subject: Colorado Educates its Citizens About a Pulse Oximeter [print this page] Colorado Educates its Citizens About a Pulse Oximeter
Colorado for a long time has been known for its cities at high altitudes. The Rocky Mountains provide this elevation, and the people who settled in the region hundreds of years ago did not let a few mountains stop their progression. Many people who visit the state experience some sort of trouble breathing since the air is thinner at higher altitudes. Even professional athletes who have trained their bodies to handle more stresses have trouble breathing. We have seen this again and again on television when the Denver Broncos play a visiting team in Denver. Over the years, the residents of Colorado have gotten used to the difference in oxygen, but that does not make them immune to certain challenges associated with the air. To combat the challenges, the state of Colorado has started a campaign to educate its citizens about tools they can use on a daily basis to monitor their oxygen levels.
One such tool that has been educating the citizens of Colorado on is the pulse oximeter. A pulse oximeter, also known as a pulse ox by some individuals, is a device used to measure the blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate of a person. A pulse oximeter has been used by pilots and athletes alike for many years now, but more and more Colorado citizens have been keeping them in their pockets and homes. A new finger pulse oximeter is about the size of a cube of ice, and runs on standard batteries. It clips onto one's finger and provides readings within a few seconds. Individuals who suffer from respiratory illnesses have really seen the advantages of a pulse oximeter. They now can effectively put a unit of measurement to the levels of oxygen at any given point of time, and use this reference point as to decide if their lungs are working efficiently enough or not. This might seem like a drawn out method of use, but individuals suffering from respiratory illnesses understand of its importance.
Colorado is one of the first states to attack this issue head on, but more states are sure to follow. Challenges with breathing do not only result due to altitude, but also pollution. We all know that the levels of pollution in major cities in the United States are on the rise, and along with that so are cases of respiratory illnesses. I would not be shocked if major cities follow suit of Colorado.
