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Drug Safety |

October 9, 2008

| by Carrie Tucker

Is Your High Cholesterol Medication Killing You?

The hazard symbol for toxic/highly toxic subst...

“My cholesterol medications are killing me?”

Not fast enough for you to take notice, but YES they are!

Is there a way to lower cholesterol without risking your life?

You likely think that eating a diet low in saturated fat is the most effective way to lower your cholesterol, but it might surprise you to know that physical activity and sugar intake have a whole lot to do with what your lab tests point to.

Cholesterol medications are given to you to correct your lab results from your blood tests.

Are you aware that lowering your cholesterol level will NOT statistically lower your risk of death?

Your doctor is happy to prescribe a pill that will bring down your cholesterol level, but is it really the best course of treatment for you?

 

Do You Know the Side Effects of the Drugs Your Doctor Wants You To Take?

There are 3 major classes of “lipid-lowering drugs”

and

They all have side effects

Ask your pharmacist which type has been prescribed for you, so that you will be able to realistically look at the side effects you may be facing should you choose to begin  drugging yourself.

The oldest cholesterol-lowering drugs are Bile Acid Sequestrants.

These drugs cause poor absorption of fat-soluble nutrients. (vitamins A,D,E,and K)

You already have enough reason to avoid this drug.  These vitamins, especially E, are extremely important to your heart health, and supplementing won’t help if you are on this type of drug.

Bile Acid Sequestrants have a laundry list of side effects

  • bleeding disorders from Vit K deficiency
  • vision issues due to insufficient Vit A
  • interferes with absorption of thyroid medications
  • causes poor absorption of antibiotics
  • inhibits the absorption of several heart drugs

It doesn’t make sense to take a drug with undesirable side effects when there is a safe alternative that also binds with and removes cholesterol.

The alternative is dietary fiber.

 

The next group of drugs, Fibric Acid Derivatives, are down right deadly

The second class of drugs is generally used to lower triglyceride levels,  though it is unknown exactly how these drugs work.

They do cause a number of uncomfortable side effects.

  • nausea
  • loose stools
  • flatulence
  • muscle cramps
  • rashes
  • problems with skin and hair

It gets WORSE!

The World Health Organization conducted a six-year study of 10,000 patients using Atromid-S, a Fibric Acid Derivative.

This study found that Atromid-S actually increased the overall death rate by 44 percent.

It did lower triglycerides levels enough to reduce the risk of heart disease and death by heart attacks, but the increased mortality from other causes more than canceled this benefit.

The excessive deaths caused by this Fibric Acid Derivative were associated to:

  • gall bladder disease
  • cancer
  • pancreatitis

Lopid is anther Fibric Acid Derivative and according to the Physicians’ Desk Reference, has similar side effects.

Additional things to keep in mind:

  • These drugs should not be used with blood thinners or “Statin Drugs” (which will be discussed next).
  • If you have gall bladder, liver, or kidney problems, you should not use these drugs.
  • They are hard on the liver, and liver function should be closely monitored while taking them.

The Alternative is to eliminate sugar and other refined carbohydrates, and add a large dose of fish oil.

Even triclyceride levels in the thousands are relatively easy to treat with dietary changes.

========================================

The third class of drugs is known as:

Statins

All of the generic names for these drugs end with “statin”, which is where the name comes from.  They include some of America’s best selling drugs:

  • Lipitor
  • Zocor
  • Mevacor
  • Pravachol
  • Lescol

There have been 5 major studies of these drugs that prove that they lower risk of heart disease and death by heart attack, and other causes.

The medical community has been so impressed by these studies that they have gone overboard recommending these drugs.

The FDA actually approved Mevacor for use in people with normal cholesterol levels, and no sign of heart disease!

Some experts predict that half the population will be taking these drugs in the future, and there is a push to have them reclassified to over-the-counter status.

The National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines recommend aggressive drug therapy.  If fully implemented, 36 million Americans, one in every 5 adults, would be taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Statin drugs are helpful only when concentrated effort with lifestyle changes and natural therapies fail.

Despite the current infatuation with these drugs, they are NOT without RISK.

Side effects of Statin drugs include:

  • liver toxicity
  • gastrointestinal symptoms
  • rashes
  • blurred vision
  • muscle inflammation and weakness
  • rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis is a condition involving muscle breakdown, and can be FATAL!

One statin drug, Baycol, was voluntarily recalled in August 2001 after being linked to 31 deaths.

