What should patients pay attention to when inhaling oxygen?

There are many benefits of oxygen inhalation. Many diseases, especially respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, or carbon monoxide poisoning, can be improved through oxygen inhalation (also called oxygen therapy), which is an important first aid. But if the oxygen inhalation method is not correct, it can also bring disadvantages to the patient. How to properly inhale oxygen?

I. When do you need oxygen?

All people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive emphysema, can be treated with oxygen. Others such as with heart failure, ulcer bleeding, gas poisoning, etc also require oxygen. It can be said that with people's increasing awareness of family oxygen therapy, oxygen inhalation has entered all aspects of people's lives.

II. What devices are needed for oxygen inhalation?

There also are special articles to tell about the oxygen device before, and the content involved has been more comprehensive. To sum up, household oxygen devices mainly include oxygen bags, oxygen tanks, oxygen bottles, household oxygen concentrators etc. The most commonly used is the home oxygen concentrator, because it is indeed more convenient and affordable.

III. What should we pay attention to when inhaling oxygen?

* It is necessary to connect a nasal oxygen cannula or nasal congestion to the oxygen inhalation device, and then insert it into the patient's nostril. After inserting the  nasal oxygen cannula into the patient's nasal cavity, it must be fixed well to avoid falling off. If you use an oxygen mask, the effect of oxygen absorption is better.

* When inhaling oxygen, it is not that the larger oxygen flow is better. In some cases, high-flow oxygen inhalation is not good for the patient.

* Master the time of oxygen inhalation: each time of oxygen inhalation, if using a nasal oxygen cannula to inhale oxygen, it is recommended to inhale 30-60 minutes each time; if using a closed double-tube mask for oxygen inhalation, it is recommended to inhale 15-30 minutes each time.

* Don't be superstitious about hyperbaric oxygen. 

Oxygen inhalation can indeed improve the symptoms of hypoxia, but what is said here is not hyperbaric oxygen. The oxygen produced by ordinary household oxygen concentrator can meet the needs of ordinary patients. Hyperbaric oxygen is generally used for special needs.