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What are the Symptoms of Oxygen Toxicity?
Oxygen therapy is a lifesaver for people with COPD and other chronic (ongoing) illnesses, its benefits known to increase survival, relieve symptoms, increase exercise tolerance, improve health-related quality of life and more.[1] But what happens when you get too much oxygen? And under what circumstances could this occur? Let’s explore this further.
History of “Pure Air”
Oxygen has existed in our atmosphere for 5 billion years, its concentration insignificant until approximately 2.5 billion years ago when the first photosynthetic organisms appeared. Joseph Priestly, the man who discovered oxygen in 1774, was one of the first to propose that adverse events may be associated with this “pure air” we now know as oxygen. But it wasn’t until 1878 that the first important contribution in the field of oxygen toxicity was made when Paul Bert, a French physiologist, demonstrated the effects of oxygen toxicity on larks. To this day, the toxic effects of oxygen on the central nervous system (CNS) are referred to as the “Bert Effect.”[2]
Who’s at Risk for Oxygen Toxicity?
In general, there are two medical settings in which oxygen toxicity might exist: the first where the patient is exposed to very high concentrations of oxygen for short periods of time (e.g. hyperbaric oxygen therapy); the second where lower concentrations of oxygen are used, but for longer periods of time. These lead to what we often refer to as acute (sudden onset) and chronic (persistent, ongoing) oxygen toxicity. The acute effects often manifest as CNS symptoms while chronic effects manifest in the lungs.2
Symptoms of Oxygen Toxicity
Symptoms of oxygen toxicity are most dramatic in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the lungs and include the following:
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- CNS toxicity – early symptoms of CNS toxicity tend to come on suddenly and include twitching around the mouth area and small muscles of the hand. Facial pallor (ashen hue) and cogwheel breathing (peculiar, jerky inhalations) are also seen. If exposure to oxygen continues, vertigo and nausea occur, followed by behavioral changes (irritability, anxiety, confusion), clumsiness and finally convulsions. It’s important to note that CNS toxicity is often accelerated by factors such as increased carbon dioxide in the blood, stress, fatigue and cold.2
- Pulmonary toxicity – symptoms of pulmonary toxicity affect the lower respiratory tract including the trachea (windpipe), bronchi (air passages) and lungs. The initial sign of pulmonary oxygen toxicity manifests as a generalized pain behind the sternum (breastbone). This pain often becomes widespread, increases in intensity and is accompanied by a cough. Extreme cases may result in permanent scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue that is irreversible.[3]
Conclusion
The average patient using oxygen therapy according to their doctor’s instructions is not at risk for oxygen toxicity. Those at highest risk for oxygen toxicity include deep sea divers, hospital patients, especially infants born prematurely who need supplemental oxygen and people who are undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning, cyanide poisoning and a host of other conditions.3
For more information about oxygen toxicity, talk to your primary care provider.
[1] Stoller, James K. MD, MS, FCCP et. al. Oxygen Therapy for Patients With COPD: Current Evidence and the Long-Term Oxygen Treatment Trial. Chest. 2010 July; 138(1): 179–187. doi: 10.1378/chest.09-2555. PMCID: PMC2897694.
[2] CHAWLA, A., & LAVANIA, A. (2001). OXYGEN TOXICITY. Medical Journal, Armed Forces India, 57(2), 131–133. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-1237(01)80133-7
[3] Campbell, Ernest S., MD. Pulmonary Oxygen Toxicity. January 23, 2002.
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Can a high altitude resident experience a degree of such toxicity if flying to a sea level destination with a sudden landing?
Hi Curious, To answer your questions briefly, no, but if this is a concern of yours you should consult your primary care doctor before you fly. When you fly on commercial airlines, the cabins are pressurized to avoid changes in altitude. The people at the highest risk for oxygen toxicity are deep sea divers, hospital patients, especially infants born prematurely who need supplemental oxygen and people who are undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning, cyanide poisoning, etc.
I take high flow oxygen for 20 to 30 mins a couple time a day set at 10 liters would i be at risk? I take it for cluster headaches.
Hi Plz Reply, Did you using your oxygen therapy device as prescribed by your doctor? If so, you should be fine. If you are concerned about oxygen toxicity, please contact your primary care provider.
I am on 3 liter oxygen 24/7. am I a canidate for the oxygen toxicity?
Hi Jamie, As long as you are using your oxygen therapy device as prescribed by your doctor you should be fine. As we stated in the article, the average patient using oxygen therapy according to their doctor’s instructions is not at risk for oxygen toxicity.
Hi,
I'm on oxygen therapy 24/7 at 6 L. My 02 meter shows 99%. I checked the meter against my wife's reading which is always 95%. Do you think my meter needs to be checked, or is my reading really 99%?
Concerned
Hi Darryl, Normal oxygen levels range between 95-100% however if you are experiencing symptoms of low oxygen like confusion, shortness of breath, or rapid heart rate you should contact your health care provider as soon as possible. If you are concerned your home oxygen monitor is giving false results, you may want to replace it. For more information on signs of low oxygen please visit: https://www.inogen.com/blog/signs-your-loved-one-may-not-be-getting-enough-oxygen/ For more information and tips on how to use a home pulse oximetry device, please visit: https://www.inogen.com/blog/pulse-oximetry-oxygen-saturation/
How much inogen? Cash on delivery? Product
Days of travel ?
Hi Joselito, There are a variety of factors that go into the cost of purchase and delivery time. An Oxygen Specialist will be able to go over our different products and packages and will help you determine which oxygen concentrator is right for you. For more information, please call an Oxygen Specialist at 1-800-374-9038.
Hi i had a breathing treatment after being exposed to wax,stripper, and paint. The nurse kept pushing me down to lie down i would sit back up couldnt breth laying down. my hand drew up in severe pain I couldnt move my body all I could do was make a grunt sound. they finally tape mask off it took awhile befor i could move. now scared to go back to hospital if i have a asthma attack caused by chemicals. was this bad?
I'm on a c-pap machine and I've been having nausea, headache, leg pain and just not feeling right.
Dear Randy,
We hope you are feeling better and this was temporary symptoms. While we are not medical professionals, we suggest you visit a doctor or urgent care clinic to determine the cause. We hope you feel better soon.