Every one of the drugs in this class works in a similar manner and has similar side effects.

According to Public Citizen, a Washington D.C. consumer group, other statin drugs have killed an additional 81 Americans.

Julian Whitaker, M.D. warns of another adverse effect of statin drugs that he feels has contributed to the deaths from rhabdomyolysis.

It is not listed in the Physicians’ Desk Reference or the drug inserts, but Dr. Whitaker calls it:

“the most chilling of all the statin side effects”.

Statin drugs work by inhibiting the action of an enzyme that is required for the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver.

This enzyme is also necessary for the manufacture of co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

Statins deplete the body of CoQ10.

CoQ10 is essential for energy production.  The heart is the hardest working, most energy consuming of all the muscles in the body, and therefore hardest hit by deficiencies.

Dr. Whitaker says:

“I consider the CoQ10 deficiencies caused by the growing use of statin drugs to be in large part responsible for our current epidemic of heart failure.”

You should hear what he has to say about the negative effects of statins on your brain.  The brain contains an abundance of cholesterol.  It is not difficult to see how these drugs would affect your ability to think and function.

Suicide and violent behavior have been linked to very low cholesterol levels for a long time.

Pretty serious reasons to take a closer look at statin drugs!

========================================

Don’t fall prey to the hype surrounding these “miracle” drugs.  Educate yourself as to why you should give diet and lifestyle changes a REAL try.  There is help available when you open yourself to a new way of thinking about food and activity.

Alternatives to taking these risky drugs are to eat more fiber and less saturated fat and simple sugar.  Be more active and take CoQ10 and other supplements that can support you in your health building effort.

If you have no other choice but to take a statin drug, in is very important that you also take at least 200 milligrams of CoQ10.

Keep in mind that other natural alternatives may be helpful in lowering your cholesterol level:

  • fish oil
  • omega 3 fatty acid supplements (flaxseed oil)
  • inositol hexaniacinate (niacin and B vitamins, which has been found just as effective as statins in lowering cholesterol)
  • red yeast rice and other cholesterol-lowering supplements.

Nothing else matters if you don’t have good health.

Get Your Copy of The Cholesterol Lie and Arm Yourself With Knowledge That Can Save Your Life!

Click on the link to get your copy

The Cholesterol Lie


 

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Uncategorized |

October 5, 2008

| by Carrie Tucker

Can Heart Disease Lead To Heart Failure?

Can Heart Disease Lead to Heart Failure?Heart disease doesn’t get much news coverage unless someone famous dies of it.  We don’t wear pink ribbons to bring awareness to it either, but heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the world.

You can have advanced heart disease and be unaware of it.  The first sign of heart disease many times is a heart attack.

Heart Attack is a major contributor to heart failure!

It is common for women to develop heart failure within one year of having a heart attack.

Some treatments for heart disease actually contribute to heart failure!

The thousands of patients that I saw over two decades rarely made significant changes in diet and lifestyle before being prescribed drugs, and soon after started experiencing side effects from those drugs.

Many of them had surgery as well.

Much quality of life is lost when health building efforts are abandoned for harsh drugs and traumatic surgeries.

John was a patient I cared for a few years ago.

He was amazed that he had received a diagnosis of asthma.

“I thought asthma was a child-hood disease.”

Right away I noticed John’s pale color, and swollen ankles.  So I checked his oxygen level right away.

John’s oxygen saturation was 87% when he answered his front door.

He only walked 10 paces and sat in his favorite chair, but it was several minutes before his blood oxygen level returned to a safe 92%.

As soon as John caught his breath, he insisted on showing me his prized orchid collection.

He took me through a beautiful garden with shades of orchids I had never seen before!

We exited the back of the garden, where he introduced me to the most charming and charismatic flock of birds I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

By this time I was becoming concerned about John’s labored breathing and pale color, and I had to argue with him to let me pull his oxygen machine out of its corner.

By the time I plugged it in and put him on it, John’s oxygen level was 82%.

As soon as his color returned, John removed the oxygen, and insisted on pushing it back into it’s corner, even though he was gasping by the time he made his way back to his chair.

I gave John my speech about protecting his heart muscle and his quality of life by making sure that his oxygen level was never below 92%.

“My doctor said my heart is fine!” insisted John.

“I am just concerned about your oxygen level when you are caring for your garden and your birds,” I explained.

“If you use oxygen, that activity would be good for you, but without oxygen, you will stress and weaken your heart muscle.”

