For those who are affected by low oxygen levels (hypoxemia), oxygen therapy or supplemental oxygen can provide the additional oxygen needed to help you continue to perform at your best. But what exactly are the benefits of oxygen therapy and who qualifies for this treatment? Read on to learn more.

What is oxygen therapy?

Oxygen therapy is a treatment that provides an individual with additional or supplemental oxygen to breathe. Oxygen therapy is prescribed to those who are not getting enough oxygen through normal breathing alone. Low oxygen is called hypoxemia and can be the result of a number of different conditions including COPD and Cor pulmonale.

How is hypoxemia determined?

  • The most accurate test for determining the presence of hypoxemia measures your arterial blood gases (ABGs). Some key measures this test provides include:
  • Oxygen content (O2CT): The amount of oxygen in the blood
  • Hemoglobin levels: The amount of hemoglobin present in the blood. Hemoglobin is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen to your cells. The hemoglobin present in red blood cells carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
  • Oxygen saturation (O2Sat): This measures how much hemoglobin in your blood is carrying oxygen.
  • Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2): This measures the pressure of oxygen dissolved in your blood. It helps show how well oxygen moves from your lungs to your bloodstream.
  • Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2): This measures the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood and how well carbon dioxide can move out of your body.
    The test can also reveal blood pH and bicarbonate (HCO3) levels. Your doctor can use this test to establish a baseline by which future oxygen level results may be compared.

Another way to test your blood oxygen levels is by using a pulse oximeter. A pulse oximeter is a small device that may be clipped onto your finger or earlobe in order to measure blood oxygen levels through the skin. Pulse oximetry can enable you to monitor your oxygen levels on a regular basis and help spot signs of decline early on.

What are the effects of low oxygen levels?

Low blood oxygen levels can be dangerous if left untreated and can affect your body in a number of different ways:

  • Effects on the brain: Despite only accounting for about 2% of the body’s weight, the brain consumes about 20% of the body’s oxygen supply. Low oxygen levels can begin to affect your brain quickly, negatively affecting your ability to concentrate, remember things, problem solve, use abstract reasoning, speak clearly, and perform tasks that require fine motor skills like typing and using tableware.
  • Polycythemia: Oxygen is carried through your body via red blood cells, especially hemoglobin. When your blood oxygen levels fall, the number of these red blood cells increases as a way to deliver additional oxygen to your body’s cells and tissues. This increase in red blood cells can lead to headaches, high blood pressure, and even blood clots.
  • Pulmonary hypertension: When your oxygen levels drop, the blood vessels in your lungs begin to narrow which results in high blood pressure in the arteries that flow into the lungs.
  • Cor pulmonale: As a result of the strain on the heart from high blood pressure, the heart can dilate, weaken, and eventually fail. This right-sided heart failure can be a direct result of lung disease.

What are the benefits of oxygen therapy?

Oxygen therapy can help reverse the effects of low blood oxygen levels, improving quality of life and increasing longevity in those with severely low oxygen levels. In COPD studies, patients with hypoxemia and cor pulmonale have shown treatment with long-term oxygen therapy increased the life span of these individuals by as much as six to seven years.

Supplemental oxygen may help:

  • Boost your ability to concentrate and remember
  • Increase mental alertness
  • Increase physical stamina
  • Improve moodImprove sleep quality

Who is eligible for oxygen therapy?

The criteria used when determining whether or not oxygen therapy should be prescribed to a patient includes:

  • Oxygen levels: PaO2 is less than or equal to 55 mmHg or hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO2) is less than or equal to 88% when breathing room air while at rest.
  • Associated conditions: PaO2 of 56-59 mmHg or if SaO2 is equal to or less than 89% when associated with specific clinical situations (such as cor pulmonale, congestive heart failure, or polycythemia with a hematocrit of greater than 56 percent).
  • Which activities require additional oxygen: Some individuals do not qualify for oxygen therapy while at rest but may require supplemental oxygen while walking, exercising, or sleeping. (Note: Some insurance providers may ask for proof that oxygen therapy helps with hypoxemia.)

Next Steps – Talk to Your Doctor

If you feel like you may benefit from the use of supplemental oxygen, speak to your doctor as soon as possible. They will determine whether or not you qualify for oxygen therapy, under which conditions you would see the most benefit, and which oxygen delivery system is best for your situation. The oxygen prescription your doctor writes will let you know exactly when how much oxygen to use and when, as well as the different flow rates required for each activity.

Your oxygen prescription should list:

  • a disease diagnosis, like Alpha-1 COPD
  • type of oxygen system
  • flow rate expressed in liters per minute
  • duration (number of hours per day)