Oxygen
Why Some People Need Extra Oxygen
When the body cells don't get enough oxygen, a condition called hypoxia results. This can cause shortness of breath and cause the heart to beat faster. It can also cause you to feel restless and even confused.
This shortage of oxygen can result from three causes:
- The lungs may not be functioning efficiently and providing enough oxygen to the blood.
- The heart may not be functioning efficiently and pumping an adequate amount of blood.
- The blood itself may not be carrying enough oxygen to the cells.
Your doctor has determined that you need to breathe a higher concentration of oxygen to offset one or more of these deficiencies.
Oxygen is a drug that must be prescribed by your doctor. Like other drugs, it is important that you use oxygen exactly as your doctor prescribes it. An exact flow rate, in liters per minute, has been prescribed to increase the supply of oxygen to your body cells. This flow rate must never vary from the amount your doctor prescribes. Too much oxygen can be just as harmful as too little.
In addition to an exact flow rate, your doctor has specified the length of time that you should use oxygen each day. You should never vary from these instructions without first consulting with your doctor.
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