Oxygen therapy

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes a progressive loss of lung function. If the lungs aren't functioning properly our blood oxygen levels can become low causing hypoxemia. 

Hypoxemia can damage essential organs and be life threatening. Low blood oxygen levels can make a person feel breathless and uncomfortable. People with COPD can also have stiff and narrow arteries making it difficult to breath.

Oxygen therapy is often prescribed for people living with COPD who have low blood oxygen levels. To check a person's blood oxygen levels a doctor will order an arterial blood test (ABG). They may also test blood oxygen levels by using a pulse oximeter, a small probe on the finger.

What are the benefits of oxygen therapy?

Oxygen therapy has been found to improve the quality of life for people with COPD. Some people will not benefit from oxygen therapy. If a person has significant impairement of the lungs but reasonable oxygen levels, extra oxygen may not relieve their symptoms.

Home oxygen therapy can assist people to carry out everyday activities without feeling so breathless. The benefits of taking oxygen include:

• Increased stamina
• Improved mental alertness
• More able to perform daily activities
• Improved sleep patterns  

Oxygen therapy can also help reduce chest pain, visits to the hospital and is used in the management of heart failure.

How is oxygen delivered?

Home oxygen therapy is relatively simple to manage. Oxygen is delivered via a portable oxygen cylinder or more commonly an oxygen concentrator.

Portable oxygen cylinders can be carried in a shoulder bag or trolley. They last a few hours and can be used when a person is away from home. Intermittent use of oxygen may be given via a face mask for people who feel breathless.

An oxygen concentrator is an electrical device which draws on room air and pumps out a low flow of continuous oxygen. Oxygen tubing is connected to the concentrator that delivers oxygen via nasal prongs.

Unfortunately oxygen concentrators can be noisy and disturbing at night. Using a long tube and placing the concentrator in an adjacent room can help.

How much oxygen do I need?

It's important to remember that home oxygen therapy should only be prescribed by a doctor. Oxygen is considered a medication.

Always set flow rates according to a doctor's orders. A common prescription for home oxygen via a concentrator is 2 litres/minute. Giving too much or too little oxygen can have serious health consequences for people with COPD.

A doctor will help a person with COPD work out the best times to take their oxygen (usually at night for 12 hours or more). Research has shown that many people with severe COPD and low blood oxygen levels benefit from using oxygen for 16 hours or more a day.

You can rent or buy home oxygen equipment. Oxygen is highly combustible. People on home oxygen therapy must be familiar with the safe use of oxygen and know how to safely handle oxygen equipment.  

Some people may be eligible for government programs that fund oxygen equipment. These programs are only for specified medical conditions provided a person's oxygen levels are at certain levels and the person does not smoke. Ask your doctor or check with nursing staff before leaving hospital.

Related articles

• Caring for someone on home oxygen therapy
• COPD: Knowing when to call the doctor
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Care of someone with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)