John smiled and patted me on the back.

“I just had an EKG and my heart is fine, please don’t worry about me.”

“Promise me that you won’t exert yourself, without oxygen?” I plead with him.

He went to patting my back again, “oh don’t you worry about me, I’ll be fine,” he said as he lead me to the door.

I couldn’t reach John for a second appointment for more than 10 months, and when I finally caught up with him he had just returned from the Mayo Clinic where he sought help for his “recurring pneumonia”.

It was at the Mayo Clinic that John received his heart failure diagnosis.

John was very angry, not at all the same person I had met 10 months earlier.

“The medical people on this island are terrible!”  he almost shouted at me.  “I had to go all the way to California to find out that my heart has been damaged and it is too late to do anything about it!”

I was a little taken back, but tried to calm him down.  Though I reminded him that I had expressed concern for his heart when I had given him instructions to use oxygen during my last visit, he seemed to have no memory of that conversation.

“No one ever told me about my heart!” he seethed between clenched teeth.

So, I did my best to tell him what he COULD do to regain and protect his quality of life, but he was just too angry to listen.  John just couldn’t get past his resentment so that he could find a positive place to begin making the changes he needed to make.

John was on a slippery slope until his death.

I have always felt that his anger and resentment did him in.

John had plenty of good years left.


Heart disease CAN lead to heart failure

Heart Failure is the devastating weakening that results in your heart enlarging.

It isn’t a heart attack, but it IS end stage heart disease!

 

If you listen to the organizations chasing the almighty dollar, they will give you minimal materials and support on diet and lifestyle before they lead you down a dangerous path of drugs and surgery.

Drugs and surgery are NOT an answer to ANYTHING!

The American Heart Association released a statement in January,2008 stating that they had reached their goal of reducing the number of deaths from coronary heart disease.

They go on to say “we are pleased with the progress this new data shows, but we know we can do much more”.

They also have a report on their site boasting that drugs and surgical procedures had reduced the number of deaths from “acute heart failure”.

Nowhere on their site could I find anything about the CLIMBING death toll for Heart Failure!

They do talk about the need to reduce risk factors, and they say “we must make it a priority to institute lifestyle and behavior changes”.

Yet on their site drugs and surgery get all the attention.  Diet and lifestyle are mentioned briefly here and there without much detail, though information about drugs amounts to commercial promotion.

Did you know that The American Heart Association claims to have invested over $543 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives.

Where did this money go?

Are they supplementing food bank programs with fresh whole food?  NO.

Are they doing all they can to educate and support the average American to make diet and lifestyle changes?  NO

They are not even warning us that Heart Failure is on the rise!

They are claiming victory and watering down the message that change is necessary!  WHY?

The truth is NOT good news!

You need to hold this organization accountable or STOP giving them our money.

With $543 million dollars, Heart Failure Solutions and our ethical partners would make the effort to reduce heart disease palpable in EVERY community!

Is there similar waste going on in other organizations that you support?

Check out EVERY organization before you donate!

You can contribute to Heart Failure Solutions in the side bar to your right.  There is MUCH work to be done, this CAN’T be about profit!

This is about PEOPLE!

You can only care for others as well as you care for yourself.

Try this acronym to remind yourself of all the nurturing you need each and every day.

BLESS yourself with nurturing and you will BLESS the whole world.

B  Breathe

Discover how your breathing makes you sick and what you can do about it.

L  Love

Learn how to navigate life from your heart space.

E  Eat

Find out why not all food is medicine.

S  Sit

The BLESS action plan really begins with cultivating stillness.

However, you will find it very difficult to be Still until you heal enough to face the fire within.

Sit upright in quiet stillness and find your inner strength.

S  Speak

Sacred Breathing will give your Voice strength.

Share your story to give others hope!

 

Will Your Be the Next Blessed Life?

Become a member of the “Life Breath Club” today!

Click on the link below to learn more about member benefits.

Life Breath Club Member Benefits

This is a private membership to protect your medical privacy.

It’s FREE!

 

Many BLESSings,

Carrie Tucker, RCP

The Life Breath Coach

Heart Failure Solutions

 

PS– Remember everyday:

  • Relax and Release tension
  • Exhale Slowly
  • Be active in a way that adds Joy to your life

Plus pure water ~whole foods~sunshine~and laughter

 

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Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms, carrie tucker, congestive heart failure, cough, heart disease, heart failure, heart failure solutions, technorati | Comment
Oxygen |

September 28, 2008

| by Carrie Tucker

Low Oxygen Level: Can You Recover?

