Oxygen therapy, also commonly known as supplemental oxygen is the use of oxygen as a medical treatment. A device known as a finger pulse oximeter is commonly used to accurately measure the level of oxygen in a human body by monitoring the level of oxygen that is being carried in the body. This treatment is commonly prescribed to people who are suffering from ailments like low blood oxygen, cluster headaches, and carbon monoxide poisoning etc.
Oxygen Therapy is The Choice of 2021
With the alarming increase in diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD, the use of oxygen ozone therapy is becoming more and more popular. People who undergo oxygen therapy often see improved energy levels and better sleep which results in an improvement in the overall quality of life. But there are two thoughts of thinking when we are discussing the use of any particular medical treatment or procedure. So now we will discuss the pros and cons of oxygen therapy.
Oxygen therapy is commonly used by people who are suffering from symptoms like rapid breathing, fast heart rate, sweating, coughing or wheezing, and shortness of breath just to name a few. It can prove to be extremely beneficial for people who experience consistently low oxygen levels. Regularly utilizing oxygen therapy can allow people to manage the problem of shortness of breath which can help them to be more mobile and active while performing various day-to-day activities.
It Can Significantly Increase Quality of Life
It has been observed that oxygen therapy can greatly improve a person’s quality of life and in a number of cases it can also extend a person’s life expectancy by several years. It can also reduce and in some cases cure symptoms like headaches, swollen ankles, fatigue and irritability.
Oxygen therapy has also proven to be crucial in helping the growth and development of children suffering from chronic lung conditions and to top it all off it is covered by medicare so you don’t have to worry about paying from your own pocket when you decide to undergo oxygen therapy.
Disadvantages You Should Know
Although oxygen therapy has its benefits, it can also have some severe health risks if it is not administered properly. High levels of oxygen given to infants can lead to blindness by facilitating the growth of new blood vessels in the eye socket. This condition is known as Retinopathy of Prematurity or ROP.
Oxygen can also have vasoconstrictive effects on the human circulatory system which can reduce peripheral circulation and can lead to a stroke. A form of oxygen therapy which is known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been widely used for the treatment of strokes since the ‘90s can cause seizures because of oxygen toxicity.
Highly concentrated sources of oxygen can lead to severe and rapid combustion. Although oxygen itself is not flammable but if it is not stored properly the addition of concentrated oxygen to a fire can greatly increase its intensity which can lead to large-scale devastation.
In conclusion, oxygen therapy can have contrasting results depending on how it is used. If oxygen therapy is conducted in a safe environment with all the necessary precautions taken, it can greatly improve the quality of life for a person who is suffering from oxygen deficiency but at the same time it can have adverse results if the proper precautions are not taken.