What is the role of supplemental oxygen in treating pneumonia?

Supplemental oxygen plays a crucial role in treating pneumonia by primarily increasing the oxygen supply to the lungs and relieving hypoxia, which is a condition characterized by low oxygen levels in the blood. In pneumonia, the lungs become inflamed and filled with fluid or pus, impairing their ability to exchange gases effectively. As a result, patients with pneumonia may experience reduced oxygen saturation levels, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and overall respiratory distress.

By administering supplemental oxygen, healthcare providers can enhance the amount of oxygen available for diffusion into the bloodstream, improving the patient's oxygen saturation and alleviating the effects of hypoxia. This supportive treatment can help stabilize the patient while the underlying infection is being treated with antibiotics or antiviral medications, addressing the root cause of the pneumonia. It's important to ensure that adequate oxygenation is maintained to support the body's metabolic needs as it recovers from the infection.