For the last several months, I have been battling a nasty virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV). It has been wreaking havoc on my whole body. But what is most concerning in the last couple of days is the shortness of breath and low oxygen levels. Low oxygen levels can cause symptoms such as:
- Headache.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia).
- Coughing.
- Wheezing.
- Confusion.
- Bluish color in the skin, fingernails, and lips (cyanosis).
Low oxygen levels are important to monitor, especially among those who have an illness and the elderly. In fact, if my ex-mother-in-law is exposed to my illness, she would definitely require in-home elder care services, and so I have not been able to visit with her for a long time because, obviously, I do not want to pass CMV on to her.
Although I’m a couple of decades behind her in years, I have a weak immune system, and as a result, my body is being worn down daily. And to complicate things even more, my immune system is unable to fight CMV on its own.
To date, I have had CMV complications with:
- Lymph nodes swollen throughout my body
- Nervous system causing intense nerve pain
- Lungs with pneumonitis (viral-based pneumonia) causing shortness of breath, sweating, rapid heartbeat, coughing, wheezing and mucus
- Liver inflamed, causing nonalcoholic hepatitis
- Eyes causing blurry vision
- Muscles are weak and sore
- Joints are stiff and painful
- Sinuses are inflamed with bleeding sores in my nose
- Digestive tract dysfunction causing diarrhea, constipation, yellow stool, stomach cramps
*Note: All content within this article is meant for informational purposes only and is in no way a replacement for professional medical or psychological advice or support. Seek immediate and appropriate care from a healthcare professional should you or a trusted loved one deem it necessary.
How to increase blood oxygen level
First, let’s define blood oxygen levels. Blood oxygen level (blood oxygen saturation) is the amount of oxygen we have circulating in our bloodstream. Because oxygen is imperative to living, we need a certain amount of oxygen to function correctly, and if the levels are low, it indicates that our lungs or circulatory system is probably not working as it should.
According to The Cleveland Clinic, “There are some ways to naturally increase the amount of oxygen in your blood, including:
Breathing in fresh air: Opening your windows or going outside for a walk can increase the amount of oxygen that your body brings in, which increases your overall blood oxygen level.
Quitting smoking: Only two to three weeks after you quit smoking, your circulation will likely improve significantly. After one to nine months, your shortness of breath decreases. Both of these aspects contribute to your body’s ability to take in more oxygen.
Practicing breathing exercises: Simple breathing exercises like pursed-lip breathing and deep belly breathing can open your airways and increase the amount of oxygen in your blood.
You can use a pulse oximeter at home to check your blood oxygen level and see if these natural ways to increase your oxygen intake work for you.
However, it’s important to note that if you have an underlying condition, especially a severe illness such as pneumonia or carbon monoxide poisoning, these natural remedies may not be enough to increase your blood oxygen to an acceptable level,”.
Furthermore, it seems as though because the CMV has been recurrent for several months, it has caused my oxygen levels to be low. In fact, Medical News Today, reports the following, “Symptoms of recurring CMV vary, depending on which organs the virus has affected. Areas likely to be affected are the eyes, lungs, or digestive system.
Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Diarrhea, gastrointestinal ulcerations, and gastrointestinal bleeding
- Shortness of breath
- Pneumonia with hypoxemia, or low blood oxygen
- Mouth ulcers that can be large
- Problems with vision, including floaters, blind spots, and blurred vision
- Hepatitis, or inflamed liver, with prolonged fever
- Encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, leading to behavioral changes, seizures, and even coma,”.
As you can see, I bolded the “Pneumonia with hypoxemia or low blood oxygen” because that is precisely what we are talking about and what I am currently struggling with.
What foods help with oxygen levels?
Apparently, CMV is difficult to treat and must be treated by either an internist doctor or an immunologist doctor. To date, I have seen every other type of doctor and thus have not been appropriately treated with the usual antiviral medications such as Ganciclovir and Valganciclovir.
So, until then, I have been trying to rest as much as possible in between working, cooking, and caring for my children and household; drinking a lot of fluids and adding electrolytes to my water; eating liver-healthy foods; making homemade, organic chicken soup and eating it daily; and implementing the following suggested foods to help with oxygen levels:
- Beets
- Nuts
- Berry
- Citrus Fruits
- Pomegranate
- Oily fish
- Garlic
- Leafy greens
- Avocado
- Spinach
- Kiwi
- Vegetables
- Beans
- Carrots
- Grape
- Turmeric
- Meat
- Broccoli
- Lemon
- Almonds
- Egg
- Honey
- Bell pepper
- Pumpkin
Additionally, a balanced diet rich in iron can also be beneficial for improving oxygen levels, as iron plays a fundamental role in the production of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Foods like red meat, fortified cereals, and legumes are excellent sources of iron. Moreover, staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water is crucial, as dehydration can make it harder for your blood to circulate oxygen efficiently.
Engaging in regular physical activity, even light exercises such as stretching and yoga can enhance your body’s ability to utilize oxygen more effectively by improving circulation. These exercises help maintain cardiovascular fitness, allowing for better oxygen uptake and distribution. Meditation and mindfulness not only help in managing stress but also encourage deeper, more efficient breathing.
It’s also worth considering things like indoor plants, which can improve air quality by increasing oxygen levels indoors and reducing stress, as high-stress levels can constrict blood vessels and limit oxygen flow. That’s good news because I have a bountiful of indoor plants in my bedroom!
Ensuring your living space is free of pollution and irritants, such as smoke or allergens, can help maintain optimal lung health, which directly affects your body’s oxygen level capability. If symptoms persist or worsen, consulting a healthcare professional regarding supplemental oxygen or other medical interventions might be necessary.
What are the symptoms of low oxygen levels?
In conclusion, monitoring and maintaining healthy oxygen levels is vital, especially for those with compromised immune systems, the elderly, or those with chronic health conditions. Prioritize lifestyle changes and seek medical guidance when needed.