Tlenoterapi

Tlenoterapi, also known as oxygen therapy, is a medical treatment that delivers supplemental oxygen to people whose blood oxygen levels are lower than normal. By increasing the amount of oxygen available for transport in the bloodstream, it helps improve tissue oxygenation and can relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue. It is used in acute care settings, for chronic lung diseases, heart failure, pneumonia, after surgery, and during anesthesia, and may be prescribed for home use in cases of chronic hypoxemia.

Oxygen can be delivered through various devices, depending on the needed oxygen dose and the setting. Common delivery methods include nasal cannula for low to moderate oxygen flow (roughly 1–6 liters per minute, delivering about 24–40% oxygen), a simple face mask (approximately 40–60% FiO2), a non-rebreather mask (up to around 90% under certain conditions), and Venturi masks that provide a more exact FiO2. More advanced systems include high-flow nasal oxygen, oxygen concentrators, and liquid oxygen. The exact concentration and flow are adjusted to meet the patient’s needs and target blood oxygen saturation.

Monitoring and safety are essential. Oxygen saturation is typically monitored with pulse oximetry, and arterial blood gases may be used in some cases. Target oxygen levels vary by condition but often aim for sufficient oxygenation without causing over-treatment; for many patients this means SpO2 in the low to mid-90s, with adjustments for certain chronic diseases. Safety considerations include reducing fire risk, avoiding dryness of the airways, and preventing infection through proper equipment care.

There are few absolute contraindications to oxygen therapy, but it must be prescribed and monitored to avoid potential harms from excessive oxygen delivery, particularly in people with chronic carbon dioxide retention.