Oxygen in the HOME
If you have ever experienced difficulty breathing, or if you have lung
or heart problem, you have probably wondered about using oxygen at home.
Your physician has determined, based on your symptoms, physical examination
and laboratory test, that you may benefit from the use of oxygen at home.
Following are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about
the use of oxygen in the home.
What is oxygen?
Oxygen is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that is necessary for life.
When we take a breath, we draw air containing 21% oxygen into our lungs.
The oxygen passes from our lungs into our bloodstream, where it is carried
in the red blood cells to all the organs and tissues of our bodies. Oxygen
is needed by our organs and tissues to convert the food we eat into heat
and energy, to maintain life.
How is oxygen made and stored?
There are three common methods for obtaining pure oxygen:
- Air is cooled and compressed until it becomes a liquid. Then as the
liquid air warms, the oxygen "boils" off and is collected.
It is then re-cooled and compressed into liquid oxygen and stored in
"thermos bottles" known as reservoirs.
- The oxygen gas is compressed and stored in heavy steel pressurized
tanks.
- Room air is pumped through a fine filter that traps all but the oxygen,
which is allowed to pass through. This is known as an oxygen concentrator
or oxygen enricher.
How do I use home oxygen?
A small, adjustable plastic tube (called a nasal cannula), worn much as
you would wear eye glasses, is placed under the nose. This tubing, through
which the oxygen will flow, is attached to the oxygen tank.
How do I go about ordering oxygen once my physician prescribes
it?
Your physician, respiratory therapist, social worker, or nurse may recommend
an oxygen supplier to you, or you may look in the yellow pages under "Oxygen."
When selecting an oxygen supplier, consider the following:
- Will the company deliver and install the equipment?
- Does the company have a delivery service 24 hours a day? Seven days
a week?
- Does the company provide information on the use and cleaning of the
equipment?
- Is a nurse or therapist available to answer your questions and come
to your home if necessary?
- Will the company bill Medicare or your insurance for you? How much
does home oxygen cost?
Will Medicare and/or my insurance pay for it?
The cost can vary greatly depending on your prescription. There is a variety
of oxygen equipment available. Your physician decides how much oxygen
you need. The supplier will help you select the most economical system
to meet your needs and activities, and should be able to give you an approximate
monthly cost.
Medicare will pay 80% of approved expenses. Many private insurance carriers
also pay for oxygen within the limits of their policies. To be sure your
policy does cover home oxygen, call your claims representative.
Why do I need supplemental oxygen?
Normally oxygen passes readily from the lungs into the bloodstream and
is pumped by the heart to all parts of the body. When lung disease occurs,
oxygen may not be able to pass as readily into the bloodstream. When the
heart is diseased, it may not be able to pump as much oxygen-carrying
blood.
Either of these situations can result in not enough oxygen reaching the
organs and tissues of the body, preventing them from functioning properly.
This can cause many undesirable effects, such as decreased ability to
exercise, difficulty breathing, fatigue, confusion, loss of memory, etc.
Breathing supplemental oxygen increases the amount of oxygen that passes
into the bloodstream and is carried to the organs and tissues.
Do all patients with lung or heart disease require supplemental
oxygen?
It is estimated that over 4 million patients with lung or heart problems
either are benefiting or could benefit from supplemental oxygen. This
is a rather small percent of the estimated 60 million Americans affected
by lung or heart and circulatory disease.
How can I tell if I need supplemental oxygen?
You might suspect you need supplemental oxygen if you have one or more
of the following symptoms: decreased ability to exercise, difficulty breathing,
fatigue easily, periods of disorientation or loss of memory.
The only way to know for sure, however, is to measure the measure the
amount of oxygen in your blood with Arterial Blood Gas or oximetry. Your
physician will evaluate your test results and symptoms to determine if
you might benefit from additional oxygen. If you need supplemental oxygen,
your physician will prescribe the proper flow rate and duration of use.
How can I tell if I am getting enough oxygen?
Too much?
You might anticipate that some of the symptoms you had before using the
oxygen will start to go away as your blood's oxygen level returns to normal.
The only way to be sure you are getting the right amount of oxygen is
to have the oxygen level in your blood measured while using the supplemental
oxygen.
If new symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, increased sleepiness,
etc., appear, you might be getting too much oxygen. Notify your physician.
Do not change the liter flow or hours of usage without first checking
with your physician.
Can I become addicted to oxygen?
