Oxygen Therapy for Managing COPD

Oxygen makes up 21 percent of the air we breathe. Oxygen is an essential fuel for our bodies' organs and tissues. If your lungs are damaged from COPD, they have more difficulty transferring oxygen from the air into the bloodstream and your heart has to work harder to get the oxygen to your organs. Low oxygen can cause problems in all of your body's tissues, especially your heart, the blood vessels in your lungs, your brain and your digestive tract. Not all patients with COPD need oxygen therapy-but it can make a big difference in the lives of those who do. Only if the oxygen from your arterial blood gas test drops below a certain level will your doctor prescribe oxygen therapy to prevent adverse effects on the body.

Diagnostic Tests

To determine whether you need supplemental oxygen and how much you need, your doctor will do an arterial blood gas test, which shows how much oxygen is in the blood. You may also have other tests to show the degree of stress on your heart. A non-invasive pulse oximetry test can be used to show how your oxygen levels vary at different times of the day or while doing different activities.

Oxygen Prescription

Supplemental oxygen is considered a medication, and just like other medications, it requires a prescription with the correct dosage. Your oxygen prescription includes the flow rate that you will use at rest, when you're sleeping, and during exercise, as well as the number of hours a day you should use oxygen.

Flow rate is measured in liters per minute. Set the flow rate as prescribed by your doctor. Changing to a higher flow rate than you need can damage your lungs and other vital organs. Lowering the flow rate or using your oxygen less often than prescribed also can cause damage, as your vital organs function less efficiently and may eventually fail.

Benefits of Supplemental Oxygen

If you are a patient that needs oxygen therapy, using it correctly can extend your life. It also can improve the quality of your life. People who use oxygen therapy as prescribed feel more alert and less tired, sleep better, are less irritable, can be more active, and feel less breathless. When you feel better, you're able to find greater enjoyment in your life.

Misconceptions

Despite the benefits of oxygen therapy, some people with COPD resist starting to use supplemental oxygen. Studies show that people have a number of misconceptions about oxygen therapy. Here are the facts:

• Shortness of breath is not a good indicator of whether or not you need oxygen therapy. You can be very short of breath and not need oxygen. And, your breathing may seem fine when you are actually not getting enough oxygen.
• Starting to need oxygen does not mean that your condition is going downhill fast. Oxygen therapy is a treatment that can actually extend your life. Patients may live for years on oxygen.
• Oxygen is not addicting. You can't get hooked on oxygen. It is an essential ingredient for life.
• Oxygen therapy no longer means that you must be confined to your home. Supplemental oxygen can improve your ability to exercise and move around. There are several types of portable oxygen systems that allow people to be mobile and leave their home. With advance planning you can travel all over the world with oxygen.
• More oxygen is not better. Supplemental oxygen is a drug. Like any drug, too much or too little can be harmful. Use the amount of oxygen prescribed by your doctor and consult with your doctor about any changes in symptoms.

Concerns about Using Oxygen in the Workplace

I use oxygen at work. My employer has been very sympathetic and the people there have done their best to accommodate me and that has helped my life. For that I can be no more grateful than I am. Terry, a COPD patient

Many people with COPD use portable oxygen systems when away from their homes, whether it's at work or on an outing. Some of the newer portable oxygen systems use smaller tanks that supply oxygen for longer periods. You can also ask your doctor about using a conserving device to extend the time that a portable system will last. Your oxygen supply company can help you find the right equipment to meet your needs in the workplace.

Questions to ask your oxygen supplier:

¨ What is the smallest, most portable system you have to offer?

¨ If my flow is ___, how long will the oxygen in that system last?

¨ What system would you recommend for my work situation?

¨ What do you recommend as a back up plan for oxygen at work, if something malfunctions?

¨ Are there any precautions that I should be aware of when using oxygen at work?

Using supplemental oxygen at work certainly can make you feel conspicuous. It may seem to advertise to the world that you have an illness. Getting past your own negative feelings about being on oxygen therapy will go a long way toward helping you cope with other people's reactions.