Low Oxygen Levels

Ditching home oxygen sure sounds like a good idea most of the time.  It’s inconvenient and annoying.

Over 10 years, I’ve cared for more than a thousand people with low oxygen level.

One of the most common questions I am asked is, “Can you recover from low oxygen levels?”

The more chronic your condition, the more likely you will be to need oxygen therapy to live a normal life.

Amazing recovery from low oxygen levels is certainly a possibility, it just won’t happen without consistent effort on your part.   NOTHING is impossible.

It’s understandable that your focus is getting your life back to normal.  You don’t want to drag oxygen tanks around.  In fact, you might be inclined to sit at home and wait to get better.  I want to encourage you to get out there and live your life WITH your oxygen tank if you need it!  (You may NEED it even if you don’t think you do!)

Your LIFE will becomes your exercise program when you insure safe oxygen levels while you get out there and LIVE!

If you push through your life WITHOUT needed supplemental oxygen you will cause yourself a whole lot of suffering.

It’s urgent that you prioritize your oxygen need.  Below 92% IS harmful!

Even a little below 92% blood oxygen saturation is very dangerous.

IF you recover from low oxygen level, it will be from attending to your needs rather than ignoring them.

Gas laws are universal!  This is not an “opinion”!  Without AT LEAST 92% blood oxygen saturation there will not be enough oxygen PRESSURE in your blood vessels (pipes) to push the oxygen into your cells, tissues, muscles, organs, and organ systems.  PERIOD.

Do not believe anyone who gives you advice that contradicts this truth.  It will harm you!

 

So, can you recover from low oxygen level?

 

Sorry to ask a question with a question, but it is a question YOU should be asking …

“Can I die from low oxygen level?”

The answer to that question is, “Yes, you CAN die from low oxygen level!”.


 

Your situation might look different than the next guy, but there is no getting around basic fundamental gas laws.

If the oxygen in your blood is less than 92% saturated with oxygen, then the oxygen molecules can’t reach their destination using their preferred method of transportation, your red blood cells.

If you fail to meet your basic need for oxygen you will quickly deteriorate and quite likely suffer a life threatening event!

Here are a few “low oxygen level stories”:

 

Yolanda just hated using oxygen.

She had been hospitalized many times but just couldn’t bring herself to use it on a consistent basis.

Finally, after one hospitalization too many, she came to terms with it.

“I have to use this annoying thing, or I am going to die,” she said.

As a long time smoker, she knows it’s for keeps.

Robert didn’t think he needed oxygen except at night.

“That’s what my doctor told me,” he said.

The oximeter said he had an oxygen deficit with activity.

Robert was also over exerting himself with exercise.

“No pain no gain!”

It wasn’t easy to convinced Robert that he needed to use supplemental oxygen with activity and even tougher to get him to stay at a nice calm pace.

Robert began supplementing oxygen during activity, (and light exercise) and was so surprised to find out how much more energy he had to enjoy his family.

He felt fine when his grand-kids got out of school!

His usual nap time became routine fun with his favorite little people!

Jane’s story was deadly.  Read it here ->  Deadly Low Oxygen Level

Low oxygen level can cause vagal stimulation, which will suddenly stop your heart.  Jane ignored her oxygen needs and suffered the ultimate consequence.

 

 

It is important that safety come first!

When your oxygen level dips it can cause your heart to stop!                        

Did you get that?

Low Oxygen Levels Can Cause Sudden Death!

Before you worry about recovery, make sure you DO NO HARM!

The key to getting off supplemental oxygen is strength building, BUT that is NOT what you think it is!

Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that means to hit the gym!

“No pain, no gain” is NOT a helpful philosophy at this point in your healing process.

You need to know how to gain strength without hurting yourself!

 

Chris became a Life Breath Club Member when he was fighting for his life.

He was in and out of the hospital and doctors told him his only hope to live was a heart transplant, because his heart would never get strong again.

Within a few weeks of applying the information Chris learned from the Life Breath Club he was feeling so much better that everything changed for him.  He began walking, slowly at first but then for longer stretches with greater ease.

Chris got back to work and travel within a couple months!

 

Anita felt like using oxygen meant giving up the fight.

Oxygen seemed like a crutch more than a tool to Anita.  She has been dealing with significant kypho scoliosis since birth, yet has accomplished more in her lifetime than a crowd of average healthy people could manage!

