Quick Access
Are you short of breath? We can help. Air Liquide Healthcare is Australia’s leading supplier of oxygen therapy services.
Oxygen (O2) is essential for life. The air you breathe contains about 21% oxygen by volume. It is inhaled into the lungs and diffused through membranes into the blood.
Sometimes certain conditions can cause a shortage of oxygen in your body and you may need ‘extra’ oxygen to keep healthy and active.
Chronic bronchitis |
Airflow limitation and inflamed lungs can produce too much mucus, leading to coughing and shortness of breath. |
Emphysema |
Enlarged air sacs in the lungs don’t allow the oxygen and carbon dioxide to move in and out of the lungs to your bloodstream. |
Neuro-muscular conditions |
This can interfere with signals to your diaphragm and its correct function. |
Heart problems |
This might interfere with blood being pumped to and from your lungs correctly. |
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the most common lung disease that can be effectively treated with oxygen therapy.
COPD is an umbrella term for two of the major breathing diseases that cause airways to become obstructed – chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
You are not alone if you have COPD.
One in seven Australians over 40 years of age has airflow limitation of their lungs.1
The main symptom of COPD is breathlessness, which often gets worse over time – in the beginning it may occur during activity but later it may happen when you are resting.
Tobacco smoke is the major cause of COPD (2-3-4), although indoor and outdoor air pollution and exposure to pollutants in the workplace are also risk factors.
Oxygen is fundamental to your health. If you have COPD, even when you are not breathless some of your body’s key organs – including your heart, brain, kidneys and muscles – may not be receiving enough oxygen and can be damaged.
If your conditions get worse, it can make it increasingly difficult to enjoy simple daily activities. Oxygen therapy can be prescribed by doctors to help you cope with everyday living.
Oxygen is a medicine. Oxygen therapy increases the oxygen in your blood and provides a range of benefits that include (5-6):
References: