can you do anything to increase oxygen blood levels

[mike1946]

[martin1945]

I guess you probably have two main choices - breathe more deeply, or use portable oxygen (cylinder or concentrator). Another alternative is to increase your exercise regime which has the effect of increasing exercise tolerance and also better use the available oxygen.

[O2Trees]

There are lots of breathing exercises online, loads of youtubes. Here's one to try and you'll find many more.

youtube.com/watch?v=Kp8WK4h...(Not working as expected?)

good luck

[PollyP]

Hi there, exercises similar to those we learn at Pulmonary Rehab help the muscles to use oxygen more efficiently whereas my understanding of the purpose of oxygen therapy is to protect the important organs in the body. Breathing properly using all the lungs rather than the upper portions will definitely help. Good luck eh?

[imelda16]

Thanks for your question Martin it is one that I needed to ask and the replies are really helpful so I will be putting as much as I can into practice. I am on ambulatory O2 and attending exercise class so some of what I'm doing must help. It's the breathing exercise s I need to consentrate on. My oxygen gas is low so may need LTOT.

[imelda16]

Sorry I meant Mike1946 for question I'm sure you knew that and thanks for replys.

[Dorris59]

They are now using fan therapy on the wards for patients with COPD. Here's a link with more info or use key words to google 'Fan therapy for COPD'

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

The article also mentions Sulphoraphane, a chemical contained in broccoli and in high levels in broccoli spears, as it boost anti-inflammatory antioxidants, which appear to be low in COPD sufferers. You can buy it as a supplement.

nih.gov/researchmatters/apr...

You can also google to research this supplement to see if it's suitable for you.

[lightertimes in reply to Dorris59]

I realise this thread was 2 years ago but stumbled across it and it stopped me feeling like a crazy person. For quite a while I've been holding my ionic hairdryer on cool in front of my face when drying my hair because it seemed to 'boost' my breathing. Over recent months I've wanted a ceiling fan/light, couldn't explain why, so my daughter brought one for my birthday recently and had it installed in my bedroom yesterday. Last night was the first night I fell asleep within half hour (usually awake for hours) and only woke twice in the night (that's a miracle) and not with my heart racing/low oxygen, I checked my spo2 each time it was over 90 which is good for me at night and no night sweats which have really been a big issue for months. Got up this morning with spo2 levels of 97 (a great start to the day!) ... so reading this about the use of fans made sense therefore next time my intuition tells me something I'm just gonna do it not wait months! xxx

[imelda16]

Dorris59

Would the fan therapy be good for Asthma and IPF if so I will read more info?

[Dorris59 in reply to imelda16]

I think so as it seems to help shortness of breath from various causes, such as heart failure. A little hand held fan doesn't cost much, so it's certainly worth a try. The fans they use on the wards are the dyson ones, but they're pretty expensive and I did read an article that some respiratory clinic was giving out hand held fans to their patients. Worth looking into more. Click on the link I posted to read more and do some research via search engines.

[Hidden]

Doris, thank you so much for these links. I had seen reference to use of fans during sob episodes but did not know the details. I bought a small hand held fan during last year's heat wave and found it very helpful. My classic response to severe sob is always to try and get some fresh air in the lungs and would get relief from stepping outside the door into the colder air. Very, very interesting to see a little 'science' explaining this basic survival technique.

[Dorris59 in reply to Hidden]

You're welcome. I have a special interest in SOB, Asthma and COPD. My father had COPD and so did my nan on my mother's side. I have Asthma, so does my brother and my grandson. My mother also has Asthma and there's a big question mark as to whether or not she had COPD. She had flu and had bad sob. Her SATS were also low, so I started researching as I remember a fan seemed to help my nan. My daughter is also a student nurse and she mentioned the use of fan therapy. The Sulphoraphane is also interesting for exacerbations. Cooking kills it, but the supplements can be bought and you can grow your own by buying brochilli sprouts seeds and sporting them in a jar. However, you have to be very thorough and rinse them several times a day to prevent any nasty moulds or bacterias from growing in them, which is not good for anyone suffering from respiratory illness. Aspergillosis is also a danger so I guess the safest way is to use the supplement.

[imelda16]

This has been very helpful info I did use an handheld fan last year but waiting for a warm day to use . A windy day makes my cough a lot worse so a spring day at 17c is perfect.

[Dorris59 in reply to imelda16]

Apparently a cold flannel on your face, especially round the nose and cheek area has the same effect if the wind makes you cough. Probably best soaked in iced water. Perfect for when it's hot.

[esgatch]

I'm researching H2O2 therapy. 4 'drops' of 35% hydrogen peroxide to 8 ounces of water, three times a day. I haven't started it yet.

[Jeremy76 in reply to esgatch]

I'm looking to do the same.

I have thought nebulising hydrogen peroxide could be a good direct approach as well. Please keep in touch with your progress Esgatch.

[dwitt]

Stop thinking pills are the magic wand for all that ails. You want more oxygen in your blood start a exercise program - swimming is great, jogging / walking etc.