Tips For Comfortable Oxygen Therapy at Home

When oxygen therapy becomes a prescribed treatment, it’s best to find ways to make it a part of your lifestyle. Your life at home can be as normal as ever, just with the added benefit of oxygen therapy to help you stay healthy.

Oxygen therapy is a prescribed treatment that uses supplemental pure oxygen to manage respiratory illnesses. The therapy aids those who typically have difficulty breathing due to conditions such as COPD, asthma, or heart conditions that have weakened normal breathing.

Patients who require oxygen therapy can range from those with severe respiratory conditions such as COPD and cystic fibrosis to more moderate cases of asthma. Some patients may only need to use oxygen therapy at home for a short period of time while managing an illness. Others may be on oxygen therapy their whole lives.

Patients who require oxygen therapy can range from those with severe respiratory conditions such as COPD and cystic fibrosis to more moderate cases of asthma. Some patients may only need to use oxygen therapy at home for a short period of time while managing an illness. Others may be on oxygen therapy their whole lives.

Some of the most common respiratory conditions that require oxygen therapy include:

• COPD or chronic pulmonary disease: causes inflammation in the lungs which can make it hard to breathe.
• Pulmonary fibrosis: causes scarring in the lungs which makes breathing difficult.
• Heart failure: can weaken normal breathing, and patients may turn to oxygen therapy when they become winded or short of breath.
• Asthma attacks: can leave patients with an alarming sensation of shortness of breath which can be alleviated with oxygen therapy.

Before you even visit a doctor, you may notice some of the symptoms that indicate you may need oxygen therapy at home. Symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chronic fatigue
• Low blood oxygen levels when the measurement is taken at home

Symptoms may be due to temporary illnesses, so it is important to consult with your doctor. If oxygen therapy at home is required, your doctor will need to provide a prescription for supplemental oxygen.

Patients with respiratory illnesses can use oxygen therapy at home in the form of oxygen tanks or oxygen concentrators. The treatments are safe and effective and allow most patients to stay healthy without staying for a prolonged period at the hospital.

Living with a chronic respiratory illness can lead to depleted energy levels and even depression. One of the benefits of oxygen therapy at home is that is restores normal breathing which can enhance energy levels. Patients can feel better, do more during the day, and sleep better at night.

Oxygen therapy at home can enhance mobility which allows for greater independence. Patients using a portable oxygen concentrator are free to go out shopping or visit friends and family. In some cases, patients may be able to travel without concerns about their respiratory conditions.

Breathing better leads to feeling better. Patients who use oxygen therapy at home may have a more positive attitude and generally improved sense of well-being now that they are not burdened by fatigue or limitations due to their illness. Increased blood oxygen levels through therapy can also boost mental alertness and a feeling of well-being.

Oxygen therapy can help with sleep by improving oxygenation levels in the body, which can help regulate sleep cycles. It also increases the liklihood of achieving in deep sleep throughout the sleep cycle, improving the quality and recovery of sleep. 

See your doctor to be prescribed oxygen therapy at home for the treatment of a respiratory illness. You can purchase supplemental oxygen tanks from a medical equipment supplier, or you can choose a home oxygen concentrator.

Many patients prefer oxygen concentrators as they convert surrounding air into pure oxygen, providing a lasting supply, so they never have to be replaced like oxygen tanks.

Your oxygen therapy prescription will tell you how often to use your oxygen concentrator for treatment. The prescription may include setting recommendations to control how much oxygen you receive during treatments. A primary oxygen therapy safety precaution is to follow your prescription and recommendations from your doctor. It is possible to overuse your oxygen, which can lead to oxygen toxicity.

• Get acquainted with your oxygen concentrator. Learn how to turn your oxygen concentrator on and off.
• Read the manual to check recommended oxygen tubing and cannulas. 
• Follow the doctor’s prescription to set your flow setting. Do not set your flow setting any differently from what has been prescribed for you.
• Follow all cleaning and maintenance recommendations for your oxygen concentrator and other supplies from the manual.

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If you experience nasal irritation from oxygen therapy, you can attach a humidifier to your oxygen concentrator. The humidifier will provide moisture to your oxygen flow which can help soothe nasal passages and make oxygen therapy more comfortable.

The more you know about oxygen therapy, the more you can get the best results. See how to take care of your equipment and stay safe with oxygen therapy.

Replace filters. Every oxygen concentrator is different in terms of the type of filtration it uses. Some will come with reusable filters that can be cleaned and reused. Reusable filters should be cleaned with soap and water about once a week. Other concentrators require filter replacement. Follow your manufacturer's guidelines for filter maintenance. Generally, filters should be changed about every 6 months.

Clean the outside of your oxygen concentrator. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the outside of your oxygen concentrator to reduce lint and dust, which can end up in your machine if not properly cleaned.

