A nasal oxygen cannula is a titanium tube that is attached to the end of a plastic tube called a nasal cannula. This piece of equipment is used in conjunction with a breathing mask that has either inside or outside holes that are sized to fit the nostrils and nose. When a patient inhales through one of these tubes, the air is breathed in slowly through the tube while a small but strong electric current is passed through the exposed ends of the tubes. This current activates a reaction in the patient's body that causes swelling in the lining of the sinuses. The resulting inflammation will make it easier for air to be inhaled by passing through the nasal passages.
A nasal oxygen cannula is most effective when it is being used for a short time. As a general rule, the patient should wear a nasal cannula only for ten minutes at a time, while going through procedures such as allergy testing. If this time limit is not met, then the tube should be removed and the doctor will start to use a different, more efficient cannula. The same can be said if the patient fails to heal within the recommended time period.
Because the nasal oxygen cannula can be very thin, it can easily be damaged if it is not correctly maintained. This is why it is necessary to know how to properly insert and remove the cannula. Care should also be taken so the patient does not get hurt when removing the cannula. To do this, the physician may need to use force or some sort of clippers. However, it is best to ensure the patient does not move the nasal cannula while removing it, which could lead to an infection.
nasal oxygen cannula installation. One way the nasal cannula can be set into place is by having a nasal osteotomy. This involves placing the cannula through the hole created in the nostrils, but leaving the tip of the cannula out and sealing the rest of the cannula with the nasal packing. The nasal cannula can then be secured around the inside of the nostril.
Other ways of getting the cannula into the nasal canal are by using nasal suction and other tools such as nasal-intubation contraptions. All these methods however require sterilization because the raw material and the surgical blades that are used for the insertion must be completely sterile. Sterile needles are used for this procedure because it provides a much safer option compared to the use of regular needles. Another safer method of inserting the cannula is to have a nasal cannula inflation device or a nasal tube inserted. These devices are used in order to inflate the nasal cannula into the desired position.
Before performing this procedure, it is important for the doctor to make sure the patient is capable of breathing without difficulty and to check for any allergic reactions. In addition, anesthesia should be given to the patient before the actual procedure. As with any medical intervention, the patient should always discuss what he or she plans to do beforehand with the doctor.