Persistent fatigue, a little shortness of breath when climbing a few steps… What if these small signs are more than just drops in the form of blood oxygen levels? A slightly low blood oxygen level may go unnoticed, but it can also have a real impact on our energy, concentration, and even our morale. Don’t panic: We’ll explain everything to you, with the right reflexes.
Why can our oxygen levels decrease?
Every breath is a real supply for our body. Thanks to red blood cells, oxygen circulates to every corner of the body. But sometimes this mechanism slows down… Some causes are well-known: a respiratory condition (such as asthma or bronchitis), poor indoor air quality , sleep disorders such as undiagnosed apnea, or a diet too high in sugar and poor in essential nutrients .
Stress or a deficiency of vitamins such as B12 or iron can also disrupt this beautiful mechanism. The most insidious ones? We don’t always notice them right away.
8 signs that should warn you
- Shortness of breath: Do you have trouble catching your breath after a little exertion? Your body may be lacking oxygen.
- Dizziness and faintness: A bout of fatigue? Why not, but if it becomes frequent, it may reflect a lack of oxygen in the muscles and brain.
- Acceleration of the heart rate: A heart that beats faster even at rest can be a sign that the heart is compensating for a lack of oxygen.
- Muscle cramps or pain, especially in the chest or legs? This may indicate an inadequate supply of oxygen and electrolytes.
- Heavy legs: Does climbing stairs become painful? This can be associated with poor circulation and thus a reduced oxygen supply.
- Brittle nails: Brittle or ridged? This may indicate mild anemia and thus less efficient oxygen transport.
- Bluish complexion: Slightly blue lips or nails? This is a serious sign: You should seek immediate medical advice.
- Mental fog: difficulty concentrating, irritability, mental exhaustion… The brain reacts very sensitively to a drop in oxygen.
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