Oxygen Medicine

Long-term oxygen therapy to regain quality of life

A severe and lasting oxygen deficiency in arterial blood is called hypoxemia. Patients with this condition can experience respiratory distress and exhaustion after even the slightest physical exertion. Pressure builds up in the pulmonary arteries in such a way that the walls of the blood vessels thicken. That in turn blocks gas exchange and makes oxygen deficiency in the blood more severe. Increased intrapulmonary pressure also leads to an overburdening of the right heart musculature, which can result in heart failure.

Hypoxemia can be triggered by pulmonary embolism, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, thorax deformation or cardiac insufficiency.

Through long-term oxygen therapy, the quality of life for persons so affected can be improved. Treatment gives many of them enough breath so that they can once again move around almost normally. Their increased movement counteracts muscle loss due to the immobility caused by hypoxemia. For effective therapy, the patient must receive oxygen at least 16 hours per day, generally by means of a nasal cannula.

Various oxygen systems are available. Oxygen concentrators are intended mostly for use by patients at home. They filter oxygen from the ambient air and supply it to the patient via a hose system. Mobile patients can use a lightweight oxygen conserving system that can be carried in a backpack or a shoulder bag.

You can get an overview of oxygen medicine in our productline presentation.