COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Question: Does Mouth Breathing Affect My Oxygen Levels?
Many people with COPD wonder if mouth breathing affects their oxygen levels. Studies suggest that, while mouth breathing may not always result in hypoxia (low oxygen levels), it may indeed contribute to it. Let's explore this further.
Answer: Supplemental oxygen is generally prescribed to people whose partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) as measured by arterial blood gases (ABGs) is less than or equal to 55 mg Hg and a documented oxygen saturation level of 88% or less while awake (or that drops to this level during sleep for at least 5 minutes).
Many patients receive in-home oxygen through an oxygen delivery device known as a nasal cannula. This thin, plastic tube has two small prongs at one end that rest in the nostrils. The nasal cannula can comfortably deliver oxygen to a patient at 1 to 6 liters per minute (LPM), in concentrations ranging from 24% to 40 percent, depending upon how many LPM are being delivered. In comparison, room air contains about 21% oxygen, which is generally not enough for people with lung disease.
The Benefits of Supplemental Oxygen: Do Mouth Breathers Obtain Them?
By far, the greatest benefit of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is that, when used at least 15 hours a day, it increases survival. But, are patients who use oxygen and breathe through their mouths able to derive the full benefit of oxygen therapy? Or, does mouth breathing defeat the whole purpose of using supplemental oxygen in the first place?
When patients use a nasal cannula but breathe through their mouths, rather than breathing in the correct concentration of oxygen flowing through the nasal cannula, they are essentially only breathing in only room air. In many cases, this is not enough to maintain adequate oxygenation and may ultimately affect oxygen saturation levels.
In a study involving 323 mouth-breathing patients who used supplemental oxygen, 34.6% had normal oxygen saturation levels (95% or greater), 22.6% had an oxygen saturation level of 95% and 42.8% were considered hypoxic, with oxygen saturation levels below the norm of 95 percent. Interestingly enough, most of the mouth breathers in this group were male, who were also the most hypoxemic.
Much ADO About Mouth Breathing: What Can You Do About It?
The solution to mouth breathing and oxygen saturation is often dependent upon the cause. Sometimes, it's just a matter of looking closely at the problem, to determine why you mouth breathe in the first place. Once the cause is determined, the following solutions may be considered:
Clear your nasal passages - Some people have no choice but to breathe through their mouths because their nasal passages are blocked. A stuffy nose may be caused by allergies, illness, prior trauma or even weather changes. Over-the-counter antihistamines are available to keep allergy symptoms at bay and open up clogged nasal passages. Saline nasal spray is a natural alternative to medication and helps lubricate the nasal passages, often relieving congestion. If over-the-counter antihistamines and/or saline nasal sprays don't work for you, talk to your health care provider about using a prescription nasal spray such as Flonase.
Switch to a simple face mask - The easiest solution to mouth breathing, if medically appropriate, is to switch to a simple face mask. Generally, this is not very practical for many patients and must first be approved by your oxygen-prescribing health care provider. One alternative is to consider using the nasal cannula during the day, and switching to a simple face mask at night, so at least you'll be getting the full benefit of oxygen therapy during the hours in which you are asleep. Talk to your health care provider for more information about alternatives to the nasal cannula.
Nasal surgery - If your nasal passages are blocked because of a deviated septum, surgery - using either traditional methods or laser surgery - may help correct the problem allowing you to breathe better. Remember, people with COPD should be especially cautious when undergoing surgery, because of the potential post-operative complications associated with anesthesia.
Transtracheal oxygen therapy - Transtracheal oxygen therapy (TTOT) is a method of administering supplemental oxygen directly into the trachea (windpipe). As an alternative to the nasal cannula, it delivers up to 6 liters of oxygen per minute through a small, plastic tube called a catheter. TTOT is generally reserved for patients who have low blood oxygen levels that don't respond well to traditional methods of oxygen delivery.
The Importance of Pulse Oximetry
Whether you breathe through your mouth or nose, a pulse oximetry monitor is a must-have for any patient who receives in-home oxygen therapy. Pulse oximeters detect rapid changes in oxygen saturation levels providing you with a warning that you're low on oxygen. Compare prices on pulse oximetry monitors and never be in the dark about your oxygen saturation levels again
http://copd.about.com/od/oxygentherapy/f/Does-Mouth-Breathing-Affect-My-Oxygen-Level.htm?nl=1
I am a mouth breather, and I thought maybe some of you might be too.
