Oxygen is an important component for humans to breathe. If it cannot be obtained naturally, it is likely to need the help of oxygen therapy.
The inability of a person to get oxygen naturally usually occurs when he is suffering from respiratory disorders. Through oxygen therapy, a person can improve sleep quality and physical strength, as well as overall quality of life for the better.
Reasons for COPD Patients Needing Oxygen Therapy
One of the health problems that usually requires oxygen therapy is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a long-term disease affecting the lungs, namely chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is usually characterized by a cough with phlegm that does not heal and shortness of breath.
Through oxygen therapy, patients will get more oxygen, even if the breathing process is interrupted or cannot be done freely. Oxygen therapy might also increase the life expectancy of people with COPD.
To make it easy for patients to get oxygen, there are several ways to do this, starting with using an oxygen concentrator, an oxygen cylinder, to a liquid oxygen device. At present, oxygen therapy does not have to be done in a hospital because there is a portable oxygen therapy device that is practical and can be taken anywhere.
Oxygen Therapy for COPD
To determine whether or not oxygen therapy is needed, people with COPD will undergo a test. The examination will be carried out to measure the level of oxygen in the patient's blood. If the test results show low blood oxygen levels, your doctor will recommend oxygen therapy.
Another thing that must be considered is how long a person must undergo oxygen therapy every day. In some people, this therapy must be carried out continuously, both day and night. Those who are advised by doctors to undergo oxygen therapy on an ongoing basis will be instructed to do so for at least 15 hours or longer in a day.
There are also COPD patients who only need to do it at night, or known as nocturnal oxygen. This type of oxygen therapy is performed on severe COPD patients who experience shortness of breath while sleeping at night. There are also patients who only need oxygen when on the move, for example when exercising, which is called exertional oxygen.
However, COPD patients do not always have to undergo oxygen therapy. Some patients may only need a few weeks. Discontinuation of this therapy can be done when there are no complaints with COPD. But if the patient's condition is too severe, oxygen therapy may need to be done for life.
Oxygen therapy requires the right procedure for its implementation. Therefore, it is important to conduct oxygen therapy based on recommendations or under the supervision of a doctor, to avoid things that are not desirable.
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