Using Oxygen – General Information

 

What is oxygen?

Oxygen is a natural part of the air we breathe, but it makes up less than a ¼ of the gases we call air. Our bloodstream collects oxygen from our lungs and transports it to the tissues of our body. The cells within these tissues use both oxygen and the food we eat to create energy.

Why do I need oxygen?

If you have chronic lung disease, some areas in your lungs are damaged. These damaged areas act as blockages, preventing oxygen from moving into your bloodstream. You are unable to capture enough oxygen during a breath for your body to thrive. You likely experience difficulties breathing, sleeping and performing daily activities.

Oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen available to your bloodstream in each breath. The increased oxygen concentration eases the capture of enough oxygen by your bloodstream to supply your body. This therapy help you breathe more comfortably, so you can enjoy your daily activities.

Will I become addicted to oxygen?

Definitely not, Drug addictions create a biochemical change; oxygen does not cause a biochemical change, so it cannot be addictive. If you use home oxygen, you suffer from a physical barrier in your lungs. This barrier reduces the flow of oxygen gas from the lungs into your bloodstream. Home oxygen therapy simply increases the amount of oxygen in each breath compared to other gases. With more oxygen in your lungs, the blood has a better chance of pulling that oxygen out of your lungs.

Oxygen therapy patients typically need increasing amounts of oxygen over time because their lung disease worsens. If you need additional oxygen, it is because of the progression of your condition, not because you are addicted to oxygen.

Can I ever stop using oxygen?

Unfortunately, if your lung disease has caused enough lung damage to force the need for oxygen, you will likely need it for the rest of your life. However, some lung conditions are treatable with the use of medications or by curing an infection; in those cases, patients may overcome the need for oxygen.

Do I have to use oxygen all the time?

Your oxygen prescription tells you when to use your oxygen. Some patients must use oxygen all the time, while other patients do not.

What happens if I don’t use my oxygen?

Always consult your physician before making any changes to your oxygen therapy. Suddenly stopping oxygen therapy may cause complications to your condition. Without enough oxygen, your symptoms may worsen and you may find it impossible to do even simple tasks.

 

Managing Respiratory Disease

 

Is COPD the same thing as Emphysema?

COPD is short for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD includes lung conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Most people with COPD have a combination of both.

Is smoking the main cause of COPD?

Smoking causes at least 75% of COPD cases. Cigarette smoke can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs. It is believed that this inflammation can then lead to COPD. Quitting smoking is the best way to reduce the risk of getting COPD.

How does COPD make it hard to breathe?

The airways in your lungs lose their elasticity (ability to stretch). The walls between air sacs are destroyed. The walls of the airways themselves become thick and swollen, and the airways narrow. Cells in the walls of the airways make more mucus than usual, which blocks the airways. Any of these factors can combine to make it harder to get the air out when exhaling.

How can I prevent my COPD from getting worse?

If you smoke, the most important thing you can do to prevent more lung damage is to stop smoking. It is also important to stay away from people who smoke and places where you know there will be smokers. Following your doctor’s instructions with medications and rehabilitative treatment can help alleviate COPD symptoms and control the disabling effects of the disease.

When is oxygen therapy used for COPD?

For people with severe COPD and low levels of oxygen in the blood, doctors may recommend oxygen therapy to help with shortness of breath. Using extra oxygen more than 15 hours per day can help you perform tasks or activities with less shortness of breath, protect the heart and other organs from damage, help you sleep more, improve your alertness during the day, and help you live longer.

 

Starting Home Oxygen Therapy

 

How do I get home oxygen?

After you receive an oxygen prescription from your physician, you are to contact our office to set-up a convenient time for our first home visit OR Discuss on the Phone.

During this visit / telecon, we will:

  1. Deliver and set-up your oxygen equipment
  2. Ensure your equipment is providing the correct amount of oxygen (as prescribed by your physician)
  3. Show you how to care for your equipment
  4. Teach you how to set your own flow rate
  5. Make sure you are comfortable using your equipment

How much oxygen will I need?

Oxygen is a medication and must be prescribed by your physician. Physicians use several tests to determine if you need home oxygen and if so, how much.

  1. Chest X-Rays determine the condition of your lungs and if you have lung disease
  2. Blood Tests determine how well your lungs are working and they confirm how much oxygen your blood transports to your body
  3. Exercise Tests gauge how well your body uses the oxygen it receives

Based on these tests, your physician will write a prescription for home oxygen therapy stating two things: a specific flow rate of oxygen (usually measured in liters per minute) and how many hours per day you must use it. Oxygen requirements often depend upon activity level, so your physician may also order a higher oxygen flow rate to use when you are active.

