oxygen therapy

[kayin]

Why should oxygen therapy be administered in low concentation to patients with COPD

[National Jewish]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a waste gas that is removed from the blood stream by the lungs during exhalation.  Oxygen is a gas needed by all cells of the body reaching them by way of the blood stream after being inhaled into the lungs.  Normally when the CO2 level increases the brain tells the lungs to take a breath to decrease the CO2.  People with COPD may retain CO2.  This causes the brain to overlook the always-high CO2 level in the blood and to look at the O2 level.  When the O2 level gets too low the brain tells the lungs to take a breath to increase the O2.  While using supplemental O2, if the liter flow is too high the brain will think that there is enough O2 and not tell the lungs to take a breath.  This will suppress breathing, causing the CO2 to get higher.  A high CO2 level can be just as harmful as a low O2 level.

[suzie31]

A related discussion, Oxygen Levels for Elderly was started.

[kayin]

Thanks Sharon, but why administer O2 in low concentration.  Is there any adverse effect if it is administered in high concentration?

Thanks!

[starion]

Oxygen is a DRUG/medication.  It has to be appropriately monitored.  Some of us with respiratory conditions RETAIN carbon dioxide, which can build up particularly if we have too much oxygen added to our bodies.  This is a major danger of being administered too high a rate of supplemental oxygen.  When our body senses we have too much oxygen, it may cause us to stop breathing and cause respiratory failure.

Oxygen is administered in liters per minute.  A patient may be prescribed one rate while sedendary, a different rate upon exertion (moving about) and still another rate while sleeping.  Some patients need continuous oxygen, 24/7 while others just need it a few hours a day.

A good site for more info about supplemental oxygen is

http://nationaljewish.org/medfacts/oxygen.html

Best of luck!
Aloha,
Starion

[starion]

Oxygen is administered to folks whose lungs are unable to tranport enough oxygen from their lungs into their bloodstream.  If folks do not have sufficient oxygen in their bloodstream, they can have many complications including increased number of red blood cells, strain & damage to organs including the heart, and other problems.
Many people with COPD do not need supplemental oxygen--it all depends on each individual.  Testing of the patient's arterial blood gas and other factors help determine whether the patient needs supplemental oxygen.
Aloha,
Starion