I hope this helps,
Easy Breathing to all of you,
Love Holly
Many people with COPD wonder if mouth breathing affects their oxygen levels. Studies suggest that, while mouth breathing may not always result in hypoxia (low oxygen levels), it may indeed contribute to it. Let's explore this further.
Answer: Supplemental oxygen is generally prescribed to people whose partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) as measured by arterial blood gases (ABGs) is less than or equal to 55 mg Hg and a documented oxygen saturation level of 88% or less while awake (or that drops to this level during sleep for at least 5 minutes).
Many patients receive in-home oxygen through an oxygen delivery device known as a nasal cannula. This thin, plastic tube has two small prongs at one end that rest in the nostrils. The nasal cannula can comfortably deliver oxygen to a patient at 1 to 6 liters per minute (LPM), in concentrations ranging from 24% to 40 percent, depending upon how many LPM are being delivered. In comparison, room air contains about 21% oxygen, which is generally not enough for people with lung disease.
The Benefits of Supplemental Oxygen: Do Mouth Breathers Obtain Them?
By far, the greatest benefit of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is that, when used at least 15 hours a day, it increases survival. But, are patients who use oxygen and breathe through their mouths able to derive the full benefit of oxygen therapy? Or, does mouth breathing defeat the whole purpose of using supplemental oxygen in the first place?
When patients use a nasal cannula but breathe through their mouths, rather than breathing in the correct concentration of oxygen flowing through the nasal cannula, they are essentially only breathing in only room air. In many cases, this is not enough to maintain adequate oxygenation and may ultimately affect oxygen saturation levels.
In a study involving 323 mouth-breathing patients who used supplemental oxygen, 34.6% had normal oxygen saturation levels (95% or greater), 22.6% had an oxygen saturation level of 95% and 42.8% were considered hypoxic, with oxygen saturation levels below the norm of 95 percent. Interestingly enough, most of the mouth breathers in this group were male, who were also the most hypoxemic.
Much ADO About Mouth Breathing: What Can You Do About It?
The solution to mouth breathing and oxygen saturation is often dependent upon the cause. Sometimes, it's just a matter of looking closely at the problem, to determine why you mouth breathe in the first place. Once the cause is determined, the following solutions may be considered:
Clear your nasal passages - Some people have no choice but to breathe through their mouths because their nasal passages are blocked. A stuffy nose may be caused by allergies, illness, prior trauma or even weather changes. Over-the-counter antihistamines are available to keep allergy symptoms at bay and open up clogged nasal passages. Saline nasal spray is a natural alternative to medication and helps lubricate the nasal passages, often relieving congestion. If over-the-counter antihistamines and/or saline nasal sprays don't work for you, talk to your health care provider about using a prescription nasal spray such as Flonase.
Switch to a simple face mask - The easiest solution to mouth breathing, if medically appropriate, is to switch to a simple face mask. Generally, this is not very practical for many patients and must first be approved by your oxygen-prescribing health care provider. One alternative is to consider using the nasal cannula during the day, and switching to a simple face mask at night, so at least you'll be getting the full benefit of oxygen therapy during the hours in which you are asleep. Talk to your health care provider for more information about alternatives to the nasal cannula.
Nasal surgery - If your nasal passages are blocked because of a deviated septum, surgery - using either traditional methods or laser surgery - may help correct the problem allowing you to breathe better. Remember, people with COPD should be especially cautious when undergoing surgery, because of the potential post-operative complications associated with anesthesia.
Transtracheal oxygen therapy - Transtracheal oxygen therapy (TTOT) is a method of administering supplemental oxygen directly into the trachea (windpipe). As an alternative to the nasal cannula, it delivers up to 6 liters of oxygen per minute through a small, plastic tube called a catheter. TTOT is generally reserved for patients who have low blood oxygen levels that don't respond well to traditional methods of oxygen delivery.
The Importance of Pulse Oximetry
Whether you breathe through your mouth or nose, a pulse oximetry monitor is a must-have for any patient who receives in-home oxygen therapy. Pulse oximeters detect rapid changes in oxygen saturation levels providing you with a warning that you're low on oxygen. Compare prices on pulse oximetry monitors and never be in the dark about your oxygen saturation levels again
http://copd.about.com/od/oxygentherapy/f/Does-Mouth-Breathing-Affect-My-Oxygen-Level.htm?nl=1
I am a mouth breather, and I thought maybe some of you might be too.
I hope this helps,
Easy Breathing to all of you,
Love Holly
SimplyDani
For what it's worth, I've used both the continuous flow and the conserver in my mouth. It takes a little bit of practice to get it just right, but in the end is really easily masterable.
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