India is the worst hit by COVID 19 second wave. From 21st April 2021, the country is reporting 3 lakh confirmed cases every day. On 6 May 2020, more than 4 lakh cases were reported. The condition is getting worse every day, and due to limited healthcare facilities, most people are not getting proper medical treatment. In this case, everyone should be aware that they actually require some medical help or not. If someone having mild symptoms occupies a bed or uses an oxygen cylinder, then a severe patient might not get adequate medical facilities. So, it is essential to analyze whether you actually need to run to the hospital or not. India continues to battle a severe second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in hospitals being overburdened. The availability of beds in hospitals has become scarce, while the demand for oxygen cylinders has shot up as more and more people see their oxygen levels dipping. Hospitals are advised for people whose oxygen levels are dropping beyond 92% saturation level. For people,
who are COVID-19 positive and are in home isolation, the Indian government has announced a medically approved ‘pruning technique to help increase your oxygen levels and keep them in the safe zone (above 94%). It is important for patients who are isolated at home to stay in a well-ventilated room and practice proning when there is a mild problem in breathing and oxygen levels have dropped below 94, but not beyond 90-92. This is a position of making a patient lie on a flat surface with face down, i.e., on their abdomen or stomach. Proning is clinically proven to improve breathing efficiency and oxygenation in patients with low oxygen. The science behind this is that lying on the stomach helps keep the alveolar units open, which helps achieve better breathing comfort.
This measure is strongly recommended by doctors and health officials, and it should be adopted when somebody faces difficulty in breathing, or the blood oxygen falls under 94. An average human body can be prone up to 10 hours a day in multiple cycles. Also, it is essential to keep track of your SpO2 level if you are infected from COVID-19. It would help if you bought a standard oximeter from a medical shop or use smart bands or watches for real-time tracking. You can practice proning only and only if you monitor your SpO2 level at regular intervals. And most importantly, STAY HOME STAY SAFE.
The coronavirus situation in the country is at its peak yet again, as many gasps for breath amid the oxygen crisis. At the same time, medical experts stress the need to maintain oxygen saturation in COVID-19 patients.
“People must be aware of how one can manage a situation when oxygen levels are dipping. Getting medical attention or oxygen supply immediately is not an option,” says Dr. Vivek Anand Padegal, director – pulmonology, Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road.
- The availability of beds in a hospital has become scarce, while the demand for oxygen cylinders has shot up as India battles the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- For people, who are COVID-19 positive and are in home isolation, the Indian government has announced a medically approved ‘pruning technique to help increase their oxygen levels.
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