Oxygen Therapy
Advanced Treatment at Washington Township Medical Foundation
Oxygen therapy is a form of treatment that may be utilized by patients
with certain conditions that affect their blood oxygen levels, including
those with pulmonary disease. This treatment provides patients with supplemental
oxygen. Typically, oxygen therapy utilizes a facemask, nasal prongs, or
tubes threaded into the trachea or windpipe. Oxygen is stored in a tank
as either a gas or liquid. Patients may receive oxygen therapy for a long
or short period of time, and in a variety of settings, including home
or a hospital. Patients who need consistent oxygen therapy may require
a portable oxygen tank / machine for home use. Ask your doctor at Washington
Township Medical Foundation if you have questions about oxygen therapy.
Who Is Oxygen Therapy For?
Also called oxygen or supplemental oxygen, oxygen therapy is prescribed
in cases where patients suffer from conditions that cause their blood
oxygen levels to be low. Over time, low blood oxygen can cause serious damage.
Symptoms of low blood oxygen include:
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion / disorientation
- Fatigue
Some conditions that may require a patient to receive supplemental oxygen include:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Severe asthma
- Late-stage cardiac failure
- Cystic fibrosis
- Sleep apnea
- Pneumonia