Supplemental oxygen or Oxygen Therapy is the process of supplying oxygen to a patient in need of medical treatment. Many symptoms can lead to the use of this such as hypoxemia, cluster headache, or carbon monoxide toxicity. Make sure to use it only in the prescription given by the doctor.
It has been in the use for centuries, but different methods were applied during different ages, but the aim was the same that is to provide the desired amount of oxygen.
Consuming Oxygen is a basic human need without which one cannot survive. Air contains 21% of oxygen which is sufficient for a normal human being but someone who has bad lung health needs to consume some extra amount. It should be used in the right way otherwise it can be harmful to the body as the intake increases.
The main drawback of this condition is that the need for it cannot be recognized on your own and only the doctor can see it properly. The consequences become dangerous if not taken properly. The health provider will assign you the time and amount intake for different activities such as sleeping, exercising, or having rest. It is very important to keep the settings untouched as you don’t know how things work properly when you are at the beginning of the process.
In addition to preventing heart attacks, oxygen therapy has many benefits. According to a survey, it has been observed that this method has increased the rate of survival during the years when there was a high demand for it.
Although oxygen is a safe gas it enlights combustion so taking precautions is very important to ensure your safety. There can be some manual ways by which you can keep yourself and the surroundings around you safe. Some of them are:
- Restrict the activity of smoking around you.
- Keep yourself away from all the heating products at least five-meter away.
- Switch it off when not in use.
- Build a habit of always following the steps told by a health provider.
- If there is any case of emergency, make sure to have plenty of back-ups so that you do not face any serious harm.
Everything in this world has its own benefits and drawbacks. There is nothing that can be defined as ‘perfect’. Now that we have covered all the benefits, let us discuss all the drawbacks that it can prevail upon us:
- As you get used to it, the process starts becoming overwhelming, and eventually, the normal routine will come rushing back to your mind and you feel depressed because of less ventilation.
- Long-term oxygen intake of a higher amount can cause oxygen toxicity.
- As oxygen can light a fire because of combustion, it can be harmful if used without precautions.
- Oxygen therapy can cause anaesthesia induction.
- The problem usually occurs in new-borns, so the intake of the gas can also cause prematurity.
- Bacterial contamination causes various hazards.
- It has a high rise in pulmonary toxicity.
Before stepping into the process, make sure to have proper research on it. Research online to gain some knowledge and also will educate you on many things. Look for a reputable company that can provide you the service. Make a list and then narrow down your search to two to three. Do not go for the first candidate immediately.