Choosing the Right Style of Nasal Cannula for You

It is common for COPD patients to transition at some point to oxygen use. We may associate surgery, ER visits, or hospital stays with nasal cannulas. We are usually focused on the urgent nature of the need for plastic tubing to help you breathe and the reason for the visit or injury.

When it comes to our acceptance of the need for daily supplemental oxygen, finding a nasal cannula that fits your nose is critical to successful adjustment to supplemental oxygen use. The oxygen supply company your doctor or insurance company has set you up with has a limited variety, and it may quickly resolve you to limit your supplemental oxygen use as well.

Finding the right nasal cannula for your comfort and needs

A nose is a nose until it is your nose, you know? The nasal passage is not one size fits all. You may need to pay out of pocket outside of your oxygen supply company to find a good fit. Order one or two of a few different styles to find the comfort and support you need.

Different types of nasal cannulas:

• Standard: This type comes with the tubing, and most people will use only this kind for the duration of the oxygen use.
• Softer: Many manufacturers offer softer medical-grade plastic cannulas that provide comfort to irritated, dry, and sore nasal passages.
• Short and stubby: For the nose that has a smaller, shorter, and wider opening.
• Elongated and thin: For long nasal passages that are narrow.
• Flared: For larger and deeper nasal passages that may benefit from the flared flexible cone shape to funnel the oxygen into the lungs.

How shared advice improved COPD patients' nasal comfort

My mom was in the pulmonologist's office, and she started a conversation with a fellow COPD patient. They admired each other's shoes and talked about the colder weather and how it impacted the shortness of breath they battled.

The kind lady shared a game changer for her: finding the flared funnel-shaped cannulas. She was offered a few samples from the respiratory therapist who assisted with her yearly pulmonary function test. She loved the way the flared insert into her nose helped to open up her nasal passages and decreased the frequency of her shortness of breath.

Before the lady's name was called to usher back to her appointment, my mom had the website and customer service phone number to place her first order.

This shared moment of support changed my mom's nasal comfort and vastly improved her quality of life. This was the first time my mom was looking forward to her name being called to go back for her annual pulmonary function test.

One size does not fit all, and your nose will thank you for trying out a few types of cannulas.