What is COPD oxygen therapy?
COPD oxygen therapy is a treatment in which the doctor prescribes oxygen to help those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to compensate low oxygen in the blood, also called hypoxia. Therapy can help people with IV (very serious) COPD live better and longer lives. COPD is a disease that can disrupt the natural replacement of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the body. When the disease progresses to decrease the blood oxygen level, the doctor may prescribe oxygen therapy COPD. This extra oxygen can help a person to sleep, breathe and stay more active.
The person undergoing oxygen therapy COPD will often have to carry oxygen and also a way to administer oxygen. Oxygen can be administered by a mask or nasal cannula, a device that sends oxygen to the nasal substances. Some devices that can be used as an oxygen supply are compressed oxygen tanks, liquid oxygen tank or oxygen. Oxygen is flammable so the presence of some of these containers can bear the risk of exploysthat. Each device has certain advantages and disadvantages, and therefore the best choice for one person may not be the best choice for another.
One advantage of using compressed oxygen and liquid oxygen during treatment of COPD oxygen is that oxygen can be stored in larger tanks and can be used to fill smaller more portable tanks. The disadvantage is that larger tanks will have to be complemented when they are empty or if oxygen evaporates. The oxygen concentrator can concentrate oxygen in the air surrounding the person. The advantage for this device is that it does not need supplementation, but cannot be used to fill the portable tank. However, portable oxygen concentrators are also available.
In order to prescribe oxygen therapy COPD, the doctor must usually determine the oxygen level in the patient's blood first. A doctor can measure blood will with an oximeter, a device that pins to a finger or fingers, or meIdentifying the arterial blood gas, a blood test that measures the oxygen level. Depending on the patient's condition, the physician may direct the person to keep the oxygen continuously or only for a period per day. It is not wise for the patient to deviate from the prescription. Just as too little oxygen can affect the brain and organs, too much oxygen can cause problems such as affecting the ability of a person to breathe properly.