Her dis-ability never dis-abled her!

She is one of the most “able” people you will ever meet.

When she convinced herself that supplemental oxygen was worth her time, she was shocked at the benefit she gained from using it!  Within a week she had dropped 7 pounds!  The pounds continue to melt away even though Anita has begun to put on muscle weight!

Sleep apnea was something Anita thought she had under control, but once she dropped her blood pressure with all those pounds, her night time ventilation completely changed, as well.

Anita discovered that seeking health has taken her on a journey.  She is just grateful that she now has plenty of energy to navigate her options and get the care she needs!

Education is your best defense.

Find out why how to address low oxygen levels and lose dangerous fluid weight.

Click on the link below to check out the benefits of membership.

Join Now

Please request access to our private membership site to protect your medical privacy.

It’s free and there is no obligation.

Welcome to The Club!

 

Many BLESSings,

Carrie Tucker, RCP

“The Life Breath Coach”

Heart Failure Solutions

 

PS– Remember everyday:

  • Relax and Release tension
  • Exhale Slowly
  • Be active in a way that adds Joy to your life

Plus pure water ~whole foods~sunshine~and laughter

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carrie tucker, heart failure solutions, low oxygen level, low oxygen levels, mental confusion, oximeter, short of breath, short term memory loss, technorati, the life breath coach, tingling fingers | Comment
Oxygen |

September 11, 2008

| by Carrie Tucker

Low Oxygen Levels: How Low is Too Low and Should You Worry?

Oxygen Regulator

Low oxygen levels will rob you of your eye sight, short term memory, and your energy. Eventually low oxygen levels will weaken your heart muscle.

Heart Failure IS -> Progressive weakening of your heart muscle! (Read that sentence again. It is that important.)

The world is facing an epidemic of heart failure!  This ONE health crisis will rob more productive work years from Americans than any other.  

Why should you be concerned about oxygen?

Oxygen isn’t typically something you worry about. If you are looking into “low oxygen levels”, you likely heard the term from your doctor. As the caregiver of a loved one, you
might become familiar with the importance of oxygen as a life saving requirement, but fail to realize how effective it can be in minimizing discomfort and maintaining quality-of-
life.

Everyone worries about high blood pressure, carrying extra weight and other issues routine blood work can reveal. It’s all part of the natural aging process and your growing
concern for your health. After all, you don’t ignore your bad health until it kills you if you know better, right?

Being over-weight increases your risk for many diseases, especially heart disease. So, you diet and attempt to get “regular exercise”. Maybe you join a gym, or consider
gastric bypass surgery. You do what it takes because health is important. 

High blood pressure is called the silent killer, because it can be deadly without symptoms. Most people know that it’s important to get their blood pressure checked
regularly, just to be safe.

You’ve been told you should worry about your cholesterol levels. Everybody seems to know that reducing your bad cholesterol is important, so your doctor will likely offer
you a prescription to lower your cholesterol if it is elevated. Even if your cholesterol isn’t elevated, your doctor may prescribe Statin medication as a “precaution” when you
have other risk factors for heart disease. (That so called preventative medication might not be such a good idea.

There are plenty of risk factors to worry about. Why add oxygen to the list?

If your doctor is expressing concern about your blood oxygen levels, you should be concerned, too.

You may be inclined to argue with your doctor if he/she would like to see you using oxygen 24 hours a day. It’s fair to say that round-the-clock oxygen therapy is inconvenient and irritating.

It’s also difficult to understand why it is necessary.

What is there to be concerned about?

Consequences of Low Blood Oxygen Level:

• damage eye sight
• deteriorate short term memory
• weaken muscle (your heart is a muscle)
• increase pain
• reduced clarity/focus
• loss of your natural charming disposition
• potentially create life threatening cranial nerve stimulation

Since low-flow home-oxygen is completely safe and doesn’t cause side-effects you are better off to use it than to resist using it and suffer the consequences of low blood oxygen. It isn’t an easy to swallow pill, but it might just be more important than every pill in your pill box.

Oxygen is one prescription you don’t want to second guess.

If your doctor wants you on oxygen, you are crazy to argue.

Does your doctor monitor your blood oxygen levels routinely?

Not all doctors have oximeters (oxygen measuring devices) in their office. If they don’t have one, they have no way to routinely monitor your oxygen level during your physicals, check-ups and illness related appointments.

