What is oxygen therapy (oxygen treatment)?
Oxygen therapy is a medical procedure in which the patient breathes in air enriched with oxygen, at a higher concentration than in the ordinary air around us. Oxygen is essential to every cell in the body, and when there is not enough of it in the blood, organs work with difficulty, and fatigue, breathlessness and a sense of air shortage set in.
The aim of oxygen therapy is simple and clear: to return the blood oxygen level to a safe range and to ease the body's work. Oxygen is most often delivered through a nasal cannula — a soft prong placed in the nostrils — or through a mask, at a precisely defined flow rate set by the physician. It is never given at random, because both too little and too much oxygen can be harmful in certain conditions.
At Medical Time, oxygen therapy is carried out under continuous supervision and with regular measurement of blood oxygen saturation, ensuring that the patient receives exactly the amount of oxygen they need. The therapy is painless, and most patients feel relief in breathing within the very first minutes.
Oxygen therapy is not a medication that cures the underlying illness, but support for breathing and for the body while the underlying condition is being treated or while the patient recovers. That is why it goes hand in hand with the rest of treatment, not in place of it.
Conditions in which oxygen therapy helps
Oxygen therapy is recommended when the body, for any reason, fails to secure enough oxygen — whether due to lung or heart disease or during recovery from more serious conditions. The need for oxygen and its flow rate are always assessed by the physician, based on symptoms and measurements.
The most common conditions and situations in which oxygen therapy helps are:
- chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other conditions with laboured breathing
- pneumonia and other respiratory infections accompanied by a drop in blood oxygen
- recovery after more severe airway infections and after hospital treatment
- conditions accompanied by breathlessness, a sense of air shortage and quicker fatigue on exertion
- breathing support for patients with chronic heart disease, as assessed by the physician
- the recovery period after procedures, when the body needs additional support
Signs the body may be short of oxygen
A low blood oxygen level is not always obvious, but there are signs that point to it and that should not be ignored. If they occur, it is advisable to see a physician to have blood oxygen saturation checked.
A possible oxygen shortage may be indicated by the following signs:
- laboured breathing and a sense of air shortage, even on minor exertion
- rapid breathing and an increased heart rate
- marked fatigue, weakness and drowsiness
- a bluish tinge to the lips or fingertips
- restlessness, confusion or difficulty concentrating
How it is performed — course, duration and supervision
Before the therapy begins, the physician assesses the patient's condition and measures blood oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter — a small device placed on the finger that painlessly shows how much of the blood is saturated with oxygen. Based on that reading, the oxygen flow rate and the method of delivery are determined.
Oxygen is most often given through a nasal cannula, which is comfortable and lets the patient speak and drink normally, or through a mask when a higher flow rate is needed. During therapy the patient breathes calmly, and the staff monitor how the oxygen values change and adjust the flow to keep it within a safe range.
The duration of the therapy depends on the condition — sometimes it is shorter support of a few hours, and sometimes longer, continuous administration during recovery, with 24-hour supervision. Throughout, oxygen saturation, pulse and general condition are monitored, so that the therapy is both effective and safe.
Oxygen therapy is painless and, as a rule, comfortable for the patient. Within the very first minutes many feel that breathing is easier, that the sense of breathlessness eases and that a feeling of safety returns.
- measurement of blood oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter before and during therapy
- delivery of oxygen through a comfortable nasal cannula or mask, as needed
- an oxygen flow rate precisely set and tailored to each patient
- continuous monitoring of oxygen values, pulse and general condition, with supervision at night too
Safety and possible side effects
When carried out under supervision and at a correctly set flow rate, oxygen therapy is very safe. Still, like any procedure, it has its rules and possible mild side effects, which are easily prevented and eased with correct use.
Possible, mostly mild and easily managed effects include:
- dryness of the nose and throat, eased by humidifying the oxygen and taking fluids
- mild skin irritation where the cannula or mask rests
- a feeling of discomfort from the mask in more sensitive patients, resolved by choosing a cannula
- in certain chronic lung diseases too much oxygen can be harmful — which is why the flow rate is always set by the physician
Why the flow rate must be set by the physician
Oxygen is a medication, even though it is not taken in tablet form. This means that the dose, that is the flow rate, must be precisely set. In some chronic lung diseases too high an oxygen flow can disrupt the natural drive to breathe, so the flow rate is chosen and monitored carefully.
For this reason oxygen therapy is not improvised or adjusted by one's own judgement. At Medical Time the flow rate is set based on measurements and the patient's condition, and is then regularly checked and changed as needed. This avoids both too little and too much oxygen, and keeps the therapy safe.
Oxygen therapy is support, not a substitute for treating the underlying illness. That is why it is carried out together with the rest of the therapy prescribed by the physician, as part of a comprehensive approach to recovery and treatment.
Why have oxygen therapy at Medical Time
Oxygen therapy is safest and most effective when carried out with measurement, supervision and an experienced team. At Medical Time the patient receives exactly that — a precisely set oxygen flow rate, continuous monitoring and the option of uninterrupted supervision throughout the day and night.
Everything in one place — from assessment, through therapy, to further care — allows the patient to feel safe and calm, while the underlying condition is treated and monitored at the same time. Our aim is for breathing to be easier, recovery faster and the stay as comfortable as possible.
- assessment and measurement of blood oxygen saturation before and during therapy
- a precisely set oxygen flow rate, tailored to each patient
- a comfortable nasal cannula or mask, with humidified oxygen for comfort
- the option of uninterrupted oxygen therapy with 24-hour supervision
- an experienced medical team and continuous monitoring of vital functions
- oxygen therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment and recovery plan
Price — Oxygen therapy
The price of oxygen therapy depends on the length of administration, the flow rate required and the level of supervision, as well as on whether it is shorter support or continuous therapy during recovery. You receive the exact price and appointment quickly, by phone or through the contact form.
- Assessment and measurement of oxygen saturation
- Oxygen therapy — shorter supervised session
- Continuous oxygen therapy with 24h supervision
For the current price and an appointment, call 062-399-888.
Frequently asked questions about oxygen therapy
No. Oxygen therapy is completely painless. Oxygen is breathed in through a comfortable nasal cannula or mask, and most patients feel their breathing become easier within the very first minutes.
Therapy is needed when the blood oxygen level is insufficient — in chronic lung diseases, pneumonia, during recovery from airway infections and in conditions accompanied by breathlessness. The need is assessed by the physician based on measurements.
It depends on the condition. Sometimes it is shorter support of a few hours, and sometimes longer, continuous therapy during recovery, with 24-hour supervision. The duration is determined by the physician.
No. The oxygen flow rate is always set by the physician, because in some lung diseases both too little and too much oxygen can be harmful. That is why the flow rate is chosen carefully and checked regularly.
No. Oxygen therapy is support for breathing and for the body, not a cure for the underlying illness. It is carried out together with the rest of the treatment prescribed by the physician, as part of a comprehensive approach.
Blood oxygen saturation is measured with a pulse oximeter — a small device painlessly placed on the finger. Based on that reading and the symptoms, the physician assesses the need for therapy and sets the flow rate.
Under supervision and at a correctly set flow rate, the therapy is very safe. Mild side effects are possible, such as dryness of the nose and throat or skin irritation, which are easily eased by humidifying the oxygen and correctly fitting the cannula.