Oxygen Therapy

Pneumonia Oxygen Therapy Options: All You Need to Know

Reviewed by Laura Castricone, Respiratory Therapist, on September 8, 2022

Breathing is perhaps the most essential physiological process. Any issue with your lungs affects the quality of your life and impacts your overall well-being. One such grave issue that can trouble your lungs is pneumonia. Imagine trying to breathe, but with each breath, you can feel pain and discomfort. Pneumonia affects approximately 450 million people globally and can cost millions in healthcare costs. Pneumonia can cause our lungs to reduce the amount of oxygen delivered to the body through our red blood cells. It is common to treat bacterial pneumonia with antibiotics. In contrast, viral pneumonia can receive other treatments, such as breathing treatments or pneumonia oxygen therapy, to increase oxygen saturation levels in the blood.

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection caused by bacteria or viruses that can enter the lungs while one inhales. Normally, this infection does not affect the health much and is treated in 2-3 weeks, but if one has underlying health issues, such as asthma or COPD, the lungs and the entire body have a much tougher time fighting off these foreign pathogens. As a matter of fact, Pneumonia causes inflammation of the lung parenchyma, which affects the alveoli and the transfer of oxygen to red blood cells. The air sacs present in the lungs solidify due to the pus filled in them and causing inflammation.

 

Early Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia

Pneumonia symptoms can be acute and can materialize suddenly. They include:

• A cough that produces mucus from the lungs or even blood
• Chest pain that is aggravated by coughing or inhaling
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chills

These symptoms can be a sign of infection in the lungs that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs and can make it difficult to fully expand during inhalation. Often pneumonia can be treated at home, but underlying health issues can create a more dangerous situation and may require hospitalization. Take my word for it; this is not something to be taken lightly!!

Oxygen Therapy for Pneumonia

What kind of breathing treatment is given for pneumonia?

Breathing treatment for pneumonia is all about oxygen supplementation. Oxygen supplementation can be provided in two ways-

1. Nasal Cannulas – Oxygen therapy via oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, and oxygen conservers that use nasal cannulas as the conduit for oxygen therapy
2. Mechanical Ventilation – Life-supporting ventilation by attaching a windpipe or a nasal mask using a ventilator.

At what stage do pneumonia patients need oxygen therapy?

Most people treat the early stage of pneumonia at home by controlling their fever, drinking lots of fluids, staying away from smoke, taking steamy baths, and using humidifiers. But when coughing and other symptoms become severe and are incontrollable, one must visit a medical expert. Taking medications as prescribed by a health professional is important. Generally, bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics, and for viral pneumonia, the health expert may prescribe an antiviral medication treatment. In most cases, pneumonia can be treated with symptom management and rest, but when pneumonia is so severe that a patient needs to get hospitalized, in addition to IV fluids and antibiotics, supplemented oxygen therapy and possibly other breathing treatments are also given.

How to diagnose if pneumonia patients need oxygen therapy?

The need for oxygen therapy is diagnosed by checking the oxygen saturation levels in pneumonia patients. Our lungs take in air and transfer oxygen to our red blood cells to be circulated throughout our body. It is the oxygen saturation in our arterial blood that determines if we need to intake additional oxygen. This saturation rate can be measured by a pulse oximeter. When the transfer of oxygen is hindered by bacteria, the use of oxygen therapy for pneumonia can help introduce oxygen into our bloodstream.

Pneumonia Oxygen Therapy Options

Oxygen therapy for pneumonia can be used via several medical aids that include:

How to choose the right oxygen therapy for pneumonia?

There is no doubt that oxygen therapy helps with pneumonia and other respiratory issues. A patient may feel relieved with oxygen therapy, but it is very important to understand a few things before you choose the right source of oxygen therapy. These are:

1. If you are suffering from pneumonia and experiencing breathing issues, consult your health expert first and get your oxygen therapy prescription with your medical professional’s instructions on how to use it
2. Understand your need to use the oxygen therapy devices at home or on the go
3. Before buying the oxygen-therapy device ensure the following points -
   • Consult your medical help on how much supplemental or additional or extra oxygen your body needs &bull
   • Do you need it all the time or for a particular time of the day or doing a specific activity?
   • Your therapy device must comply with your lifestyle and routine
   • Medical coverage or insurance to decide on the affordability 

Are oxygen concentrators a better solution for breathing therapy for pneumonia patients?

