Long-Term Oxygen Therapy - An Introduction

Long-term oxygen therapy is the permanent addition of oxygen on a daily basis for a period of at least 16 hours. The added amount of oxygen varies from patient to patient and is pre-determined individually.

When is long-term oxygen therapy used?

Long-term oxygen therapy is used in diseases associated with a lack of oxygen. This can occur, for example in respiratory, lung or heart disease.

The consequences are severe limitations in exercise and physical capacity. The result of this is that even normal physical activities are no longer possible.

Through oxygen therapy, the physical performance of patients is improved and as such should be prescribed by a physician according to the precise needs of the patient.

One of the benefits is that it helps prevent muscle breakdown, as the patient is able to move actively. The patient no longer reaches such low limits.

Regarding long-term oxygen therapy, which is defined as 16 or more hours a day, it has been proven to extend life of severely ill lung patients.

Long-Term Oxygen Therapy.

To be effective the therapy must be constant and carried out long term.

For patients who are not mobile and reside primarily in their own home, an oxygen concentrator is perhaps the best option. All that is needed is a power outlet. This oxygen system is thus the most convenient and cost-effective one.

For people who are not house bound, but on long-term therapy, one option is a portable oxygen concentrator, that works the same as the stationary one. Additionally it has rechargeable batteries that allow mobility for long periods of time.

Another option that also permits long periods of activity, is a liquid oxygen system. It is small and portable tank. Thus, the carrier can move normally for eight hours outside the home, before the gas supply is exhausted and needs to be refilled. The length of time will depend on the size of the tank and the amount of oxygen prescribed.

Side-effects of long-term oxygen therapy?

Oxygen is a naturally occurring component in the air and is therefore generally free of side effects as long as the usual concentrations are observed. A supply of more than two liters per minute can lead to dehydration of the nasal mucous membranes. You can prevent this problem by attaching a gas humidifier or the apply ointment to the mucous membranes.

Oxygen is not flammable, but it can rekindle a fire. A ban on smoking near oxygen tanks is therefore a must.

Even more caution should be exercised with the portable liquid oxygen tanks. The fact that they contain liquid oxygen means they may explode on contact with fire.