From Struggling to Breathe to Living Fully Again — Why Home Oxygen Therapy Matters
- Matthew Hellyar
- Oct 13
- 5 min read
Why Home Oxygen Therapy Matters
At Respocare, our mission has always been simple — yet deeply human: to place the patient, their care, and the value of service above all else.Every breath we help protect or restore carries that meaning. It’s why we exist.
Home oxygen therapy is not just a medical treatment — it’s a bridge between survival and living fully. For many patients, the ability to breathe freely again means more than improved oxygen levels; it means the return of energy, movement, connection, and hope.
When we deliver oxygen to a patient’s home, we’re not merely providing a cylinder or concentrator — we’re extending specialist care beyond the hospital walls. We’re giving patients the ability to reclaim their independence and continue life with dignity, safety, and comfort.
But to truly benefit from oxygen therapy, patients and families must understand why it matters — and how to use it correctly. As research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) has shown, when oxygen is prescribed and used appropriately, it can prolong life, reduce hospital admissions, and significantly improve quality of life — especially for patients living with chronic lung disease such as COPD.
At Respocare, we believe that education is the foundation of care. Empowered patients make safer, more confident decisions — and that begins with understanding the science, purpose, and everyday practice of home oxygen therapy.
Understanding Hypoxemia — When the Body Lacks Oxygen
Every cell in your body relies on oxygen to function properly. When oxygen levels in the blood fall too low — a condition known as hypoxemia — your organs and tissues begin to suffer. You may feel tired, short of breath, or dizzy. Over time, this strain can affect the brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles, and lead to worsening health.
Hypoxemia can occur at rest, during sleep, or when you’re active. In these situations, supplemental oxygen helps raise blood oxygen levels back to safe ranges, supporting your body’s vital systems and easing the stress on your heart and lungs.
In the words of the American Thoracic Society, “Oxygen therapy is the only intervention proven to prolong survival in patients with chronic hypoxemia.” That’s why it’s so important to follow your oxygen prescription exactly as your healthcare provider recommends.
Oxygen Is a Medication — Not “Just Air”
Oxygen should always be treated as a prescribed medicine — not as an optional comfort measure.Your doctor carefully calculates the flow rate, duration, and method to ensure your tissues receive the right amount of oxygen without causing harm.
Here’s what that means for you:
Use it as prescribed. Don’t adjust your flow rate or timing unless your doctor specifically tells you to.
Follow your schedule. Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) works best when used consistently — typically for at least 15 hours per day in patients with severe oxygen deficiency.
Track your progress. Regular follow-up and oxygen saturation checks help your care team fine-tune your therapy.
Clinical studies consistently show that patients who use oxygen for the full prescribed duration experience better survival, reduced symptoms, and fewer hospitalizations than those who use it intermittently.
The Evidence — What the Research Shows
“Many previous studies showed a survival benefit of LTOT in COPD patients with chronic hypoxemia.” — NCBI, StatPearls (2024)
In the 1980s, two landmark studies — the Medical Research Council (MRC) Trial and the Nocturnal Oxygen Therapy Trial (NOTT) — demonstrated that using oxygen for at least 15 hours a day significantly increased survival in patients with severe resting hypoxemia due to COPD.
Since then, numerous studies have confirmed these findings:
Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) improves quality of life, reduces hospital admissions, and supports heart and brain function.
Patients with moderate hypoxemia may not see the same survival benefit, but they often experience less fatigue, better sleep, and improved exercise tolerance.
Ongoing assessment is essential. Your oxygen prescription should be reviewed regularly to ensure it matches your clinical needs.
The Australian Prescriber summarizes it simply: “Long-term oxygen therapy, when used as prescribed, can extend life expectancy, reduce strain on the heart, and enhance day-to-day wellbeing.”
Beyond the Numbers — The Human Impact
The most powerful proof isn’t only found in research journals — it’s in the lives of patients who use oxygen daily. Many describe it as “getting their life back.”
With steady oxygen support, patients often:
Walk further with less shortness of breath
Sleep better and wake feeling more refreshed
Think more clearly, with less confusion or fog
Experience fewer emergency hospital visits
But perhaps most importantly, oxygen therapy helps people reconnect — with their loved ones, their routines, and their sense of independence.
At Respocare, we’ve seen the transformation first-hand. A patient who once felt trapped by their illness often discovers freedom again — the freedom to move, to visit family, to breathe deeply without fear.
Using Oxygen Safely at Home
Safety is a vital part of education. While oxygen itself doesn’t burn, it supports combustion, making everyday fire risks more dangerous if not managed properly.
Here are key points every patient and family should know:
No smoking near oxygen equipment. Even a small spark can cause a fire.
Keep equipment 1.5–3 m (5–10 ft) away from open flames, stoves, candles, or heaters.
Avoid oil-based lotions or petroleum products around your nose and face.
Ensure good ventilation around your concentrator and check tubing regularly for kinks.
Have backup oxygen in case of power failure, and notify your local power provider that you depend on oxygen equipment.
Your care provider or oxygen technician can guide you through setup, maintenance, and cleaning — but your understanding and vigilance make the biggest difference.
A Shared Commitment to Better Care
At Respocare, we view home oxygen therapy as a partnership between our clinical team, specialists, and patients.We don’t just deliver oxygen — we deliver continuity of care. Every setup, every call, every follow-up is guided by one question: How can we make life easier, safer, and more comfortable for this patient?
As healthcare evolves, so must homecare. Technology has made oxygen systems lighter, quieter, and more mobile than ever before — empowering patients to travel, socialize, and live without constant fear.
Our belief is simple: When care is delivered with empathy and precision, healing follows naturally.
Breathing Better, Living Fully
Home oxygen therapy is more than equipment — it’s a lifeline to a better quality of life when used with care, understanding, and the right support. Every patient’s journey is unique, but one truth remains the same: oxygen restores more than breath — it restores possibility.
At Respocare, we’re not just a provider. We’re your partner in health.Our purpose has always been to combine clinical excellence with empathy — to make sure every patient, caregiver, and family member feels guided, informed, and cared for.
If you or a loved one are living on home oxygen, we’d love to hear from you.Tell us about your challenges, what’s working, and where you need more support — because your feedback helps us improve how we care for others, too.
📩 Email us at sales@respocare.co.za and share your story or questions.
Together, we can make homecare oxygen safer, simpler, and more empowering for every patient who depends on it.
References
StatPearls: Home Oxygen Therapy (NCBI, 2024).
American Thoracic Society. Clinical Practice Guidelines on Long-Term Oxygen Therapy.
Australian Prescriber. Home Oxygen Therapy in COPD: Indications and Outcomes.
Medical Research Council & Nocturnal Oxygen Therapy Trials (NEJM, 1981).
Cleveland Clinic. Oxygen Therapy: Purpose, Procedure, and Risks.
UCSF Health. Using Oxygen Safely at Home.
American Lung Association. Guide to Home Oxygen Therapy.
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