Learn about the different types of oxygen therapy-Lovego Weekly Report

LoveGo, Go Along With Love!

Your Second Doctor

Weekly report

Learn about the different types of oxygen therapy

“You need oxygen therapy,” your doctor says. And you can’t answer, because in the first pace, you’re stumped at what oxygen therapy really means. If you’re a COPD patient but still need help figuring out what all the prescriptions and doctor recommendations are, then this article can help you get to learn about oxygen therapy and the four different types.

Oxygen therapy is recommended for COPD patients and those who have breathing problems, but a certain type or duration of therapy may be called for in certain situations. This article will talk about these four different types, when they are used, and their differences from each other.

Acute oxygen therapy
Acute, or short-term, oxygen therapy is commonly used in hospitals and clinics in cases where the patient has hypoxemia. This means that there is a very low amount of oxygen in the blood, resulting from various conditions that prevent adequate oxygen from reaching the blood. Signs of hypoxemia are usually shortness of breath and a very low arterial blood gas (the measurement of oxygen taken from arterial blood).

In COPD patients, acute exacerbations or attacks can be treated with acute oxygen therapy, along with other medications like bronchodilators, steroids or antibiotics.

Long-term oxygen therapy
Long-term oxygen therapy, or LTOT, is among the most important treatments for COPD patients with chronic hypoxemia. It is used in the home care setting and is intended to provide patients with a continuous oxygen supply. Studies have found that LTOT increases the survival of COPD patients, especially those who are more severely affected.

Once LTOT is prescribed to COPD patients, it is usually lifelong, with current guidelines recommending it to be given at least 15 hours a day. It is administered especially at night, when oxygen levels may go lower as breathing may be more difficult during sleep.

Aside from being able to maintain adequate oxygen levels, long term oxygen therapy has been found to reduce the damage to the lungs and blood vessels brought about by COPD. It can also improve patients’ breathing dynamics, increase tolerance for physical activity and exercise, and even improve neurophysiological responses.

Ambulatory oxygen therapy
Ambulatory oxygen therapy is a type of oxygen therapy intended for patients who are already on LTOT but wish to go outside of the home. It is also intended for those with COPD who experience exercise desaturation or dyspnea during physical activity but benefit from oxygen administration.

This type of therapy consists of lighter equipment that can be carried whenever the patient has to go outside the home, for instance, during grocery shopping, going for check-ups, doing leisure activities or attending social events. Simply put, ambulatory oxygen is for patients who are more mobile outdoors.

Ambulatory oxygen therapy is only intended for short-term use, thus should not be too frequently offered to patients who depend on LTOT.

Short-burst oxygen therapy
Short burst oxygen therapy, or SBOT, is the occasional use of supplemental oxygen for short periods of about 10-20 minutes duration. It is primarily used to relieve breathlessness in COPD patients, especially following exercise or physical activity, when other medications or treatments are not effective. Though studies have not found any concrete evidence of benefit from SBOT, its use is still widely prescribed for pre-oxygenation before any physical activity, breathlessness after physical exertion or even at rest, and in COPD exacerbations until LTOT or acute oxygen therapy can be given.

SBOT is different from ambulatory oxygen therapy in that it is used only during periods of breathlessness or anticipation of dyspnea, while ambulatory oxygen therapy is the continuous administration of oxygen during physical activity or when the patient is mobile.

Being acquainted with these various types of oxygen therapy can help you understand which types are more appropriate in certain settings and why your doctor may recommend a particular type for you.

Lovego Service 

Email: service@oxygencare.cn

Tel:86-0755-23733851

Add: Building B, LC Hi-tech Park, Longhua District, Shenzhen, China

Dealing with Stage 4 COPD-LoveGo Weekly Report

LoveGo, Go Along With Love!

Your Second Doctor

Weekly report

Dealing with Stage 4 COPD

Have you been diagnosed with COPD, and have the doctor say that it’s Stage 4? This diagnosis usually comes with fear, denial and even depression. But before you start feeling downcast and ruminating over your life, give this article a read first.

As you may know, COPD has four stages. Stage 1 is the mildest, while Stage 4 is said to be the most severe. The ability to breathe becomes more challenging with each passing stage, along with symptoms that become more difficult to manage. As you may also know, each stage is diagnosed depending on the FEV1, or the forced expiratory volume in one second. This test reflects how your lungs are functioning and, according to Healthline, is a measure of how much air you can release in the first second of a forced breath.

Though various organizations have different ways of classifying and describing each stage, Stage 4 is most usually termed as the most severe, with many patients becoming very ill at this point. Yet despite these diagnoses, a huge number of patients with Stage 4 have lived way beyond the life expectancy given to them by their doctors, and have continued to function well while dealing with their condition. Community forums and patient testimonies have clearly shown that Stage 4 COPD patients can continue to alter the course of the disease. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with Stage 4 COPD, there are many things you can do defy COPD.

· Manage medications smartly. With a diagnosis of Stage 4, your doctor may have more medications prescribed. Take your medications religiously, and ask for help in keeping track of them. Sometimes, various medications are required depending on the symptoms being experienced. Ask a loved one to help in managing these medications. It’s also a good idea to get close to a nurse or someone from the medical team to assist in setting up a medications schedule that is easy to follow. They can also answer your questions about medications anytime you have some. Another tip here is to ask for devices that are easier to use, such as a spacer to help in administering inhaled medications.

