Could Oxygen be used to burst cancer's bubble?
The link between oxygen and tumour cells has been established, not only in that low oxygen levels can result in cancerous cells but that also by increasing oxygen these tumour cells can be destroyed. Finding a way to do this has been difficult as blood vessels supplies to tumour sites become reduced and so getting oxygen to the site is proving difficult.
Not only are tumour cells able to survive in low oxygen environments but these oxygen-starved cells are more difficult to kill with radiation treatment than normal healthy tissue. Scientists wanted to develop a way in which oxygen could be infused into the tumour, not only to create a more oxygen rich environment to help slow down growth but also so that they can be nuked by treatment more effectively.
One such idea has been to inject tiny oxygen-filled bubbles into a patient’s bloodstream. Microbubbles are miniature gas bubbles, containing oxygen or air, which can be suspended in a liquid such as blood. Due to their size, they can pass through even the smallest of blood vessels, and are commonly used together with medical ultrasound imaging. Microbubbles reflect ultrasound better than blood or soft tissues, which allow them to be used for highlighting blood in ultrasound images.
These microbubbles would travel to the tumour site via the bloodstream, and as the tumour’s blood vessel walls are leakier due to the effects of the tumour, they would gain access to the tumour more easily. These bubbles would then be burst to release oxygen within the tumour.
The ultrasound community already use a similar idea of using gas-filled microbubbles to improve the contrast of images. High-intensity localised ultrasound could be used to view and then rupture these bubbles at the specific site that you want.
In a recent experiment with mice it was shown that the ones treated with oxygen-containing microbubbles released their oxygen and resulted in a detectable oxygen level increase of 30 mmHg at the tumour site. Even a 10-15 mmHg increase would make the tumours twice as sensitive to radiation. Testing is now going ahead to prove whether the radiation does indeed become more effective in killing the tumour cells.
If this idea becomes a reality then cancer sufferers will require less chemotherapy and radiation therapy and experience less side effects as well as having an increased chance of destroying the tumour.
In the meantime we only have conventional methods of increasing oxygen at our disposal, such as oxygen therapy which can increase oxygen levels within the bloodstream, although only a small amount can pass through into the tumour site. Prevention is also being looked into, as low-oxygen levels are a main cause of cancerous cells there are thoughts about putting high risk patients onto low level oxygen therapy regimes as a preventative measure to try to reduce the risk of tumour sites developing.
References: http://www.the-scientist.com and http://thefutureofthings.com
THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME VISITS FOR OXYGEN USERS
Home visits are a bit like Marmite; you either love them or hate them. Patients who are on oxygen require monitoring to see if their oxygen requirement alters over time and this can be done either via home visits or by going to see your GP or consultant at the hospital. Patients have differing opinions over which they feel is more suitable; some feel uncomfortable at the thought of medical personnel invading their personal space at home and prefer the professional and clinical setting of a hospital and some feel that there is little medical benefit to them being seen at home. Whereas others prefer to have to not travel back and forth in their condition and feel more at ease talking to someone in the comfort of their own home. They also feel more able to discuss the smaller things and ask questions during their own home visits rather than at an apparent rushed GP or hospital appointment.
Studies have been carried out to get feedback from patients as to problems they encounter and also to see if there are medical benefits of one method over another.
One such study asked patients about their experiences of using oxygen at home. There was feedback regarding trailing tubing, allergic reactions/irritations to tubing, preferred use of nasal cannulae over masks, continuity problems with supply, portable equipment not being of a portable size, preference of concentrators over cylinders, reduction in infections and less reliance on other medications. There were many that said that they struggled with getting to grips with oxygen use for varying reasons and life was difficult for them until their home visit resolved these for them. The home visit provided them with an opportunity to ask questions and show their home visitor what their issues were. In most cases their questions could be answered, tips/advice given, shown practically how to use their equipment more effectively, educate them on oxygen use and feedback to the hospital or oxygen supply company to resolve issues and monitor the situation to ensure that things were done. Many did not realise that they had options and could contact their supplier or use a private supplier if they wished in order to obtain better equipment that would suit their medical condition or way of life better. There are many studies that show that home visits aid in reducing mortality and readmission into hospital.