Oxygen is not addicting. We all need oxygen to live. If your lungs and/or
heart are diseased and cannot supply enough oxygen to your body from normal
room air, you need to breathe supplemental oxygen. Should your condition
improve, you may no longer require supplemental oxygen.
Will oxygen relieve my shortness of breath?
Oxygen frequently does help, but there are reasons other than lack of
oxygen for shortness of breath. In such cases, oxygen may not relieve
the condition. By itself, shortness of breath is not life-threatening.
Does the need for supplemental oxygen mean that I am dying?
Patients may live for years on home oxygen. Others require supplemental
oxygen at home temporarily to relieve their discomfort after being hospitalized
or experiencing other stressful situations.
Do I have to use oxygen all the time?
Your physician will determine how many hours per day you should use the
oxygen. Note: Be sure to follow your doctor's directions carefully for
desired therapeutic benefit.
How do I get around in my home while using oxygen?
There is a variety of oxygen equipment available. Usually it will be placed
where you will be using it most. Up to 50 feet of tubing can also be added
to allow you to move about. Your home oxygen supplier will discuss with
you the best choice of equipment for your activities.
Can I cook and eat while using oxygen?
You can carry on your normal activities as long as you use common sense
while you're using oxygen - don't cook on an open flame; don't smoke;
and be careful that your oxygen tubing does not come in contact with hot
burners, pots, pans or anything that could cause the plastic tubing to
melt.
Using oxygen while eating may well be beneficial in reducing the shortness
of breath that many patients experience during and after eating.
Can I use electrical appliances while using oxygen?
Electrical appliances that get hot or spark during operations should be
kept at least 5 feet away from the oxygen system.
Can I use oxygen around smokers?
Yes, as long as no one smokes within 5 feet of the equipment or the person
using the oxygen.
What do I do if I want to leave my home?
There are small portable tanks that can be taken with you, some of which
hold enough oxygen to provide up to 8 hours of continuous use. If you're
traveling, additional, refillable tanks may be carried in your automobile.
Your supplier may also be able to arrange for you to pick up oxygen en
route and at your destination.
How heavy are portable tanks?
Portable tanks vary in weight from 6 to 15 pounds. These tanks may be
carried in a shoulder bag during use or pull carts may also be available.
Can I refill the portable tank myself?
There are two types of portable tanks: liquid systems and high pressure
cylinders. The liquid systems are designed to be refilled by the patient.
They are simple to operate and very safe. Refilling small high pressure
cylinders, however, can be hazardous and should be done only by an authorized
dealer.
Can I drive a car while using oxygen?
Or travel?
Yes. Again, all you need do is use common sense. When driving, secure
the oxygen unit so it will not tip over. Leave a window open slightly
for ventilation so the oxygen will not accumulate in the car.
You can also travel on public transportation while using oxygen.
Be sure to make reservations early, alerting the reservations people
to any special needs you may have, so they will have time to accommodate
them. Your supplier can help you arrange for your oxygen en route and
at your destination.
What do I do if I run out of oxygen?
You will probably feel some of the discomfort you experienced before you
went on your oxygen therapy, but this discomfort should not be life-threatening.
Call your supplier to replace or refill the container. You can reduce
your discomfort until he arrives by placing as little demand on your lungs
as possible. For example, you might sit or lie down and relax until the
supplier arrives to fill your tank.
If you are with your portable tank, and it should run out, return home
and continue using your oxygen.
Is there anything I cannot do while using oxygen?
You can do anything that you would normally do, except for those things
that would bring you within five feet of an open flame, a burning cigarette
or an electrical appliance that sparks. Actually you may find that you
will be able to do some activities while using oxygen that you could not
do without it.
Are there any hazards involved in using oxygen?
While oxygen does not burn, anything that can burn will do so more easily
and more rapidly in an oxygen-rich environment. Therefore, do not use
oxygen near an open flame, burning cigarette or electrical equipment that
sparks during operation.
Do not use oil, grease or Vaseline on oxygen equipment. Should frost
form on your liquid oxygen system, do not allow the frosted portions of
the equipment to come in contact with your skin. Your home oxygen supplier
will thoroughly explain all safety precautions related to your home oxygen
therapy.
Be careful to follow your doctor's orders exactly when using oxygen,
and never change the liter flow without his or her approval.
We hope this page has been helpful to you in providing information about
oxygen in the home. If you have any further questions, please consult
with your physician.
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