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SELECTHEALTH®
SPRING 2013
using
Oxygen
If you have an advanced case of Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD), you may need to use
oxygen to stay active.
Supplemental oxygen is prescribed by a doctor
when COPD has progressed to the point that it is
preventing your body from getting the oxygen you
need to function properly. Additional oxygen can
improve your ability to breathe, increase mental
alertness, and help prevent heart failure. It may even
prolong your life, according to the National Institutes
of Health and other experts.
To receive supplemental oxygen at home, you must
have a prescription from your doctor. Once you take
a blood test that measures the amount of oxygen
in your blood, your doctor will tell you how much
supplemental oxygen you need and when you need
to use it. Some people use oxygen only when they
exercise or sleep. Others need to use it all the time.
Traveling with Oxygen
Oxygen can be delivered to your home in various sizes
of gas cylinders or in liquid form. You can also use an
oxygen concentrator, which is a device that separates
oxygen out of the air, concentrates it, and stores it.
It’s safe to travel with oxygen, but it does
require some planning. Follow these tips to
prepare for your next trip:
• If you are traveling by car, store your
oxygen tanks upright.
• If you are traveling by bus, plane, or boat,
contact the company to let them know you
have an oxygen tank.
• Bring an oxygen prescription from your
doctor. Be sure you also have the phone
numbers for your doctor and oxygen
supplier.
Ask your doctor which type of oxygen you should use.
Contact us to find a supplier, such as Intermountain
Homecare, that can teach you about the technical
aspects of using oxygen.
Reference: Intermountain Healthcare.
Breathing Better: A Handbook for
People with COPD and Other Chronic
Lung Conditions. 2010. 1 February 2013.
<http://intermountainhealthcare.org/ext/
Dcmnt?ncid=520714671>
Reference: American Lung Association
Your Lungs:
behind the scenes
The lungs are the largest part of
the respiratory system, which
delivers oxygen to the blood so
you can breathe. Besides the
lungs, the system includes your
nose, mouth, throat, windpipe,
and airways.
When it’s working well, the
respiratory system brings in the
oxygen your body needs, and
it removes the carbon dioxide
waste your body can’t use.
Below is a look at how that
process works in a healthy set
of lungs.
WHEN YOU INHALE
(BREATHE IN AIR)
•The diaphragm (die-a-fram), the large muscle at
the bottom of your lungs, moves down, pulling air
into the airways and finally into the lungs.
•Air moves from your nose or mouth into your
throat (pharynx [fah-rinks]).
•From your throat, the air goes to your windpipe
(trachea [tray-kee-uh]).
•The windpipe breaks off into two bronchial (brongkee-uh-l) tubes—one for each lung.
•The bronchial tubes carry the air deep into
each lung.
•The bronchial tubes subdivide into many smaller
tubes. These tubes end in air sacs called alveoli (alvee-oh-lie), which are like clusters of grapes.
•The alveoli stretch and expand like small balloons.
•Oxygen (O2) goes into blood vessels that surround
the alveoli.
•This oxygen is sent through the body in your blood.
WHEN YOU EXHALE (BREATHE OUT AIR)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) moves from the blood,
flowing through the blood vessels into the alveoli.
selecthealth.org | spring 2013 | COPD
The diaphragm moves up to help the chest push
carbon dioxide out of the lungs.
This air moves from the alveoli, up through the
bronchial tubes and windpipe, and out of the nose.
HOW DOES COPD AFFECT YOUR LUNGS?
When you have COPD, changes occur in your lungs
that affect your breathing. COPD is not just one
disease. It’s a group of lung diseases that include
chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. You may have
one or both of these.
If you have chronic bronchitis
The walls inside your airways become swollen and
thick. Your airways narrow. Large amounts of mucus
form, which can block your airways and may increase
the risk of infection. In this case, productive cough
is common. As time passes with chronic bronchitis,
your lungs get scarred and cannot function.
If you have emphysema
The air sacs at the ends of your airways are damaged
and stiff. Air gets trapped in the tiny air sacs.
Continued on next page
Continued Your Lungs
Those air sacs get stretched too much and break
down, causing them to work incorrectly. This leads
to the development of a few large air sacs instead of
many tiny ones. Not all the air in the larger space gets
pushed out when you exhale. Your blood may not get
enough oxygen, and you have to work harder to get
rid of the carbon dioxide.
All of these things cause problems when you breathe.
That’s because your lungs have trouble pushing used
air out and may not have enough room left to take in
new, healthy air.
Reference: Content from “Your Lungs: Behind the
Scenes,” and “How Does COPD Affect Your Lungs,”
provided by Boehringer-Ingelheim
Other Conditions You May
Have with COPD
• Heart disease: Leads to fluid buildup in
the lungs and the rest of the body.
• Osteoporosis: A disease of bone loss
and weakening.
• Lung disease: COPD often increases
the risk for other diseases, such as
lung cancer.
• Difficulty sleeping: COPD reduces the
amount of oxygen in the body. This
can cause people with COPD to not
sleep well.
• Depression: COPD often makes people
feel depressed. This is because COPD
can affect your activity levels and
increase worry.
Eat Well, Breathe Easier
Even a small job can take a lot of energy when you
have COPD. You can boost your energy with good,
healthy food. According to the American Association
for Respiratory Care, eating well also can help the
body fight infection.
Choose foods that are high in protein at least twice a
day. Good sources of protein include eggs, fish, nuts,
and dried beans or peas. Your body needs protein
to maintain strong muscles. If you don’t eat enough
protein, your muscles start to break down. That
could weaken muscles that help you breathe easily.
To prevent shortness of breath, aim to eat six small
meals instead of three big ones. You can also try
resting before and after eating. This can help your
lungs and stomach work more efficiently.
Sodium can make you retain fluids, which makes
breathing harder. Switch to low-sodium versions of
soup, crackers, and canned vegetables. Also, be sure
to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Reference: American Association for
Respiratory Care
selecthealth.org | spring 2013 | COPD
The content presented here is for your
information only. It is not a substitute for
professional medical advice, and it should
not be used to diagnose or treat a health
problem or disease. Please consult your
healthcare provider if you have any questions
or concerns.
The information that is contained in this
newsletter does not guarantee benefits. If you
have any questions about your benefits or
need to confirm your benefits, call Member
Services at 801-442-5038 (Salt Lake area)
or800-538-5038.
© 2008-2013 SelectHealth. All rights reserved. 2091 05/13. May be reprinted with permission.
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