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 wel ...
at a higher level than normal. Some devices cover only a part of the face. Oxygen tents are sometimes confused with
altitude tent
An altitude tent is a sealed tent used to simulate a higher altitude with reduced oxygen. Living or training at altitude causes the body to adapt to the lower oxygen content by producing more oxygen-carrying red blood cells and hemoglobin, thu ...
s 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 health science and auxiliary healthcare staff and medical equipment. The best-known type of hospital is the general hospital, which typically has an emerge ...
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 th ...
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 the c ...
, 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 dioxide t ...
, 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 e ...
, and could be administered to patients in case of surgery. A person with
viral or
bacterial meningitis
Meningitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, collectively called the meninges. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Other symptoms include confusion or ...
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.
See also
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References
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External links
Medical Discoveries: Oxygen tentWhat is an Oxygen Tentat Oxygen Concentrator Store
Oxygen
Respiratory therapy