaphragm issues. They do not know a diagnosis.
Brief Answer:
Intra thoracic changes in pressure
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. Thank you for your question.
Well, this may be explainable by the physiological changes that the chest organs undergo to, when one changes the position suddenly, such as in your case. It is more related to the airway, i.e. the trachea or bronchi, rather than the lung tissue or the circulation to the lungs (which were ruled out by the tests carried out in the hospital). This has even higher probability to occur when you or anyone obstruct their airways somehow by the position they assume when they lie down. Also, if this is a drop only in the moment that you lie down and then it comes to a near-normal level or normal level, then there is nothing to be worried about.
However, there are two more tests that I would recommend:
- a Spirometry - which helps us assess whether there is any obstruction within the airway, reactive or organic; and
- a Sleep apnea study - to evaluate whether there are reasons, central or peripheral, to cause this de-saturation when you lie down.
I hope my answer is helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Intra thoracic changes in pressure
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. Thank you for your question.
Well, this may be explainable by the physiological changes that the chest organs undergo to, when one changes the position suddenly, such as in your case. It is more related to the airway, i.e. the trachea or bronchi, rather than the lung tissue or the circulation to the lungs (which were ruled out by the tests carried out in the hospital). This has even higher probability to occur when you or anyone obstruct their airways somehow by the position they assume when they lie down. Also, if this is a drop only in the moment that you lie down and then it comes to a near-normal level or normal level, then there is nothing to be worried about.
However, there are two more tests that I would recommend:
- a Spirometry - which helps us assess whether there is any obstruction within the airway, reactive or organic; and
- a Sleep apnea study - to evaluate whether there are reasons, central or peripheral, to cause this de-saturation when you lie down.
I hope my answer is helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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