WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF USING HOME OXYGEN?
Assuming the need for oxygen is established, there are several disadvantages: 1. Continuous Need. The need for O2 is continuous since the body does not store it. Only a few minutes’ supply is available in circulating blood; once that supply is exhausted, death ensues. This is marked contrast to food, which is stored as protein and fat and can keep a fasting person alive for many days. When patients are low on O2 they would logically benefit from receiving supplemental O2 all the time. This is impractical because of inconvenience and cost. 2. Inconvenience. The extra O2 must come from either heavy tanks or a cumbersome electrical apparatus and hence is confining. Practically speaking, patients must be sedentary for continuous oxygen or carry bulky equipment if they are ambulatory (Figure 3). In addition, these small canisters do not allow excursions for more than a few hours. Unfortunately, oxygen is available only in gaseous form; there is no pill or elixir one can swallow. Because of
