Oxygen Therapy: Do you need this treatment too? Let's learn about it simply

Do you sometimes feel short of breath, or feel very tired even when doing something small, like climbing a flight of stairs? Perhaps your doctor has talked to you about oxygen therapy. What exactly is oxygen therapy? What does it do? Is it something to be afraid of? Let's talk about all this very simply and in a friendly way today.

Simply put, what is oxygen therapy?

Oxygen therapy is a method of helping someone with lung disease or other breathing difficulties get the amount of oxygen their body needs. This is supplemental oxygen that we give in addition to the air we normally breathe. That is, when you are unable to get the amount of oxygen your body needs to function through breathing alone, oxygen is given from outside.

Who needs this treatment?

If you have one or more of the following conditions, your doctor may recommend this treatment.

• Conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Complications after COVID-19 infection
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Heart Failure
• Lung cancer or other types of cancer
• Pneumonia
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Sleep apnea

Additionally, mountain climbers or those traveling to high altitudes may sometimes need supplemental oxygen, as the oxygen level in the air decreases with increasing altitude.

What actually happens with oxygen therapy?

Think of our body as a vehicle, and oxygen is like the fuel (petrol/diesel) it needs. Just as a vehicle needs fuel to run, oxygen is essential for the organs, tissues, and cells of our body to function properly.

When we breathe in through our nose or mouth, air goes into our lungs. This air contains about 20% oxygen. The lungs filter the oxygen from this air and add it to the blood. The blood then carries this oxygen throughout the body.

However, when you have lung disease, this process doesn't work properly. That means your body doesn't get enough oxygen into your blood. We call this condition hypoxemia . If this continues, it can damage your body's organs, impair their function, and sometimes even kill you. Oxygen therapy works to correct this deficiency.

What is a healthy oxygen level and how is it measured?

A healthy person's blood oxygen saturation should be 95% or higher . Doctors usually prescribe oxygen therapy if the oxygen level drops below 88% .

There are several ways to check your oxygen levels.

What are the symptoms of low oxygen in the body?

You may not always feel that your oxygen levels are low. However, if symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Blue discoloration of the skin, lips, and nails
• Unusually excessive fatigue
• Severe headache
• Coughing or chest tightness
• Increased heart rate
• Feeling confused

What are the methods of delivering oxygen?

Oxygen therapy can be given in various ways. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate method based on your needs.

• Oxygen Cylinders (Compressed Gas): These are the most common ones we see. Oxygen is stored under high pressure in a metal cylinder. When these run out, you have to refill them or buy a new cylinder.
• Liquid Oxygen: Oxygen is stored as a very cold liquid. When the oxygen is released from this, it turns into a gas that we can breathe. These are usually smaller than cylinders.
• Oxygen Concentrators: This is an electric or battery-powered device. It takes in the surrounding air, removes the nitrogen from it, and concentrates it into oxygen to give you. The advantage of this is that you don't run out of oxygen. There are even small models that you can use while traveling.

Oxygen may be delivered to the body through a small tube placed in the nose (nasal cannula) , a face mask, or a surgically placed tube in the windpipe (tracheotomy tube) .

Safety is very important! Be sure to remember these points

• Smoking is strictly prohibited: Never smoke near an oxygen cylinder. Stay at least 5 feet away from any open flames, such as stoves, candles, or fireplaces.
• Store the cylinder securely: Always store the oxygen cylinder upright, leaning against or tying it to something stable so that it cannot fall over. Never roll it along the ground. If the cylinder is dropped or damaged, the pressure inside may cause it to explode.
• Store in a well-ventilated area: Oxygen cylinders should be stored in a well-ventilated area.
• Keep away from heat: Keep at least 8 feet away from things that emit heat, such as heaters and electrical appliances.
• Keep flammable materials away: Do not use aerosol sprays, cleaning fluids, or oils (such as petroleum jelly) near oxygen.
• Be careful with your clothes: It is safer to use cotton clothes and bedding than fabrics like wool and nylon, which can generate static electricity.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby: Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.

When do you need to talk to the doctor?

If you are receiving oxygen therapy, call your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Confusion or memory loss
• Dizziness
• Severe difficulty breathing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe headache

What happens if you take oxygen unnecessarily?

This is very important. Oxygen is a prescription drug. Never use oxygen without a doctor's advice. If you get more oxygen than your body needs, it can cause your breathing and heart rate to slow down to dangerous levels.

This condition is called oxygen toxicity . Symptoms can include chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and vision problems. Therefore, use oxygen only as directed by your doctor.

Oxygen Therapy, Breathing Difficulty, Lung Disease, COPD, Hypoxemia, Pulse Oximeter, Oxygen Cylinder, Respiratory Disease