Many sufferers of pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung conditions eventually need supplemental oxygen therapy to improve their dyspnea. Receiving a prescription for home oxygen, however, might be upsetting. Everyone who interacts with you will be made aware that you have a medical problem that requires the use of oxygen all of a sudden.
What is an oxygen bar?
Malls, casinos, and nightclubs all have oxygen bars. These “bars” offer fragrance-infused, filtered oxygen. Through a tube, the oxygen is delivered to your nostrils.
Although the pure oxygen served is frequently said to contain 95% oxygen, this can vary significantly depending on the filtering apparatus employed and the flow rate at which it is delivered. About 21% of the oxygen in the air we breathe every day is present naturally; when supplied oxygen is added, this percentage is diluted. The more it is diluted with ambient air and the less you really receive, the lower the flow rate.
There isn’t much proof to support the claims made by proponents of recreational oxygen therapy that inhaling pure oxygen increases energy levels, reduces stress, and may even cure hangovers.
Learn more about the advantages and dangers of oxygen bars by reading on.
What are the benefits?
The majority of benefits of oxygen bars claims have not been supported by science.
According to proponents of oxygen bars or PSA oxygen concentrator suppliers, purified oxygen can:
- increase levels of energy
- help to improve your mood
- help to make concentration improvement
- improve your overall sports performance
- help in stress-reducing
- provide relief for migraine & headache
- promote sleep better
30 people with chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder (COPD) who had been using oxygen therapy for several months were surveyed by researchers. Most participants noted an improvement in their sense of well-being, their level of alertness, and their sleeping habits.
However, over a longer period of time, the patients underwent continuous oxygen therapy for a number of hours each day. The researchers weren’t certain how much of the perceived improvement was due to a placebo effect, even though the patients felt an improvement.
There is proof that more oxygen may make it easier for those with sleep apnea to fall asleep. A person with sleep apnea experiences recurrent breathing pauses while they are asleep. Sleeping doesn’t seem to have any advantages for persons without this ailment.
Only weak evidence suggests that oxygen therapy can relieve cluster headaches. Although more research is required, no negative impacts were found.
You might notice a reduction in the symptoms of stress if you find utilizing oxygen bars to be calming and don’t have any medical issues that could be made worse by additional oxygen.
People who visit oxygen bars often claim beneficial results, however, these results could be the result of the placebo effect or unstudied advantages.
Are oxygen bars safe?
Both the hazards and the advantages of oxygen bars have not been thoroughly investigated. Some experts wonder what value extra oxygen could have because a healthy person’s normal blood oxygen is between 96 and 99 percent saturated with oxygen when breathing regular air. According to a study, supplemental oxygen is beneficial for some medical disorders, but even in these cases, getting too much oxygen can be dangerous and even fatal,
It has long been a common procedure to give oxygen to patients who are admitted to the hospital with acute illnesses. According to a study, provided liberally to patients with severe illnesses and trauma, oxygen therapy may raise the chance of death.
By bubbling oxygen through a liquid that either contains an oil-free, food-grade additive or an aroma oil-like essential oil, the aromas are conveyed. Oily compounds that are inhaled have the potential to cause lipoid pneumonia, a dangerous lung disease.
Some people, especially those who already have lung conditions, may react negatively to the odors present in scented oxygen. The lung specialist claims that the compounds in perfumes, even those made from organic plant extracts, can result in mild to severe allergic reactions.
Smell-related reactions can cause symptoms like:
- headaches
- dizziness
- breath shortness
- nausea
- Asthma worsening
Fire is also a top concern whenever you’re dealing with oxygen. Oxygen type is nonflammable but does support combustion.
7 Tips for living life comfortably with an oxygen concentrator at home
When you work through the difficulties of setting up and using a home oxygen concentrator dual flow oxygen therapy, keep in mind that as your COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or other lung illness advances, it can significantly enhance your quality of life.
For information on how to live comfortably on home oxygen, refer to these 7 guidelines:
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Talk with close family members and friends in advance
When your lung specialist first mentions oxygen therapy, go home and talk to your family members about how it will change your life. Inform them that the oxygen will enable you to be active and carry on with the activities you enjoy with them. Having these dialogues may help maintain life as normal as possible.
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Understand your concentrator’s maintenance requirements
For home oxygen therapy, many people receive an oxygen concentrator. Through a lengthy line that can extend throughout the entire house, this equipment, which can be hidden in a corner, can give oxygen to your nose.
Ask your home oxygen provider about the necessary concentrator maintenance when they set up your concentrator. For instance, filters on concentrators need to be changed on a regular basis.
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On a schedule replace tubing and cannulas
In order to provide oxygen to your nostrils, supplemental oxygen therapy employs two different types of tubing: a lengthy tube that connects to the concentrator or tank and a nasal cannula. Find out how frequently to change the cannula and main tubing from your oxygen source.
In general, even if the cannula doesn’t seem dirty, you should change it periodically. Every two months or so, the tubing needs to be replaced.
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Keep spare cannulas and tubing handy.
Always have extra cannulas and oxygen tubing close by in case either one break while being used. For instance, cutting a length of tubing by accidentally running a vacuum cleaner over it is not difficult.
You can prevent a breakdown in oxygen delivery by keeping spare tubing close by.
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Having a power outage plan.
Your oxygen concentrator could not function if the electricity in your house goes out. Make a plan of action in case there is a power outage to prevent you from running out of oxygen. You should have a strategy that calls for switching right away to a portable oxygen tank until your electricity is restored.
Call for help if you run out of oxygen before the electricity is turned back on. Some people decide to buy a home backup generator if they have the money to.
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Clean the humidifier often
Clean your oxygen concentrator’s humidifier bottle periodically if you use one. The growth of bacteria can happen quickly in humidifier attachments.
Every week, take the bottle out and wash it with soap and water.
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Fire safety practices
While oxygen tanks and concentrators both provide oxygen to the air, oxygen itself is neither flammable nor explosive. Fires may burn significantly more quickly than usual as a result of them. Keep oxygen supplies like tanks away from any open flame source.
If you use a gas stove, ask your doctor or your home oxygen provider about safe cooking techniques. Above all, don’t let anyone smoke in your room full of fresh air.
Conclusion
Although the health benefits of utilizing oxygen bars have not been shown, they seem to be safe to use if you’re in good health and wish to give one a try.
Oxygen bars should not be used if you have a respiratory or circulatory disease because they may be dangerous. If you have any medical concerns, it is a good idea to consult your doctor before utilizing an oxygen bar.