An oxygen tent consists of a canopy placed over the head and shoulders, or over the entire body of a patient to provide

oxygen Oxygen is the chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table, a highly reactive nonmetal, and an oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as ...

at a higher level than normal. Some devices cover only a part of the face. Oxygen tents are sometimes confused with altitude tents as used by athletes and those looking to acclimatize to a higher altitude, but those contain a reduced oxygen content. This form of treatment is often prescribed in conditions where people have difficulty in breathing. An oxygen tent can be used in either a

hospital A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment with specialized Medical Science, health science and auxiliary healthcare staff and medical equipment. The best-known type of hospital is the general hospital, which typically ...

setting or outside a health-care facility, and can be recommended for short- or long-term therapy. Typically the tent is made of transparent plastic material. It can envelop the patient's bed with the end sections held in place by a mattress to ensure that the tent is airtight. The enclosure often has a side opening with a zipper.

Benefits

Oxygen therapy often benefits patients by providing more oxygen to their

lungs The lungs are the primary organs of the respiratory system in humans and most other animals, including some snails and a small number of fish. In mammals and most other vertebrates, two lungs are located near the backbone on either side of ...

and consequently to their tissues. Typically, the treatment raises the amount of oxygen in the

blood Blood is a body fluid in the circulatory system of humans and other vertebrates that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells, and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. Blood in th ...

, decreases load on the

heart The heart is a muscular organ in most animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, while carrying metabolic waste such as carbon dioxid ...

, and facilitates breathing. It can ease symptoms such as cough and dried up secretions that occur in respiratory conditions. Oxygen therapy might be advised for lung diseases, heart conditions,

carbon monoxide poisoning Carbon monoxide poisoning typically occurs from breathing in carbon monoxide (CO) at excessive levels. Symptoms are often described as " flu-like" and commonly include headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Large ...

, and could be administered to patients in case of surgery. A person with viral or bacterial meningitis who develops breathing difficulty might be kept in an oxygen tent.

Hazards

Raised levels of oxygen increase fire risk, both of ignition and of spreading rate and damage. Many materials that will not burn in air will ignite and burn in a high oxygen atmosphere. Extinguishing a fire is more difficult in a high oxygen environment.

Precautions

Certain precautions are usually recommended when using an oxygen tent. One of the measures is to avoid opening the tent very often. If the tent is opened to attend to the patient, the edges need to be tucked back to prevent oxygen from seeping out. In general, it is advisable not to smoke or have any flammable material within the vicinity of any oxygen apparatus. Using an electrical device inside an oxygen tent also could be hazardous.

References

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External links

Medical Discoveries: Oxygen tentWhat is an Oxygen Tent
at Oxygen Concentrator Store

Oxygen Respiratory therapy

Benefits

Hazards

Precautions

See also

References

External links