 

Common Problems for Oxygen Users

 

What is the best treatment for a dry mouth and nose?

Use a water-based nasal cream or gel to lubricate your lips and nose. A room humidifier will help by increasing the humidity level in your home. You can also attach a humidity bottle to your oxygen concentrator.

How do I treat sore ears because of the cannula?

Using cotton wrap or gauze pads between the tubing and your skin reduces irritation.

How do I treat a blocked or bleeding nose?

Use a saline nasal spray to clear your nasal passages. Also, try using a water-based nasal cream or gel to lubricate your nose, increasing the humidity in the house with a room humidifier, or attaching a humidity bottle to your concentrator.

My nose hurts; can I attach a mask to my concentrator?

Using an oxygen mask is only recommended at certain oxygen flow rates. If you cannot use a nasal cannula or a mask, other oxygen delivery devices are available.

Can I increase my oxygen flow rate if I am still short of breath?

Never change your oxygen flow rate unless prescribed by your physician. Your symptoms may worsen if you use either too much or too little oxygen.

Shortness of breath is not always because of too little oxygen. Such symptoms may be due to a flare-up in your lung condition caused by a cold or chest infection.

If You Are Experiencing Shortness Of Breath:

  1. Sit in a comfortable position, stay calm and try to control your breathing. Purse-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing will both help. These breathing exercises reduce the trapped air in your lungs, which allows you to breathe in more fresh air.
  2. Make an appointment with your physician.
  3. The faster you receive treatment after you notice the warning signs of a flare-up, the better your chances of recovering quickly and avoiding a hospital stay.

Home Oxygen Concentrators

 

What is a home oxygen concentrator?

Home oxygen concentrators create usable oxygen for you from the air in your home. They are the most common source of oxygen used for home oxygen therapy.

Can I take my oxygen concentrator from my home?

Home oxygen concentrators are not portable; they need a power supply to operate. However, a variety of portable oxygen systems will allow you to leave your home and still use oxygen.

Portable oxygen systems are made up of smaller oxygen cylinders or compact, battery-operated, oxygen concentrators. These portable oxygen devices can be used when driving a car or traveling in an airplane.

How long will my oxygen concentrator last?

Oxygen concentrators, our most commonly used source of home oxygen, are electrically-powered and use room air to provide you with concentrated oxygen. These machines will last for about 10,000 hours, but over time they will need routine maintenance and repair. We regularly check our patients’ machines, service them and replace parts when needed.

What is a nasal cannula?

A nasal cannula is a tube that has two prongs to go in the nose passages (nostrils). The tube is attached to the oxygen system. Different sizes of nasal cannula are available and some tubes are softer than others.

How do I wear a cannula?

It depends on what sort of cannula you have. The most common kind wrap up over your ears like eyeglasses do, and pump oxygen through tubes that extend into your nose. There are many kinds of cannulas, and your doctor or home respiratory therapist will show you how to wear yours properly.

 

Using Portable Oxygen

 

What is portable oxygen?

Portable oxygen systems provide oxygen users the opportunity to leave home for a few hours, days,or weeks. Portable oxygen systems are made up of smaller oxygen cylinders or compact, battery-operated oxygen concentrators.

How Portable Oxygen concentrator does works?

The air we breathe contains 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen. POC purifies the air by removing most of the nitrogen. This is done by compressing the air through a zeolite sieve. The result is almost 100% oxygen. POC has a built in conserver, so oxygen is delivered only when you inhale.

Will I be able to travel?

Traveling with oxygen is very common. Portable oxygen devices can be used when driving in a car or traveling in an airplane.

First, you must contact your physician to ask if you are well enough to travel. If you can travel, we can help you with the oxygen equipment and information needed for your trip.

How do I choose a portable system?

A portable oxygen system provides you with independence. How often you leave your home, the length of your trip and how you travel (e.g. car, airplane) will determine which portable oxygen system you need. We can help you choose the best system for your lifestyle.

Can I still drive with oxygen?

Yes, you may drive as long as your physician approves it. Make sure your oxygen unit is secured inside your vehicle to prevent it from moving in the event of a collision or accident.

 

Portable Oxygen Equipment

 

What are portable oxygen cylinders?

Portable oxygen cylinders are small tanks of compressed oxygen that vary in height and weight.

  1. Larger cylinders contain more oxygen and last for longer periods of time
  2. Smaller cylinders must be changed more frequently, but are easier to carry

Since all portable oxygen cylinders require frequent changes, you must plan ahead when traveling to make sure you bring sufficient replacement cylinders for your trip.

Can I use portable oxygen cylinders?

