Heliox

Overview

Heliox is a special medical breathing gas made by mixing helium and oxygen. It is not a medicine you use at home. It is given by trained healthcare staff, usually in a hospital or emergency setting, through a mask or breathing tube. Heliox can make it easier to breathe for some people because helium is very light and helps air flow more smoothly through narrowed or partly blocked airways. It does not fix the underlying problem; it supports breathing while other treatment works.

Heliox is not a common everyday treatment. It is used in selected hospital and emergency situations, often for a short time, when a person is having serious trouble breathing.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Heliox itself does not cause symptoms. The breathing problems it may help with can include severe shortness of breath, noisy breathing, wheezing, or a feeling of tightness in the chest.
• You may feel like you cannot get enough air, or you may need to use extra muscles in your neck and chest to breathe.
• Some people feel anxious or panicky when breathing is hard.

Symptoms in children

• Fast or noisy breathing, or a barking cough with a hoarse voice.
• Pulling in of the ribs, neck, or space between the ribs when breathing.
• Difficulty feeding or drinking, less wet nappies, or unusual sleepiness.
• Pale, grey, or bluish lips or face.

Symptoms in older adults

• New or worsening shortness of breath, even at rest.
• Confusion or drowsiness that comes with breathing problems.
• Weakness, inability to speak in full sentences, or feeling exhausted from breathing.
• Bluish lips or fingertips, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Causes

Main causes

• Heliox is used when a person has a breathing problem that causes narrowed or partly blocked airways. Examples include severe croup-like illness in children, severe asthma or COPD flare-ups, upper airway swelling, and some types of airway blockage after surgery or injury.
• It may also be used when a breathing tube is partly blocked or when other breathing support is not enough on its own.

Risk factors

• Having an existing lung or airway condition, such as asthma or COPD.
• Recent airway surgery, injury, or a breathing tube in place.
• Severe infection or allergy-related swelling affecting the airway.
• Being a young child with croup-like illness.
• Smoking or being exposed to smoke and other airway irritants.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You have breathing problems that are getting worse, or your usual action plan is not working.
• You develop noisy breathing, a new wheeze, or chest pain.
• You have a fever with breathlessness, or you are coughing up blood.
• A child has noisy breathing, is struggling to feed, or seems unusually sleepy.

Book a routine appointment if:

• You have ongoing breathlessness, cough, or wheeze that is not improving.
• You want advice about managing a lung or airway condition.
• You have questions about breathing treatments or your care plan.

Diagnosis

Heliox is not diagnosed. It is a treatment that may be used after a healthcare team assesses a person's breathing problem. The team will look for the cause of the breathing difficulty and decide whether heliox could help.

Tests that may be done

• Checking oxygen levels with a small clip on the finger or earlobe.
• Blood tests, including a blood gas test to see how well oxygen and carbon dioxide are balanced.
• Chest X-ray or other imaging to look at the lungs and airway.
• Breathing tests when appropriate.
• Looking into the airway with a small camera in some cases.

What to expect at your appointment

Staff will assess your breathing, listen to your chest, and may check your oxygen levels. If heliox is used, you will usually wear a tight-fitting mask and be monitored closely. Tell the staff if the mask feels uncomfortable, if you feel worse, or if you feel panicky.

Treatment

Heliox is a supportive breathing treatment given only by healthcare professionals. It is often used for a short time while the underlying cause of the breathing problem is treated. It does not replace other care and is not a home treatment.

Self-care at home

• Do not try to make or use heliox at home. Never inhale from helium balloons, gas canisters, or cylinders.
• Follow your agreed breathing action plan and take your usual medicines as prescribed by your clinician.
• Avoid smoke, strong fumes, and other things that irritate your breathing.
• Seek help early if your breathing gets worse.

Medical treatments

Treatment depends on the cause of the breathing problem. Healthcare teams may give oxygen support, use medicines to reduce swelling or open the airways, provide breathing support, and monitor you closely in hospital. Heliox may be used for a short period to make breathing easier while these treatments take effect. Only trained staff can decide if heliox is suitable.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery or a procedure may be needed if something is physically blocking the airway, such as swelling, an injury, or an object. The healthcare team will discuss this with you or your family if it is relevant.

Living with this condition

Living after needing heliox usually means managing the condition that caused the breathing problem. Follow your care plan, keep appointments, and know what to do if your breathing gets worse. Heliox itself does not need any special home routine.

Lifestyle tips

• Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke.
• Keep rooms well ventilated and avoid strong fumes or dust.
• Stay up to date with vaccines recommended for your age and health.
• Follow your breathing action plan and keep rescue medicines nearby if prescribed.
• Ask your clinician before starting new exercise or travel plans if you have a lung condition.

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet for heliox. Eating a balanced diet and staying active at a level that suits you can support general health. If breathing makes exercise difficult, ask your healthcare team about safe activity and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Breathing problems can be frightening and can cause anxiety or low mood. This is common and help is available. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to your healthcare team. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local crisis service or emergency services right away.

Prevention

Heliox itself cannot be prevented because it is a treatment, not a disease. You can reduce the risk of severe breathing problems by managing any lung or airway condition, avoiding smoke and irritants, and getting help early when breathing changes.

Vaccines

Keep up with vaccines recommended for your age and health, especially those that help protect against respiratory infections. Ask your clinician which vaccines are right for you.

Screening programmes

There is no screening test for heliox. Screening for underlying lung conditions depends on your age, symptoms, and health history. Ask your clinician whether any breathing tests are appropriate for you.

Complications

If left untreated

• Low oxygen levels in the body.
• Severe breathing difficulty and exhaustion.
• Respiratory failure, where breathing needs urgent medical support.
• Strain on the heart and other organs in severe cases.
• Anxiety and distress from struggling to breathe.

Long-term outlook

The outlook depends on the cause of the breathing problem. Heliox can make breathing easier for some people while other treatment works. Many people recover well with proper medical care. Your healthcare team can tell you more about what to expect in your situation.

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