The oxygen concentrator is a crucial medical equipment, especially for those who need supplemental oxygen due to their respiratory condition. Having a oxygen concentrator beside you can aid you when struggling to take proper breathing and can enhance quality of life.
An oxygen concentrator is considered an effective and reliable device for those who suffer from respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or other respiratory disorders, however like other medical equipment, oxygen concentrators also need to be carefully studied to know how to operate it smoothly that cause no harm to anyone whether machine or the user because receiving too much oxygen and not knowing its side effects can lead to harmful risks to health such as oxygen toxicity or hyperoxia.
In this article, we will look at the signs that can help to decide whether you are receiving too much oxygen from your oxygen concentrator. Indicating and knowing those signs can help you in getting appropriate treatment through safe and effective therapy and avoiding risk in the future.
How Does Too Much Oxygen Affect the Body?
Using excessive oxygen can lead to oxygen toxicity that can leave long-term effects on your body, which significantly includes the lungs and central nervous system. When the user is breathing at a higher concentration of oxygen than normal it can lead to a condition called hyperoxia, which eventually causes oxidative damage to cells and tissues. Even the symptoms of oxygen toxicity can be sometimes difficult to manage as they include coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and neurological issues.
If you are compromising your health for a long time by prolonged exposure to oxygen you can lead yourself to a critical medical condition like severe lung damage and that is not just the end, it can lead to other critical conditions like pulmonary oedema and alveolar collapse. These conditions impact the lung’s functionality as they stop transferring the bloodstream effectively as they used to normally.
These health issues can be a major concern, especially for those who are already relying on oxygen machines to maintain their respiratory health and support. If you want to avoid leading yourself or your loved one to life-threatening complications, it is crucial to know how to manage and get appropriate oxygen levels from the oxygen concentrator.
Symptoms of Too Much Oxygen
Following are the symptoms that can help you indicate that you are leading towards health risks, that as oxygen toxicity, by knowing and detecting them timely you can prevent harmful health concerns and risks:
1. Respiratory Symptoms
Shortness of Breath:
If you are noticing that you are frequently struggling to breathe and even when you are not doing any physical activity, you can feel the shortness of breath. With prolonged exposure, breathing gets more difficult.
Coughing:
Having persistent coughing is one of the common side effects when using excessive oxygen, so if you are noticing that you are struggling with coughing a lot lately then it might be a sign that your lungs are getting impacted due to high oxygen levels.
Chest Pain:
You previously did not experience any chest pain and also have no history of having any heart disease (major or minor) but currently, you are dealing with frequent chest pain it might be a sign that there is inflammation in your lung or injury and they are getting impacted due to excessive oxygen use.
2. Neurological Symptoms that can indicate excessive oxygen
Following are the neurological symptoms that can also indicate that you are leading your body to harmful risk by excessive oxygen use:
Headaches:
If you are suffering from the frequent headache, that you normally did not use to have, it can be a sign that oxygen levels are not being maintained well and are too high.
Dizziness or Lightheadedness:
As mentioned above using excessive oxygen can lead to a condition called Hyperoxia, which can significantly impact brain function and lead to dizziness or lightheadedness sensations.
Seizures:
When the condition gets serious and complicated due to oxygen toxicity, it can eventually lead to impacting the central nervous system.
3. Behavioral and Cognitive Changes
Even behavioural and mental health is impacted due to oxygen toxicity, which affects having clear mental clarity and the person might feel anxious and restless. If you are currently dealing with these things then it can be a sign that you need to check if you are maintaining an appropriate oxygen level from the oxygen concentrator.
4. Other Physical Symptoms
There are other physical symptoms too that can indicate the signs of oxygen toxicity, such as currently dealing a lot with digestive issues and not seeing clearly due to blurry vision may be a sign that your body is struggling with hyperoxia.
Who Is at Risk?
Almost everyone can get impacted due to oxygen toxicity but certain individuals are at higher risk such as:
- Patients suffering from chronic respiratory diseases.
- Those who are receiving higher levels of oxygen for extended periods.
- Those who are dealing with pre-existing lung conditions.
Preventing Oxygen Toxicity
Here is how you can prevent oxygen toxicity and prevent health risks associated with it:
Follow Prescribed Settings:
Make sure that you are maintaining the flow rate as prescribed by your healthcare provider. If you are not aware of how to do it get insight regarding it from the manufacturer or your doctor.
Regular Monitoring:
If you feel like you are getting excessive oxygen from the concentrator, you can use a plus oximeter to ensure that you are maintaining your blood oxygen levels well. Typically the normal range for blood oxygen level is 92-96%.
Consult Your Doctor:
If you are noticing unusual symptoms after the oxygen therapy you can discuss it with your healthcare specialist and ensure that there is any adjustment needed.
Opt for Periodic Testing:
If your doctor has prescribed any tests like Arterial blood gas (ABG) tests, make sure to do as your doctor asks. In this manner, you will get an accurate idea about your health condition.
What actions to take if You Suspect Oxygen Toxicity
If you suspect that you are getting too much from the concentrator that is leading to oxygen toxicity, here are a few things that you can try:
Reduce Flow Rate:
Reduce the oxygen flow rate and notice if your condition is getting better as it alleviates your symptoms.
Consult Healthcare Provider:
In case of unusual or persistent symptoms, consult a healthcare specialist to evaluate your condition better.
Seek Emergency Care when symptoms get severe:
If your condition is getting worse due to severe symptoms like difficulty breathing or chest pain, seek emergency care.
How to Get a Prescription for Oxygen?
To get a prescription for oxygen to effectively support your respiratory health. First, you need to consult a doctor or healthcare specialist. They will assess your medical condition which will help in making an informed decision regarding the oxygen therapy required. They will also give you an insight into prescribing oxygen necessary for you regarding target saturation levels and delivery methods.
