What "degrees" should chronic bronchitis patients pay attention to when it comes to their living environment and oxygen inhalation at home?

Author: Xi Jianing, Chief Physician, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University

Reviewer: Fang Baomin, Chief Physician, Beijing Hospital

Judging from the incidence of chronic bronchitis in our country, the case rate in the north is higher than in the south. A very important reason for this is that in the north, first, the temperature is cold; second, the air is dry; and third, in the past, people in the north had to burn coal stoves or use other methods to keep warm in winter, and there was more smoke and dust in the air, resulting in more chronic bronchitis patients in the north than in the south.

1. What requirements do patients with chronic bronchitis have for their living environment?

Try to choose an environment with suitable air and temperature to live in. The south is not always suitable for patients with chronic bronchitis, especially in summer, when the temperature is high, it rains continuously, and the air pressure is low. The humidity is very high. When it exceeds 70RH, patients with chronic bronchitis will feel very uncomfortable.

Maintaining humidity is to reduce the stimulation of airflow to the airway and facilitate the dilution and coughing of sputum. It is more comfortable to keep humidity at 45-65RH. It is not good to keep it too low or too high. So we need to have a good control on humidity.

Another thing is the temperature. The most suitable temperature for patients with chronic bronchitis is 20-24 degrees. The temperature will change accordingly throughout the year. You just need to control it appropriately in the process. It is impossible to live in a constant temperature box. It is important to exercise your physical fitness properly so that you can adapt to the local environment.

Some patients with chronic bronchitis are allergic to certain substances in the air and have potential allergens. They will be fine if they leave this environment and live in a different one.

In addition, many patients with chronic bronchitis and chronic bronchitis have purchased oxygen concentrators at home. Because they are in a state of hypoxia for a long time, oxygen inhalation can increase the oxygen concentration, which is beneficial to improve respiratory efficiency, and the respiratory muscles can get a certain rest, and the symptoms will be significantly improved. Therefore, oxygen inhalation is very important for patients with chronic bronchitis, especially in winter, and it is worth promoting.

Figure 1 Original copyright image, no permission to reprint

When should chronic bronchitis patients start oxygen therapy? Clinicians will give advice based on the blood oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration at discharge. If these indicators have not completely improved at discharge, they will be advised to continue oxygen therapy after returning home. In addition, chronic recurrent chronic bronchitis patients are also advised to use oxygen therapy at home.

2. What "degrees" should patients with chronic bronchitis pay attention to when inhaling oxygen

The first is the temperature of oxygen. Because the airways of patients with chronic bronchitis are invaded by inflammation, the respiratory tract is originally warmed, but the warming effect may be reduced at this time, and the airways are very sensitive to cold stimulation, so it is better to keep the temperature of oxygen close to body temperature, and the oxygen should not be too cold.

For example, when you are breathing oxygen, you can do it at room temperature. However, some oxygen cylinders are very cold when they are bought from outside. At this time, it is best not to breathe them directly, as you cannot bear it.

The second is humidity. During oxygen inhalation, the nasal passages are prone to dryness, and sputum is difficult to cough out. At this time, the oxygen inhaled should be kept at a certain humidity.

Generally speaking, there will be a humidification bottle, which can be purchased from medical equipment manufacturers. Oxygen inhalation equipment is relatively high-end, and generally equipped with a humidification bottle. The humidification bottle can generally be filled with ordinary purified water or low-concentration saline.

The third is the concentration of oxygen. The oxygen concentration should not be too high. If the oxygen concentration is too high, it will inhibit breathing after inhalation.

These are the three degrees that chronic bronchitis patients should pay special attention to during oxygen inhalation. Also, pay attention to safety, because oxygen is a flammable gas, so be careful to avoid fire when inhaling oxygen at home.

3. Are non-invasive ventilators useful for patients with chronic bronchitis?

Non-invasive ventilators are very useful for patients with chronic bronchitis, especially those with hypoxemia. Their blood oxygen partial pressure is very low, and their bronchitis symptoms are not completely relieved. They cannot be hospitalized for a long time. Using non-invasive ventilators at home can help with both inhalation and exhalation, and can assist the respiratory muscles well, allowing the respiratory muscles to get a certain amount of rest.

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The non-invasive ventilator can be completely mastered and used at home by yourself. The medical staff in the hospital will provide guidance and training. After learning, you can adjust the parameters appropriately at home according to your own situation. It is convenient for patients and can improve their respiratory function and reduce hospitalization costs. Therefore, the non-invasive ventilator is still very good for patients with chronic bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis patients do not need to wear a non-invasive ventilator all the time. They only use the ventilator in certain situations to allow their respiratory muscles to get some rest. If used for a long time, the respiratory muscles will be damaged.

When using a non-invasive ventilator at home, you must first understand several parameters of the non-invasive ventilator and understand their functions. You must understand them clearly and humbly ask medical staff for advice and learn.

Second, before using a non-invasive ventilator, you must think about the operation sequence and master the operation methods.

Third, when not in use, because it is connected to electricity, you must pay attention to electrical issues; the ventilator needs to be connected to oxygen, so you must also pay attention to the oxygen.

Fourth, after long-term use, dust, bacteria, and viruses are easily accumulated in the breathing tube, and it needs to be disinfected regularly.