A study has been carried out by an NHS trust to ascertain whether home visits were useful and it was realised that home visits allowed for problems to be identified and interventions made to improve the way oxygen is used at home generally, and not just on a case-by-case basis. The most common interventions related to the need of more education, smoking cessation, concentrator maintenance, use of a humidifier and adjustments to tubing. It was found that they were especially important for those who lacked progress of their condition, which in many cases was due to a lack of education of how to use it properly or difficulties in using it, which resulted in reduced use. These issues can be quickly dealt with by home visits and monitoring of patient progress is also easier. It is also a mode for early detection of potential health problems or prevention against flare-ups or emergency situations, which may have been caused by a lack of understanding of their condition or their equipment.
It appears from the studies that home visits are very beneficial to the hospital service and to the patient. It is also more cost-effective to provide this service than to run it from the hospital and not incur the costs of more hospital admissions. Patient progress is monitored, patient's concerns and problems are discovered and resolved which results in a better prognosis for the patient and a reduction of cost for the hospital. Some patients will still need to see their GP or consultant depending on their condition and regular contact should still be maintained but if these can be reduced to a minimum because of home visits then it is extremely beneficial for the patient's general well-being.
References: http://www.gov.scot and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT OVER PRESCRIBING YOURSELF OXYGEN
Patients have been found to have altered their oxygen flow rate at home with the belief that more is good. This is not the case, too much oxygen is just as bad for you as not enough. Your GP will prescribe the amount that you medically need for your body to work optimally and you should not alter it yourself. If you have problems then talk to your GP, altering your oxygen flow rate because you have a temporary case of shortness of breath may just result in you being admitted to hospital with more severe medical problems.
There are many causes as to how too much oxygen can be detremental to your health.
- Gas laws state that increases in the concentration of one gas (i.e Oxygen) will lower the concentration of the others.
Nitrogen makes up 78% of room air and is responsible for the secretion of surfactant which is a lubricating type substance in the lungs which keep the alveoli inflated. Under high concentrations of Oxygen there is a 'washout' of Nitrogen and a decrease in this gas would cause less surfactant being produced and the potential collapse of these alveioli and respiratory problems.
- Oxygen is a free radical, highly reactive and can harm the body in high amounts. The body normally fends off free radical attacks from oxygen, radiation, atmosphere, drugs and stress on a daily basis with antioxidants. Cell damage can occur when free radicals outbalance antioxidants, called oxidative stress which is known to be a cause of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, Alzherimer's and Parkinson's. An influx of oxygen will cause an influx of free radicals which could cause tissue damage to cells that are already struggling to function and requiring the need for supplemental oxygen.
- Supplemental oxygen has been shown to decrease bloodflow, cause constriction of the arteries and resistance, which also renders vasodilator medication useless.
There are so many medical reasons as to how Oxygen is good for your health but be aware that there are important medical consequences if your Oxygen levels are too high. The importance of keeping your oxygen flow rate set to the prescription your GP gave you and monitoring your equipment to ensure the setting remains constant is very important.
It's true that too much of a good thing is bad for you!
References: http://www.ems1.com
Easy exercises for COPD patients
If you have COPD, exercise is very important. Exercise not only improves your overall condition, ability to do daily life tasks but it also strengthens your cardio respiratory system. Even if you need oxygen to help support exercise can still happen due to portable oxygen concentrators allowing it to be easier than ever.
Benefits of Exercise for COPD Patients
- By strengthening your muscles this reduces the demand for more oxygen
- Your overall life quality is increased
- Daily task seem much easier
- Gives ability to socialise more
It is advisable to have a 20 to 30 minutes goal minimum of three times a week. It is best to start slow and over time increase duration and intensity of your exercise routine.