You can use portable oxygen cylinders if you have a prescription for oxygen from your physician. We can help you choose a suitable cylinder size.

How do I replace my empty portable oxygen cylinders?

We provide oxygen services at our locations and offer ways to replace your portable Oxygen Cylinders

What is an oxygen conserving device (OCD)?

An oxygen conserving device (OCD) attaches to all portable oxygen cylinders, delivering oxygen only when you breathe in, therefore conserving the amount of oxygen you use. With an OCD you can travel longer and use either smaller or fewer portable cylinders.

What is a portable oxygen concentrator (POC)?

A portable oxygen concentrator (POC) works like your home oxygen concentrator by extracting oxygen from room air, but it fits in a space about the size of a small suitcase. POCs make long-term travel easy and convenient and are approved for use onboard many commercial aircraft. POCs come with rechargeable batteries and two different power cords, so they can be plugged into a regular electrical outlet or a car’s auxiliary outlet.

Can I use an OCD or a POC?

An in-home respiratory assessment, performed by us, OR an Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Registered Nurse (RN), helps us determine if you can use an OCD or POC.

 

Travel Tips for Oxygen Users

 

Can I travel across the border?

Yes, but with increased border security, make sure you have the following documentation:

    • A current oxygen prescription from your doctor
    • Proof of “point of origin” for your oxygen equipment (e.g. letter from you Home Oxygen Provider, rental or sales invoice)

What should I take with me when traveling?

      • Your Home Oxygen Provider’s phone number
      • Your doctor’s name and office phone number
      • An emergency contact’s name and phone number (e.g. family, friend)
      • A letter from your physician to any health care professional (e.g. physician, nurse, etc.) you may need to see while traveling
      • A list of your allergies, vaccinations and current medications
      • A copy of your treatment plan in case of flare-ups
      • A prescription for antibiotics, if prescribed by your physician
      • The name of a physician at your destination;
      • Extra medication, in case you are delayed returning home
      • If traveling by plane with a portable oxygen concentrator (POC), bring the Physician’s Statement for Airline Travel with a POC, completed by your physician. This will authorize your POC use during the flight.

What do I need to know when I travel?

      • The phone number and address of businesses abroad that can supply you with more oxygen, additional supplies, prescription refills, wheelchairs, walkers, etc., if necessary
      • What triggers aggravate your symptoms (e.g. air conditioning)
      • Ask your doctor about temporary changes to your inhaled medications to guard against known triggers
      • Consider your strengths and how you can use them to stay healthy during your trip

How can I make traveling easier?

        • Make all travel plans in advance
        • Prepare for typical problems
        • Plan rest stops, snack breaks, stretches and short walks
        • Plan to travel at cooler times of the day or year, so less airconditioning is needed
        • Follow your home routine as much as possible (e.g. nap-times)

When making travel reservations (e.g. bus, airline, tours), be sure to notify the staff of your oxygen use, so they can accommodate your needs

 

Oxygen Safety

 

What happens if I continue to smoke?

      Don’t smoke and don’t let others smoke in your home. Oxygen rapidly accelerates a fire, so smoking near your equipment or while using your oxygen greatly increases your risks of serious injury.
      Smoking is also a fire hazard. If a fire starts in your home from careless smoking, oxygen will allow the fire to spread more quickly and it will be more difficult to extinguish.

Do I have to worry about oxygen exploding or burning?

      Oxygen alone will not explode and does not burn, but oxygen will make a flame hotter and burn stronger. Never smoke around oxygen devices or a person using oxygen. Keep oxygen at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from any open flame. Stabilize all cylinders by placing carts in a safe place or by securing them to a wall. Remember: oxygen is safe and helpful if it is used according to directions

Who should know I have oxygen in my home?

      Your Electric Company: During a power outage, your oxygen concentrator will not work, so you will need a back-up or portable oxygen supply. If the electric company knows there is an oxygen user in your home, they may prioritize the re-establishment of your power.
      Your Local Fire Department: Oxygen rapidly accelerates a fire and flammables will burn more easily and more violently in the presence of oxygen. The fire department must be made aware that you use oxygen in your home, so they are prepared to respond appropriately to a fire emergency.
      Your Building Manager: If your home has a building manager (e.g. apartment, townhouse, condominium), you should let them know about your oxygen use. This helps them follow the correct emergency procedures in case of a fire drill or during communications with the electric company or fire department.

Costs of Oxygen

 

Do I have to pay for oxygen?

Home Oxygen Costs

      Oxygen is considered a medication; so many private health insurance companies may cover the cost of oxygen for home use.

Portable Oxygen Costs

      Many Private Health Insurance companies may not cover the Portable Oxygen Costs.