Who Should Receive Respiratory Care?
Most people can breathe normally without giving it much thought, but for others, achieving breathing is only possible through respiratory care.
You can receive respiratory treatment in several ways and for a variety of reasons. Continue reading to learn more about respiratory care and whether you could benefit from treatment options.
What Is Respiratory Care?
Respiratory care is a type of specialized lung treatment designed to help people suffering from pulmonary disease. There are many different types of treatment and solutions available to those who need breathing assistance, such as:
- Nebulizers or inhalers
- Lung therapies, such as oxygen therapy
- Antibiotics
- Corticosteroids
- Immunotherapy
- Pulmonary rehabilitation programs
Why You Might Need a Respiratory Therapist
Pulmonary disease affects the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system. These diseases can be caused by a number of factors including infection, smoking tobacco, secondhand smoke, asbestos, radon, and other variations of air pollution. Here are a few common lung conditions that cause low blood oxygen levels and require therapy:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Spinal muscular dystrophy
- Cystic fibrosis
- Sleep apnea
- Pneumonia
- COVID-19
- Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Any other accident or trauma that prevents you from breathing efficiently on your own
If you are currently suffering from any of these pulmonary diseases, have trouble breathing, experience frequent allergic reactions, or deal with recurrent congestion or coughing, visit with your doctor about receiving respiratory care. Respiratory therapists work hand-in-hand with doctors and can assess your breathing, recommend exercises and provide healthcare, and monitor your progress.
Types of Respiratory Therapy
There are several main types of respiratory care to help individuals in their varying circumstances. Some of these types include:
- Emergency care - Emergency respiratory therapy happens in a hospital. This encompasses patients with lung failure, pneumonia, or those recovering from heart surgery.
- Neonatal - This type of care involves treating and monitoring newborns with breathing disorders in a neonatal intensive care unit.
- Pediatric - Pediatric respiratory therapists work with toddlers and older children in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
- Adult - This type of respiratory therapy can take place in a hospital, outpatient, or home care setting. Adult care often involves the treatment of emphysema and sleep apnea.
- Geriatric - This form of respiratory care can help increase breathing efficiency for elderly people in a hospital or home care setting.
Respiratory therapists can specialize in one or more of these fields.
O2 Assist Can Help You Manage Your Lung Condition
Now that you know more about respiratory care, the first thing you’ll want to do is make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options. Next, visit O2 Assist for the latest technology for oxygen therapy. We have clinical consultants ready to work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan using our oxygen concentrators. Even before you purchase your concentrator, you can quickly get in touch with us using our 24-hour online chat or contact us over the phone or via email.
Shop our extensive collection of oxygen concentrators today!