Oxygen therapy

Overview

Oxygen therapy provides additional oxygen to individuals with lung diseases or breathing difficulties, ensuring their bodies receive the necessary amount to function properly. This supplemental oxygen is added to the air they normally breathe, and is often referred to as supplemental oxygen.

Types

Oxygen is available in both gas and liquid forms, and oxygen systems can vary in size from large, stationary units for home use to smaller, portable models.

The following types of oxygen therapy delivery systems include:

• Compressed gas:100% oxygen is kept as a gas under pressure in a sizable metal cylinder that has a regulator to regulate the oxygen flow. Only when you inhale does an oxygen-conserving device begin to supply oxygen, when you exhale, the flow stops. These tanks ultimately run out of oxygen, and a gauge shows how much is left. An oxygen supplier will replenish a depleted tank. It’s important to keep spare oxygen tanks on hand at all times.
• Liquid oxygen: The pure oxygen is kept as an extremely cold liquid in a thermos-like container. You can breathe in the gaseous form of oxygen once it has been freed from its liquid state. This compact and lightweight container is intended for usage away from home.
• Oxygen concentrators:This electric or battery-powered device extracts air from the room, separates and compresses the oxygen, and removes nitrogen. After that, you inhale the cleaned air. An oxygen concentrator is a practical travel alternative because it ensures that you will never run out of oxygen. Many models are FAA-approved, allowing you to take them on planes as well.

Reasons for undergoing the procedure

People living in or visiting high-altitude areas, such as mountain climbers, may require supplemental oxygen due to reduced oxygen levels in the air. This decrease can lead to altitude sickness, making supplemental oxygen essential for maintaining well-being at high elevations.

The following condition may need oxygen therapy:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis or emphysema.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• COVID-19.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Heart failure.
• Lung cancer or other cancers.
• Pneumonia.
• Pulmonary fibrosis.
• Sleep apnea.

Risk

People undergoing oxygen therapy may experience side effects such as fatigue, morning headaches, and nosebleeds (epistaxis).

Oxygen therapy is generally safe, but it’s important to follow precautions to prevent fire hazards. While oxygen itself is not flammable, it can make fires burn more intensely and quickly, potentially leading to explosive situations.

For safety:

• Avoid smoking near oxygen tanks and keep at least 5 feet away from flames, including gas stoves, candles, fireplaces, and fire pits.
• Secure oxygen tanks upright to a stand or fixed object and avoid rolling them, as a tank that falls or rolls could crack and create explosive pressure.
• Store tanks in well-ventilated areas to prevent the buildup of released oxygen, which could become a fire hazard.
• Keep a minimum distance of 8 feet from heat sources, such as heaters and electrical appliances.
• Avoid using flammable materials like aerosol sprays, cleaning agents, and oil products near oxygen tanks.
• Opt for cotton clothing and bedding over wool, nylon, and synthetic materials to minimize static electricity sparks.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and ensure you know how to use it and verify that your smoke alarms are functioning properly.

Procedure

Oxygen therapy provides supplemental oxygen to compensate for what your body isn’t getting from the air you breathe, acting as a supportive aid for your respiratory system. When you breathe through your mouth or nose, you inhale air that is roughly 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen. Your lungs extract the oxygen from this air and distribute it through your blood vessels to your organs, tissues, and cells.

When lung problems prevent adequate oxygen from reaching your cells, you can develop low blood oxygen levels, known as hypoxemia. This condition can lead to organ damage and, if left untreated, organ failure, posing serious health risks. A healthy oxygen saturation level is 95% or higher, and healthcare providers typically prescribe oxygen therapy when levels fall below 88%.

The following test may be recommended by your healthcare providers to measure your oxygen levels.

• Pulse oximeter: This small device, known as a pulse oximeter, clips painlessly onto your finger, toe, or earlobe. It uses sensors that send light beams through your skin to measure oxygen levels in the capillaries (tiny blood vessels). Many healthcare providers use this test routinely during appointments. Additionally, you can purchase a pulse oximeter at drugstores for home use.
• Arterial blood gas test: This test, known as an arterial blood gas (ABG) test, involves taking a blood sample from an artery to measure the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood. It is considered the most accurate method for assessing lung function.
• Lung function tests: Lung function tests, such as spirometry, assess how effectively you inhale and exhale air. Some of these tests also evaluate your lungs’ capacity to transfer oxygen into your cells.

Depending on your medical condition and oxygen requirements, you may receive oxygen through:

• A cannula, which is a small tube with prongs that fits into your nostrils.
• A face mask, which covers your nose and mouth to deliver oxygen.
• A tracheotomy tube, which is surgically inserted into your windpipe (trachea) for direct oxygen delivery.

Outcome

Oxygen therapy cannot cure respiratory problems, but it helps your body receive the oxygen needed to keep organs healthy and functioning. As a result, you may feel less breathless during activities, have more energy to be physically active, and experience better sleep.

While some people with chronic condition may need extra oxygen for the rest of their lives, others may only need it to get better after an acute illness. It’s important to adhere to your healthcare providers instructions because you might not always need oxygen therapy. Your needs may dictate that you need oxygen all the time or just at certain periods of the day, such when you sleep or work out.

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you encounter:

• Chest pain.
• Confusion or memory loss.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Severe headaches.
• Severe shortness of breath.