Oxygen therapy means using an oxygen tank or a machine to
breathe in air that contains more oxygen than normal.
therapy increases the amount of oxygen in the lungs and the bloodstream. A
person with a health problem such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) may need oxygen therapy if there are signs that the cells of the
body are not getting enough oxygen.
Oxygen therapy may be given by
different methods, including a:
Tube placed under a person's nose (nasal
Plastic cup placed over a person's mouth and nose
(oxygen face mask).
Tube (endotracheal tube) placed into the mouth and down the
windpipe of a person who cannot breathe independently. The tube is attached to
a machine (ventilator) that breathes for the person.
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Ken Y. Yoneda, MD - Pulmonology
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.