Myth #1: Oxygen therapy will accelerate death from COPD.
Truth: Oxygen therapy prolong survival only in patients with chronic hypoxemia.
Myth #2: Oxygen therapy is addictive.
Truth: Oxygen is a drug but it is not addictive! Everybody needs oxygen but just the right amount. Too much of anything can be harmful. Therefore, I recommend that my patients purchase pulse oximetry and to keep their SpO2 above 90% but not above 95%. There is no clear benefit to raising the SpO2 to 100%.
Myth #3: Oxygen does not need to be worn at night even when it is prescribed for 24 hours a day.
Truth: Low levels of oxygen in the bloodstream or hypoxemia is more common during sleep in COPD patients because the lungs do not work as vigorously as during the day. Hypoxemia can cause poor sleep and heart rate disturbances, including heart blocks and ventricular arrhythmia. So, keep the oxygen on! And do not forget to schedule a sleep study to determine if there is any other reason for needing oxygen therapy at night.
Myth #4: The side effects from oxygen therapy for COPD are bad.
Truth: The most common side effects of oxygen therapy relate to the irritation of the nasal passages and the discomfort of the oxygen catheter rubbing the top of the ears.
For nasal irritation, first make sure that you are using the correct flow of oxygen. Ask your physician or healthcare provider to double-check. Too much oxygen, for example, 4 LPM, will dry the nasal passages and can even cause nose bleeds. It can also cause sleepiness if your COPD is severe enough. Be alert for headaches and confusion. These are reasons why it is best to keep the SpO2 in the low 90s.
For ear irritation, there are softer catheters that go over the top of the ear to reduce friction.
Myth #5: The oxygen concentrator will explode if you smoke a cigarette.
Truth: There is little to no risk of an oxygen concentrator exploding but you can create a fire in front of your face and suffer serious burns. Stop smoking!
Myth #6: Oxygen equipment is too heavy and bulky to carry.
Truth: Portable oxygen concentrators are small in dimension and weigh under 5 pounds (ie, the equivalent to a bag of sugar or flour).
Myth #7: You are the only one with COPD who needs oxygen therapy.
Truth: Visit a pulmonary rehabilitation program to discover a lot of people with COPD wear oxygen and laugh about life. Remember, oxygen may be needed to help you exercise and ultimately, improve your physical and psychosocial health.
Samuel Louie, MD, is a professor of medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at UC Davis Medical Center. He is the director of both the UC Davis Asthma Network and Reversible Obstructive Airway Disease (ROAD) Center. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American College of Chest Physicians, and the American Thoracic Society.
Oxygen therapy can be scary for those who are just starting out with it. If a person suffers from COPD, there is a high chance they will use an oxygen concentrator to provide supplemental oxygen to be able to breathe better, improve their COPD symptoms, and more. Oxygen therapy for COPD can be a valuable, supplemental treatment to provide comfort and an active lifestyle. Although there can be misconceptions about oxygen therapy, this article, written by Dr. Samuel Louie, will debunk several of the myths about oxygen for those who have COPD.
Myth #1: Oxygen therapy will accelerate death from COPD.
Truth: Oxygen therapy actually prolongs survival, and improves the chances of living longer with COPD. Although COPD never goes away, oxygen therapy can alleviate some of its symptoms to help patients live better lives. If a person is managing their COPD with supplemental oxygen, along with making other daily healthy choices, they can certainly live a long life without struggling or shortening their lifespan.
Myth #2: Oxygen therapy is addictive.
Truth: Oxygen is a drug but it is not addictive! Everybody needs oxygen but just the right amount. Too much of anything can be harmful. Therefore, I recommend that my patients purchase pulse oximeters and keep their SpO2 above 90% but not above 95%. There is no clear benefit to raising the SpO2 to 100%.
Myth #3: Oxygen does not need to be worn at night even when it is prescribed for 24 hours a day.
Truth: Low levels of oxygen in the bloodstream or hypoxemia is more common during sleep in COPD patients because the lungs do not work as vigorously as during the day. Hypoxemia can cause poor sleep and heart rate disturbances, including heart blocks and ventricular arrhythmia. So, keep the oxygen on! And do not forget to schedule a sleep study to determine if there is any other reason for needing oxygen therapy at night.
Myth #4: The side effects from oxygen therapy for COPD are bad.
Truth: The most common side effects of oxygen therapy relate to the irritation of the nasal passages and the discomfort of the oxygen catheter rubbing the top of the ears.
