- What is an oxygen therapy?
- When do you do an oxygen therapy?
- What do you do with an oxygen therapy?
- What are the risks of oxygen therapy?
- What should I watch out for with oxygen therapy?
In the oxygen therapy the breathing air is enriched with vital oxygen. Due to the increased intake, the organs can still be adequately supplied with oxygen in the case of severe lung diseases such as COPD or pulmonary emphysema. Read here, when an oxygen therapy is important, how it works and what should be considered!
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oxygen therapy
What is an oxygen therapy?
When do you do an oxygen therapy?
What do you do with an oxygen therapy?
What are the risks of oxygen therapy?
What should I watch out for with oxygen therapy?
What is an oxygen therapy?
The term oxygen therapy is commonly referred to as long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT = long-term oxygen therapy). It is used to treat a severe, chronic lack of oxygen (hypoxemia) via continuous or daily supply of oxygen for several hours. In the long term, oxygen therapy improves the quality of life of patients with severe lung disease and heart failure, and may even be vital in severe cases.
In the short term, oxygen therapy can ensure survival after accidents or carbon monoxide poisoning. In contrast, the efficacy of alternative-oxygen oxygen therapy is highly controversial.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Another type of medical oxygen application is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, for example, tinnitus. You can read more about this in the article Hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
When do you do an oxygen therapy?
The oxygen therapy is used in diseases in which a sufficient supply of oxygen can not be guaranteed otherwise. The oxygen uptake in the red blood cells in these diseases is not sufficient to supply the organs sufficient. Such chronic hypoxia is termed hypoxemia and is defined as a multiple drop in blood oxygen pressure below 55 mmHg within four weeks at normal atmospheric oxygen concentration as determined by blood gas analysis. The most common diseases with hypoxemia are:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- emphysema
- Lung skeletal disorders such as sarcoidosis
- Cystic fibrosis (cystic fibrosis)
- Respiratory, nervous or thoracic spine disorders
- Pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary hypertension)
- severe chronic heart failure (heart failure)
If hypoxemia occurs only at night, or if a patient's state of health does not improve as a result of oxygen therapy, treatment other than oxygen therapy must be selected or supplemented.
Important symptoms
- Yellow teeth
- Clubbed fingers
- Swollen lymph nodes
- stridor
- palpitations
- edema
- hyperventilation
- dry mouth
- cyanosis
- to cough
What do you do with an oxygen therapy?
A detailed diagnosis of the timing, causes and severity of oxygen deficiency is the prerequisite for the prescription of oxygen therapy. Based on a blood gas analysis, the oxygen pressure and the oxygen saturation in the blood can then be determined and the required amount of oxygen determined.
In most cases, the oxygen is applied via a so-called nasal cannula, nasal mask or nasogastric tube. Very rarely, a special catheter is used, which is inserted into the lungs via a section in the trachea below the larynx.
For the oxygen therapy on the one hand electrically operated stationary systems - so-called oxygen concentrators - are used, which can also be used at night when sleeping. On the other hand, those affected can also leave the house during oxygen therapy with the aid of mobile gas cylinders. For sufficiently mobile patients, a liquid oxygen system with a portable oxygen tank has proven itself. The tank will be refilled or replaced approximately every two weeks.
Important investigations
- auscultation
- Lung function test
What are the risks of oxygen therapy?
Side effects of a prescribed oxygen therapy are very rare, but can also occur when used correctly: The incoming oxygen can dry out the mucous membranes of the nose. A humidifier or nourishing ointments can counteract this. In addition, oxygen therapy devices can be a source of infection for bacteria and fungal diseases.
If the oxygen concentration in the blood exceeds normal levels, it may inhibit the respiratory drive and increase the carbon dioxide level in the blood. This initially leads to dizziness and can even lead to a life-threatening so-called CO2 narcosis. Attention must also be paid to the increased risk of fire from escaping pure oxygen.
The therapy helps with these diseases
- atelectasis
- COPD
- Cor pulmonale
- emphysema
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Pulmonary hypertension
- sarcoidosis
What should I watch out for with oxygen therapy?
It is important to have a consistent and long-term oxygen therapy in the flow rate determined by the doctor. The duration of application should not be less than 16 hours in case of chronic hypoxemia, as the positive effects on the clinical picture continue to improve with the duration of therapy.
Especially important: In an ongoing oxygen therapy, the patients should not smoke, because the oxygen can ignite. Also in terms of the course of the disease smoking should be abandoned altogether, especially in the case of oxygen therapy in COPD.
The medically prescribed oxygen therapy should never be discontinued. Regular inspection and hygiene of the equipment used and oxygen probes ensures the complication-free use. Should you despite oxygen therapy If you notice a worsening of your condition, do not hesitate to contact your doctor.
FAQ - 💬
❓ What is oxygen therapy used for?
👉 Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a well-established treatment for decompression sickness, a potential risk of scuba diving. Other conditions treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy include serious infections, bubbles of air in your blood vessels, and wounds that may not heal as a result of diabetes or radiation injury.
❓ When do you need oxygen therapy?
👉 Normal blood oxygen levels are 95 percent and above. Home oxygen therapy is helpful when your level is 88 percent or less. Some people only need extra oxygen at certain times. For example, your doctor may tell you to use oxygen therapy when you exercise or sleep, or if your blood oxygen is 88 percent or less.
❓ What are methods of oxygen therapy?
👉 Low flow delivery method
- Simple face mask.
- Non re-breather face mask (mask with oxygen reservoir bag and one-way valves which aims to prevent/reduce room air entrainment)
- Nasal prongs (low flow)
- Tracheostomy mask.
- Tracheostomy HME connector.
- Isolette - neonates (usually for use in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit only)
❓ How long does oxygen therapy take?
👉 Oxygen is usually offered in 5 minute increments, up to a maximum of 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the establishment.
❓ What are the side effects of oxygen therapy?
👉 Oxygen therapy is generally safe, but it can cause side effects. They include a dry or bloody nose, tiredness, and morning headaches. Oxygen poses a fire risk, so you should never smoke or use flammable materials when using oxygen.
❓ What is a dangerously low oxygen level?
👉 People should contact a health care provider if their oxygen saturation readings drop below 92%, as it may be a sign of hypoxia, a condition in which not enough oxygen reaches the body's tissues. If blood oxygen saturation levels fall to 88% or lower, seek immediate medical attention, says Dr. Lutchmansingh.
❓ What are the signs that a person needs oxygen?
👉 Symptoms and Causes
- Headache.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia).
- Coughing.
- Wheezing.
- Confusion.
- Bluish color in skin, fingernails and lips (cyanosis).
❓ How long can you live on oxygen therapy?
👉 Myth 5: If I Have to Go on Oxygen, It Means I'm Dying. People with COPD often fear oxygen therapy, but โmany patients can live 10 years or more with oxygen,โ Nicolacakis says. COPD patients need oxygen when the oxygen level in their blood is low.
❓ How long can a person live on oxygen therapy?
👉 Those with severe airway obstruction on long-term oxygen therapy have low survival rates (roughly 70% to year one, 50% to year two, and 43% to year three).
❓ Can oxygen therapy damage lungs?
👉 Even though oxygen makes up about 21 percent of the air around us, breathing high concentrations of oxygen may damage your lungs.
❓ What happens if your oxygen level is 60?
👉 Values under 60 mm Hg usually indicate the need for supplemental oxygen. Normal pulse oximeter readings usually range from 95 to 100 percent. Values under 90 percent are considered low.