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Oxygen Therapy: Using Oxygen at Home

Table of Contents


Overview

Oxygen therapy helps you get more oxygen into your lungs and bloodstream. You may use it if you have a disease that makes it hard to breathe, such as COPD, pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs), or heart failure. Oxygen therapy can make it easier for you to breathe and can reduce your heart's workload.

Some people need extra oxygen all the time. Others need it from time to time throughout the day or overnight. A doctor will prescribe how much oxygen you need and how often to use it.

To breathe the oxygen, most people use a nasal cannula (say "KAN-yuh-luh"). This is a thin tube with two prongs that fit just inside your nose. People who need a lot of oxygen may need to use a mask that fits over the nose and mouth.


How to use oxygen therapy

If you need oxygen at home, it is important to learn how to use and take care of your equipment.

Traveling while on oxygen therapy

Traveling while you are on oxygen therapy usually is possible if you plan ahead.

Depending on what kind of oxygen delivery you use, you may need to:

Watch


Credits for Oxygen Therapy: Using Oxygen at Home

Current as of: November 14, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Hasmeena Kathuria MD - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine


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