Oxygen is something we take in with every breath, yet we rarely stop to think about how important it is for our body. The human body needs oxygen continuously – our cells use it in processes that produce the energy necessary for their functioning. Oxygen is also at the heart of a treatment known as oxygen therapy. But what exactly does this term mean, what is oxygen therapy used for, and what can we realistically expect from it?

What is oxygen therapy?

Oxygen therapy is based on breathing air with a higher oxygen concentration than that of the normal air around us. In medicine, oxygen administration is a standard therapeutic procedure, particularly in situations where the body is unable to maintain adequate oxygenation of the blood. According to an expert review published in the NCBI Bookshelf database, one of the main indications for oxygen administration is acute or chronic hypoxemia, meaning an insufficient level of oxygen in the blood. Oxygen therapy, however, can take different forms. Conventional oxygen administration through a nasal cannula is not the same as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, in which a person breathes oxygen in an environment with increased atmospheric pressure.

Why is oxygen so important for the body?

During breathing, oxygen enters the lungs, from where it passes into the bloodstream. The circulatory system then transports it to tissues and organs. At the cellular level, oxygen plays an important role in energy production. If the body does not receive enough oxygen, individual tissues may not be able to function optimally. Insufficient oxygenation can therefore represent a serious health issue. This is also why oxygen saturation levels are monitored in healthcare and, when necessary, a doctor may decide to administer supplemental oxygen.

What can oxygen therapy help with?

It is important here to distinguish medical facts from frequently repeated marketing claims. The best-documented use of supplemental oxygen concerns people whose blood is not adequately oxygenated. In its professional guidelines, the British Thoracic Society emphasises that the primary goal of oxygen therapy is to correct hypoxemia. For selected patients with chronic respiratory diseases, oxygen may form part of long-term treatment. However, the decision regarding its use, dosage and duration is made by a doctor based on the patient's health condition.

For a healthy person, oxygen therapy therefore cannot be presented as a universal remedy for fatigue, stress or a lack of energy.

Does more oxygen automatically mean more energy? Not quite. Although our cells need oxygen to produce energy, this does not mean that a person with a normal blood oxygen level will automatically feel more energetic or perform better after inhaling a higher concentration of oxygen. Professional guidelines emphasise that oxygen should be used in a targeted and controlled manner. In medicine, it is even considered a therapeutic agent whose dosage is adjusted according to the patient's needs.

For this reason, within the context of wellness and relaxation, it is more appropriate to view oxygen therapy as a gentle complementary treatment rather than a miraculous solution for fatigue or health problems.

What does oxygen therapy involve?

The procedure itself is simple and comfortable. At Hotel Park Piešťany, an oxygen concentrator is used, through which the client inhales oxygen via a nasal cannula, also known as an oxygen cannula. During the treatment, you can sit comfortably or relax. No physical activity is required – the essence of the procedure is simply calm, relaxed breathing.This is also why oxygen therapy can be a pleasant part of the time you choose to dedicate to yourself and your regeneration.

Oxygen therapy does not replace medical treatment. Although from the client's perspective it is a simple procedure, when it comes to oxygen, more does not necessarily mean better. The British Thoracic Society guidelines emphasise the importance of controlled oxygen administration and establishing an appropriate target oxygen saturation level. In some health conditions, inappropriate or excessive oxygen administration can even be problematic. If you have a chronic lung or heart condition, take medication, have other serious health issues, or are simply unsure whether the treatment is suitable for you, it is advisable to consult a doctor or healthcare professional before undergoing the procedure.

What if we simply take some time to breathe?

Regeneration does not necessarily have to mean intensive treatments or several hours spent in a wellness centre. Sometimes, the most pleasant part of recovery is simply a moment when we do not have to do anything at all.

Oxygen therapy is part of the Wellness & Medical Centre at Hotel Park Piešťany, where you can combine it with other therapeutic treatments or with a stay in the spa surroundings of Piešťany.

And perhaps that is one of its most pleasant aspects. Putting your phone aside for a while, stopping to watch the clock, and simply allowing yourself to relax.