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The rates of people needing oxygen therapy have increased over the last 20 years. Read the article and see which people need it.
Medical oxygen therapy is prescribed for people who cannot get enough oxygen on their own. This is often due to various lung problems that prevent the lungs from absorbing oxygen, such as:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, underdeveloped lungs in newborns
- congestion
- Cystic fibrosis
- Sleep apnea
- Lung disease
- Trauma to the respiratory system
To determine whether a person would benefit from oxygen therapy, doctors check the amount of oxygen in their arterial blood through a test called “arterial blood gas”. Low levels mean that a person may be a good candidate for supplemental oxygen.
Normal arterial blood oxygen levels range between 75 and 100 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). An oxygen level of 60 mmHg or lower indicates the need for supplemental oxygen. Too much oxygen can also be dangerous and can damage the cells in your lungs. The oxygen level should not exceed 110 mmHg.
Some people need oxygen therapy all the time, while others only need it occasionally or in certain situations. Some oxygen therapy is done in the doctor’s office and other times people have an oxygen supply in their homes or a portable oxygen system.
Saturation control at home
Another way to check your oxygen levels is to use a pulse oximeter that indirectly measures oxygen levels or saturation without requiring a blood sample. The pulse oximeter is placed on the finger and easily and reliably measures your oxygen saturation. It also measures your heart rate.
Symptoms of Low Oxygen
When you don’t get enough oxygen, you will experience many symptoms of hypoxemia, such as:
- Rapid breathing
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing or wheezing
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Rapid breathing
- Dizziness and/or fainting
- Lack of coordination
- changes in the color of your skin
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention to determine if they are caused by low oxygen.
Types of Oxygen Therapy Treatments
There are several types of oxygen therapies that can be used. These include:
- oxygen tanks
- with liquid oxygen
- with oxygen concentrators
- with hyperbaric oxygen chambers for home use (check recommendations)
- with oxygen cylinder with compressed oxygen with oxygen cylinders
Oxygen cylinders are convenient for their portability and price! You can use a larger cylinder inside the house and a smaller one for your travels outside the house.
The oxygen in the cylinders is delivered in pulses rather than continuously.
Liquid Oxygen
Liquid oxygen can also be stored in a portable tank. Liquid oxygen is more concentrated, so more oxygen can fit into a smaller tank. This is useful for people who are very active, but it will evaporate if not used in time. These tanks are refilled.
Both liquid oxygen and oxygen gas are available for home delivery in many areas.
Oxygen Condenser
Oxygen concentrators are less portable than the other options. An oxygen concentrator is a device that takes oxygen from the room, concentrates it for therapeutic use, and removes other natural gases. The benefits of concentrators are that they are less expensive and do not require refilling like oxygen tanks. However, portable versions are also available.
Oxygen is distributed from the tank through a hose. It enters the lungs through nasal tubes, a face mask or a tube inserted directly into the person’s windpipe.
Hyperbaric Oxygen
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is unlike other oxygen therapy methods. People will breathe pure oxygen in a pressurized room or chamber. In hyperbaric chambers, the air pressure is increased to three-or four-times normal air pressure levels. This increases the amount of oxygen carried to the body’s tissue.
This type of oxygen delivery is often used to treat wounds, serious infections, or air bubbles in your blood vessels. Hyperbaric therapy must be done carefully so that the oxygen levels in the blood do not become too high.
Here’s a list with hyperbaric oxygen treatment benefits.
Benefits of Oxygen Therapy
Oxygen therapy can be extremely beneficial for those who frequently experience low oxygen levels, regardless of the reason. If needed, regular use of oxygen therapy can allow people to be more active and mobile by reducing breathlessness. It can also significantly improve quality of life, and in many cases extend life expectancy.
Oxygen therapy can also reduce symptoms such as:
- headaches
- irritability
- fatigue
- swollen ankles
Oxygen therapy can help children who have chronic lung conditions. It can also reduce symptoms such as headaches caused by low oxygen levels and problems or behavioral changes.
Does supplemental oxygen cause side effects?
It is important to use your oxygen as your doctor suggests. If you start experiencing headaches, confusion, or increased drowsiness after you start using supplemental oxygen, you may be taking too much.
Oxygen settings of 4 liters per minute or more can cause dryness and bleeding in the nose area. A humidifier attached to your oxygen equipment or with certain ointments, you can help prevent or treat dryness.
