Can oxygen tank help daily exercise?

DEAR DR. ROACH»

I have COPD. Will supplemental oxygen help me to resume walking outdoors for a daily exercise? I’m referring to the overthe-shoulder oxygenator now being advertised. This equipment is pretty expensive, so I don’t want to waste my money if it won’t help me. -- J.H.

ANSWER» Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a condition of compromised lungs and is most related to smoking, although there are other causes that make up a small minority of cases.

The first consideration for your question is: What are your oxygen saturation levels, both at rest and during exertion? If a person has low oxygen levels, then there is strong evidence that giving oxygen improves both survival and quality of life. People with an oxygen saturation of 88% or less should be on oxygen full time.

People with poor exercise tolerance but with oxygen levels above 88% should be considered for evaluation of low oxygen during exercise. There is evidence that using oxygen helps exercise tolerance in people who develop low oxygen during exercise, but less than

The first consideration for your question is: What are your oxygen saturation levels, both at rest and during exertion? If a person has low oxygen levels, then there is strong evidence that giving oxygen improves both survival and quality of life.

half of participants in one key study had a “clinically meaningful” improvement.

If oxygen levels are normal at rest and during exertion, there is no evidence that supplemental oxygen is of benefit.

Some important treatments for COPD that are sometimes not given include learning how to use inhalers properly -- it’s not as easy as it looks; pulmonary rehabilitation; vaccination, especially against influenza, pneumonia and COVID-19; possibly vitamin D supplements; and nutrition (weight loss is common in COPD).