Are you or your loved one using an oxygen tube in their nose? If so, it can be difficult to keep the tube in place. This is particularly true during sleep and other activities.
An oxygen tube is a medical device used to provide extra oxygen to those with breathing difficulties, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
It’s usually placed inside the nose, allowing more oxygen to enter the body than normal breathing. However, keeping it in place can be a challenge for both patients and their caregivers.
If you’re struggling to keep an oxygen tube in your nose, don’t despair – there are a few tips that may help.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the best ways to ensure that an oxygen tube stays securely in place.
Why Would Someone Need An Oxygen Tube?
Common conditions that may require an oxygen tube include:
- Airway obstruction due to something caught in the airway, blocking the flow of air.
- Cardiac arrest due to sudden loss of heart function.
- Injury or trauma to the neck, abdomen, or chest which can affect the airway.
- Loss of consciousness or low level of consciousness, which can cause a person to lose control of their airway.
In these cases, intubation with the use of oxygen tubes can help restore normal breathing and prevent further complications from developing.
Intubation also allows for mechanical ventilation if necessary, which can help support breathing until normal function returns.
Additionally, intubation may be used during surgery so that anesthesia can be administered safely and effectively.
How Exactly Do You Put An Oxygen Tube On?
Putting on a nasal cannula (oxygen tube) is an important step in ensuring that you receive the oxygen you need.
Firstly, make sure to insert the main prongs of the nose piece into your nostrils correctly.
Then, you can go ahead and place the oxygen tubes themselves on either side of your face, then lift them, fixing them in place over your ears as glasses would fit.
After that, use the slider that holds the tubes where they come together under your chin to adjust the fit.
It should fit snugly over the tops of your ears and against your jaw and chin, with enough room to fit two fingers between the tubing and your chin for optimal comfort.
If you find that it is uncomfortable after a couple of uses, there are a few tips to help make it more comfortable.
You can try adjusting the length of the tubing or using different sizes of prongs for a better fit.
Additionally, if you have facial hair or piercings near where the cannula sits, this may cause discomfort as well.
If all else fails, consider talking to a doctor or healthcare provider about alternative options for receiving oxygen therapy.
Is There Any Way To Make It More Comfortable So It Doesn’t Come Out At Night?
If you are having trouble sleeping with your nasal cannula, there are a few things you can do to make it more comfortable.
First, check the size of your nasal cannula. If it is too large for your nostrils, it may be slipping out or causing irritation.
You should try to find a nasal cannula that fits better and is more snug in your nostrils.
Additionally, you can use tape or adhesive strips to help keep the oxygen nose piece in place while you sleep.
This will help prevent it from slipping out or moving around too much as you move in your sleep.
Another way is to use a humidifier in the room where you sleep.
This will help keep the air moist and reduce any dryness or irritation caused by the oxygen nosepiece.
Additionally, using a soft pillowcase can also help reduce friction between the oxygen nose piece and your skin, making it more comfortable for longer periods of time.
Finally, if possible, try to adjust the flow rate of your oxygen so that it is not too high or too low for comfort while sleeping.
How Do You Keep An Oxygen Tube In Your Nose?
Make Sure You’re Using New Tubing
You can try using a brand-new roll of your oxygen tubing. Not only is it good to replace the tubing, but also there are no bends or kinks yet.
It can be difficult to get the actual coil out of your tubing, though, so there’s that downside.
Using A Suitable Oxygen Connector
Oxygen connectors are an important part of any oxygen therapy setup.
Most companies that distribute oxygen equipment, provide solid plastic connectors that join the tubing to the cannula, however, this can be difficult if the tubing gets tangled easily.
To avoid this problem, it is best to ask the oxygen provider if they have any swivel-style connectors.
Swivel connectors allow the tubing to move freely and reduce tangling.
If your oxygen provider does not offer swivel connectors, you can purchase them online for around $5.
They are easy to install and will help keep the tubing from becoming tangled.
Using swivel connectors can make a big difference in how comfortable you feel while using oxygen tubes.
Not only do they help reduce tangling, but they also make it easier to move around without having to worry about the tubing getting caught on something or pulled out of place.
Swivel connectors also make it easier to adjust the length of the tubing as needed so that you can get just the right fit for your needs.
With these simple changes, you can enjoy more comfort and convenience when using oxygen tubes.
Keeping up to date on your oxygen concentrator will also be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping your equipment in place correctly and safely.
Final Thoughts
Keeping an oxygen tube in your nose can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be.
With the right supplies and techniques, you can make sure that your oxygen tubing stays in place and is comfortable for long periods of time.
Make sure you use new tubing with swivel connectors, use a humidifier to reduce dryness and irritation, and adjust the flow rate as needed.
With these tips, you can make sure that your oxygen tube is comfortable.
