Oxygen therapy

Oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen that flows into your lungs and bloodstream. If your COPD is very bad and your blood oxygen levels are low, getting more oxygen can help you breathe better and live longer.

There are several ways to deliver the oxygen. They include:

• Oxygen concentrators.
• Oxygen-gas cylinders.
• Liquid-oxygen devices.

You don't have to stay at home or in a hospital to use oxygen. Oxygen systems are portable. You can use them while you do your daily tasks.

Do not smoke or vape or let others smoke or vape while you are using oxygen.

Do not use oxygen near open flames, anything that may spark, or anything flammable. If you or those who care for you smoke, or if there are other risks for fire, it's important to think carefully before you decide to use oxygen therapy. Consider the risk of burns, fire, or explosion.

Oxygen may be given in a hospital if you have a rapid, sometimes sudden, increased shortness of breath (COPD exacerbation). It can also be used at home if the oxygen level in your blood is too low for long periods.

Your need for oxygen depends on your health and the results of oximetry or an arterial blood gas test.

You may need oxygen in certain situations, such as:

Long-term therapy.

Long-term oxygen therapy is used for COPD if you have very low levels of oxygen in your blood (hypoxemia). It can help you breathe better and live longer. Long-term oxygen therapy should be used for at least 15 hours a day with as few interruptions as possible.

During exercise.

For some people with COPD, blood oxygen levels drop only when they exercise or are very active. Using oxygen during exercise may help reduce shortness of breath for some people. But there are no studies that show any long-term benefits from using oxygen during exercise.

During sleep.

During sleep, breathing naturally slows down because the body doesn't need as much oxygen. Sleep-related breathing disorders are quite common in people with COPD. Many of these people will have quite low blood oxygen levels during sleep.

For air travel.

The level of oxygen in airplanes is about the same as the oxygen level at an elevation of 8000 ft (2400 m) . This drop in oxygen can really affect people with COPD. If you normally use oxygen or have borderline-low oxygen levels in your blood, you may need oxygen when you fly. Traveling with oxygen usually is possible. But make sure to plan ahead before you travel.

Using oxygen for more than 15 hours a day may increase quality of life and may help people live longer when they have severe COPD and low blood levels of oxygen. Oxygen therapy may have good short-term and long-term effects in people who have COPD.

To help yourself

• Using oxygen may dry out your nose or lips. Use water-based lubricants on your lips or nostrils. Do not use an oil-based product like petroleum jelly. They may cause skin burns.
• If you use a nasal cannula, the tubing may rub under your nostrils and around your ears. To keep your skin from getting sore, tuck some gauze under the tubing. Use a water-based lotion on rubbed areas.
• Do not use alcohol or take drugs that relax you, because they will slow your breathing rate.
• Keep track of how much oxygen is in the tank, and reorder before it runs out. If a holiday is coming up or you expect bad weather, order in advance or make your regular order larger.
• You may need extra oxygen when you travel to high altitudes or travel by plane. Ask your doctor about this.
• If you are getting oxygen directly to your windpipe through an opening in your neck, your doctor will teach you how to care for the equipment.

To make sure oxygen is flowing

• Check the flow by holding your mask or cannula up to your ear and listening for the "hiss" of airflow.
• If you have a nasal cannula, dip the prongs in a glass of water. If you see bubbles, oxygen is coming through.
• Check your pressure gauge or contents indicator.
• If you use an oxygen concentrator, make sure it is turned on and plugged in. If you use a cylinder, make sure the valve is open.
• Look for kinks, blockages, or water in the tubing. Be sure the tubing is connected to the oxygen source.
• Do not change your oxygen flow rate. Your doctor sets this at the correct level. Higher flow rates usually do not help and can increase the risk of harmful carbon dioxide buildup in the blood.

To be safe

• Do not leave cords or tubing running across an area where you or someone else may trip on it.
• Do not let oxygen containers get hot. Store them in a cool place where there is airflow. Do not leave them in a car trunk or a hot vehicle.
• Keep oxygen containers upright. Make sure they do not fall over and get damaged. Try securing the tanks in a sturdy container or securing them with a rope or a chain.
• Avoid touching frost that can form on liquid oxygen devices. Frost can cause skin burns.
• Watch for signs of oxygen leaks. If you hear a loud hissing from your container or if it empties too fast, stay away from the container. Open windows right away and call the company that brought the oxygen system to your home.
• Do not use oxygen around anything that could spark or easily cause a fire.
  • Do not smoke or vape or let others smoke or vape while you are using oxygen. Put up "no smoking" signs in your home.
  • Do not use oxygen near open flames, such as candles, fireplaces, gas stoves, or hot water heaters. Do not use it near electric razors, hair dryers, heating pads, or anything that may spark.
  • Keep a working fire extinguisher in your home where it is easy to get to.
  • If a fire starts, turn off the oxygen right away and leave the house.
  • If you have an oxygen concentrator, do not use it if the cord looks damaged. Do not use an extension cord to plug it in. Do not plug it into an outlet that has other appliances plugged into it.

To care for the equipment

• Follow the directions that come with the equipment for using and caring for it.
• Wash your cannula or mask with a liquid soap and warm water daily. Replace them every 2 to 4 weeks.
• If you have a cold, change the nasal prongs when your cold symptoms are done.
• If you have an oxygen concentrator, unplug the unit and wipe down the cabinet with a damp cloth daily. Clean the air filter at least once a week.