Oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that involves administering supplemental oxygen to patients who have difficulty breathing or who have low oxygen levels in their blood. This therapy is used to increase the amount of oxygen in the patient's bloodstream, which can help improve overall tissue oxygenation and prevent further complications.
Oxygen therapy is often prescribed for patients with respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, and cystic fibrosis. It may also be used for patients with cardiac conditions such as congestive heart failure, as well as for those who have suffered from a heart attack or stroke.
There are several methods of administering oxygen therapy, including nasal cannula, oxygen mask, and ventilator support. The choice of method will depend on the patient's condition, the severity of their oxygen deficiency, and other factors such as age and overall health.
Oxygen therapy can be highly effective in improving the quality of life for patients with respiratory and cardiac conditions, and it is a common treatment used in hospitals, clinics, and home healthcare settings. However, it is important to carefully monitor patients receiving oxygen therapy to avoid potential complications, such as oxygen toxicity, fire hazards, and carbon dioxide retention.