Supplemental Oxygen and Smoking
Smokers have been around for decades and even though today’s smokers have run out of excuses, there are still many youngsters who are or will become smokers in due course. Of these, both the new smokers and the older smokers, a very large percentage will develop lung and breathing problems.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is many time the end result. Around 20% of all smokers end up with ” COPD” and over 90% of COPD sufferers were smokers. Even though the figures speak for themselves every day new smokers are born.
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.
Perhaps the most effective treatment is oxygen therapy. With this oxygen therapy, patients are getting the necessary oxygen and are then able to continue with many normal activities. Both of these issues are vitally important. On the one hand all mammals, and this means us, need oxygen as the most basic survival requirement. On the other hand the need for an active lifestyle cannot be stressed enough. It is important not only for the psychological point of view where it provides at least a minimum of purpose, but also from the physical health aspect. Immobility is not a healthy option.
There are two aspects that need to be highlighted.
The first is preventive measures. We as a society are much more aware of the dangers of smoking and the legislation and conviction are reduced numbers of smokers, or at least smoking opportunities. This still means that many millions will require oxygen therapy in the future – but at least it’s not as any as could be. (The social costs can only be measured in billions of dollars).
The other point is that everyone expects an active life and this should also be combined with quality of life. If you are bound to a bed, whether in a home or a clinic, then for most people quality of life will be low. Oxygen therapy can now be delivered with more modern machines that allow most patients a certain level of activity – these machines include stationary and oxygen tanks.
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: dangers of smoking, smoking, stop smoking