Smokers May Need Oxygen Therapy
Saturday, August 28th, 2010 Subscribe To Our Feed
Although the percentage of smokers is gradually going down, there are still many millions smoking daily and every day new smokers join these ranks - and one of the results of this is that many of them will end up with breathing problems.
It is a fact of life that many smokers will end up suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. All smokers run this risk and in fact 20% of them will develop COPD. And of all COPD sufferers, 90% of them did smoke in the past. When you translate these percentages into real figures the results number in the millions - and yet there are new smokers all the time.
For most people this will mean a lot of suffering, reduced activities, general weakness and the need for a continuous use of supplemental oxygen and the lungs can no longer absorb the required amount (no oxygen - no life).
Your best bet is to stop smoking and even if this is not an iron clad guarantee that you won’t develop COPD (the damage has been done), it will certainly reduce the over all damage.
What to do/ Aside from not smoking (I had to put that in), in most cases oxygen therapy is prescribed as part of the overall recovery and treatment process. The results are positive as now patients are receiving the oxygen they require and are able to lead active lives. We all need oxygen to stay alive and being alive is more than just surviving. As the additional oxygen is received, together with more modern and practical ways of delivering, it many patients can lead active lifestyles - and this means less psychological limitations which after all does have a lot to do with quality of life.
A couple of things more.
One point is that not smoking is the best option. Over the last few years there has developed a much greater awareness of the dangers of smoking and so more and more people are stopping. The figures for new smokers are not so optimistic, but at least the overall scenario is more positive. Over the next few decades the numbers of people who develop lung illness as a direct result of smoking will increase (think of baby boomers growing older).
The second relates to activity and quality of life. Home-stationary oxygen delivery machines are available as are portable oxygen tanks, cylinders and concentrators. These are also been constantly upgraded, bettered and even redesigned all of which will provide greater levels of activity and mobility.
It used to be that a patient that needed oxygen full time would be stuck to a clinic. If extra oxygen had to be given on a partial basis (not 24/7), then continuous visits had to be made. Now patients can get home oxygen systems as well as portable ones. This has made a great difference from all points of view - work, social activities and travel, both short distances and even flights. As a point of fact, the FAA has authorized certain oxygen concentrators on board flights.
Aside from these there is a whole range of accessories that are used - these include oximeters to measure oxygen blood saturation, cannulas (those hoses that deliver the oxygen to the nose or mouth) flow regulators.
Tags: Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal remedies, natural remedy for depression
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