This isn’t at all unusual. Even if doctors have oximeters, they may not use them unless you have some sort of breathing complaint. It isn’t widely understood, even with doctors, that low oxygen is most often NOT accompanied by shortness-of-breath.

It isn’t at all uncommon for doctors and nurses to minimize the importance of oxygen therapy and to dismiss low oxygen readings if they only last a short period of time.

This approach is much like waiting for things to get worse.

Whether your doctor monitors your blood oxygen level or not, YOU SHOULD.

There is no doubt about it. Taking an active role in your health care can cause you more stress than putting blind trust in your doctor, but if your doctor doesn’t offer you the solution you need, who will?

Doctors are making educated guesses and doing the best they can. Luckily they also have the benefit of a well educated team with many years of combined experience. Good health care requires team work. It can be tempting to allow your doctor to lead the team but NO ONE is more motivated and invested in finding solutions to your suffering than YOU are.

It’s important for you to be aware that your participation is the key to positive results.

Certainly, if your health care team doesn’t successfully uncover the cause of your suffering and eliminate it or otherwise address it, you are the only one who will suffer the consequence. Ultimately, you pay the price for oversights and mistakes.

Unfortunately, low blood oxygen causes devastating consequences.

If your doctor is advocating for oxygen therapy, you are fortunate. Most doctors overlook the harm low oxygen levels are causing and shrug off the importance of monitoring and meeting oxygen needs.

Good quality-of-life is your goal. The damage caused by low oxygen levels prevents you from functioning the way you normally would. How much joy would you lose if your eyesight slowly deteriorated?

As you age, you tend to think you are just getting old and out of shape. The progressive muscle weakening caused by low oxygen levels effects your heart muscle. When your heart muscle is weakened by low oxygen levels your whole world changes, but it doesn’t typically happen all of a sudden.

When you suffer a heart attack part of your heart muscle dies. With congestive heart failure things [more often than not] happen very slowly. The progressive weakening of your heart muscle is gradual. For years your doctor will tell you “your heart is fine”.

Once you know you are living with congestive heart failure, you should understand that oxygen is the key to protecting your weakened heart muscle and to strengthening it.

Low oxygen is a BIG deal. (Ask your questions on the weekly Zoom Call Mondays at 1:00pm Pacific Time)

If your low oxygen levels are caused by lung disease, it’s important to remember that keeping your blood oxygen level above 92% is important to protect your heart.

If your low oxygen levels are caused by heart disease, it’s important to remember that failing to address low oxygen levels will further weaken your heart muscle. 

So how low is too low? 

 

7 Facts to Remember About Blood Oxygen Saturation Levels

1.  When oxygen saturation levels fall below 92%, the pressure of the oxygen in your blood is too low to penetrate the walls of the red blood cells. It is a matter of gas laws.

2. Your insurance company may not pay for oxygen unless your levels fall to 88% oxygen saturation. This has nothing to do with what is best for you, it is just the point at which your insurance is willing to pay.

3.  Every time your oxygen level falls below 92% saturation the cells of your body are oxygen starved.

4. When you fail to meet your oxygen needs, every organ in your body suffers the consequences.

5. Low oxygen levels may be present only at certain times.

  •  when retaining excessive fluid
  •  when airways are reacting to irritants
  •  with respiratory illness
  •  sleep apnea
  •  about 3:00am when you wake gasping for air
  •  with activity when your heart muscle has become weak, though isn’t technically “congestive heart failure”….. yet

6.  Recurring low oxygen levels are harmful and should be treated with supplemental oxygen.

7. The problem is that your doctor may not witness your oxygen levels at 88%, and if he doesn’t see that reading on an oxygen meter (oximeter), then most insurance companies will not pay for it, and therefore doctors don’t order it.

Low oxygen levels are definitely something to worry about!

If you feel you may be experiencing low oxygen levels be sure to ask your doctor to check your pulse oximetry reading.

Symptoms of low oxygen are:

  •  shortness of breath/ difficulty breathing/ dyspnea
  •  extreme fatigue
  •  chest tightness
  •  mental confusion
  •  tingling fingers
  •  water retention (especially feet/ ankles)
  •  chronic cough

If you are experiencing blood oxygen saturation levels below 92% now, waiting for your doctor to witness it below 88% and order oxygen is equal to sitting around waiting to get worse.

Are you concerned?

Join Us on the “Ask Your Health Questions” Zoom Call Mondays at 1:00 pm Pacific Time

 

 

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