Live well with oxygen therapy at home

You suffer from chronic respiratory failure: your body needs oxygen, which explains the fatigue, shortness of breath at the slightest exertion, and the loss of energy you are experiencing. To compensate for this lack of oxygen, your doctor has prescribed a drug for you: medical oxygen.

Returning to activity (walking, etc.) is beneficial for health and quality of life . Walking oxygen therapy during exercise improves your comfort and soothes your heart. By respecting the oxygen flow and duration of treatment prescribed by your doctor, as well as practicing a lifestyle that adopts hygiene and diet measures (such as quitting smoking, balanced diet, complying with medical treatment), you will be able to:

  • Better tolerate your daily efforts: showering, climbing stairs, going for a walk, etc.
  • Resume certain daily activities: shopping, visiting loved ones, etc.
  • Getting around inside and outside the house, taking transport, traveling.

 

 

Your oxygen prescription

It must be observed to get the benefit of your treatment.

Oxygen flow

  • It is determined by your doctor based on your blood gas (blood oxygen measurement) results.
  • It is tailored to your needs to ensure processing efficiency and safety.
  • It should not be changed without your doctor's consent.
  • If you are on long-term oxygen therapy, your stress flow may be different from your rest flow.

Daily Duration

  • Your doctor has prescribed a period of daily oxygen therapy.
  • Walking oxygen therapy is covered by health insurance, for a regular walk in or out of your home for more than an hour a day. 
  • If you are receiving long-term oxygen therapy, the total duration should not be less than 15 hours/day, ideally longer than 18 hours/day.

Your liquid oxygen equipment

  • The fixed reserve contains medical oxygen in the liquid state at very low temperature (-183 °C) and provides oxygen in the heated gaseous state.
  • The portable tank has autonomy for several hours and gives you the opportunity to carry out activities of daily living at home or away from home.
  • Adjust the exercise oxygen flow to the value prescribed by your physician.
  • Connection method: nasal glasses.

Security rules

Oxygen accelerates the combustion of any flammable material. There are some usual precautions to ensure your safety. Refer to the instructions provided by your service provider during installation.

Guarantee

  • Notify home care about the use of oxygen in your home and/or in a vehicle.

Consult your doctor in cases of:

  • Worsening difficulty in breathing.
  • Increased shortness of breath at bedtime.
  • Bronchial congestion (cough, sputum).
  • Increase or appearance of cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the lips and ends of the hands).
  • Fever.
  • Edema (swelling) of the legs.

Traveling with oxygen

Notify the airline at least 20 days in advance

Before the date of the trip, test the chosen equipment simulating all the activities that will be carried out during the tour

Carry enough extra battery for 1 flight and a half (less than 5 hours trips) and 3 hours more than the flight for longer trips

Bring a universal adapter

Carry a finger or pulse oximeter with you for easy oximetry monitoring

Understand more