COPD Patient Education

1. Why did my doctor prescribe oxygen for me?
2. When and how often do I have to wear my oxygen?
3. Why would I need to wear oxygen while sleeping?
4. Why would I need to use oxygen while I sleep?
5. How do I know that I'm using the right amount of supplemental oxygen?
6. Should I buy my own finger oximeter to test my oxygen saturations?
7. How will using supplemental oxygen benefit me?
8. Does my need for supplemental oxygen mean I don't have much time to live?
9. Will I always need to use supplemental oxygen?
10. Can I become "dependent on" or "addicted to" oxygen?
11. Can I become "dependent on" or "addicted to" oxygen?
12. Will I be able to go out and about with my oxygen equipment?

Why did my doctor prescribe oxygen for me?

Every body needs oxygen. In fact, every tissue and every cell in the body needs a constant supply of oxygen to work properly.

Oxygen gets into our cells and tissues via the lungs. The lungs breathe in oxygen from the air, then pass the oxygen into the bloodstream through millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. Hemoglobin in the red blood cells then picks up the oxygen and carries it off to the body's tissues and cells.

Interstitial lung disease can cause inflammation and/or scarring (aka fibrosis) in the part of the lung tissue where oxygen passes into the bloodstream — the alveoli. This inflammation and/or scarring make it difficult for oxygen to move into the bloodstream. Therefore, the amount of oxygen in the blood drops, and the body's tissues and cells may not receive enough oxygen to keep functioning properly. Not enough oxygen in the bloodstream is called hypoxemia. hipoxemia.

When and how often do I have to wear my oxygen?

The amount of oxygen in the bloodstream can be easily measured two ways:

1. Oximetry. This is the method used most often. A small, clip-on device shines a light through your finger or earlobe and measures the amount of light absorbed by the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in the red blood cells. By calculating the amount of light absorption, the device can measure how saturated the hemoglobin is with oxygen molecules, or O2 sat. Normally, the oxygen saturation of the blood is around 98 to 100 percent.

If your doctor takes your saturation while you are at rest and your value is 88% or lower, you need supplemental oxygen, although there are other clinical conditions that determine that you need oxygen despite being above 88%, your doctor will advise you. will explain.

El rango o límites de saturación lo definirá tu medico en base a tus requerimientos, por ejemplo, para optimizar el tratamiento de un paciente con EPOC se recomienda clínicamente que este rango este entre 88-92%.

2. Arterial blood gas study. In this procedure, blood is drawn out of an artery, usually in the wrist, using a needle and syringe. The blood is then sent through an analyzer to measure the amount of oxygen gas dissolved in the blood. This result is called the arterial oxygen pressure (paO2), and is normally 80 to 100 mm Hg. presión arterial de oxígeno (paO2) y normalmente es de 80 a 100 mm Hg. Los pacientes que necesitan oxigeno suplementario por lo general están con 55 mm Hg o menos, aunque hay otras condiciones clínicas que determinan que Ud. necesite oxígeno a pesar de estar sobre los 55 mm Hg, su médico le explicara.

The body needs enough oxygen to keep the blood adequately saturated so that cells and tissues receive enough oxygen to function properly. Additionally, cells and tissues cannot “save” or “catch up” on oxygen, as they need a constant supply. When oxygen saturation drops below 89 percent, or blood oxygen pressure drops below 60 mmHg, whether during rest, activity, sleep, or at altitude, then supplemental oxygen is needed.

Your health care provider can determine your supplemental oxygen needs by testing you while you are at rest and while walking, and can also order an overnight oximetry study to test your oxygen saturation at night. A high altitude simulation test is also available to test your oxygen saturation at 8000 ft (the cabin pressure of most airliners).

Why would I need to wear oxygen while sleeping?

Everyone's oxygen levels in the blood are lower during sleep, due to a mildly reduced level of breathing. Also, some alveoli drop out of use during sleep.

1. The appropriate oxygen flow rate or setting, expressed as liters of oxygen flow per minute (lpm or l/min), that will keep your saturations in the range prescribed by your doctor.
2. When you should use your oxygen (for example, during activity, overnight, or continuously)
3. The type of equipment that will fit your lifestyle needs

Why would I need to use oxygen while I sleep?

Blood oxygen levels are lower during sleep, due to a slightly reduced level of breathing. Additionally, some alveoli stop being used during sleep.

If your oxygen saturation upon awakening is above 94 percent in room air, your sleep saturation is unlikely to fall below 88 percent. However, your doctor may order an overnight oximetry test if there are any questions about your oxygen saturation levels while you sleep.

How do I know that I'm using the right amount of supplemental oxygen?

To determine if you are receiving the correct amount of supplemental oxygen, your oxygen saturation should be measured while you are using your oxygen. Your provider or an oxygen provider's respiratory therapist should assess your oxygen saturation in oxygen while you are at rest, while walking, and, if indicated, while you sleep. As long as your saturation is within the range or limits prescribed by your doctor, you are receiving the correct amount of supplemental oxygen.

Should I buy my own finger oximeter to test my oxygen saturations?

It's probably a good idea to purchase a finger oximeter, so you can be sure you're getting the right amount of supplemental oxygen. Finger oximeters are available online, through medical supply companies, and even at sporting goods stores.

How will using supplemental oxygen benefit me?

When a person does not receive enough oxygen, all organs in the body can be affected, especially the brain, heart, and kidneys. The use of supplemental oxygen keeps these organs, and many others, healthy.

The most important clinical evidence is that, for hypoxemic people, supplemental oxygen improves your survival and decreases episodes of recurrence of your disease. In addition, it improves quality of life and exercise tolerance.

Supplemental oxygen can also help relieve symptoms. You may experience relief from shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, and depression. You may be more alert, sleep better, and be in a better mood. You may be able to do more activities, such as traveling, including traveling to high altitudes.

Symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, may be caused by more than just a lack of oxygen. In these cases, supplemental oxygen may not relieve the symptom. But if tests show that you are not getting enough oxygen, it is still important to use your oxygen.

Does my need for supplemental oxygen mean I don't have much time to live?

People live for years using supplemental oxygen. The most important clinical evidence is that, for hypoxemic people, supplemental oxygen improves your survival and decreases episodes of recurrence of your disease.

Will I always need to use supplemental oxygen?

That depends on the reason the oxygen was prescribed. If your lung or heart condition improves and your blood oxygen levels return to normal ranges without supplemental oxygen, then you no longer need it.

Can I become "dependent on" or "addicted to" oxygen?

There is no such thing as becoming “dependent” or “addicted” to supplemental oxygen – everyone needs a constant supply of oxygen to live. If there is not enough oxygen in your bloodstream to supply your tissues and cells, then you need supplemental oxygen to keep your organs and tissues healthy.

Can I become "dependent on" or "addicted to" oxygen?

It is important that you use oxygen as ordered by your provider. If you start to experience headaches, confusion, or increased drowsiness after starting supplemental oxygen, you may be consuming too much.

Oxygen settings of 4 liters per minute or more can cause dryness and bleeding of the lining of the nose. A humidifier connected to your oxygen equipment or certain ointments can help prevent or treat dryness. For more information, see “Higher Oxygen Flows” in su equipo de oxígeno.

Will I be able to go out and about with my oxygen equipment?

The goal is for you to continue with as many of your usual activities as you can. You should work with your healthcare provider and oxygen supply company to get oxygen equipment that allows you to do these things. Choosing the right type of equipment for you and your lifestyle is very important – the right ambulatory oxygen equipment can play an important role in improving quality of life.