Oxygen therapy is a therapeutic intervention in which patients are administered more oxygen to maintain sufficient amounts of oxygen in their bloodstream.
This kind of therapy is typically given to persons who have respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular ailments, or other conditions that hinder the body’s capacity to efficiently absorb or utilise oxygen.
Delivery methods for medical oxygen can vary depending on the patient’s requirements and the seriousness of their condition. These methods include nasal cannulas, face masks, and more advanced options like hyperbaric oxygen chambers. As with most treatments, there are several risks and benefits of Oxygen Therapy.
Benefits of Oxygen Therapy
Improved Oxygenation and Survival
For patients with conditions such as COPD, pneumonia, or interstitial lung disease, oxygen therapy helps maintain adequate blood oxygen levels, which are crucial for cellular metabolism and overall bodily function. This improvement can prevent complications associated with chronic hypoxia, such as pulmonary hypertension and cor-pulmonale (right-sided heart failure).
Studies have shown that long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in patients with severe chronic respiratory failure can improve survival rates. By maintaining adequate oxygen levels, LTOT reduces the strain on the heart and other vital organs, leading to better long-term health outcomes.
Enhanced Physical Activity and Exercise Capacity
Many patients with chronic lung conditions experience debilitating shortness of breath during physical exertion. Oxygen therapy can reduce this symptom, enabling patients to participate in physical activities that were previously too challenging.
Supplemental oxygen can enhance exercise performance by improving muscle oxygenation. This can be particularly beneficial during pulmonary rehabilitation programs designed to strengthen respiratory muscles and improve overall fitness.
Reduced Workload on the Heart
When oxygen levels in the blood are low, the heart must work harder to pump oxygenated blood to tissues. Oxygen therapy helps alleviate this strain, reducing the heart’s workload and the risk of complications such as angina (chest pain) and heart failure.
Chronic hypoxemia can lead to increased cardiac output and elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. By ensuring adequate oxygenation, oxygen therapy helps prevent these adverse cardiovascular effects.
Improved Cognitive Function
Hypoxia can impair cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and decision-making. Oxygen therapy can reverse these effects by restoring normal oxygen levels, leading to improved mental clarity and overall cognitive performance.
Adequate oxygenation is essential for brain health. Oxygen therapy can protect against hypoxia-induced neuronal damage, which is particularly important for patients with chronic respiratory conditions.
Better Sleep Quality
Conditions like sleep apnoea and chronic lung diseases often cause intermittent drops in oxygen levels during sleep, leading to frequent awakenings and poor sleep quality. Oxygen therapy can stabilise oxygen levels throughout the night, promoting uninterrupted and restful sleep.
Better sleep quality can enhance daytime alertness, mood, and overall functioning, improving the quality of life for patients with sleep-related breathing disorders.
Risks of Oxygen Therapy
Oxygen Toxicity
Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of oxygen can cause lung damage, characterised by symptoms such as chest pain, cough, and difficulty breathing. This condition is due to the generation of reactive oxygen species that can damage lung tissues.
In severe cases, particularly during hyperbaric oxygen therapy, high oxygen levels can lead to Central Nervous System (CNS) toxicity, manifesting as symptoms such as seizures, visual disturbances, and confusion.
Fire Hazard
Oxygen is highly flammable, and the presence of supplemental oxygen increases the risk of fire. Patients must avoid open flames, smoking, and the use of flammable materials near oxygen equipment to prevent accidents.
Proper storage and handling of oxygen cylinders and concentrators are essential to minimise fire hazards. Patients and caregivers need to be educated on safety protocols to ensure a safe home environment.
Respiratory Suppression
In patients with COPD, the body may become accustomed to high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2). Excessive oxygen supplementation can suppress the respiratory drive, leading to a dangerous build-up of CO2 (hypercapnia). Symptoms include confusion, headache, and, in severe cases, respiratory failure.
To prevent respiratory suppression, oxygen therapy should be carefully titrated, and patients should be regularly monitored by healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate oxygen levels are maintained.
Infections and Skin Irritation
Oxygen delivery devices, such as nasal cannulas and masks, can harbour bacteria if not cleaned properly, increasing the risk of respiratory infections. Regular cleaning and maintenance of equipment are crucial to prevent infections.
Prolonged use of oxygen delivery devices can cause skin irritation and pressure sores, particularly around the nose and ears. Using padded cushions and regularly adjusting the devices can help mitigate these issues.
Dependency and Psychological Impact
Long-term use of oxygen therapy can lead to psychological dependence, where patients feel anxious or insecure without their oxygen supply. This can affect their mental well-being and quality of life.
Oxygen therapy can limit mobility and social activities, leading to feelings of isolation and depression. Providing support and counselling can help patients cope with these psychological impacts.
From the above we can conclude that the decision to use oxygen therapy should be based on a careful assessment of the individual patient’s condition and needs, considering all potential benefits and risks.
For patients with severe respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, the benefits of oxygen therapy often outweigh the risks, especially when therapy is managed and monitored by healthcare professionals.
Ultimately, oxygen therapy can be a life-saving and quality-of-life-enhancing treatment, making it a valuable option despite the associated risks.
