Hi, I’m Chris Garvey, Nurse Practitioner Pulmonary Rehabilitation at the University of
California Medical Center in San Francisco.
If you’re watching this, your doctor may have prescribed supplemental oxygen for your
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF.
This video will explain what that involves—and how supplemental oxygen can help you.
We all know that oxygen is essential for life.
Once in our bloodstream, it is converted into energy to help our organs function
properly.
When a healthy person without IPF breathes, they get enough oxygen to sustain good
health.
But when you have IPF, inflammation and scarring can limit the transfer of oxygen to your
blood.
With a reduced supply of oxygen, your organs, including your brain, and heart may lack
adequate oxygen to be able to function optimally.
To assess your needs, your doctor will measure your blood oxygen level using a small
device that fits on your finger called a pulse oximeter. If it is below 88%, oxygen
therapy is often normally recommended.
Your prescription may specify how much oxygen you should get and when. Make sure that you
understand your prescribed oxygen flow rate and hours of use. Pulmonary rehabilitation
can be an invaluable resource for information and guidance when it comes to
understanding oxygen use—make sure to inquire with your doctor if they haven’t
recommended it already.
You may want to purchase a pulse oximeter for your ongoing use, so that you can keep
track of your oxygen levels. You can use a chart or notebook to record and track your
results.
Unless you measure it, you don’t always know when your blood oxygen level has fallen.
And having too little oxygen can strain your heart and brain.
In fact, clinical studies suggest that in some with low oxygen levels, long-term
supplemental oxygen may help you live longer.
Remember, however, that shortness of breath will not resolve with oxygen therapy;
although it may help you feel better.
It’s important to be proactive and talk to your doctor about your pulse oximeter
results—that way they can make sure that you are getting enough oxygen. Remember, you
are your own best advocate when it comes to managing your IPF.
All this new information and equipment may seem challenging at first, and it’s normal to
feel confused and overwhelmed—but proper use of supplemental oxygen is critical to
managing your IPF. Make sure to ask your doctor about pulmonary rehabilitation if they
haven’t recommended it already—your rehabilitation therapist will be able to help you
figure out a solution that works best for you, as well as answer any questions you may
have.
Work with your doctor and follow their instructions to manage your IPF, because staying
active and socializing with others are key to a healthy lifestyle. Remember, oxygen is
not addictive, it is important for life. Thank you for watching, I hope this video will
help you understand the importance of supplemental oxygen.
Learn how oxygen therapy can help to manage the symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF),
a common type of interstitial lung disease (ILD), from a nurse practitioner who specializes in
pulmonary rehabilitation.