OXYGEN THERAPY

Subject: Science & tech

Context: A small proportion of Covid-19 patients need oxygen support, when shortness of breath progresses to a more acute condition.

Concept:

Oxygen therapy, also known as supplemental oxygen, is the use of oxygen as a medical treatment.
This can include for low blood oxygen, carbon monoxide toxicity, cluster headaches, and to maintain enough oxygen while inhaled anesthetics are given.
Long-term oxygen is often useful in people with chronically low oxygen such as from severe COPD or cystic fibrosis.
Oxygen can be given in a number of ways including nasal cannula, face mask, and inside a hyperbaric chamber.
Oxygen is required for normal cell metabolism. Excessively high concentrations can cause oxygen toxicity such as lung damage or result in respiratory failure in those who are predisposed.
The use of oxygen in medicine became common around 1917.
It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.