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Why Would Oxygen Levels Decrease After A Hernia Surgery?
Question: Had hernia surgery Thursday and o2 level is 83-85 without using oxygen
Brief Answer:
if it's the partial pressure of oxygen, it's OK
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
if 83-85 is your partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in mmHg then this is fine. PaO2 tends to get lower as we age. For someone of your age a value of 83-85 is perfectly fine!
If 83-85% is your oxygen saturation then this is very low. If these are your first hours after surgery then it may occur due to anesthesia and painkillers. Otherwise urgent investigation would be required.
Please get back to me with more details, like:
- when was the operation done?
- do you have symptoms?
- any other related medical disorders (like COPD, heart failure, etc)?
- do you take any drugs?
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
if it's the partial pressure of oxygen, it's OK
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
if 83-85 is your partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in mmHg then this is fine. PaO2 tends to get lower as we age. For someone of your age a value of 83-85 is perfectly fine!
If 83-85% is your oxygen saturation then this is very low. If these are your first hours after surgery then it may occur due to anesthesia and painkillers. Otherwise urgent investigation would be required.
Please get back to me with more details, like:
- when was the operation done?
- do you have symptoms?
- any other related medical disorders (like COPD, heart failure, etc)?
- do you take any drugs?
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Surgery was Thursday
Sleepy and little slow
I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, post polio, lupus no COPD or heart issues
I am on a lot of medications for blood pressure, GERD, IBS, Lupus, depression, and for arthritis and lupus
Forgot to clarify saturated level 83-85
Sleepy and little slow
I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, post polio, lupus no COPD or heart issues
I am on a lot of medications for blood pressure, GERD, IBS, Lupus, depression, and for arthritis and lupus
Forgot to clarify saturated level 83-85
Brief Answer:
it could be the drugs
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional info.
So the surgery is very recent and you're probably taking a lot of painkillers (including opioids). Opioids reduce the respiratory drive and lower PaO2 values are expected - but not desired...
This level oxygen saturation is too low and you'd better let your doctor know about it. Sometimes it's just the drugs but in other cases there might be complications like pulmonary embolism. Feeling sleepy and slow is definitely in favor of the first scenario but a careful assessment is required anyway.
Best wishes for a fast recovery!
it could be the drugs
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional info.
So the surgery is very recent and you're probably taking a lot of painkillers (including opioids). Opioids reduce the respiratory drive and lower PaO2 values are expected - but not desired...
This level oxygen saturation is too low and you'd better let your doctor know about it. Sometimes it's just the drugs but in other cases there might be complications like pulmonary embolism. Feeling sleepy and slow is definitely in favor of the first scenario but a careful assessment is required anyway.
Best wishes for a fast recovery!
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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