OXYGEN THERAPY

Wellness Center

The Wellness Center in Plano, Texas offers Oxygen Therapy for the treatment of various conditions. Call us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.

What is Oxygen Therapy?

Of the air inhaled by humans and other living creatures, typically 21 percent is made of oxygen. While the amount is acceptable for those with healthy lungs to be able to breathe without issue, others with certain medical conditions may require more oxygen for their bodies to function normally. Patients requiring more oxygen oftentimes receive supplements through oxygen therapy in order to maintain normal bodily function. A doctor first assesses the need for oxygen therapy by testing the oxygen levels in the patient’s blood. This test is called an arterial blood gas (ABG) and involves taking a blood sample from an artery (usually in the wrist). Oxygen levels can also be measured with a device called a pulse oximeter, which can be clipped painlessly on to the patient’s finger, toe or earlobe, and oxygen levels will be checked over a period of time. The ideal measurement of oxygen levels is at 88 percent or above. If the patient’s oxygen levels are lower, oxygen treatments may be needed.

Treatment Benefits

Oxygen therapy treatment provides patients with extra oxygen and helps those who may have a condition that prevents them from getting enough oxygen. Some acute diseases and conditions that require oxygen therapy can include:

• Severe pneumonia infections can cause the lungs’ air sacs to become inflamed, causing the air sacs from moving enough oxygen into the blood. Oxygen therapy aids in the reduction of inflammation as well as more ease while breathing.

• Severe asthma attacks-Asthma is usually able to be safely managed, but in the case of a severe asthma attack, some may require hospital care that includes oxygen therapy.

• Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature babies. Premature babies may develop one or both of these lung conditions. As part of their treatment, they may receive extra oxygen through a nasal tube or a ventilator.

Additionally, those who suffer from more chronic diseases and conditions such as COPD, heart failure, and cystic fibrosis can certainly benefit from oxygen therapy. Just as with the more acute diseases, the specific oxygen therapy sessions vary depending on each condition and the patient.

Procedure

During an oxygen treatment, oxygen flows from a tank into the lungs. Transporting the air to the lungs can be facilitated with a nasal cannula, or two plastic tubes placed in the nostrils, a mask fitting over the nose and mouth or a plastic tube connected to the windpipe through the front of the neck. Oxygen therapy treatments are typically performed as outpatient procedures, and are performed in a room designed to accommodate several other people. The air pressure in the room is about two to three times normal air pressure, and may cause a pressure on the ears, similar to the kind felt when rapidly changing elevation. This can be alleviated by yawning or swallowing. Therapy usually lasts about 2 hours, and members of our healthcare team will constantly monitor patients throughout the treatment. Once treatment has concluded, patients may feel somewhat tired or hungry, but normal activities are not inhibited as a result of oxygen therapy.

While oxygen therapy helps patients function better overall, the treatment can decrease fatigue and shortness of breath and increase quality of sleep and, in some cases, survival rates. In order to benefit from oxygen therapy treatment, patients will likely need more than one session and the number of sessions necessary will depend on his or her specific medical conditions. For example, someone suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning might be treated in three visits, whereas those who suffer with non-healing wounds may require 20 to 40 treatments.

Oxygen Therapy helps many people function better and helps them become more active. It may also help decrease shortness of breath and fatigue, improve sleep in some people who have sleep-related breathing disorders (such as sleep apnea), and increase the lifespan of those who have COPD. There are very few risks associated with oxygen therapy, however the compressed oxygen and air can pose a fire hazard. Rest assured knowing that all the proper precautions have been taken in our Dallas-Fort Worth facility and that you can completely relax while having this or any other procedure done at the Wellness Center.