What is a major use of medical oxygen?

Medical oxygen is primarily used to decrease shortness of breath by improving the oxygenation of the blood in individuals who are experiencing respiratory distress or have conditions that impair normal breathing. When a person's oxygen levels drop, it can lead to feelings of breathlessness, fatigue, and increased anxiety. Administering oxygen helps to ensure that essential organs and tissues receive the oxygen they need, allowing for better physiological functioning. This is particularly important in conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, heart failure, and other respiratory illnesses, where oxygen saturation may be compromised.

In contrast, inducing sleep, increasing appetite, and alleviating headaches are not primary applications of medical oxygen. While some individuals may experience a reduction in headache symptoms through better oxygenation, it is not a standard use of medical oxygen, making its role in treating shortness of breath much more critical and widely recognized in medical practice.