What do oxygen tanks do

The extra oxygen is breathed in along with normal air. There are portable versions of the tanks and oxygen concentrators. They can make it easier for you to move around while using your therapy. Oxygen therapy is generally safe, but it can cause side effects. They include a dry or bloody nose, tiredness, and morning headaches. Oxygen poses a fire risk, so you should never smoke or use flammable materials when using oxygen.

If you use oxygen tanks, make sure your tank is secured and stays upright. If it falls and cracks or the top breaks off, the tank can fly like a missile. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy HBOT is a different type of oxygen therapy. It involves breathing oxygen in a pressurized chamber or tube.

This allows your lungs to gather up to three times more oxygen than you would get by breathing oxygen at normal air pressure. The extra oxygen moves through your blood and to your organs and body tissues. HBOT is used to treat certain serious wounds , burns , injuries, and infections.

It also treats air or gas embolisms bubbles of air in your bloodstream , decompression sickness suffered by divers, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Gas cylinders or portable oxygen tanks are still widely used in hospitals and outpatient clinics. While portable oxygen concentrators are becoming increasingly more practical for long-term oxygen therapy, there is still a place for portable tanks.

Many doctors prescribe oxygen therapy via standard portable oxygen tanks until either the patient stops using oxygen or a long-term solution becomes necessary.

The 2 Oxygen States of Portable Oxygen Tanks Pure oxygen in a portable tank comes in 2 different states: compressed oxygen gas and liquid oxygen. However, compressed oxygen gas is Manufacturers extract oxygen from the atmosphere and compress only the oxygen gas molecules, then fill up aluminum tanks until they reach about 2, pounds per square inch PSI of pressure.

The nasal cannula end of the tubing fits into your nose, and is the most common delivery accessory. The stationary equipment for home use comes with foot tubing, so you can freely move about the house.

The ambulatory equipment comes with shorter tubing. Oxygen masks Oxygen masks can also be used for higher oxygen needs. The Oxymask is a comfortable version. Reservoir tubing An Oxymizer mustache or pendant can increase the amount of oxygen delivered or make the oxygen last longer. Humidifier bottle Higher oxygen settings can be drying to the lining of the nose. A humidifier attached to your stationary oxygen equipment can help prevent this dryness. Carrying cases, carts Ambulatory oxygen tanks can be rolled in small carts, carried in backpacks and sometimes even worn as a waist pack.

Portable oxygen concentrators are rolled in their own cases, worn in a backback on the back or slung over the shoulder. Liquid systems deliver higher flows of oxygen for longer periods of time. Unfortunately, it is getting more difficult to obtain liquid oxygen systems. Oxygen conserving devices may not deliver enough oxygen. Certain oxygen face masks and reservoir cannulas can boost the delivery of oxygen and make high oxygen flows more comfortable. For irritated nasal passages due to high flow oxygen, try RoEzIt.

Some basics are listed below: The nasal cannula should be changed every week. The long tubing attached to your stationary equipment should be changed monthly.

Neither the nasal cannula nor the long tubing from your stationary equipment should be washed. If an oxygen face mask is used, it should be cleaned twice weekly with warm soapy water. Oxygen concentrators usually require a weekly filter cleaning with warm soapy water. If you are using a humidifier, empty it at least once a day, wash the bottle with soap and warm water, making sure all the soap is rinsed out, and then refill the bottle with distilled water.

Do not use tap water, as the minerals in it can damage your equipment. You may also be asked to breathe into a device that checks how well your lungs are working. This test is called spirometry. Some people may need a tube inserted into an opening made in the front of their neck a tracheostomy or a tube placed in their mouth and down their windpipe. An oxygen concentrator is recommended if you need to have oxygen for most of the day including when you're asleep. Oxygen cylinders will probably be prescribed if you only need oxygen for a short time — for example, if you need to relieve sudden periods of breathlessness.

It may be possible to use a small, portable oxygen cylinder outside your home. This is called portable oxygen or ambulatory oxygen. Most portable oxygen cylinders weigh around 2kg and are small enough to fit inside a small backpack or shopping trolley. This size cylinder holds just under 2 hours' worth of oxygen.