Blood gas
Blood gas is like a report card for how well your lungs and heart are working.
Your body needs oxygen to function properly and gets it by breathing air into your lungs. The oxygen in the air gets absorbed into your bloodstream and travels to all parts of your body. Your body also produces carbon dioxide as a waste product.
Blood gas measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood, as well as the acidity or alkalinity of your blood (known as pH). This gives doctors important information about how well your lungs and heart are working.
If the oxygen level in your blood is too low, it means your lungs are not taking in enough oxygen. This can be caused by things like lung disease or a blockage in your airways. If the carbon dioxide level in your blood is too high, it means your body is not getting rid of enough carbon dioxide. This can be caused by things like breathing problems or sleep apnea.
Having the right pH level in your blood is important too. If your blood is too acidic, it can lead to problems like kidney failure. If it’s too alkaline, it can cause muscle weakness and seizures.
Doctors use blood gas results to determine the appropriate treatment for patients with lung or heart problems. It helps them know how much oxygen a patient needs, whether they need additional airflow support, or if they need to adjust their medication or other medical interventions.
Your body needs oxygen to function properly and gets it by breathing air into your lungs. The oxygen in the air gets absorbed into your bloodstream and travels to all parts of your body. Your body also produces carbon dioxide as a waste product.
Blood gas measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood, as well as the acidity or alkalinity of your blood (known as pH). This gives doctors important information about how well your lungs and heart are working.
If the oxygen level in your blood is too low, it means your lungs are not taking in enough oxygen. This can be caused by things like lung disease or a blockage in your airways. If the carbon dioxide level in your blood is too high, it means your body is not getting rid of enough carbon dioxide. This can be caused by things like breathing problems or sleep apnea.
Having the right pH level in your blood is important too. If your blood is too acidic, it can lead to problems like kidney failure. If it’s too alkaline, it can cause muscle weakness and seizures.
Doctors use blood gas results to determine the appropriate treatment for patients with lung or heart problems. It helps them know how much oxygen a patient needs, whether they need additional airflow support, or if they need to adjust their medication or other medical interventions.