Do I need oxygen therapy for COPD?

When you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, it becomes harder to breathe. The big question for you and your doctor: Is it so hard to breathe that you need oxygen therapy?

This treatment gives you extra oxygen so that breathing is easier and you stay more active. Even if you don’t need the therapy now, you may need it later.

When you have COPD, your lungs take in and let out less air than they once did. This is because the tiny air sacs in your lungs have become damaged or destroyed.

You can also have COPD when the walls of your airways are inflamed or if your airways start making more mucus so that they get clogged.

There is no cure, but there are treatments.

How Does Oxygen Therapy Work?

It is a way to get more oxygen into your lungs. You might hear your doctor or nurse call it “supplemental oxygen.”

When you go on oxygen therapy, there are several ways that supplemental oxygen may be supplied:

Tubes: You'll likely start with what’s called a nasal cannula. This is a device that includes two small tubes that fit in your nostrils and a longer air tube attached to an oxygen tank. This is the most common oxygen therapy approach.

Facemask: A facemask that covers the nose and mouth is for people who need much more oxygen or have trouble using the nasal tubes.

Surgery: For very serious cases, a surgeon creates a hole in the windpipe (trachea). A tube then runs from the oxygen tank through a small hole in your neck and into your windpipe. This is called transtracheal therapy.

Oxygen Tanks

The tanks can be small enough to carry with you or wheel around. There are also larger tanks that you can use at home.

If you’re on oxygen therapy, you arrange to have the tanks delivered to your home. They work by filtering other gasses, so you breathe in only oxygen.

You can also get oxygen therapy at a hospital.

Benefits of Therapy

When you get extra oxygen into your system, it can help you have fewer bouts of being breathless. You may find yourself sleeping better. It can also:

Boost your energy and ability to exercise

Help you focus better on tasks

Improve your mood

Improve sex

Lower your chance of heart failure (when your heart doesn't pump enough blood to your body)

Perhaps prolong your life