Home Oxygen Use - Information and Tips
Many people must use supplemental
oxygen to help them breathe due to COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) or other illness. For these people
it is important they know how to use, maintain and store their home oxygen.
Home Oxygen Therapy - Types Of Home Oxygen Equipment
For medical oxygen uses, and especially regarding home oxygen therapy, there are
basically three types of oxygen delivery systems. Oxygen therapy equipment has come along way and you now find that
the need for clinical oxygen therapy is much less.
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Ambient air is made of approximately 21% oxygen at sea level, so the source of oxygen is all around
us and does not need to be stored. These machines are powered by electricity, therefore you need an
electrical current for it to function.
For both oxygen cylinders where the oxygen is stored under pressure and for oxygen tanks that store liquid
oxygen, you can get large tanks to keep the home and small portable ones to take with you when you leave.
Many people are now filling their portable cylinders directly from their home concentrators therefore reducing
the expense and logistics involved in having a supplier do it for you. Oxygen tanks with liquid oxygen on the other
hand must be filled by your provider.
Home therapy is vital for patients with pulmonary diseases, including COPD.
Oxygen concentrators have various advantages:
- They take up less space than tanks.
- It is the easiest way to transfer oxygen gas into smaller tanks for short trips.
- With this type of machine your supply of oxygen need not be stored so there are less risks of exhausting
your oxygen supply. Having said that, in case of power shortages it is a good idea to have a tank or cylinder
as an emergency supply.
Additional Equipment Needed For Your Oxygen Therapy
You need various oxygen accessories for your home oxygen therapy:
- Nasal cannula. This is a plastic tubing that wraps over the ears, like glasses, with
two prongs that fit into the nostrils.
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- Wash once or twice a week with soap and water, then rinse thoroughly.
- Replace the cannula every 2 to 4 weeks.
- If you have a cold, change the tube when you are over it.
- Oxygen Mask. You place it over the nose and mouth. It's better when you need higher
amounts of oxygen. Many patients find they breathe through their mouths when sleeping and this means that a
nasal cannula is not working for them.
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- Replace your mask every 2 to 4 weeks.
- If you have a cold, change the mask once you are well again.
- Some people may need transtracheal oxygen. It is a catheter or small tube placed into
the trachea through surgery.
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- If you are using a transtracheal catheter, ask your doctor to teach you how to clean your catheter
and humidifier bottle.
Let Others Know You Use Oxygen At Home
Tell the local staff of the fire department, electric company and telephone company that you use oxygen at
home.
- They will restore the power service at your home or neighborhood if it is interrupted.
- Keep records in a place where you can find them easily.
Tell your neighbors, friends and family that you use oxygen. They can help in an emergency.
More Tips on Home Oxygen Use.
The use of oxygen can cause your lips, mouth or nose to dry:
- Use a water-based lubricant (like KY jelly) to add moisture.
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- Do not use Vaseline, petroleum jelly or other oil based products.
- Put some gauze under oxygen tubes behind the ear. This will help prevent skin irritation.
- DO NOT STOP OR CHANGE your oxygen flow - in other words do not self medicate. Talk to your
doctor or respiratory therapist if you think you are not receiving the correct amount of
oxygen.
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