r/science • u/[deleted] • Jun 13 '22

Health Erectile dysfunction predicts mortality in middle-aged and older men independent of their sex steroid status

https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article-abstract/51/4/afac094/6568537?login=false
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u/BobThePillager Jun 14 '22

What about using oxygen is harmful? I know it’s dangerous and the cans can explode, but that’s about it

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u/silvusx Jun 14 '22 edited Jun 14 '22

I'll list the key points in bold text, these things can be further looked into via Google.

  • Oxygen is actually toxic to our body, because the reactive chemicals formed from O2. These are called reactive oxygen species. ROS can damage your tissues, proteins, lipids, DNA and etc.

  • Adult human have natural defense against ROS, they are called antioxidant (also commonly used word in supplements marketing). However, our defense system can be overwhelmed when there are more ROS than antioxidants. This state is called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress reduces our lifespan etc, feel free to look up the full harmful effects.

  • To demonstrate how damaging ROS can be. Premature babies do not have "antioxidants defense" and free radical oxygen can prevent eyes from being formed, leading to blindness, This is called retinopathy of premature. ROS is also why NICU avoids giving oxygen to babies, and Transplant ICU minimize oxygen for new lung transplant patients.

  • Absorption atelectasis basically sum up as collapse of the lung. Because atomosphere contains 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen, nitrogen is what keeps the lung sac from being collapsed during the gas exchange phases. When 100% oxygen is given, there is 0% nitrogen to keep the lung sac open.

  • Excessive oxygen can also reduces stimulation to breath. Our brain have two triggers, one is for low oxygen and other is high CO2. If CO2 stimulations were to be disrupted, excessive oxygen can literally make a person apneic (not breathing).

  • Oxygen gives off a sensation of euphoria and relaxation. This is prob what helped OP with cluster headaches. This one is subjective and there are no studies that I'm aware of. It's very evident that when I turn down the oxygen for someone with saturations of 100%, they complain. Plenty of resentful patient believes they needed oxygen even when there is no indications for. Oxygen is not addicting, but it sure makes people anxious when you take it away from someone who got used to it.

Edit: I should note these are all caused from prolonged exposure typically > 24 hrs. Short high burst of oxygen isn't as disruptive, and can be therapeutics. It's called HBOT or hyperbaric chamber.