For nasal irritation, first make sure that you are using the correct flow of oxygen. Ask your physician or healthcare provider to double-check. Too much oxygen, for example, 4 LPM, will dry the nasal passages and can even cause nose bleeds. It can also cause sleepiness if your COPD is severe enough. Be alert for headaches and confusion. These are reasons why it is best to keep the SpO2 in the low 90s.
For ear irritation, there are softer catheters that go over the top of the ear to reduce friction.
Myth #5: The oxygen concentrator will explode if you smoke a cigarette.
Truth: There is little to no risk of an oxygen concentrator exploding but you can create a fire in front of your face and suffer serious burns. Stop smoking!
Myth #6: Oxygen equipment is too heavy and bulky to carry.
Truth: Portable oxygen concentrators are small in dimension and many of them weigh under 5 pounds (ie, the equivalent of a bag of sugar or flour). There are also carriers and other options to help make oxygen therapy highly portable and convenient to bring around.
Myth #7: You are the only one with COPD who needs oxygen therapy.
Truth: Visit a pulmonary rehabilitation program to discover a lot of people with COPD wear oxygen and laugh about life. Remember, oxygen may be needed to help you exercise and ultimately, improve your physical and psychosocial health.
Myth #8: Only smokers get COPD.
Truth: While smoking can certainly be a contributing factor to getting COPD, non-smokers can also develop this condition too. While smoking is the main cause of getting COPD, other factors include:
- Environmental pollutants and toxins
- Exposure to tobacco smoke
- Exposure to dust and chemicals that are typically found in particular workplaces
- Asthma
- Genetics
Myth #9: There’s no treatment for COPD.
Truth: Although there is no cure for COPD, it can certainly be treated and managed. Treating COPD can alleviate symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and improve the overall quality of life. Some treatment options include:
- Quitting smoking: The materials inside of a cigarette can only damage the lungs even more, causing symptoms to flare up. Smoking also decreases lung function and counteracts COPD medication to make it less effective.
- Medication: Healthcare providers may try to prescribe medication as the first treatment option for COPD. The medication prescribed is unique to each patient depending on their age, COPD severity, and other factors. It's important to consult with your doctor about the best medication for you.
- Surgery: Doctors may recommend surgery if the patient's COPD is severe. Lung surgery can be done to help improve their function so that a patient can breathe better.
- Supplemental oxygen: Also known as oxygen therapy, supplemental oxygen gives patients more air to allow their lungs to function properly. Receiving supplemental oxygen alleviates the symptoms of COPD to help patients feel better and continue living their daily lives. Patients can use an oxygen concentrator to get the sufficient amount of oxygen they need.
Myth #10: COPD is the same thing as asthma.
Truth: COPD is a group of lung diseases, asthma being one of them. Asthma is a repiratory condition where the airway becomes swollen, making it harder to breathe.
Myth #11: It’s too late for me to quit smoking.
Truth: It is never too late to quit smoking! Since smoking counteracts any COPD treatment, smoking can exacerbate COPD symptoms and can worsen their lung function. Quitting smoking will slow the progression of COPD, extending the person's lifespan.
Myth #12: People with COPD shouldn’t exercise.
Truth: While those who have COPD may be scared to exercise due to breathing heavier or being out of breath, it is actually encouraged to have some sort of phsyical activity. Exercising can help improve a person's energy and overall health. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider the best course of action of physical activity.
Myth #13: Losing weight helps with COPD.
Truth: Although being heavy isn't good for your overall health, trying to lose as much weight as possible isn't good either. That's because it could lead to a person cutting back on certain foods and calories that could make a person not get the amount of nutrients and vitamins they need. Additionally, those with COPD have lungs that work harder, therefore, burning more calroies through out the day, so making sure you're getting enough calories to supplement that is very important.
Tips To Help You Manage COPD
There are many ways a person can manage their COPD. While there is no cure for this disease, there are things that can be done to be in control of your symptoms. Here are a few:
- Stop smoking and don't be around someone while they are smoking.
- Eat a nutritious diet.
- Follow a workout routine approved by your doctor.
- Get enough sleep.
- Use supplemental oxygen appropriately.
Concluding Thoughts
While COPD can be a life-long disease, it is nothing to be afraid of. With the proper lifestyle changes and help from your doctor, managing COPD symptoms is doable and will improve your overall quality of life. If you are prescribed oxygen therapy, the use of an oxygen concentrator will be very beneficial. The team at The Oxygen Concentrator Supplies Shop would be happy to help you choose oxygen products that are best for you. Give us a call at 888-941-1688 today!
