Oxygen Concentrators and Oxygen Therapy: Medically Debunking the Addiction Myth
製氧機與氧氣治療：醫學方面破解成癮迷思

Oxygen is a gas essential for sustaining life and is entirely different from addictive substances that cause mental or physical dependence. The definition of addiction relies on the appearance of "adverse reactions following the cessation of mental or physiological use." However, after stopping oxygen therapy, the human body does not experience "withdrawal symptoms."

Why Is an Oxygen Concentrator Necessary? Understanding the Correct Concept of Oxygen Therapy
為什麼需要製氧機？理解氧氣治療的正確觀念

Diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and heart failure cause the patient's blood oxygen concentration to fall below the normal range. In this situation, using an oxygen concentrator is not "addiction," but rather a genuine physiological need of the body.

The purpose of the oxygen concentrator is to supplement the oxygen that the lungs are unable to exchange effectively, thereby improving hypoxia, reducing cardiopulmonary burden, and further enhancing the quality of life and lowering the mortality rate. Furthermore, international studies indicate that patients who receive oxygen therapy for 15 to 19 hours a day have a survival rate that is 15% to 32%$ higher than those who do not use it.

氧氣不是越多越好：遵照醫囑才安全

Although an oxygen concentrator does not cause addiction, it does not mean that the higher the oxygen concentration used, the better. High-concentration oxygen use actually carries potential risks, which can lead to absorptive atelectasis, with 100%$ oxygen potentially causing pulmonary fibrosis, and even Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARD) and Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. Fortunately, the more advanced home oxygen concentrators currently available display the oxygen output concentration on the control panel and supply oxygen via a nasal cannula, which medically constitutes a low-flow delivery method.

In a state of calm breathing, when the oxygen concentrator outputs 5 Liters/Minute, the user's actual inhaled oxygen concentration, when mixed with ambient air, is approximately 40%. Therefore, the hazards associated with the high oxygen concentrations mentioned above will not occur. Based on each patient's specific medical needs, it is still recommended to follow the physician's prescribed oxygen flow rate for home therapy.

Essential Knowledge for Correct Oxygen Use: Safeguarding Every Secure Breath

必知的正確用氧須知，守護每一口安心的呼吸

• Strictly Follow the Physician's Prescription: As long as you adhere to the doctor's orders—including adjustments to the flow rate, duration, and frequency of use—the oxygen concentrator is undoubtedly a safe and effective medical device.
• Regularly Monitor Blood Oxygen Concentration: Maintain the concentration within the target range recommended by your physician (blood oxygen saturation is typically around 90% to 94%).
• Schedule Regular Follow-up Visits: Allow your physician to assess changes in your condition and adjust your oxygen therapy prescription as needed.
• Advocate for Consultation with the Medical Team: If you have any concerns regarding oxygen use, immediately schedule a follow-up consultation with your medical team for early detection and timely adjustments.

• 嚴格遵照醫師處方規定：只要遵照醫囑，包括使用流量、時間與頻率來調整，製氧機無疑是個安全、有效的醫療器材
• 定期監測血氧濃度：維持在醫師建議的目標範圍（血氧濃度約莫90-94%）
• 定期回診追蹤：讓醫師評估病情變化，適時調整氧氣治療處方
• 倡議諮詢醫護團隊：有任何用氧疑慮，請立即回診諮詢醫護團隊，即早發現、即早調整

• Taiwan Society of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine - Oxygen Therapy and Ventilator Use for COPD
• Tri-Service General Hospital - Nursing Guidelines for Oxygen Therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients
• Changhua Show Chwan Memorial Hospital Emergency Department – Oxygen Therapy and Suction
• Wanfang Hospital - Guidelines for Oxygen Therapy in Emergency Patients
• Veterans General Hospital - Home Oxygen Care, COPD Self-Care: Oxygen Therapy, Oxygen Therapy
• Cathay General Hospital - Patient Education on Oxygen Therapy
• Taipei Mackay Memorial Hospital Respiratory Therapy - Principles of Respiratory Therapy and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• 台灣胸腔暨重症加護醫學會 - 肺阻塞之氧氣治療及呼吸器使用
• 三軍總醫院 - 慢性阻塞性肺疾病病人氧氣治療護理指導
• 彰化秀傳醫院急診部 – 氧氣治療與抽吸
• 萬芳醫院 - 急診病人氧氣治療指引
• 榮民總醫院 - 居家用氧之照護、肺阻塞自我照顧－氧氣治療、氧氣治療
• 國泰醫院 - 氧氣治療衛教
• 台北馬偕呼吸治療 - 呼吸治療原理與肺部復原