Breathing Easier: Supplemental Oxygen Therapy

Many people with cardio-pulmonary diseases require supplemental oxygen therapy. Some of these diseases are: COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease); CHF (Congestive Heart Failure); Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle damage), etc. Not all that suffer from these ailments are smokers or ex-smokers, but I think it is safe to say cigarette smoke is a significant contributor to many of these diseases.

I worked for 10 years as a respiratory technician in a rural county in Alabama with a population of about 50,000 people. I have also been a nurse for 33 years.

Atmospheric oxygen is about 21% oxygen, with the majority of the remainder as nitrogen. There is a small percentage of other gases that are relatively insignificant in this context. Your body needs 95% or better in an ideal situation in order for your peripheral tissue and organs to obtain their demand of oxygen for metabolism and tissue life. 89% or lower is Medicare's criteria for qualification of supplemental oxygen therapy. Of course, this is always subject to change. Some diseases will qualify in the low 90's, but they are very specific. When you go to the doctor, the nurse or physician will sometimes use an oxygen sensor, which is a "clothespin" type device. They will place it on your finger or earlobe and it will give an accurate reading of what the oxygen concentration is in your blood.

The person with supplemental oxygen feels tethered to their supply. Be it a tank, which can be as tall as 3+ feet or their oxygen concentrator in their home. This is a very difficult adjustment for people to make. Fortunately, an oxygen concentrator takes in room air; saves the oxygen; blows the nitrogen back into the air, and delivers the oxygen to the patient. A concentrator ideally supplies 92% or better. Patients are encouraged to wear their oxygen all night while they rest in order for their heart to not have to work as hard in order to get oxygen out to tissue. They usually awaken better rested and refreshed. Sometimes, humidification is required in order to prevent dryness in the nasal passages and throat. Vaseline, or any petroleum based product is discouraged because oxygen and petroleum can cause heat, and a possible dangerous reaction. Water based aloe vera is available and helps considerably.

Oxygen is not explosive; but, it makes whatever is burning, burn extremely faster. For example, if a patient is wearing their oxygen and it is being delivered via nasal cannula; smoking can cause the cannula to act as a fuse and severe burns could result. The plastic cannula itself would not burn much; but, with oxygen going through it, it will act as a fuse and burn much hotter and longer.

Home-based oxygen delivery is becoming easier for the patient. Today, home fill units are available. A concentrator is connected to a compressor that the patient connects to a relatively small tank that can be worn on a waist belt. The tank is pressurized in an hour or so and has metered flow. Metered flow means a diaphragm detects inspiration and delivers the oxygen then and only then. It cuts off during exhalation, allowing at least a 50% increase in available oxygen as opposed to a tank that flows constantly.

The respiratory industry does make money, but they are very concerned with the quality of life for their patients.