What is Oxygen Therapy?

What is Oxygen Therapy?

When oxygen is administered as medical intervention it is called oxygen therapy. This type of therapy is used for a variety of chronic and acute conditions. Oxygen is vital to cell metabolism and tissue oxygenation is necessary for normal physiological functions.

Oxygen therapy is used to increase the oxygen supply to the lungs, which in turn increases the oxygen availability to the body tissues. When oxygen levels in the blood and tissue is high this can be very beneficial to many patients, especially those with hypoxia or hypoxemia. Hypoxia is a medical condition in which either the entire body or a specific region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen. Hypoxemia is defined as decreased partial pressure of oxygen in the blood.

How is Oxygen Store?

Oxygen therapy can be administered through a variety of methods. The most common ones include:

• Liquid Storage – Liquid oxygen is often used in hospitals where large supplies are needed. When oxygen is stored using this method it is contained in chilled storage tanks until needed. Then it is boiled at -182.96 degrees Celsius which releases the oxygen into gas form.
• Compressed Gas Storage – The oxygen gas is compressed in a gas cylinder. It is then stored there for convenient use. This method does not require refrigeration.
• Oxygen Concentrator – An oxygen concentrator provides an instant supply. This method uses a form of electrical power and does not require refilling of tanks. It is a very convenient method that many people use for at home oxygen therapy or when a portable form is required.

Oxygen therapy is widely used to improve the oxygen supply to the lungs and thus various body tissues as a form of treatment for a wide array of medical conditions. The different methods of storage provide convenience for multiple circumstances.