10 Simple Exercises for People with COPD
1. Walking - Great for beginners
2. Stationary Biking - low-impact aerobic exercise
3. Arm Curls - Develops stronger arm muscles
4. Forward Arm Raises - Improves upper arm and shoulder strength
5. Calf Raises - Enhances walking ability
6. Leg Extensions - Helps build stronger thighs
7. Diaphragmatic Breathing - Develops the diaphragm
8. Chair Dancing - A fun, low-impact workout
9. Tai Chi - Combines stress alleviation with moderate exercise
10. Water aerobics - Helpful for arthritis and COPD
For individualised support, COPD patients who need oxygen while travelling can get in touch with OxygenWorldwide at info@oxygenworldwide.com.
Accessories can make all the difference
In the past patients diagnosed with respiratory conditions requiring oxygen therapy faced the problems associated with traditional canister oxygen technology. Bulky heavy equipment that resulted in many losing their mobility and independence. Now with portable oxygen concentrators this is becoming a thing of the past as these light weight pieces of equipment mean that patients can maintain their lifestyles and still keep active. There are still aspects of having to wear and use oxygen for long periods of time that can make patients feel conspicuous, uncomfortable, restricted or cause secondary health ailments. Technology is moving quickly and devices are becoming smaller, lighter and customisable. There are now products available to aid with the smaller inconveniences to help improve patient's quality of life even more. These may not be available from your normal supplier via the NHS but are worth the small purchase cost if it aids in improving your mobility, sleep quality and health. Many private oxygen supply companies stock these or other accessories that may suit your own personal needs or many customers purchase online.
Oximeters:
You can purchase finger pulse oximeters that are small units that check your heart rate and oxygen saturation at any time, at your own convenience. This way you can check that your oxygen levels are correct and discover early if there is a problem and seek to resolve it before it causes any major health problems. There are also ones specifically designed for children and carry cases are available for them. Drops in oxygen saturation could be an indication of faulty equipment or of a worsening health condition. Being able to monitor and record your changing oxygen saturation levels is not only more convenient than having to wait for a GP appointment to check your levels but it could also help your GP from understanding your oxygen requirements more specifically.
Sleep Face Pads:
Many find sleeping at night with masks and tubes very difficult with the tubes rubbing their skin and the feeling of discomfort preventing them from getting a good night's sleep. There are Sleep Comfort Pads available that are clear in colour so as not to make you feel conspicuous. They are designed to act as a comfort barrier between the mask and your skin to decrease air leaks, improve the comfort of the mask or nasal cannula and are hypoallergenic to reduce irritation.
Oxygen Carry Bags:
In order to aid with your mobility and getting out and about with your oxygen equipment there are bags specifically designed for carrying oxygen equipment and supplies. They allow easy, hands free transport of your oxygen tank or concentrator with a padded single shoulder strap for easy on and off. It carries the equipment on the centre of your back for comfort and is padded and insulated to protect your equipment. They can also come with a padded support waistband that can be converted for you to be able to go walking, golfing, biking, gardening or any hands free activity to keep you active and mobile. With mesh to allow the tank to breathe or the concentrator to have air flow around the equipment and some have a vehicle headrest carrier strap to ensure it remains upright whilst you drive.
Medical Oxygen Glasses:
Wearing a nasal cannula can feel odd and uncomfortable enough without the additional hassle of wearing prescription glasses. Many people feel self conscious and feel like there are too many things on their face. With the tubing normally going from the nose and out over the ears many patients find it awkward to do their hair or long hair becomes tangled with the tubing or the tubing can become caught on things. Some patients find it too much hassle and either stay at home or remove the tubing when they go out which can have a detrimental effect on your health if you're not using your oxygen supply when you should be.
These glasses are specially designed for oxygen therapy users and the tubing runs from the nose up to the glasses and is virtually invisible and also out of the way. You can choose the frames that suit you and either have clear or prescription lenses. The tubing follows the frame of the glasses and the tubing is near invisible and doesn't go across your face making wearing your cannula more comfortable and less conspicuous.
These are just a few of the accessories that are out there, as well as different tubing and prongs that may suit you better. They're designed to improve oxygen therapy users' quality of life as if the user feels more comfortable, suffers from less irritation, feels more able to have an active social life and do more activities whilst still using their oxygen then their overall health, well-being and quality of life will be much improved.
References: http://oxyview.com.dnnmax.com and http://www.gbukhealthcare.com and http://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com
Sleep is important for your health
Those who suffer with COPD or other respiratory diseases may find it difficult trying to get a full night’s sleep. It is even more important for COPD sufferers than non-affected individuals to try and get a proper night’s sleep as your body tires easily during the day from trying to complete basic daily tasks and activities let alone if you are tired from not having slept the night before. A good night’s sleep will enable your body to have more energy so that you can socialize, perform normal daily tasks, breathe better and have an improved quality of life. In the summer months it can be particularly more difficult to try and sleep with the warm humid nights and external noises. However it is in these months that many people want to go out and do more activities to enjoy the good weather, so getting a full night’s sleep in the summer is particularly important.
There are also long term health benefits of sleeping, a lack of sleep has been linked to obesity and diabetes but also now research has shown that a lack of sleep can affect your long-term mental health and can cause memory problems and increase the risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
A study in mice has shown that even brief periods of sleep deprivation can disrupt the chemical pathways in an area of the brain called the Hippocampus and affect the levels of certain enzymes and molecules, which resulted in a decrease of memory function.
Researchers from The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health have linked disturbed sleep to cognitive impairment in older individuals. Their study suggested that reduced sleep and poor sleep quality may be linked to an increased build-up of beta-amyloid plaques in the brains of older adults, which is a major sign of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is the most common form of dementia and almost half of older adults with the disorder report insomnia-based symptoms.
These studies suggest that whether you are young or old it is important to get a decent period of undisturbed sleep each night to prevent any imbalances/build-up of certain molecules within your brain, which long-term can potentially lead to a variety of mental disorders from memory impairment to Dementia.
Tips to help you sleep:
1. Talk to your GP about whether you need oxygen at night or how best to use/monitor your current night time oxygen prescription. If your oxygen levels remain stable through the night you will awaken less often.
2. Some people find that using oxygen at night to be awkward or noisy but there is newer technology that is a lot quieter and more user friendly-it may be that you can talk to your oxygen machine supplier and get yourself an upgrade.
3. Also talk to your GP if you think that you may suffer from Sleep Apnea. Ask about CPAP or another non-invasive, positive-pressure ventilation. This can help improve oxygen saturation levels during the day and night.
4. Try to clear your airways during the day so they are clear at bedtime. To do so, try coughing or huffing (take a breath in and forcefully exhale, like “huffing” onto a mirror/window to steam it up). Huffing is not as forceful as a cough but it can work better and be less tiring.
5. Don’t forget to review your medications with your GP, as some may cause side effects that can keep you up at night.
6. Practice pursed-lip breathing while lying in bed to help you relax and drift to sleep.
Some other more generic tips:
1. Keep your bedroom cool, dark and cozy. Without distractions, you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
2. Do not use your bed for working, chatting on the phone or watching television. Use it only for sleeping.
3. Avoid caffeine after lunchtime.
4. Wear loose, comfortable clothing to bed.
5. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, even weekends. When your body has a sleep cycle to rely on, rest comes more naturally.
References: www.domorewithoxygen.com and www.nursingtimes.net and www.medicalnewstoday.com
The sun could help to treat asthma
The summer has finally started to rear its head and for many people who suffer from respiratory disease the summer months can potentially worsen their condition. An increase in air pollution, pollen, dust and other allergens can irritate the lungs and worsen breathing. The general advice is to stay indoors at peak pollen or air pollution times. However on the flip-side of this advice is that exposure to the sun may actually be good for you, especially asthma sufferers.
A study by King’s College London has found that the Vitamin D that the sun provides may have a calming impact with asthma sufferers as Vitamin D helps to lower an asthmatic’s over-active part of their immune system.
Many asthmatics have high levels of Interleukin-17, which causes part of their immune system to be over-active and contributes to their respiratory reactions to allergens and is part of the cause of some asthma attacks. Some asthmatic sufferers do not respond to steroid treatment and find difficulty in managing their symptoms. This group of asthmatics tends to have very high levels of Interleukin-17.
Researchers have found that if Vitamin D levels are increased then this lowers the levels of Interleukin-17 and helps to calm down the immune system leading to a lessening of symptoms.
"We know people with high levels of vitamin D are better able to control their asthma - that connection is quite striking," said researcher Prof Catherine Hawrylowicz.
The sun is an easy natural source of Vitamin D (the body can make Vitamin D in the presence of sunshine) rather than taking synthetic supplements so the more you are out in the sun, the more Vitamin D your body will get and the happier your immune system.
Many asthma sufferers also have concerns about the side effects of their medications so if Vitamin D is shown to improve their condition then many may have to rely less on medication and can improve their quality of life.
Researchers have suggested that covering up too much and using too much sun cream has actually contributed to increased asthma rates. Obviously too much sun is bad for you and you should ensure that you protect your skin to avoid sunburn and potential skin cancers.
So there needs to be a balance of going outside and increasing your levels of Vitamin D versus avoiding high pollen counts and sunburn.
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the summer despite your condition:
• Check the Air Quality Index: Avoid peak times or areas with poor air quality.
• Always Take Your Medication: Whether this is ant-histamines, inhalers, steroids or supplemental oxygen.
• Check the Pollen Count: Try to avoid going out at times where pollen is particularly high.
• Use Air Conditioning Instead of Opening Windows: Open windows will just allow more pollen and allergens into your home or the car.
• Wash regularly: Washing your hair and clothes regularly gets rid of any allergens that may have settled on you.
• Talk to your doctor for advice.
References: http://www.healthoxygen.com and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health
Aspergillosis and your lungs
Aspergillosis is the group of diseases caused by the fungus Aspergillus. It is an opportunistic fungus that exists as moulds and is found in organic debris, dust, compost, foods, spices and rotting plants. It is the second most common fungal infection. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common species followed by flavus and niger.
Symptoms can include fever, cough, chest pain and breathlessness which also occur in many other illnesses which can make diagnosis difficult. Usually only patients with weakened immune systems or pre-existing lung conditions are susceptible.
The major forms of disease are:
* Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis – this affects patients with respiratory disease such as asthma, CF and COPD.
* Acute invasive aspergollosis – a form that grows into surrounding tissue, common with patients that are immuno-compromised such as those with AIDs or receiving chemotherapy.
* Disseminated invasive aspergillosis – an infection that spreads throughout the whole body
* Aspergilloma – a ‘fungus ball’ that can form within cavities, especially within the lungs. The fungus settles in a cavity and is able to grow freely because some elements of the immune system are unable to penetrate into the cavity. As the fungus multiplies, it forms a ball, which incorporates dead tissue from the surrounding lung, mucus, and other debris.
The Aspergillus spores are inhaled and spread by airborne transmission. The spores are in the atmosphere all year round but are at their peak during the late autumn. If inhaled by a healthy individual you are unlikely to present with any symptoms however if you are susceptible then you may present with weight loss, a cough, shortness of breath, coughing up of blood, fever, tiredness and chest pain.
Bed rest, humidified oxygen therapy and cough suppressants are normally enough to treat an infection. However, if the symptoms are graver then postural drainage, anti-fungal drugs or lung surgery may be required. Aspergillosis typically heals with treatment though it may reoccur if you are repeatedly exposed to the fungus. Complications include airway blockage, respiratory failure, kidney damage, and bleeding in the lungs.
Oxygen therapy helps not only to relieve the symptoms caused by the fungus but also because the fungus cannot survive in high oxygen levels If the fungus infection is within the lungs themselves or nose and throat then they will be surrounded instantly and continuously by the higher oxygen levels breathed in by the patient and it will help to disperse the fungal infection.
Those patients who have lung diseases or are otherwise susceptible to infection are advised to check their homes and environments for mould and to check their bedding and not inhale near composts or rotting vegetation. If you get any symptoms then check with your doctor who can test for the presence of a fungal infection and treat accordingly to the type of infection that you have, as different species of the fungus will present with differing symptoms and may need to be treated slightly differently.
References: http://en.wikipedia.org and www.nacpatients.org.uk and www.healthline.com
The future of the oxygen market
20 years ago the exhibitions were filled with oxygen cylinders and now business is bigger and has progressed a lot. Most people know very little about the oxygen marketplace but it's very much part of the 'home-care' marketplace although opportunities are emerging for retailers too.
In America oxygen is big business and millions of them use oxygen, but it has high pressures on it due to the 'competitive bidding' programme, as Americans have the private healthcare system so there are many companies competing for low cost products. In the UK it isn't as prominent but it's definitely there and has grown. It's a business that has gone from nothing to millions in just a few years. Over here the market is about delivering oxygen to patients at home. 70% of them are COPD patients and the numbers involved and the growth rate is huge and is thought to be the second biggest disability in the USA.
The two main products are either static oxygen; which is produced from oxygen concentrators plugged into the mains, or ambulatory oxygen; necessary for patients who want to use oxygen outside of the home. This is achieved by the use of portable oxygen concentrators, transportable oxygen concentrators or devices such as home-filling, where the patient can fill gas cylinders from their static concentrator. A patient is diagnosed with a respiratory disease and either via a doctor or an oxygen assessment clinic their oxygen needs are assessed for a prescription. This prescription is sent to the contracted oxygen provider for that area of the country, of which there are 11 in England and Wales. At the moment the provision is mostly dominated by gas providers which is similar across Europe. This is due to the fact that traditionally the delivery model involved producing liquid oxygen, putting the gas into cylinders and transporting these and therefore gas companies were better equipped to deal with this process.
However oxygen concentrator technology has really taken off over the last few years in the US and has allowed healthcare companies to come into the marketplace and lower the price of the service considerably, as the need for delivery of cylinders and refilling these cylinders is being eradicated as now you can just buy a one-off product. Europe and the UK are slowly catching up with the idea.
There are millions of people diagnosed with COPD around the world and 15% of these are prescribed oxygen. The number of COPD patients coming into the market is increasing and is expected to continue to increase for many more years. COPD patients are also increasingly being prescribed oxygen until the end of their life expectancy combined with the fact that COPD is being diagnosed earlier in life due to an increased awareness of the condition means that many more people will be requiring oxygen for longer periods of time. The demand for oxygen in the UK is being driven by the high levels of smoking. If you smoke for more than 30 years then it is likely that your lungs will become damaged. According to the UK government the number of people diagnosed with COPD is just the tip of the iceberg compared to people who actually have the disease. The NHS needs there to be more competition in order to bring down costs and invest in bringing the newest technology into the UK market. There are private companies coming through though such as Virgin Care who are involved in COPD management and pulmonary rehab management and their next logical step would be to also get involved in oxygen delivery as well. In Scotland the model has already evolved, which although was time-consuming and expensive in the short-term will help the NHS in Scotland long-term and there will be a £2 million saving on the pharmacy oxygen budget for them. They managed to link a manufacturer to a contractor and to the Scottish NHS in a three-way relationship via competitive quotes. Hopefully in the near future this will also happen in the NHS in England and Wales.
It is hoped that there will also be opportunities for retailers too. There are already a small number of specialist retailers in the marketplace. OxygenWorldwide and it's services can give expert advice and arrangement when travelling with oxygen. Your local provider cannot allow you to take your oxygen equipment abroad on a plane. As demand increases the pressure to produce equipment to hire or buy in order to travel abroad will also increase, as what happened in the US. It was the main driving force in the US for manufacturers to produce portable concentrators that were cheaper and lighter. Cylinders were too awkward to take abroad and airlines charge a fortune. This increasing demand and expectation will help to improve and cheapen the market over here as well.