Patients seeking treatment for pneumonia might require oxygen therapy constantly. Oxygen concentrators work on the technology that extracts O2 from the air without a limit as long as there is air. O2 concentrators are less expensive than oxygen tanks or cylinders. Thus, it makes oxygen therapy via an oxygen concentrator a better treatment option for pneumonia.

Things to remember while getting pneumonia oxygen therapy at home:

• Never change the “oxygen flow rate” on your oxygen delivery device without consulting with your healthcare provider, as it should be set by a medical professional only
• Get clear instructions on the user manual of your oxygen therapy device from the dealer. Never start using the device without reading and, more importantly, understanding the functioning and precautionary warnings of any oxygen concentrator or conserver
• Call your healthcare expert when you face even a minor issue in breathing through the oxygen therapy device.

Oxygen is quintessential for humans, and when our breathing produces less oxygen for our red blood cells, problems can arise. Bacterial pneumonia can be life-threatening, so treating it properly is imperative. Work with your doctor to prescribe the proper oxygen therapy you need to match your lifestyle and overcome pneumonia or any other respiratory illness. You might feel uncomfortable using the oxygen therapy initially but with the correct use and care, you will get through the discomfort soon. HPFY is always here to guide and help you through your health issues.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Pneumonia is a serious ailment and may result in grave consequences if not treated at the earliest. Therapy with repeated HBO2 sessions prevents admission to the intensive care unit with mechanical ventilation in elderly patients showing signs and symptoms of respiratory problems. Experts opine that pneumonia patients can benefit from hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT). It is considered the most powerful oxygenation modality in the body at present. Subsequently, HBOT dramatically increases dissolved O2 levels in the blood and promotes blood transport and tissue delivery.

Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy has specific immuno-modulatory properties (humoral and cellular), making it possible to decrease the gravity of the inflammatory response and stimulate antioxidant defenses by repeating sessions. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy also has virucidal (capacity to destroy a virus) capacity and is generally safe with very few adverse events.

FAQs for Pneumonia Oxygen Therapy

1. Is it safe to use oxygen therapy for pneumonia?

Yes, oxygen therapy is safe for pneumonia as long as you are-

• Take it under the regular guidance and consultation of your medical expert and
• Following all the safety measures to use the oxygen device. The instructions are mentioned in the manual provided by the manufacturer.

2. Is it safe to take oxygen therapy near a heat source?

No, it is strictly prohibited, and you must avoid it. Always keep your oxygen tank or cylinder away from an open flame or any heat source, as oxygen supports combustion, and it might cause fire accidents.

3. How much oxygen to give a patient with pneumonia?

Your health professional will prescribe you how much oxygen you need. You should carry a pulse oximeter to measure your oxygen saturation; it will help you to keep your oxygen level in check so that it doesn't drop to a dangerously low level.

4. Is it okay to smoke while undergoing oxygen therapy for pneumonia?

No, in any case, smoking should be stopped if you are suffering from pneumonia. Also, keep everything flammable, such as – petroleum, aerosols, electric devices, or even the smoking area, away from the oxygen therapy device.

5. How to store or place the oxygen unit?

It depends on the type and size of your device. Follow the usage and storage instructions on the manual for the same, or contact your dealer for clarification.

6. How oxygen therapy is different for the elderly or kids suffering from pneumonia?

Severe pneumonia is dangerous for people above a certain age limit as it causes breathing issues and chest pain. Oxygen therapy for the elderly and children who are suffering from pneumonia must be strict as per the medical professional’s instructions.

Where to buy Oxygen Therapy Treatment Aids for Pneumonia?

Health Products For You offers a wide range of pneumonia oxygen therapy products and other respiratory treatment aids at the best prices available online. HPFY believes in serving its customers top-notch quality products within the quickest time span. Our customer-centric approach has made us popular and reliable amongst our clientele. Shop with us and get exciting discounts on every purchase you make.

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