There are two different types of nasal cannula: high flow and low flow.  The difference is the amount of oxygen they deliver per minute.

High flow cannulas deliver oxygen at a higher rate, (up to 60 liters per minute). They also provide warm oxygen which can help prevent dryness in the nose.

Low flow cannulas have a much lower rate, (up to 8 liters per minute) and the oxygen is not warm which can lead to nasal dryness. Follow recommendations from your doctor when selecting your nasal cannula so that you choose one that fits the needs of your oxygen therapy and your personal comfort.

• Position the nasal cannula on your face so that the two prongs fit comfortably inside your nostrils. If the tips of the nasal cannula are curved, make sure to point them down. The head strap should fit comfortably behind your head.
• Make sure the tubing is not taut. Loose tubing allows smooth oxygen flow and gives you some freedom of movement.
• Adjust your supplemental oxygen tank or oxygen concentrator to the prescribed setting. Breathe normally and check your source of oxygen to ensure that it is working properly.

You can also make the nasal cannula more comfortable with additional accessories.

• Soft tubing covers can prevent chafing where the tubing comes into contact with your skin, especially behind the ears.
• Water-based moisturizers and gels can reduce nasal irritation and dryness. Never use oil-based gels.
• A humidifier used in conjunction with your oxygen concentrator can also moisturize the oxygen flow to help reduce dryness.

Be sure to also follow oxygen concentrator manufacturer recommendations for cannula and tube replacement as needed (usually every 3 to 6 months).

When the tubes become cracked or appear to leak, simply remove the old tubing from the machine connections and replace it with new tubing.

It’s good to keep spare tubing and cannulas handy. With lots of use, oxygen concentrator tubing and cannulas can become worn and less effective. Regular replacement ensures oxygen therapy compliance and good hygiene.

The oxygen flow during oxygen therapy can be dry, which, with regular use, can lead to nasal dryness and nosebleeds. Using a water-based moisturizer around the contact point of the nasal cannula can help reduce irritation.

You can also use an oxygen humidifier as an attachment to your oxygen concentrator. The oxygen humidifier infuses the dry oxygen flow with moisture, which can reduce overall dryness.

Some patients may experience chafing at the point of contact with the tubing. If oxygen therapy is used continuously throughout the day, the tubing looped behind the ears can eventually cause skin irritation. To prevent this, you can wrap your tube with soft tubing covers which can cushion the contact point and make oxygen therapy more comfortable.

Always ensure your mask or nasal cannula fits properly. Ill-fitting cannulas or masks can cause irritation at the point of contact.

Following important oxygen therapy safety precautions can help your oxygen therapy at home remain safe.  Keep your oxygen tank or oxygen concentrator away from open flames such as fireplaces and ensure the vents of your oxygen concentrator are not blocked.

Always keep your oxygen equipment, whether it be oxygen tanks or oxygen concentrators, in well-ventilated areas and away from sources of heat such as space heaters or radiators.

To keep your oxygen equipment operating well, be sure to change the filters regularly and clean your equipment. Clean your nasal cannula daily and wipe down your oxygen concentrator on a regular basis. Replace cannula and tubing every three to six months or sooner if they appear worn or damaged.  

Maintaining comfortable oxygen therapy is best when the oxygen is kept moist to avoid irritation from dry oxygen flow. Use your oxygen humidifier every time you turn on your oxygen concentrator.

While oxygen therapy can feel debilitating, it is important for overall health and well-being to stay active. Maintain a routine of low impact exercises and activities to stay healthy.

Do your best to maintain a comfortable environment where you conduct your oxygen therapy. Use comfortable seating and occasionally use relaxation techniques such as meditation or breathing exercises to enhance the overall experience during therapy.

While oxygen concentrators are generally safe, you should keep them away from open flames like fireplaces. Pure oxygen can be highly combustible, so precautions should be taken. Also, avoid smoking around your oxygen concentrator.

Along with cleaning your oxygen concentrator, you must also clean your humidifier. Rinse with a solution of vinegar and water weekly to prevent bacteria so your humidifier continues to provide healthy, clean moisturized air.

If you experience a power failure while using your oxygen concentrator, unplug the unit from the wall to prevent a surge when power resumes. If power outages are a concern for interrupting oxygen therapy, you can also choose a portable oxygen concentrator with a battery that can operate for long periods without direct power.

If you experience a power failure while using your oxygen concentrator, unplug the unit from the wall to prevent a surge when power resumes. If power outages are a concern for interrupting oxygen therapy, you can also choose a portable oxygen concentrator with a battery that can operate for long periods without direct power.

You can find both home and portable oxygen concentrators online at The Oxygen Concentrator Supplies Shop. Speak to our knowledgeable staff to help you select the best oxygen concentrator for your needs. Call 888-941-1688 or email us at contact@oxygenconcentratorsupplies.com.