Oxygen Use for Lung Disease

Oxygen Use for Lung Disease


The room air you breathe is 21% oxygen. Your body needs oxygen to work well. With certain lung diseases, you may not be able to get enough oxygen into your blood stream by breathing the air around you. Extra (supplemental) oxygen may be needed to keep the oxygen in your body at the right level. 

Measuring your oxygen level

Finger shown using pulse oximeter

A pulse oximeter measures the oxygen in your blood by reading the color of your blood through a light sensor. Your blood color varies based on the amount of oxygen it has. A small clip is put on over a finger to get a reading. A light flashes in the clip and shines a light through the tip of your finger. 

Oxygen levels (SpO2) change or vary with rest and activity. Because you may not have any symptoms when your oxygen level is too low or too high, you may be told to check your oxygen level. You can purchase pulse oximeters at your local drug store or on the Internet. 

Check your oxygen level when you feel shortness of breath. Do not keep it on all of the time.

  • Normal resting SpO2 = mid-90s to 100% (no one is 100% all of the time)
  • Exercise or activity SpO2 = keep above 88%

If you have home oxygen, use it to keep your oxygen level above 88% during rest and activity based on your doctor’s instructions.

Tips for accurate pulse oximeter readings:

  • Make sure your fingers are warm.
  • Use a finger without nail polish.
  • When walking, you may need to bend your elbow to bring your hand and pulse oximeter to your shoulder to check the reading. Arm motion can affect an accurate reading.
  • Replace batteries as directed.

Low oxygen levels

Long-term low oxygen levels, also called hypoxia, are not good for your body. Because all of your body’s cells need oxygen to work and live, low oxygen can affect almost every part of your body. Low oxygen is very hard on body cells that are always working and not able to repair themselves, such as the heart and brain. Also, when your oxygen level is low, the right side of your heart works harder to pump blood through your lungs.

If your body is not able to keep your oxygen level above 88% at rest, you may develop:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Problems with thinking or concentrating
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Problems sleeping
  • Heart arrhythmias
  • Heart attacks
  • Shorter life expectancy

Talk to your doctor if you have signs of low oxygen levels or have chronic low oxygen levels. You may need home oxygen or need to change the amount of oxygen you are using at rest and activity.
 

Home oxygen

Oxygen is considered a medicine that needs a doctor’s order to be prescribed or to have the amount of oxygen changed. Your oxygen company will work with you to find the type of oxygen and amount needed.

Supplemental oxygen has many benefits, which may include:

  • Less shortness of breath.
  • Improved energy levels.
  • Improved thinking and memory.
  • Better quality of life.
  • Longer life expectancy.

Oxygen Flow

Oxygen flow is measured in liters per minute (LPM). Remember, room air is 21% oxygen.

1 liter = 25% oxygen4 liters = 37% oxygen7 liters = 49% oxygen
2 liters = 29% oxygen5 liters = 41% oxygen8 liters = 53% oxygen
3 liters = 33% oxygen6 liters = 45% oxygen...and so on

Giving yourself more oxygen is not always better.

Too much oxygen can damage the cells of the lungs. For people with obstructive lung disease, it can cause the brain to not send out signals to breathe, causing them to take fewer or less deep breaths. This can cause confusion or lethargy. To prevent problems with too much oxygen, your oxygen flow level can be adjusted based on your pulse oximeter readings.
 

Oxygen Sources for Home Use

Oxygen is often given with a tube that has 2 prong openings that fit in your nose. This is called a nasal cannula (kan-u-la). A mask that fits over the nose and mouth or a tube connecting to a tracheostomy may be used for oxygen flow rates greater than 4 liters per minute. “High flow” tubing may also be used to decrease nose sensitivity.

Man's face with oxygen cannula on his nose

There are several types of oxygen sources that may be used:

  • Compressed gas tanks - These tanks, also called cylinders, can be large for use in the home or very small to be carried over the shoulder or wheeled around (portable tanks). An oxygen conserving regulator may be attached to the tank. It senses when you take in a breath and only delivers the amount of oxygen needed. Oxygen flow ranges from 1 to 15 liters per minute.
  • Liquid oxygen systems - Liquid oxygen is stored in a large refilling station that stays in your home. The oxygen company exchanges the unit when needed. Smaller portable units are filled at the top of the refilling station. This oxygen source is a good option if you need an oxygen flow of more than 10 liters per minute at home.
  • Concentrator - These devices use electrical or battery power to draw in room air oxygen (21%), remove the nitrogen molecules and store it as a higher oxygen concentration in the unit. Some units have a “filling” station to fill up portable gas cylinders. Oxygen flow goes up to 10 liters per minute.
  • Portable concentrator - These devices run on batteries. They are limited to people who need 3 to 5 liters per minute of oxygen flow or less. Larger units are on rollers and go up to 6 liters per minute. These units are easy to use and just need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to recharge the battery.

Oxygen tank with regulator

Oxygen concentrator machine

Portable oxygen concentrator machines

Your oxygen company will determine the best source of oxygen for you, based on your needs and your doctor’s orders.

© 2006 - July 14, 2020, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.