Oxygen in Pulmonary Fibrosis

How long do people need to be on extra Oxygen if they have pulmonary fibrosis? Can you get better to not be dependent on oxygen?
If pulmonary fibrosis is the only reason for needing extra oxygen, in most situations, this may be needed long term. However, other conditions which are potentially reversible may also contribute to the person needing oxygen, and in those circumstances, a reduction in the Oxygen level needed may be possible. Oxygen therapy is routinely reassessed to determine the right level for each patient. Also, oxygen should be viewed as a form of treatment, to help prevent further complications related to low levels putting strain on other organs, such as the heart.
There are many reasons for needing supplementary oxygen, in addition to pulmonary fibrosis:
- there may be ongoing lung inflammation (when the cause of the interstitial lung disease is inflammatory, e.g. hypersensitivity pneumonitis, autoimmune conditions). This inflammation may still respond to treatment and lead to improvement in lung capacity.
- pulmonary hypertension may be present, giving an oxygen need that is out of keeping with the extent of lung fibrosis. Treatments for pulmonary hypertension may be available in some cases
- significant emphysema, which may due to many years of smoking or environmental exposures, can also contribute to the oxygen need. Stopping smoking and noxious lung exposures can prevent further worsening
- other cardiac conditions which may respond to treatment optimization (i.e. managing heart failure)
- being acutely unwell or having a chest infection - this may temporarily lead to a need for extra oxygen. Once the lungs recover, the lung capacity may improve.

#pulmonaryfibrosis #oxygen

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The opinions presented on this channel are my own and do not constitute medical advice in specific cases. If you are watching/listening to this content as a patient, you must seek personalized advice from your own healthcare team (who can provide you with a consultation and appropriate treatment and advice. This information presented here may not apply in your case. If you are a health professional, please use your professional judgement when treating patients.