Some patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) may be prescribed oxygen therapy after being assessed by a doctor. For those patients, oxygen therapy may allow them to be more physically active. While medications and alternative therapeutic treatments are available, taking supplemental oxygen can help patients with IPF feel better and get the oxygen they need today to maintain a more active lifestyle. It's important to remember that, for some, oxygen therapy may only be needed during activity, but for others, it may also be needed at rest and—possibly—during sleep.
Ensuring your body has the oxygen it needs plays an important role in IPF management. Because IPF reduces the capacity your lungs have to deliver enough oxygen to your blood, muscles, heart, brain, and vital organs—they can become oxygen deprived, resulting in many side effects, including: added strain on your heart, worsened shortness of breath, and fatigue—keeping you from being active.

“Getting enough oxygen to all your body’s cells is essential. IPF can result in oxygen imbalances.”
The Myth of Supplemental Oxygen Addiction
Oxygen therapy is a non-addictive treatment that helps deliver oxygen to your body when your blood oxygen levels are low. As scarring in the lung and IPF progresses, the lung is injured in such a way that makes it hard to take a deep breath and get fresh oxygen-enriched air to all areas of the lung. Breathing in higher concentrations (or amounts) of oxygen with supplemental oxygen helps to increase your blood oxygen levels, which benefits vital organ function and helps you to be more active. If you have low blood oxygen levels and do not use supplemental oxygen, you may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, and damage to other areas of the body.


“Remember, oxygen is not addictive; it is important for life.”
Easy Answers to Big Questions
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Living with Oxygen

Preparing the House
When using supplemental oxygen, it’s important to prepare your house in advance. Avoid using oxygen around open flames, cigarettes, and heaters, and be sure to store oxygen tanks safely.

Traveling with Oxygen
Today, air travel with oxygen is possible when you prepare in advance. Some patients are able to carry a small, travel-size portable oxygen concentrator when they travel to make getting around easier.

Monitoring Oxygen Levels
Monitoring oxygen levels with a finger oximeter can help you to see for yourself how your body functions and how you feel when your oxygen levels are above or below 90 percent. Being short of breath doesn’t always mean your oxygen levels are low—an oximeter is one way to measure oxygen levels and track reading changes with different levels of activity. Always discuss oximeter use and your oxygen prescription with your physician.
How Oxygen Can Help
Learn how oxygen therapy can help to manage your IPF symptoms from a nurse practitioner who specializes in pulmonary rehabilitation. Watch other videos about IPF