Ask anyone what humans breathe and most will reply oxygen. This is partially true, although humans require oxygen for life; a mixture of gases make up the air we breathe. Oxygen makes up about 21 percent of the mix. Oxygen therapy is the process of administering 100 percent oxygen as medical therapy. Oxygen therapy is valuable for a number of health conditions, and exploratory research indicated that it might be beneficial for others. Understanding what to expect when undergoing oxygen therapy can make the process less intimidating.
Benefits
Originally, decompression sickness was the reason most people underwent oxygen therapy. Now oxygen therapy is used to treat clostridia myositis (gas gangrene) gas embolisms, crush injuries, compartment syndrome, extreme blood loss and carbon monoxide poisoning and to promote healing in slow-healing wounds, broken or diseased bones, burns, skin grafts and infections. The use of oxygen therapy appears promising for people who suffer a stroke, and as a treatment for Lyme disease, autism and diabetes-related illnesses.
Dangers
Oxygen therapy requires strict supervision. The pressure from oxygen therapy can lead to discomfort in areas of the body where pockets of air may be trapped, such as in the sinus cavities, behind the eardrums and under dental fillings. It is common for people undergoing oxygen therapy to develop blurry vision because of swelling of the lens. This is typically a temporary condition and will resolve itself after several weeks, but some people have developed blindness because of oxygen therapy. Oxygen toxicity is a concern for anyone undergoing oxygen therapy. Too much 100 percent oxygen can lead to nausea, dizziness and seizures.
What to Expect
A team of specialists will conduct the oxygen therapy. These health care professionals will work with your general care physician to develop a treatment plan. Expect more than one trip before you see results. For successful treatment, expect to undergo five to six rounds of oxygen therapy each week for a month or more. Missing appointments can slow or reverse progress. Traditional oxygen therapy required the patient to lie in a pressurized cylinder while they received therapy. Today, most oxygen therapy takes place with the patient wearing a soft shell helmet or breathing mask. The patient receives 100 percent oxygen through the mask. Vents remove the exhaled air as well as extra oxygen from the mask. Oxygen is extremely flammable, so the health care provider must continually vent the excess oxygen to prevent it from accumulating.
