Patient education: Oxygen therapy at home (The Basics)

What is oxygen? — 

Oxygen ("O₂") is a gas in the air we breathe. The body needs oxygen to survive. A person takes oxygen into their lungs when they breathe in air. The oxygen passes through the tiny air sacs in the lungs into the blood. From there, the oxygen is taken to the organs by the heart and blood vessels.

What is oxygen therapy? — 

This is getting extra oxygen than what air can provide. The doctor orders extra oxygen if a person has a disease where they do not get enough oxygen into their blood. Extra oxygen might help ease symptoms like shortness of breath, tiredness, or feeling dizzy.

Some people need extra oxygen for:

●Short-term problems like an infection, asthma flare-up, or other lung problems

●Long-term problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ("COPD"), cystic fibrosis, or emphysema

●Heart problems like a heart attack or heart failure

Oxygen can be:

●Compressed – Oxygen is stored in metal tanks under high pressure. The tanks come in different sizes. Some are small enough to carry around.

●Liquid – Liquid oxygen is very cold. It turns into a gas when you breathe. It takes up less room than other types of oxygen, but costs more.

●Concentrated – This uses oxygen already in the air. An electric machine filters out other gases and keeps just the oxygen. There are also portable oxygen concentrators that use a battery instead of electricity.

What happens before starting oxygen therapy? — 

The doctor will place a small device called a "pulse oximeter" on 1 of the fingers. This measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. Sometimes, the doctor might order an arterial blood gas ("ABG") test. This is a blood test that measures how much oxygen is in the blood. Sometimes, the doctor will check your oxygen level while you are walking or sleeping.

These help the doctor know how much extra oxygen is needed and if it should be used.

How is oxygen therapy used? — 

The doctor will order how much oxygen is needed, similar to how they prescribe medicines.

Oxygen therapy is measured by the amount of flow, like 2 or 3 liters per minute. This is also called the "flow rate" or "oxygen setting."

The oxygen can be given in different ways:

●Nasal cannula – This delivers oxygen through 2 small tubes you place in the nostrils (figure 1).

●Mask – This goes over the nose and mouth.

What do I need to do at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself or your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

●Before you go home, your doctor or nurse will talk with you about when to use oxygen and how much. Some people need to use oxygen all the time. Others use it only when sleeping or when active. Follow all instructions carefully.

●Make sure you have extra oxygen tanks, tubing, nasal cannula, and face masks in case of an emergency. Know how to clean all the parts and when to replace them. Make sure the tubing is not pinched or blocked.

●Each day, check the skin under the oxygen tubing or mask. Talk to the doctor or nurse if there is:

•Redness or irritation that does not go away after 15 minutes

•A sore on the skin

●When a person needs to use oxygen at home, an oxygen supplier will set up the equipment in their house. Make sure you know:

•The name and phone number of the supplier

•How long it takes to get oxygen delivered. This helps you know when to order more so you don't run out.

•How to connect and use all the parts

•How often to change or clean the equipment. Learn if there are filters that need to be replaced or cleaned, and how often.

What else should I know? — 

Some important safety tips to remember when using oxygen:

●Tell the electric company if you use an oxygen concentrator. You might need to have a back-up power source if the electricity goes off. Also, tell the local fire department and gas companies if someone in your home uses oxygen.

●Never smoke or light flames around the oxygen device. Do not let others smoke around the person on oxygen. This is very important. They could be seriously burned if there is ever a flame or lit cigarette around oxygen.

●Never use the oxygen device near a gas heater or stove.

●Do not use lotions and creams with petroleum in them.

●Store the oxygen tanks upright. Make sure they cannot fall over.

●Turn off the oxygen supply when not in use.

●Have working smoke detectors in the home.

●Take extra care when moving around. It is easy to trip over the oxygen tubing.

●You might need to make special arrangements if traveling by plane. Most airlines will only accept a portable oxygen concentrator. Tell the doctor about any plans for air travel.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if you or your child:

●Have symptoms of not enough oxygen – These might include chest pain, trouble breathing, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, dizziness, feeling drowsy, or blue or gray skin around the eyes, lips, or fingernails.

●Are having so much trouble breathing you can only say 1 or 2 words at a time

●Need to sit upright to breathe, or cannot lie down

●Have trouble breathing when talking or sitting still

●Have signs of infection – These include a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, cough, or more mucus or change in mucus color.

●Get a bloody nose, or the nose feels very dry inside

●Do not remember what the oxygen settings should be

●Cannot get the oxygen that is ordered

More on this topic

Patient education: Shortness of breath (The Basics)
Patient education: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (The Basics)
Patient education: Cystic fibrosis (The Basics)
Patient education: Pulmonary hypertension (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a pulse oximeter (The Basics)
Patient education: Arterial blood gas test (The Basics)

Patient education: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Supplemental oxygen on commercial airlines (Beyond the Basics)