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Oxygenation Treatment

Oxygenation treatment administered through a nasal cannula, mask, chamber or tent, is aimed at supplying huge concentrations of oxygen to the body. This is done to thwart hypoxemia, in which the body malfunctions due to insufficient oxygen supply in the blood.

  1. Delivered Oxygen

    • The oxygen that needs to be administered can come in many forms. Gaseous oxygen is stored under pressure in a tank, sometimes portable, with a meter and regulator. This fine-tunes the oxygen flow and is recommended for patients who do not need it constantly. Oxygen in the liquid form, at very low temperatures, needs to be stored in large, non-portable tanks. Liquid oxygen needs to be warmed and turned into gas before delivery to the patient. Another method of oxygen delivery for oxygenation treatment can be the electric system of the oxygen concentrator. This pulls some of the room's air, distinguishes the oxygen from it, and takes it to the patient through the nose cannula. This is advised for patients who require supplemental oxygenation regularly, or while sleeping. In another delivery method called demand inspiratory flow system, oxygen is supplied to the patient only when it detects inhalation is taking place. This way the oxygen is conserved during exhalation.

    Conduits for Oxygen

    • In the mask delivery system, oxygen is usually delivered to a patient through a mask or nasal cannula which is connected to the tubing, which, in turn, connects to the oxygen source. This is the most preferred method as patients seem to tolerate the mask the best. This is because it does not interfere with eating, drinking, communicating or any other activity. In the transtracheal method, a tiny malleable catheter is placed in the windpipe or trachea through a tracheostomy tube. This means that the oxygenation process completely avoids the mouth, nose and throat. Other methods such as tents and specialty systems intended only for infants are used, too.

    Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

    • This can be conducted in a chamber that is pressurized with oxygen. At the height of the session, the oxygen pressure is made to reach 2 1/2 times the pressure of the normal atmosphere. Each session can last between 30 minutes to two hours. At the end of the session the pressure is gradually brought down. This is especially beneficial in the treatment and cure of decompression sickness, smoke inhalation, air embolism, carbon monoxide poisoning, gas gangrene or a cerebral hypoxic condition.

    Helium Oxygen Therapy

    • Patients with serious airway-obstruction issues are treated with helium oxygen therapy. In this method, a mixture of helium and oxygen known as heliox is used to bring down the density of gas delivered to be inhaled. This makes breathing easier for the patient and improves ventilation in spite of the airway obstacle. This is an emergency procedure for patients with conditions such as acute asthma.

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