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Oxygen Therapy Characteristics

Some people need additional oxygen while they are living their everyday lives or while they are exercising or sleeping. This need usually takes place due to a certain medical condition an individual is suffering from. Therefore, people who have asthma, chronic bronchitis, occupational lung diseases or other problems related to one's cardiovascular or respiratory system, often have oxygen therapy as one of the basic parts of their treatment.

Other Things Related to Oxygen Therapy

First of all, before starting the therapy, your doctor needs to examine you and establish a proper treatment, setting the amounts of oxygen you are supposed to take during your treatment. These oxygen levels are measured in liters per minute. Oxygen is given to you in the form of cylinders which you can keep somewhere in your house. Also, this gas may be kept in a small container vehicle, which is mobile and more practical for these purposes. When you use these cylinders with compressed gas, once you breathe in the gas is released and, as soon as your stop inhaling the gas supply is cut out. The second method involves breathing in liquid oxygen. Actually, the oxygen gets converted into a gas during the therapy, but is conserved in the water state which takes up less space and is much easier to move around. However, it is more expensive too.

Finally, there is an additional method involving having devices which separate oxygen from the air, allowing you to breathe it. These are less expensive than the previously mentioned, liquid oxygen. Still, you need to be sure you have an extra oxygen cylinder, in case your electric power supply is down since then you cannot use the oxygen concentrator.

As far as methods of delivering oxygen from the device to your organism is concerned, there are several different methods for these purposes. Usually, you will have a nasal cannula, a small tube which is inserted in a person's nose, resting on ears or spectacles. For those with higher demands for oxygen, a mask may be used as well, or combination between the two methods can be practiced.

You are not allowed to smoke while on oxygen therapy. Oxygen is highly flammable and should not be exposed to other gases. Therefore, stay away from people who smoke and from cigarettes in general.

Additionally, while you are using the cylinders, you need to ensure their safety, disallowing them to fall or get damaged in any way, making sure their valves are on the upper side. With all devices of this type, keep a safety fire extinguisher somewhere in the house, just in case. Take good care of your equipment, keep it clean and disinfected.