Oxygen therapy is widely used both in emergency medical cases and as an ongoing treatment for certain conditions. There are two main types of oxygen therapy: high concentration oxygen therapy and low concentration oxygen therapy (sometimes also called controlled oxygen therapy).
The difference between the two is in the amount of oxygen being administered, as their name suggests. An oxygen flowmeter measures the rate at which the gas is dispensed, ensuring that the patient receives the right level of support.
Uses for high concentration oxygen therapy
High concentration oxygen therapy is used in a variety of situations, from treating patients with sepsis to supporting those with pneumonia or pulmonary thromboembolism. It can also be used in cases of shock or severe trauma.
The aim in such cases is always to increase the patient’s oxygen saturation within their body, as concentration of carbon dioxide in their blood is elevated. In most cases, this type of oxygen therapy is most appropriate in medical settings where blood oxygen levels can be measured.
Uses for low concentration oxygen therapy
Controlled oxygen therapy is more appropriate in settings where it’s not possible to measure a patient’s blood oxygen levels. If you are prescribed home oxygen therapy, this is the kind of treatment you’ll have.
It is most commonly used to support patients with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and for those with conditions that make their breathing weaker than normal.
The concentration of oxygen delivered in this instance will be between 24 and 28 per cent (higher than the 21 per cent oxygen found in air), but lower than is delivered for acute cases.
When you receive oxygen at home, you’ll likely either have a face mask that you place over your nose and mouth to breathe, or you’ll have tubes that are inserted into your nose to deliver the gas.