Best Methods of Home Oxygen Therapy

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What Are Common Methods of Home Oxygen Therapy?

Oxygen therapy products for home use include compressed oxygen gas available in steel or aluminum tanks.

Large stationary tanks providing a lengthier supply of the gas can be positioned in key rooms while smaller, portable containers can be used to run errands or for other functions away from home base. Liquid oxygen is an attractive option for people seeking to be even more active because larger amounts can be stored in smaller containers. A disadvantage of the liquid oxygen is shorter storage time because in this form oxygen will evaporate.

Another option in oxygen therapy supplies is an oxygen concentrator, a device the size of an end table that produces oxygen by concentrating the oxygen already in the air and eliminating other gases from the room. This option is less expensive, low maintenance, and does not require refilling. The major drawbacks are lack of portability and production of heat and noise. A back-up power source is necessary in the event of a power failure (or an emergency cylinder of oxygen) and for some patients, the amount of oxygen produced by the concentrator is inadequate.

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What are the Mechanics of Home Oxygen Therapy?

When using compressed gas stored in cylinders for home oxygen therapy, a regulator controls the flow rate. To prevent wastage, an oxygen-conserving device may be attached to the system. It only releases oxygen when the patient inhales and then cuts off the oxygen flow during exhalation.

Liquid oxygen is stored in a container roughly analogous to a thermos. When the liquid is released it converts to a gas for inhalation. When not in use, the vessel does vent, so a conserving device should be built in to the system. Liquid oxygen is more expensive than compressed gas.

With an oxygen concentrator extra tubing running out of the machine permits the user to move around with less difficulty. While this is a lower cost alternative, some people don't like the tubing strung around the house and prefer to have multiple cylinders or small containers they can move from room to room.

Depending on the amount of oxygen required, the patient may use a nasal cannula, a two-pronged device inserted in the nostrils. For those requiring more oxygen an actual mask is required. In extreme cases a small, flexible catheter is fitted into the patient's trachea or windpipe and is held in place with a necklace. Transtracheal oxygen therapy must be used in concert with a humidifier.

No one should be allowed to smoke in a home where oxygen is being used. When you are in public with an oxygen bottle always ask to be seated in the non-smoking section. Stay five feet from open flame sources such as a gas stove, or fireplace. Do not use flammable cleaning fluids, paint thinners, or aerosol sprays. Avoid the use of extension cords and keep a fire extinguisher on hand.

Are there Side Effects?

The most common side effect from oxygen therapy is limited shortsightedness that clears up on its own after several weeks or months. Some people in hyperbaric chambers have been known to suffer ruptured eardrums or to have dental or chest pain. Others develop a cough or a tightness of the chest. These normally disappear once the therapy is completed. In rare cases patients report headache, fatigue, seizures, or vomiting.

The benefits of oxygen treatments have shown great promise in assisting with the healing of wounds, speeding recovery from surgery, and addressing a wide range of complaints. Whether using oxygen therapy equipment in the home or visiting a facility for hyperbaric oxygen therapy some aspect of oxygen therapy may be an option for you.