What Does It Mean When Your Oxygen Drops Down Below

Posted on Mon, 2 Sep 2019

Question: What does it mean when your oxygen drops down below 90. I have anxiety attacks and if is getting to me? is this something I need to be concerned with?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This demands lung disease to be rule out.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
Normally oxygen saturation is above 95% even with anxiety.
Oxygen saturation below 90% demands investigation to rule out lung diseases.
So better to get done chest x ray and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) to rule out lung diseases.
Anxiety alone can not decrease oxygen saturation below 90%.
Please let me know
1. Do you smoke?
2. Do you have any allergies?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (44 minutes later)

Yes I smoke and have allergies

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
We need to rule out bronchitis and asthma.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
Since you are smoker and having allergies, we need to rule out bronchitis and asthma.
Please let me know
1. Do you have breathlessness?
2. Do you have coughing?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad