What are the uses of oxygen in cylinders?
The primary use of medical oxygen is oxygen therapy. This involves the administration of a gas mixture with a high oxygen content, which is required in cases of respiratory failure, when oxygen levels in the arterial blood are low (hypoxaemia).
This condition can be caused by chronic diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic hypoxaemia, chronic bronchitis, severe pulmonary hypertension, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or neuromuscular diseases. Acute conditions, such as anaphylactic shock, severe haemorrhage or hypothermia, may also require oxygen therapy.
