What is oxygen therapy?

Patients who have lung diseases tend to have low levels of oxygen and require supplemental oxygen to restore the oxygen level in their bodies to a healthy level. Oxygen therapy is often prescribed for patients suffering from lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis among others. Supplemental oxygen helps them function better and lead more active lifestyles.

In some cases, supplemental oxygen may be required only when a patient is active or while sleeping. However, usually a patient prescribed oxygen therapy is required to use it for almost 24 hours a day.

Mode of administration:

There are three main modes of administration of oxygen: oxygen concentrators, liquid system or oxygen pressurized in a metal cylinder. Choosing the right mode depends on how much and how often you require it and keeping in mind your daily activities.

  • Oxygen Concentrator: An oxygen concentrator produces oxygen by concentrating the oxygen that is already in the air and removing other gases. The concentrator is powered by electricity.
  • Liquid Oxygen: Liquid oxygen is made by super-cooling oxygen gas, which changes it to a liquid form. When in liquid form, the oxygen takes up much less room and can be stored in special thermos.
  • Oxygen Cylinders: Oxygen is compressed into a metal cylinder under high pressure. Oxygen may be stored in either large or small cylinders.

 

What does Long Term Oxygen Therapy mean?

If you doctor prescribes long-term oxygen therapy for you, then you may expect a significant change in your lifestyle. Long-term oxygen therapy needs to be applied day after day for a long period of time to be effective. It is natural then, that this requires a lot of self-discipline and stamina as your daily routine will change completely. The longer you inhale oxygen, the more effective the therapy is. It is advisable to schedule at least 16 hours of oxygen inhalation every day if not 24 hours.

You have to force yourself to achieve this goal. All clinical studies show that practically no therapeutic success can be achieved if you devote only up to 12 hours to oxygen inhalation per day.

Long-Term Oxygen Therapy improves your quality of life, both physically and mentally, and makes you less susceptible to illness.