About this topic
Your body needs oxygen to work the right way. There is some oxygen in the air around us. Some people need extra oxygen to get normal levels of oxygen into the blood. You may need extra oxygen for a: ‚
- Short-term problem. This might be an infection, asthma flare up, or lung trauma.
- Long-term problem. These are illnesses like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), cystic fibrosis, or emphysema.
- Heart problem. You may have had a heart attack or have heart failure. You may also have a problem with your heart that you were born with.
Oxygen can be: ‚
- Compressed ¢ ˆ ’ Oxygen is stored in metal tanks under high pressure. The tanks come in different sizes. Some are small enough to carry around with you.
- Liquid ¢ ˆ ’ 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 ¢ ˆ ’ This uses oxygen already in the air. An electric machine filters out other gases and keeps just the oxygen. If you have this type of oxygen, you need to tell your electric company.
Oxygen therapy is delivered to the lungs by: ‚
- Nasal cannula ¢ ˆ ’ This is a plastic tube with two small prongs, which are placed in your nostrils. The long part of the tubing wraps around your ears, like glasses.
- Face mask ¢ ˆ ’ The mask fits over your nose and mouth. A tube attached to the mask is connected to the oxygen tank. You may need a mask if you get a high rate of oxygen, or if you have a stuffy nose.
- Transtracheal catheter or tube ¢ ˆ ’ This is a small tube that is put into the windpipe through the front of the neck. You may need a humidifier attached to the oxygen system. This will help add moisture to the oxygen.
View OriginalView Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Oxygen is a drug that is ordered by the doctor. Do not change the oxygen settings without talking to your doctor.
- You may be getting your oxygen through one of many kinds of tubes. Always be sure to keep the breathing tube clean. Make sure it is not pinched or blocked.
- Talk to the business where you get your oxygen supplies.
- Make sure you know how to use all of the devices.
- Ask how often you should change or clean your equipment.
- Learn if there are filters that need to be replaced.
- Make sure you have extra supplies in case of emergency.
- There are some important safety factors to keep in mind if you are using oxygen.
- Never smoke or light flames around the oxygen device.
- Never use the oxygen device near a gas heater or stove.
- Avoid using lotions and creams with petroleum in them.
- Store the oxygen tanks upright and where they cannot fall over.
- Turn off the oxygen supply when not in use.
- Have working smoke detectors in the home.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Do not stop using your oxygen unless told to do so by your doctor. Let people know you are using oxygen in the home. Tell: ‚
- Your local fire department
- Your electric, gas, and phone companies. You may be put on a special list to help you in case your power goes out.
- Your neighbors and family
Will physical activity be limited?
How much activity you can do may depend on how well your heart and lungs work. If you have trouble breathing, you will have to slow down or stop your activity. Talk with your doctor about what exercises are good for you. Portable oxygen tanks can be used. These work well for activities outside your home. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Dry or stuffy nose
- Nose bleeds
- The tube may come off of the oxygen tank by accident
- Risk of running out of oxygen
- Risk of tripping over the tube
- Risk of fire
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of not enough oxygen. These include chest pain; trouble breathing; loss of appetite; trouble sleeping; dizziness; drowsiness; or bluish color around the eyes, lips, and fingernails.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum.
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how I will use my oxygen safely.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have chest pain, trouble breathing or sleeping, feel drowsy, or have a bluish color around my eyes and lips.
Where can I learn more?
American Lung Association ‚
http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/copd/living-with-copd/supplemental-oxygen.html ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/oxt/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