Final answer:
Dr. Terry states that human oxygen saturations at high altitudes after a short period can be around 67 percent compared to 98 percent at sea level, due to reduced atmospheric pressure. Pulse oximeters measure oxygen saturation, normally between 95-100 percent. Low oxygen saturation at high altitudes can lead to hypoxemia or hypoxia.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Dr. Terry, human oxygen saturations after a night or two at high altitudes can be around 67 percent, which is significantly lower than the average of 98 percent at sea level. This decrease is due to the reduced atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes, which lowers the partial pressure of oxygen, making it more difficult for oxygen to bind with hemoglobin in the blood.
The percent saturation of hemoglobin is a critical measure of how much oxygen is being carried in the blood. It is usually monitored with a pulse oximeter, and normal readings range from 95-100 percent. At higher altitudes, the body may produce more hemoglobin, but it typically takes about 10 days to adjust to the new hemoglobin levels.
Oxygen saturation levels are vital for maintaining bodily functions, and low levels can result in hypoxemia or hypoxia, which are conditions characterized by an insufficient oxygen supply to the body's tissues and can lead to symptoms like altitude sickness.