Examples would include the patient who is apneic, is suffering from cardiovascular collapse, or is a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning. In general, the clinical situations in which the administration of supplemental oxygen is indicated are: (1) Profound but potentially reversible hypoxia that appears amenable to the short-term administration of high concentrations of oxygen. Symptoms of oxygen toxicity are substernal distress, nausea and vomiting, malaise, fatigue, and numbness and tingling of the extremities. The danger of oxygen toxicity can be minimized by careful assessment of each patient's need for oxygen therapy and systematic blood gas analysis to determine patient response and effectiveness of treatment. The result is a loss of lung compliance and reduction of the transport of oxygen across the alveolar membrane. Prolonged exposure to inspired oxygen concentrations in excess of 50 per cent can impair the production of this surfactant in a patient of any age. retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants was found to be caused in part by excessively high levels of oxygen in the blood.Īnother serious complication of high-oxygen concentration therapy is the development of a hyaline membrane because of a deficiency of pulmonary surfactant surfactant is vitally important to normal expansion and deflation of the alveoli. It is known that high concentrations of inhaled oxygen can result in collapse of alveoli because of displacement of nitrogen by oxygen. Although it is true that all living organisms require oxygen to maintain life, an environment of 100 per cent oxygen inhibits growth of living tissue cultures, and laboratory experiments have shown that hyperoxygenation of body tissues can cause irreversible damage. Such disruption occurs also in various illnesses, such as anemia and diseases of lungs, heart, kidneys, and liver.Īdverse Effects of Oxygen. A number of poisons, such as cyanide and carbon monoxide, as well as large overdoses of sedatives, disrupt the oxygen distribution system of the body. Severe curtailment of oxygen, as during ascent to high altitudes or in certain illnesses, may bring on a variety of symptoms of hypoxia, or oxygen lack. This temporary deficiency is called oxygen debt. When the competition is over, however, the athletes will continue to breathe heavily until the muscles have been supplied with sufficient oxygen. Thus, during athletic competition, the participants make use of the capacity of muscles to function even though their needs for oxygen are not fully met. In fact, in strenuous exercise the oxygen needs of muscle cells are greater than the amount the body can absorb even by the most intense breathing. But this balance need not be exact at all times.
Oxygen Balance and “ Oxygen Debt.” The need of every cell for oxygen requires a balance in supply and demand.
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