Get familiar with oxygen therapy for shortness of breath

Oxygen is a component in the air that is essential for human survival. However, not everyone has the lucky conditions to breathe oxygen normally. Some people need additional medication and care in order to breathe easily. One method that can help is oxygen therapy to keep people with breathing problems staying in a stable condition. What is oxygen therapy like?

What is oxygen therapy?

Oxygen therapy is a medication that can help people breathe and get adequate oxygen intake. This therapy is needed by people who have difficulty breathing or have low oxygen levels in their blood.

When you have lung problems, your respiratory organs struggle to get oxygen. This is because the ability of the lungs may decrease due to the disturbance that is being experienced. The oxygen in the free air cannot meet your needs. At this time, oxygen therapy will be an option.

Oxygen therapy is usually given using a doctor's prescription to increase the oxygen level in the blood. This means that you must consult a doctor before getting this therapy.

Who needs oxygen therapy?

The main goal of oxygen therapy is to restore normal oxygen levels in the body. Therefore, this therapy is intended for people who have difficulty getting oxygen on their own. This medication is also used to treat people who have low oxygen levels in their blood due to certain health conditions.

Some diseases and health conditions that may require treatment with oxygen therapy are:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Pneumonia
• Asthma
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, Immature lung conditions in newborns
• Heart failure
• Cystic fibrosis
• Sleep apnea, respiratory distress during sleep
• Other lung diseases
• Trauma or injury to the respiratory system

What types of oxygen therapy are available?

In general, oxygen therapy is available in the form of gas, liquid, to concentrate. The method of administration and the breathing apparatus used also varies, depending on the needs and condition of the patient.

1. Oxygen in the form of a gas

Oxygen that is available in gaseous form is usually stored in tanks of various sizes. For large tanks, you can store them at home. If you are active outside the home, you can use a smaller oxygen tank.

Usually, a small oxygen tank is equipped with an oxygen conserving device which functions to regulate the oxygen supply. This will prevent the possibility of oxygen running out while you are outside.

2. Liquid oxygen

Liquid oxygen can also be stored in the tank. Its liquid form makes oxygen levels in it much higher. Therefore, the liquid oxygen content in the tank is usually more than the gaseous form.

However, use with care because the liquid oxygen tank is more volatile.

3. Oxygen concentrator

Oxygen concentrators work by taking air from outside, processing it into intact oxygen, and removing gases or other components from the taken air. The advantage of this tool is that it is cheaper and the user does not need to refill the oxygen tank.

However, in contrast to the two previous options, oxygen concentrator therapy is less comfortable to use for patients who often do outdoor activities. The reason is, the portable oxygen concentrator is still too big to carry anywhere.

4. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

This therapy is carried out by providing pure oxygen in a high pressure room. In the room, the air pressure will be added 3-4 times higher than normal air pressure. This method can deliver more oxygen to the tissues of the body.

This type of therapy is usually performed to treat wounds, severe infections, or disorders of the patient's blood vessels. The process must also be done very carefully to prevent excess oxygen levels in the blood.

Each of these therapies can be carried out at home or in the hospital. Even if it is done at home, you will still need advice from your doctor regarding the dosage and method you need.

How to provide oxygen to the lungs can be done in 3 ways, namely:

• Nasal cannula , consists of two small plastic tubes, which are attached to both nostrils.
• Face mask, which covers the nose and mouth.
• Small hose, which is inserted down the windpipe from the front of the neck. The doctor will use a needle or small incision to insert the tube. Oxygen that is delivered in this way is called transtracheal oxygen therapy.

How is oxygen therapy done?

The following are the steps that you will go through in the therapeutic procedure:

Preparation before undergoing therapy

Before running this medication, the doctor or nurse will do tests to measure the oxygen level in your blood. If your oxygen level is less than 90 percent, you may need oxygen therapy. There are two tests that are commonly used to measure blood oxygen, namely oximetry and arterial blood gas tests.

Through the above examinations, the doctor can find out what triggers breathing difficulties. After that, the doctor will determine the type of therapy and treatment for shortness of breath as appropriate for your condition.

Oxygen therapy process

Make sure that the connection between the hose and your oxygen supply does not leak. Leaks will prevent oxygen from flowing properly. As a result, the dose that you get will be less than what has been prescribed.

If you use nasal cannula , the tube that is attached behind the ear can sometimes cause pain, such as when you are not used to wearing glasses. To work around this, you can use gauze as a cushion for your hose.

If you use a mask for oxygen therapy, this can cause your mouth, lips and nose to become dry. To prevent this, you can:

• Use water based lubricants to add moisture
• Using aloe vera gel

Which must be considered when using the oxygen tank

It is important to know that oxygen is a substance that must be stored and used with care. Here are some important things to consider when using and storing oxygen at home based on information from the San Diego Hospice and National Fire Protection Administration:

• Put the oxygen cylinder on the special trolley to prevent the possibility of falling.
• If you keep a spare oxygen tank, store it lying on the floor.
• Do not store the oxygen tank in a tightly closed area with no air gaps, such as a cupboard or drawer.
• Do not cover the oxygen tank with a cloth.
• Avoid storing oxygen tanks in the trunk of the car.
• Avoid using petroleum jelly (vaseline), lotion, or other moisturizing oil-based product on the lips or nose. Oxygen can react with oil-based products and trigger burns.
• When using oxygen therapy, make sure that you are not near a source of ignition to avoid a fire.

If you are not getting enough oxygen even with oxygen therapy, ask your doctor to change your dose. Don't add or subtract yourself.

Do I still need to see a doctor after receiving oxygen therapy at home?

If your home therapy is going well, you may not need to see a doctor. However, immediately consult a doctor if you experience the following symptoms during your home therapy:

• You experience headaches very often
• You feel more nervous than usual
• Your lips or nails are blue
• You feel sleepy or confused
• Your breathing is slow, short, irregular, or you have difficulty breathing

Oxygen therapy is very important for people who have chronic diseases, considering that oxygen is important for the body to carry out its activities. Do not take the initiative to change your oxygen dose even if you feel better. Still consulting with a doctor is the best step.