Using oxygen at home

Introduction

If you need oxygen therapy at home, it is important to learn how to use it and take care of your equipment. This information will help you get the most from your oxygen therapy.

Key points

• Breathing extra oxygen can help you feel better and lead a more active life.
• You can travel even though you use oxygen, but you will need to plan ahead.
• Oxygen is a fire hazard. It is important to follow safety measures to keep you and your family safe.

What is oxygen therapy?
Why use oxygen therapy?
How to use oxygen therapy
Where to go from here

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What is oxygen therapy?

Oxygen therapy is a way to increase the amount of oxygen in the lungs and the bloodstream. It is sometimes used for people with diseases that make it hard to breathe, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, or heart failure. Oxygen therapy can make it easier to breathe and reduce the heart’s workload.

Some people need extra oxygen all the time. Others need it from time to time throughout the day or overnight. A doctor will prescribe how much oxygen you need, based on blood tests. He or she will tell you how much oxygen to use per minute (flow rate) and how often to use it.

To breathe the oxygen, most people use a nasal cannula (say “KAN-yuh-luh”), a thin tube with two prongs that fit inside your nostrils. Children and people who need high levels of oxygen may need to use a mask that fits over the nose and mouth.

Oxygen can be delivered to your home in tanks, or cylinders, or it can be produced in your home by a machine called an oxygen concentrator. Your doctor will help you choose the source that fits your needs. A combination of methods may be the best choice. Some people use a concentrator at home, keep a large oxygen tank on hand as a backup, and have small tanks for use outside the home.

Oxygen in tanks comes in two forms:

• Compressed oxygen gas. Tanks of oxygen gas come in several sizes. Small tanks can be carried when you leave home. Large tanks are heavy and are usually not moved after they are placed in the home.
• Liquid oxygen. Oxygen takes up less space in liquid form than as a gas. Compared to tanks of oxygen gas, tanks of liquid oxygen weigh less and hold more oxygen, so they may be a good choice for people who are active.

Oxygen concentrators are machines that take in regular air (which is about 21% oxygen), remove the other gases, and produce oxygen that is up to 95% pure. Most concentrators are about the size of a kitchen garbage can and weigh from 30 lb (15 kg) to 50 lb (25 kg).

Oxygen concentrators don't need to be refilled like oxygen tanks do, so they may cost less and be more convenient. But unlike an oxygen tank, a concentrator runs on electricity, so you will need an oxygen tank as a backup in case the power goes out.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Why do you need a backup oxygen supply when you use an oxygen concentrator?
1. You need a backup oxygen supply because the concentrator won't work if the electricity goes out.
   

   The answer is correct

   An oxygen concentrator runs on electricity, so you need backup oxygen if the power fails.

   
2. You need backup oxygen because oxygen concentrators are not reliable.
   

   The answer is incorrect

   Oxygen concentrators are reliable. You need backup oxygen because an oxygen concentrator runs on electricity, so it won't work if the power goes out.

   

Continue to Why use oxygen therapy?
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Why use oxygen therapy?

Some people with lung or heart disease have low levels of oxygen in their blood. This can make them feel tired and short of breath. Oxygen therapy will give you extra oxygen and may help you feel better, do more, and even sleep better.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Oxygen therapy can increase oxygen levels in the blood.
1. True.
   

   The answer is correct

   Some people with lung or heart disease have low levels of oxygen in their blood. Getting extra oxygen can increase oxygen levels and make you feel better.

   
2. False
   

   The answer is incorrect

   Oxygen therapy can increase oxygen levels in people who have low levels of oxygen in their blood.

   

Continue to How to use oxygen therapy
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How to use oxygen therapy

After your doctor prescribes oxygen and you decide on which source you will use, there are a few things to know about using oxygen at home.

Basic instructions

• Do not change the setting on your oxygen without talking to your doctor first. Turning the flow rate up or down could put you in danger.
• Keep track of how much oxygen is in the tank, and order more in advance so you don't run out.
• Do not drink alcohol or take drugs that relax you, such as sleeping pills or sedatives. They can cause you to breathe too slowly.
• Call your doctor if you feel short of breath, restless or confused, very tired, or like you are not getting enough oxygen.

If you use a nasal cannula:

• Wash the nasal prongs with soap and water 1 or 2 times a week. Follow the equipment provider’s instructions on caring for your equipment.
• Replace the nasal prongs every 2 to 4 weeks. If you have a cold or the flu, change them when your symptoms pass.
• Use a water-based moisturizer (such as Neutrogena Moisture) on your lips and in your nose to prevent drying and cracking. Read labels, and look for a product that lists water as the first ingredient. Petroleum-based products (such as Vaseline Petroleum Jelly) can plug the air holes in the cannula.
• Put a piece of gauze under the tubing to keep the skin behind your ears from chafing.

Safety tips

Oxygen is a fire hazard. It will make a flame burn hotter and faster. It is very important to follow the steps below to keep you and your family safe.

• Never smoke or let anyone else smoke while you are using oxygen. Put up “no smoking” signs, and be aware of people smoking near you when you are outside your home.
• Keep oxygen at least 6 ft (2 m) away from flames or heat sources such as gas stoves, barbecue grills, space heaters, candles, and fireplaces.
• Do not use cleaning fluid, paint thinner, aerosol sprays, or other flammable products while you are using oxygen.
• Keep a fire extinguisher at home within easy reach, and tell your fire department that you have oxygen in the house.
• Keep oxygen tanks upright. Make sure they do not fall over and get damaged.

Travel tips

Plan in advance to make sure your trip goes well.

• Talk to your doctor about whether it is safe for you to travel, and ask about any precautions you should take. Get at least one copy of your oxygen prescription, and take it with you on the trip.
• Before the trip, tell the travel company (airline, cruise ship, train, or bus) that you use oxygen. It’s important to talk to your travel company well in advance, because they may have requirements that can take some time to fulfill. Traveling with oxygen can be done if you plan ahead.
• Learn how to use a portable oxygen tank, and know how long it will last. Bring refills if needed.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Airline companies usually have special requirements for people who use oxygen.
1. True
   

   The answer is correct

   Airline companies often require a doctor’s approval for travel and a copy of the oxygen prescription. You cannot bring your oxygen on the airplane, but airlines usually supply oxygen.

   
2. False
   

   The answer is incorrect

   Airline companies often require a doctor’s approval for travel and a copy of the oxygen prescription. You cannot bring your oxygen on the airplane, but airlines usually supply oxygen.

   

Continue to Where to go from here
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Where to go from here

Now that you have read this information, you are ready to start using oxygen at home.

Talk with your doctor

If you have questions about this information, take it with you when you visit your doctor. You may want to mark areas or make notes in the margins where you have questions.

If you would like more information on oxygen therapy, the following resource is available:

Organization

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