August 31st, 2010
Long Term Oxygen Therapy – Smoking
A large proportion of the population is still smoking, and even if the percentages are lower than they were 50 years ago, this means that down the line a few years or decades away, many if not all of these will develop breathing problems.
Many of these will develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. COPD statistics show that 90% of diagnosed sufferers were smokers and that 20% of all smokers will end up having this illness. When you translate these percentages into real figures the results number in the millions – and yet there are new smokers all the time.
By this time regrets and blaming others, though typical will be next to useless. The vast majority of people with COPD will need supplemental oxygen supplied through a machine.
Smokers have damaged do have damage in their lungs but when the do stop, at least it doesn’t get worse.
Oxygen therapy is being prescribed for most cases and the statistical results are that life expectancy is much greater. 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.
A couple of things more.
Prevention, as they say, is the best medicine. There is a general consensus that smoking is bad for you and so legislation has focused on this. (Whether it is concern for public health or concern for the cost of medication and treatment is another thing). In the meantime many millions of ex smokers, who are growing older will develop pulmonary diseases.
The second relates to activity and quality of life. Home-stationary oxygen delivery machines are available as are portable oxygen tanks, cylinders and concentrators. These are also been constantly upgraded, bettered and even redesigned all of which will provide greater levels of activity and mobility.
Long-term oxygen therapy is no longer limited to the clinic or to the home. Mobile and portable units are available, are also covered by insurance and even some portable oxygen concentrators are allowed on board planes, as authorized by the FAA.
Various devices such as pulse of oximeters, that measure oxygen saturation, and oxygen flow regulators are part of standard equipment that long-term oxygen patients are using – and as a result they are increasing their potential levels of activity.