With the second wave of COVID-19 in India, there is a shortage of oxygen supply throughout the country. While doctors struggle to keep up the oxygen level of patients, proning is a simple exercise we can do at home to maintain our oxygen level.
SpO2 levels anything between 94 to 100 is considered healthy. If you oxygen levels seems to be on the lower side of this scale, practice self-proning.
What is proning?
Proning is the process of making a patient lie face down, on their abdomen or stomach. This position has been medically proven to improve breathing comfort and oxygenation in patients with low oxygen, as it helps keep the alveolar units open.
How to practice proning?
Keep a pillow below your ankles, 3 to 4 pillows below your pelvis and a pillow below your upper chest while laying face down. There should be comfortable distance between your stomach and your bed/ ground. This distance will ensure your digestive system does not get restricted. Keep your hands comfortably in front of you or on your side. One may lay in this position for half an hour up to 2-3 hours until the oxygen level rises.
Turn to lay on your left side (left lateral position) for 2 hours and move on to right lateral position for 2 hours. Practice breathing exercises in regular intervals and keep monitoring your oxygen levels.
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It is important to avoid proning at least for an hour after having a meal. While proning, if your body experiences discomfort, it is advised to stop the process immediately.
A patient can prone up to 10 hours a day. Proning has proven to be useful for patients in home isolation and even those who are hospitalised or on ventilator.
If your oxygen levels keep deteriorating or stay at a constant low despite proning, seek medical consultation immediately.
Disclaimer: The advice given in this content is purely based on generic information. These tips are not to be considered as an alternative to standard medical opinion. It is advised to always consult your own doctor for medical help. The Vocal News does not claim any responsibility for given information.
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