· Take steps toward quality rest. This stage presents more difficulty in getting quality sleep. As breathing becomes harder, restorative sleep also becomes more difficult to attain. Rest whenever you can, and stop whatever you are doing whenever you feel fatigued. You can also talk to your doctor to learn about techniques that can help you sleep better. You can also opt for an adjustable bed, or simply add more pillows to make it easier for you to breathe with lesser effort.

· Choose to exercise. Though exercise may be more difficult at this stage, it is also the point where it is most important. At this stage, just a small amount of physical activity can become overwhelming and even exhaustive. There are ways, however, to minimize discomfort and promote exercise. Mobility devices, for instance, can help in walking around, since they provide something to lean on and share the weight. Many of these devices also have baskets or areas where a portable oxygen device can be placed. You can also opt for home exercise equipment that you can use with your loved ones while watching TV or simply bonding.

· Know what to expect. Stage 4 comes with more flare-ups, difficulty in coughing up phlegm, and increasingly challenging symptoms. Preparing in advance for flare-ups by having emergency medications handy can help ease the stress on you and your loved ones. Knowing what supplies to have and what has to be done will allow you and your loved ones to smoothly handle any difficult situations. It’s also a good idea to have a hospital bag ready to just grab up anytime a trip to the hospital is needed, along with a handy list of medications and important medical information.

· Choose the best oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy can greatly improve quality of life, allowing you to enjoy each day better. It also allows less difficulty in physical activity, promoting involvement in everyday activities and even exercise, like using oxygen concentrators. It’s also best to get the best training in handling and using your equipment. Make sure that all your questions about your oxygen therapy equipment are answered, and that you have replacement parts readily available like tubing and batteries.

· Adapt a positive attitude. This, by far, is the most important thing you can do. A positive attitude and the will to make the necessary changes in your life can be the start of having improvements in your COPD symptoms. Many Stage 4 COPD patients have continued to live fulfilling lives and defying life expectancy predictions with the resolve and willpower that they will get better. Know that you have the power to alter the course of your COPD, thus, taking charge of your health is the key. Working with your loved ones, your doctor, and the medical team, along with taking active steps to manage symptoms and live your best life, can have a great impact on your perspective toward your condition.


With all the uncertainties surrounding Stage 4 COPD, many patients have persevered and functioned at their best. Taking an active stand and implementing the tips above can give you the lead against your COPD.

Lovego Service 

Email: service@oxygencare.cn

Tel:86-0755-23733851

Add: Building B, LC Hi-tech Park, Longhua District, Shenzhen, China

Have a loved one newly diagnosed with COPD?-Lovego Weekly Report

LoveGo, Go Along With Love!

Your Second Doctor

Weekly report

Have a loved one newly diagnosed with COPD?

New medications, treatment goals, changes in activity and alterations in routine—all these can be quite stressful for a newly diagnosed COPD patient. It’s a good thing there are family members and loved ones around to provide support for the patient.

If your loved one is newly diagnosed with COPD, you have to do what you can to help the patient ease into all of the changes needed. Though it may be challenging for the entire family, there are many things you can do to help ensure that the patient will be at his or her most comfortable. Below are some tips you can follow if your loved one has just been diagnosed with COPD.

· Learn as much as you can about the condition. It’s best that everyone close to the patient knows and understands the disease. This helps reinforce the patient’s knowledge about his or her condition, as well as helps everyone adjust to the needed changes in the patient’s lifestyle and around the home. Look up disease information on the internet. Talk to the doctor about treatment goals and what can be done to help slow disease progression and lessen complications. Get acquainted with your loved one’s medications and possible symptoms of acute attacks, so you know what to do whenever an emergency occurs. Coping with COPD needs adjustments not just from the patient but also from all the people close to him or her.

· Provide emotional support. Being newly diagnosed, your loved one is probably coping with various emotions ranging from worry to despair. Show that you are available whenever they need to talk to someone about their feelings and concerns. Encourage him or her by staying optimistic and doing things he or she loves. Spend more time together and do fun activities that help take their mind off the symptoms and stressful changes. If you don’t live with them, staying in constant contact and checking in on them regularly will make them feel cared for. Being present, both physically and emotionally, will have a great impact on their well-being, especially at this stressful time.

· Help around the house. Being present around the home and offering to help with chores and other activities can also be a great way to show support. Rearranging the furniture, removing irritants like cleaning solutions and dust, and enforcing a no smoking rule around the house is also important. Ask them what other things are needed to be done, and volunteer to do them. Remember that COPD patients are easily prone to fatigue, so whatever tasks you can help with around the house can mean a lot to them.

· Attend doctor’s appointments with them. If no one else can go with them to doctor’s appointments, it’s imperative that you go with them, especially if you plan to be their primary caregiver. Listen to what the doctor says, take note of new medications, and pay attention when the doctor demonstrates how to use any equipment. The patient may not remember everything the doctor said, and you being there can help them remember. This is also your chance to ask questions from the physician or other health care professionals. Asking a lot of questions about the patient’s condition, treatments and COPD care can be very helpful for both you and the patient. Aside from this, your presence at any doctor’s appointments can ease any apprehensions and anxiety the patient has about his condition, making them feel more confident to ask questions concerning their health.

Caring for a COPD patient and adjusting to their needs may take some time to get used to. But remember that being there for your loved one means a lot, especially at this time when the patient may be feeling anxious about his or her condition. Getting to know about COPD and supporting your loved one physically and emotionally can have a significant impact on their quality of life.

Lovego Service 

Email: service@oxygencare.cn 

Tel:86-0755-23733851 

Add: Building B, LC Hi-tech Park, Longhua District, Shenzhen, China