Consumers increasingly want lighter, longer-lasting, smaller oxygen concentrators and this will be the way forward for the marketplace. The main problem is battery life which is what happened with laptops and mobile phones. As the products become lighter and smaller then the marketplace will grow for retailers to sell them to their customers who want to get out and about more easily and to go abroad. The internet has also opened up the market and has encouraged transatlantic sales which has opened-up the eyes of the UK market to what else there is out there and in combination with an increase in private sales the Department of Health has responded positively. In the future it is expected that the marketplace will continue to open up and will take advantage of the new technology and delivery methods. Patients will still have static oxygen in their homes but will have an ambulatory device tailored to suit their needs. It is envisioned that in the future there could be oxygen monitors positioned on a patient's ear or finger being programmed back through blue tooth technology, with a device on the hip which will then deliver the amount of oxygen they need at any point in time. Data can be fed and analysed to confirm that the patient is using it efficiently and that the oxygen purity is at the right levels.
As with other markets, the private companies drive the technological advancements and increased demand helps to bring down costs and then these cheaper better products filter down into the public domain. In the meantime before the future gets here, if you are unhappy or feel restricted by the equipment that is currently available via your local supplier then take a look at a private company like OxygenWorldwide for portable oxygen concentrator hire across the world and not just for travelling abroad, costs have come down a lot recently and the technology available is more advanced. It's worth a look and it's an investment into your health and quality of life.
References: http://www.thiis.co.uk
Is supplemental oxygen considered a performance-enhancing drug for athletes?
You often see a football player on the side-lines breathing oxygen after running a long distance or having worked hard during a long series of plays, but is it actually doing anything?
In athletic performance oxygen controls many things and a lack of it causes loss of muscle control, poor stamina and an inability to concentrate. At its very worse it can cause complete and literal collapse. Many athletes try to extend their stamina and performance by using oxygen supplementation but does it work?
How oxygen supports performance
Kenyan nationals have become next to unbeatable in marathon running and one supposed reason for this performance was oxygen surplus. Kenyans are born and train in an atmosphere with lower oxygen and when they compete in marathons they are usually doing so in countries at lower altitudes and therefore they experience a natural oxygen surplus. Some believe this allows them to have higher stamina and a faster, stronger performance than people who train in more oxygen-rich atmospheres. It also boosts the idea that supplemental oxygen increases performance. Even if this theory is true, the question still remains as to whether artificial sources of oxygen can help you achieve Kenyan stamina. There have been a few studies that have shown that when pure oxygen is used prior to an athlete's performance that they can lift weights quicker and cover short distances quicker. However during these few studies the participants knew that they were breathing pure oxygen and raises the question that perhaps the result was due to a placebo effect.
Confirming the studies
If there was significant proof that oxygen could enhance performance then there would have been an immediate debate as to whether breathing pure oxygen was deemed a performance-enhancing drug and whether it should be regulated or banned. The science of oxygen consumption and the studies that have been carried out answers the question with a resounding no. In healthy athletic people, such as professional football players, nearly all of the oxygen in the blood is carried by haemoglobin and only a very small percentage (1.5%) is dissolved in blood. Even if an athlete breathes pure oxygen, haemoglobin cannot be more than 100% saturated and therefore does not change and the amount that is dissolved in the blood only raises to 5.6%. This minimal affect will nearly instantly disappear after you have stopped breathing the pure oxygen and is not enough to affect recovery or performance.
One study looked at football players given 100% oxygen or a placebo after exertion before they had to exercise again. There was no increase in performance during the second bout of exercise. Another study also concluded that supplemental oxygen may have a placebo effect, but there is “no real physiologic benefit.”
Supplemental oxygen is therefore not considered a performance-enhancing drug because it doesn't work, the science and studies cannot provide supporting evidence and at best it may just have a placebo effect, which has a similar result that lucky socks do.
References Skeptical Scalpel
