Oxygen therapy - application features and methods

We need oxygen for life. Its content in ordinary air is about 21%, which is enough for the normal functioning of the body. However, if respiratory failure occurs, higher doses of oxygen must be provided.

Oxygen therapy is a method of treating oxygen, which increases its concentration in the air we inhale. It is used to treat diseases and conditions that cause tissue hypoxia. These are usually acute conditions in which the immediate administration of an additional dose of oxygen saves a life or is an important component of therapy.

The method aims to improve the quality of life of patients with respiratory failure. Thanks to it, oxygen reaches more alveoli, and can maintain the correct level of blood saturation.

Indications for oxygen therapy

The absolute indication for the use of oxygen therapy is a state of acute or chronic respiratory failure, leading to hypoxia. Its main symptoms are:

• significant acceleration of the heartbeat;
• rapid shallow breathing;
• excessive sweating and tremors;
• cough and shortness of breath;
• dizziness;
• tingling in the extremities;
• tinnitus.
• discoloration of the skin (cyanosis).

We are talking about hypoxia, when the blood saturation (saturation of arterial blood with oxygen) falls below 90% and it must be raised as quickly as possible to the normal level of 94-98%.

Types of oxygen therapy

The oxygen supply procedure, as a method of treatment, can take one of two forms:

1. Passive – in this case, the patient inhales oxygen-rich air. When using such therapy, the person remains conscious, and the treatment itself can be stopped at any time. In particular, oxygen concentrators, which can be used at home, work on this principle.
2. Active – here the corresponding gas mixture is mechanically injected into the respiratory tract (forced breathing). It is used in severe life-threatening cases, especially when the patient has difficulty breathing or is unconscious. Such oxygen therapy is carried out with the help of an oxygen cylinder and a respirator.

Indications for oxygen treatment

Oxygen therapy oxygenates the most important organs of a person, such as the brain and heart, so that they function properly, and the overall mental and physical condition of the patient improves. In addition, the immune system increases, the progression of chronic lung diseases slows down, breathing problems and sleep disorders decrease. Among the indications for this treatment:

• respiratory arrest;
• carbon monoxide poisoning;
• respiratory failure;
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Copd);
• pneumonia with alveolar lesions;
• cystic fibrosis;
• obesity;
• bronchiectatic disease;
• myocardial infarction;
• asthma;
• sleep apnea;
• decompression sickness.

Oxygen therapy is also used for shortness of breath. Some patients may require continuous sessions, which are most often performed at home on their own with the help of an oxygen concentrator.

Contraindications for performing procedures

Due to possible side effects, this type of treatment can not be used in every situation associated with a decrease in blood oxygen saturation. Contraindications are:

• pregnancy;
• epilepsy;
• asthma;
• serious lung injuries;
• valvular pneumothorax;
• emphysema of the lungs;
• past ear and chest surgeries;
• neoplasms;
• inflammation of the sinuses;
• cataract;
• availability of a pacemaker;
• coronary heart disease;
• hyperthyroidism.

In order to safely treat with oxygen, you should definitely consult your doctor and perform recommended tests to determine the appropriate dosage.

Basic rules of oxygen therapy

It should be remembered that oxygen is used only for hypoxemia, that is, a lack of oxygen in the blood.

1. The appropriate oxygen concentration is selected depending on the disease.
2. After each change in its concentration, saturation is monitored by a pulse oximeter continuously for at least 5 minutes.
3. In special situations, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, the maximum possible oxygen supply is used.
4. Oxygen must be heated to body temperature and have 100% humidity. It is moistened with oxygen therapy using the Bobrov apparatus, where it passes through water, a 2% solution of sodium bicarbonate or ethyl alcohol.

In the case of acute respiratory failure or chronic disease, it is important that the patient has a controlled measurement of blood gases-before and during oxygen therapy.

Oxygen therapy at home

Home oxygen treatment is recommended for people with chronic respiratory diseases. If the specialist decides that oxygen therapy is required at home, he will prescribe the use of an appropriate gas flow for 18-24 hours a day.

The oxygen concentration in the respiratory mixture and the flow rate are selected for each patient individually, based on the results of the gasometric test. Most often, the oxygen flow rate ranges from 0.5 to 5 liters per minute. Sometimes oxygen therapy is necessary to be performed during sleep, because the breathing of the sleeper is much more shallow.

Pros and cons of home oxygen therapy

Constant oxygen sessions, used by people suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, significantly improve their standard of living, allowing them to return to the free performance of actions that previously ended in shortness of breath or chest pain. Oxygen not only facilitates breathing and oxygenation of the body, but also affects the reduction of stress levels, significantly improving the well-being of the patient. The home oxygen concentrator becomes for them an integral companion of everyday life, without which they can not imagine further life activity.

It is worth remembering that oxygen, despite its numerous health benefits, can have strong side effects. The gas flow can not be changed in any way without a clear signal from the attending physician, because the inattention of patients led them to many unpleasant consequences, and in extreme cases-even to a coma.

Like any other drug, oxygen can also have a toxic effect on the body. It manifests itself in many internal organs after 6-24 hours of breathing with 100% oxygen. Lung damage becomes irreversible if the exposure time exceeds 24-48 hours, and tissue acidosis develops in the brain, which causes seizures and an epileptic attack. In the circulatory system, there is a decrease in the systemic release of blood, that is, there is a spasm of the arteries.

Any oxygen therapy should be performed in accordance with the instructions of a specialist. You should only use the benefits of the healing gas in a safe way!

In the Medic's medical equipment store, you can buy everything you need for oxygen therapy: oxygen pillows, concentrators, oxygen cylinders. Breathing apparatus is also available, such as Ambu bags (a mechanical device for artificial ventilation) and portable ventilators.