Oxygen - home use; COPD - home oxygen; Chronic obstructive airways disease - home oxygen; Chronic obstructive lung disease - home oxygen; Chronic bronchitis - home oxygen; Emphysema - home oxygen; Chronic respiratory failure - home oxygen; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - home oxygen; Interstitial lung disease - home oxygen; Hypoxia - home oxygen; Hospice - home oxygen
Because of your medical problem, you may need to use oxygen to help you breathe. You will need to know how to use and store your oxygen.
Your oxygen will be stored under pressure in tanks or produced by a machine called an oxygen concentrator.
You can get large tanks to keep in your home and small tanks to take with you when you go out.
Liquid oxygen is the best kind to use because:
Be aware that liquid oxygen will slowly run out, even when you are not using it, because it evaporates into the air.
An oxygen concentrator:
Portable, battery-operated concentrators are also available.
You will need other equipment to use your oxygen. One item is called a nasal cannula. This plastic tubing wraps over your ears, like eyeglasses, with 2 prongs that fit into your nostrils.
You may need an oxygen mask. The mask fits over the nose and mouth. It is best for when you need higher amounts of oxygen or when your nose gets too irritated from the nasal cannula.
Some people may need a transtracheal catheter. This is a small catheter or tube placed into your windpipe during a minor surgery. Ask your health care provider about how to clean the catheter and humidifier bottle.
Tell your local fire department, electric company, and telephone company that you use oxygen in your home.
Tell your family, neighbors, and friends that you use oxygen. They can help during an emergency.
Using oxygen may make your lips, mouth, or nose dry. Keep them moist with aloe vera or a water-based lubricant, such as K-Y Jelly. Do not use oil-based products, such as petroleum jelly (Vaseline).
Ask your oxygen equipment provider about foam cushions to protect your ears from the tubing.
Do not stop or change your flow of oxygen. Talk with your provider if you think you are not getting the right amount.
Take good care of your teeth and gums.
Keep your oxygen far away from open fire (like a gas stove) or any other heating source.
Do not smoke when using oxygen.
Make sure oxygen will be available for you during your trip. If you plan to fly with oxygen, two weeks before you travel, tell your airline that you will need oxygen on the plane. Many airlines have special rules about traveling with oxygen.
If you have any of the symptoms listed below, check your oxygen equipment first.
If your oxygen equipment is working well, contact your provider if:
Contact your child's provider if your child is on oxygen and has any of the following:
American Thoracic Society website. Oxygen therapy. www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/oxygen-therapy.pdf. Updated July 2020. Accessed February 9, 2024.
COPD Foundation website. Oxygen therapy. www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Person-with-COPD/Oxygen-Therapy.aspx. Updated May 11, 2023. Accessed February 9, 2024.
Hayes D Jr, Wilson KC, Krivchenia K, et al. Home oxygen therapy for children. An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019;199(3):e5-e23. PMID: 30707039 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30707039/.
BACK TO TOPReview Date: 2/3/2024
Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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06/01/2025
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