Oxygen Therapy

One treatment prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is oxygen therapy. This is also known as supplemental oxygen.^1,2

COPD is a progressive lung disease. Over time, the lungs struggle more to take in enough oxygen. At this point, your doctor may recommend oxygen therapy. Not everyone diagnosed with COPD will need oxygen therapy. It is commonly prescribed in the later stages of the disease (stages 3 and 4).^1,2

When is oxygen therapy needed?

Oxygen therapy requires a prescription from a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe oxygen therapy when you have sustained low oxygen levels (hypoxemia).¹

It can be hard to tell when your oxygen levels are low. Your doctor may perform pulse oximeter or lung function tests to measure how much oxygen is in your blood (saturation). Other signs of a low oxygen level include:^2,3

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing or wheezing
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Bluish color to nails, skin, lips, and possibly feet and hands (cyanosis)
• Increased heart rate and pulse

What are low oxygen levels?

Your body needs a certain amount of oxygen to support all of its cells. Healthy oxygen levels are those that measure 95 percent saturation or above in pulse oximeter or lung function tests. Your oxygen levels are considered too low when they consistently reach 88 percent saturation or below.^1,2

Medicare and Medicaid cover oxygen therapy when oxygen levels dip to 88 percent. Private and marketplace insurance may vary, but 88 percent is typical.⁴

How does oxygen therapy help people with COPD?

Oxygen therapy provides oxygen the body cannot get on its own. It increases the oxygen in the bloodstream to bring your oxygen level back into a healthy range. Oxygen therapy may:^1-3,5

• Reduce (but not eliminate) shortness of breath
• Increase energy
• Improve sleep
• Allows the body to be more active: complete errands, household tasks, and exercise

How does oxygen therapy benefit the body?

All of your organs can benefit from oxygen therapy, not just your lungs. When you breathe in, your lungs filter the oxygen from the air. That oxygen enters your bloodstream and travels to your organs, such as your heart, brain, kidneys, and liver. Your organs need a constant supply of oxygen.^1,2,6

Oxygen therapy ensures that your organs and other tissues get enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, those organs and tissues can sustain damage.^1,6

How is oxygen therapy prescribed?

Oxygen therapy comes from a concentrator or as compressed or liquid oxygen.^1,2,7

An oxygen concentrator:^1,2,7

• Draws oxygen from the environment and filters it
• Electric (corded) or battery operated
• Can come as a stationary or portable unit
• Stationary units provide continuous-flow oxygen
• Portable units commonly provide pulsing oxygen, not continuous flow

Compressed oxygen:^1,2,7

• Comes in metal tanks
• Flow rate is adjustable by a gauge on the tank
• Regulator shows how much oxygen remains in the tank
• Varying sizes of tanks depending on your need

Liquid oxygen:^1,2,7

• Oxygen is compressed, cooled, and frozen
• 1 stationary unit with portable containers to fill
• A good option for those needing 6 liters per minute or more
• Use care as it is frigid and can cause frostbite
• Liquid oxygen evaporates; fill portables close to when needed

How is the oxygen delivered to the lungs?

A length of tubing attaches your oxygen system to a delivery device. There are several delivery devices that may be used to deliver the oxygen to your lungs. These include:^1,2,5,7

• Pronged nose tube (nasal cannula)
• Face mask
• Tubing inserted into the trachea (windpipe)

Which one you use may depend on your personal preference and breathing style. Nasal cannulas are the most common, but mouth-breathers may benefit more from a mask. It is essential to clean the cannula or mask at least once a week. Oxygen companies should provide you with replacement tubing and a new cannula or mask on a regular basis.^1,2,5,7

What are the possible side effects?

Oxygen therapy can cause a few side effects. These may include:¹

• Dry and/or bloody nose
• Morning headaches
• Tiredness

Other things to know

Oxygen is flammable. You should never smoke while using oxygen. Others should never smoke near your oxygen unit. Use caution when cooking or near open flames. Keep the canister or tank upright and 5 to 10 feet away from the heat source.^1,2,8

Inform your gas and electric companies that you use oxygen therapy. During a power outage, your home should be a priority. Place signs near the entrance, so anyone entering the home knows oxygen is in use.⁸

Using too much oxygen is dangerous. Never increase the amount of oxygen delivered without your doctor’s instruction. Changing the amount delivered to your body can alter your breathing and slow it down over time. This can be life-threatening.²