How does someone with COPD know if their oxygen therapy is “working” for them?

Expert Video - How does someone with COPD know if their oxygen therapy is “working” for them?

Is your oxygen therapy helping your COPD? Dr. Jerry Krishnan of the University of Illinois of Chicago explains how you can tell and why shortness of breath doesn't tell the whole story. He explains the two main ways to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood (pulse oximeter and arterial blood gas), how skin color can affect the results, and which gives the most accurate results. Dr. Krishnan explains where to place a pulse oximeter on your body and why an arterial blood gas test is the gold standard to determine whether your oxygen level is low.

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Expert Videos

1. What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

2. Why might someone with COPD need oxygen therapy?

3. How does someone with COPD know if their oxygen therapy is “working” for them?

4. What signs or symptoms should someone with COPD monitor? What might trigger calling for help?

Other Modules:

Using Your Stationary Oxygen Concentrator

Using Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Using Oxygen Tanks

Using Oxygen Safely

Understanding Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen Therapy and ILD

Oxygen Therapy After Hospitalization

Oxygen Therapy and Healthy Living

Oxygen Therapy Patient Stories

Other Modules:

Using Your Stationary Oxygen Concentrator

Using Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Using Oxygen Tanks

Using Oxygen Safely

Understanding Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen Therapy and ILD

Oxygen Therapy After Hospitalization

Oxygen Therapy and Healthy Living

Oxygen Therapy Patient Stories

This educational activity has been developed by American Thoracic Society, COPD Foundation and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc.

Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The visuals provided are meant to be representations only. No specific brand of oxygen equipment is being promoted or endorsed.

This activity is supported by educational grants from:
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the Gawlicki Family Foundation

Thank you to the funders of You And Oxygen Therapy. All content is developed independently by the American Thoracic Society, COPD Foundation, and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc. in collaboration with an Expert Faculty group; funders are allowed no influence on the content of You And Oxygen Therapy.

This website is part of the Animated Patient™ series developed by Mechanisms in Medicine Inc., to provide highly visual formats of learning for patients to improve their understanding, make informed decisions, and partner with their healthcare professionals for optimal outcomes.