Medical oxygen is a vital treatment for patients with conditions that affect the lungs and breathing.
However, there are many myths and misconceptions about the use of oxygen therapy that can confuse or mislead people.
Here we will examine some of the common myths about medical oxygen usage and explain why they are not true based on scientific evidence and expert advice.
Common Myths About Medical Oxygen Usage
Myth: Oxygen Means I Can’t Be Active or Travel
This is definitely one of the myths about medical oxygen usage. In fact, using oxygen therapy can help you reduce your shortness of breath and improve your exercise tolerance and quality of life. Oxygen therapy can also prevent or treat complications of low oxygen levels, such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and cognitive impairment.
If you plan ahead of time and follow some instructions, you can travel with oxygen. Before travelling, you should visit your doctor and obtain a prescription for your oxygen needs. You should also notify your airline, rail, bus, or cruise operator about your need of oxygen and request any additional arrangements or accommodations.
You should also keep your medical documentation, such as your prescription, diagnosis, and emergency contact information, with you at all times while travelling.
Myth: Oxygen Is Addictive
another one of the myths about medical oxygen usage is that oxygen is not a substance that can produce addiction or withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will prescribe oxygen therapy based on your medical condition and oxygen level.
You should follow your doctor’s instructions on how much and how frequently to use oxygen, and you should not modify it without consulting your doctor.
Myth: Oxygen Is Flammable; Therefore, Oxygen therapy will cause a fire
Oxygen itself is not flammable and does not burn. But pure oxygen can support combustion or feed an existing fire, so it’s dangerous to use any oxygen tank around something that is burning because it will help the fire burn more quickly.
This means that it can help a fire to start or spread, but it will not start a fire on its own. It is important to be careful when using oxygen around open flames or electrical devices.
Myth: Too Much Oxygen Is Dangerous
This is only true if you hyperventilate pure medical oxygen for several hours straight. The truth is that breathing pure supplementary oxygen on a regular basis is totally safe.
Oxygen is a natural and healthful gas. You do, after all, consume approximately 500 gallons of oxygen per day! The only way you may be hurt by too much oxygen is if you hyperventilated for several hours straight under double the normal atmospheric pressure while using medical-grade oxygen (99.2% or higher pure oxygen).
Because your body can not manage all that pure oxygen, it can induce irreversible lung damage and seizures. However, this is highly unusual, and the only persons who might encounter such a rare situation are divers who may become stuck underwater for several hours.
Myth: Oxygen Therapy Will Shorten My Life
This is not true, as, in fact, oxygen therapy can actually help you live longer. It can improve your quality of life by reducing shortness of breath and fatigue, and it can also help you to be more active.
Myth: Oxygen Therapy Will Make Me Feel Drowsy
Fact: Oxygen therapy can sometimes make you feel drowsy, but this is usually only a temporary side effect. If you are feeling drowsy, talk to your doctor.
Myth: Oxygen Is Harmless & Has No Side Effects
Oxygen therapy is generally safe and effective, but it can also have some side effects or complications if not used properly or monitored regularly. Some of the possible side effects or complications of oxygen therapy are nose dryness, irritation, or bleeding, skin irritation or pressure ulcers due to the rubbing or tightness of the oxygen device on your face, ears, or neck.
Myth: Portable Oxygen Concentrators Meet All Oxygen Needs
This is also not true as portable oxygen concentrators are devices that extract oxygen from the air and deliver it to you through a nasal cannula or a mask. They are convenient and easy to use, but they have some limitations.
They may not provide enough oxygen for continuous flow or higher flow needs, especially at high altitudes or during exercise. They also depend on battery power or electricity, which may not be available in some situations.
Therefore, you may need other types of oxygen devices, such as compressed gas cylinders or liquid oxygen tanks, to meet your oxygen needs in different settings.
Myth: Anyone can use oxygen without a prescription.
This is false as oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that requires a prescription from a doctor.
The doctor will determine your oxygen needs based on your medical condition, symptoms, and oxygen level. The doctor will also prescribe the type, amount, and duration of oxygen therapy that is suitable for you.
Using oxygen without a prescription can be dangerous, as it can cause oxygen toxicity, carbon dioxide retention, or fire hazards. You should never use someone else’s oxygen device or share your oxygen device with others.
