Oxygen enters our lungs and goes into our blood every time we inhale. Our bodies need a certain amount of oxygen in our blood in order to function properly. Temporary or permanent lung damage can make it difficult for an adequate supply of oxygen to enter our blood. In these cases, oxygen therapy can be beneficial.

Signs that you may be experiencing low blood-oxygen levels include: shortness of breath, irritability, morning headaches, or ankle swelling. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms talk to your healthcare provider to review your medication and to determine if further treatment is required.

Only COPD patients with low blood-oxygen levels require oxygen therapy. Depending on why you have low blood-oxygen levels, some people may only require short-term, temporary treatment, whereas others may benefit from regular oxygen therapy. For example, if you are experiencing low blood-oxygen levels because of a respiratory infection (like pneumonia) you may only need oxygen therapy until the infection has resolved and your levels return to normal. On the other hand, if you have persistent low blood-oxygen levels due to lung damage from COPD, you may need long-term or long-term continuous oxygen therapy (15 h/day or more).
Not everyone with COPD will require supplemental oxygen, but if your doctor determines that it might help, there are many benefits you may experience from the additional oxygen.

The widespread home use of oxygen therapy has been one of the most important advancements in the treatment of COPD. Having low blood-oxygen levels can cause secondary erythrocytosis and contribute to low exercise tolerance, pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure, as well as impaired abstract thinking and motor skills. These issues can be greatly improved and even corrected with oxygen therapy. Research has shown that oxygen therapy can improve the quality and length of life for people with COPD. Oxygen therapy reduces heart strain caused by low blood oxygen levels, improves how you think and feel, and increases how much you can do by reducing breathlessness while you’re active. Talk to your doctor to determine if you might benefit from oxygen therapy.