Travelers ascending to mountainous regions frequently encounter the discomfort of altitude sickness, prompting a search for quick relief. This demand has led to the widespread availability of small, over-the-counter oxygen cans marketed as a convenient solution. These portable containers promise to quickly alleviate symptoms at elevation. This article investigates the underlying biological mechanisms of altitude sickness and examines the scientific merit and practical limitations of using supplemental oxygen from these commercially available cans.
The Physiological Basis of Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness, medically known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), begins because the atmospheric pressure decreases as elevation increases. While the air still contains approximately 21% oxygen, the reduced barometric pressure means the molecules are less densely packed. This physical phenomenon results in a lower partial pressure of oxygen in the air we inhale.
The body’s challenge is not a lack of oxygen percentage, but a lack of oxygen pressure to drive the gas into the bloodstream. This leads to a state of oxygen deprivation, or hypoxia, in the body’s tissues. Mild symptoms are common at elevations above 8,000 feet (2,500 meters) and include headache, fatigue, nausea, and difficulty sleeping.
How Supplemental Oxygen Temporarily Works
Supplemental oxygen works by directly counteracting the reduced partial pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere. The air we breathe normally contains about 21% oxygen, but the gas in a portable can is typically concentrated to nearly 100%. By inhaling this highly concentrated oxygen, the partial pressure of oxygen in the lungs is temporarily increased.
This steep increase in the partial pressure gradient causes more oxygen molecules to diffuse across the lung membranes and into the blood. The result is a brief elevation in the oxygen saturation levels of hemoglobin in the arterial blood, temporarily reducing the effects of hypoxia. The physiological benefit is a short-term improvement in oxygenation available to the body’s tissues.
Determining Relief from Portable Oxygen Cans
The primary limitation of portable oxygen cans lies in their low volume and short duration of use compared to medical systems. A typical consumer can might offer a limited number of one-second inhalations of 95% pure oxygen. Medical-grade oxygen therapy, by contrast, is often administered continuously at a flow rate of 1 to 4 liters per minute to effectively treat symptoms.
A few short puffs from a can cannot replicate the continuous, high-volume flow necessary to reverse moderate or severe hypoxia. The small amount of oxygen inhaled quickly dissipates from the bloodstream, meaning the initial feeling of relief is fleeting. In one study, oxygen saturation levels returned to pre-supplemented levels within about four minutes after continuous oxygen was removed.
For very mild symptoms, the cans may offer temporary, subjective comfort, but they do not provide a sustained therapeutic dose. The short-lived improvement often experienced by users of these products is frequently attributed to a strong placebo effect. Relying on a can is not a substitute for proper medical treatment or descent when symptoms are worsening.
When to Seek Medical Help and Proven Preventative Measures
Immediate medical attention is necessary if symptoms progress beyond a mild headache and fatigue. Signs of severe altitude illness include a worsening headache that does not respond to medication, confusion, or a noticeable loss of coordination and balance (ataxia). Severe shortness of breath while at rest, an inability to walk, or a cough that produces pink, frothy sputum indicate life-threatening conditions like High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) or High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).
Descent is the definitive treatment for severe altitude sickness and must be initiated immediately if these severe warning signs appear. Gradual acclimatization involves ascending slowly to allow the body time to adapt to the lower oxygen pressure. Staying well-hydrated is also important for prevention. Travelers can also consult a physician about prescription medications, such as acetazolamide, which can be taken before and during ascent to help the body acclimatize more efficiently.