At a glance
Oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that delivers extra oxygen to the lungs when the body cannot get enough from room air alone. Air normally contains about one-fifth oxygen, and most people breathe it without any help. When disease or injury reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the blood, the organs begin to suffer, and supplemental oxygen is used to correct that shortfall.
The therapy works by increasing the concentration of oxygen in the air a patient breathes, which drives more of the gas across the thin walls of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs and into the bloodstream. From there, red blood cells carry it to the heart, brain, and every other organ. Delivery can happen through a simple mask held over the face, thin tubes (nasal cannulas) placed just inside the nostrils, or, in the most serious cases, through a tube placed into the airway and connected to a ventilator (a machine that breathes for the patient).
Medical Condition
Doctors prescribe oxygen therapy whenever the blood's oxygen level, measured by a pulse oximeter (a small clip placed on the finger) or a blood gas test, falls below the level the body needs to function safely. The underlying cause can be acute, meaning sudden and short-term, or chronic, meaning ongoing for months or years.
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), a long-term lung condition that narrows the airways
- Pneumonia, a lung infection that fills air sacs with fluid and reduces gas exchange
- Asthma attacks that do not respond quickly to inhaler treatment
- Pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lung tissue that stiffens the lungs)
- Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung arteries)
- Heart failure, where a weakened heart cannot pump enough blood to keep oxygen levels normal
- Sleep apnoea (repeated pauses in breathing during sleep) with low overnight oxygen levels
- Severe anaemia (very low red blood cell count) causing oxygen delivery problems
- Recovery after major surgery or serious trauma
- Carbon monoxide poisoning, where the gas blocks red blood cells from carrying oxygen
Oxygen therapy is not suitable for everyone with breathing difficulty, and giving too much oxygen can be harmful in certain conditions. In people with severe long-term COPD, for example, the body has adapted to lower oxygen levels, and correcting the level too aggressively can reduce the drive to breathe. Your doctor checks blood gas results carefully before setting the flow rate.
- COPD patients where over-correction of oxygen may suppress the breathing reflex
- Patients with certain rare lung conditions where high-flow oxygen makes gas exchange worse
- Settings where the equipment cannot be safely monitored, since unattended high-flow oxygen is a fire hazard
Risks & Complications
When used at the correct flow rate and under medical supervision, oxygen therapy is generally very safe, but it does carry a small number of recognised risks.
- Dry or irritated nose and mouth from the flow of gas, particularly with nasal cannulas used over many hours
- Skin soreness or pressure marks around the mask, ears, or nostrils from the delivery device
- Oxygen toxicity (damage to the lungs from too much oxygen over a long period) if the concentration is set too high for too long
- Hypercapnia (a build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood) in COPD patients if the oxygen level is corrected too quickly or too aggressively
- Fire risk: oxygen itself does not burn, but it strongly feeds flames, so smoking or open flames near oxygen equipment are strictly forbidden
- Absorption atelectasis (small areas of collapsed lung) which can occur during very high-concentration oxygen use over a sustained period
- Rarely, a feeling of claustrophobia or anxiety from wearing a tight-fitting mask
Preparation & Procedure
Preparation for oxygen therapy depends on whether it is being started in an emergency or planned in advance for a long-term condition. In an emergency, the team acts immediately with no preparation required from the patient. For planned or home oxygen, there is time to assess the patient properly.
Before long-term oxygen is prescribed, the doctor typically runs several tests to confirm the need and set the right flow rate. Fasting is not required for most of these tests, and no special dietary changes are needed. Smoking is strongly discouraged around oxygen equipment at any stage because of the fire risk, and this applies to all household members, not just the patient.
- Arterial blood gas test: a small sample of blood taken from the wrist artery to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels precisely
- Pulse oximetry: a painless clip on the finger that estimates blood oxygen saturation (how full the red blood cells are with oxygen)
- Spirometry (a breathing test): the patient blows into a tube to measure how well the lungs move air
- Chest X-ray or CT scan to identify the underlying lung condition
- Six-minute walk test: the patient walks at their own pace for six minutes while oxygen levels are monitored, to check whether levels drop with activity
- An overnight oximetry study if sleep apnoea is suspected
Once oxygen therapy begins, the steps differ by setting. In hospital, the process is straightforward.
- 1. The nurse or respiratory therapist selects the correct delivery device, either a nasal cannula, a simple face mask, a high-flow mask, or, in serious cases, connection to a ventilator
- 2. The device is fitted to the patient's face or nostrils and adjusted for comfort
- 3. The oxygen flow rate is set according to the doctor's prescription
- 4. A pulse oximeter is attached to monitor blood oxygen continuously
- 5. Blood gas tests are repeated at intervals to confirm the dose is correct and to check for carbon dioxide build-up
- 6. The flow rate is adjusted up or down based on the results until the target level is stable
Aftercare
Recovery and ongoing care depend heavily on why oxygen therapy was started. A patient treated for a sudden pneumonia may only need oxygen for a few days in hospital before being weaned off it, while someone with severe COPD may use home oxygen for years. In both cases, the goal is always to use the lowest effective amount for the shortest necessary time.
- Monitoring: blood oxygen levels are checked regularly, either by pulse oximetry in the ward or by repeated blood gas tests, before any reduction in oxygen is made
- Weaning: the flow rate is usually reduced gradually rather than stopped suddenly; the team monitors for any drop in oxygen levels as the rate comes down
- Skin and device care: the skin around the mask or nasal cannula should be checked daily for redness or sores; padding or a different device size can help
- Humidification: at higher flow rates, a small water bottle attached to the oxygen supply adds moisture to prevent dryness in the nose and throat
- Home oxygen: patients sent home with oxygen concentrators (machines that extract oxygen from room air) or cylinders receive training on safe use before discharge
- Fire safety at home: no smoking indoors, keep oxygen equipment away from gas cookers and candles, and have a working smoke detector
- Follow-up: a respiratory physician usually reviews the patient within a few weeks to repeat blood gas tests and decide whether the oxygen prescription should continue, be reduced, or stopped
- Activity: most patients on long-term oxygen can continue gentle daily activities; portable oxygen units allow movement around the home or short trips outside
- Lifestyle: stopping smoking, following a pulmonary rehabilitation programme, and managing the underlying condition all reduce how much oxygen support is needed over time
Cost & What Determines It
The cost of oxygen therapy varies widely because it is not a single, fixed procedure. It can range from a short hospital stay with a simple mask to years of home oxygen equipment, and every part of that range carries a different price.
- Duration of use: a few hours in an emergency department costs very differently from weeks of in-hospital oxygen or years of home supply
- Delivery method: a basic nasal cannula costs far less than a high-flow oxygen system or a ventilator with intensive monitoring
- Hospital class and country: private hospitals in major cities, particularly in medical travel destinations, charge significantly more than district hospitals
- Monitoring intensity: frequent blood gas tests, continuous pulse oximetry, and specialist respiratory physician reviews each add to the total
- Underlying condition: a more complex lung disease requiring careful dose titration and longer stays drives higher costs
- Home equipment: oxygen concentrators, portable cylinders, and humidifiers represent a separate ongoing expense for patients who need oxygen after discharge
- Rehabilitation: pulmonary rehabilitation programmes, which many patients with chronic conditions benefit from, are usually billed separately
- Accommodation and nursing care: the ward level chosen (general ward versus private room) affects the overall bill significantly
Hospital packages for oxygen-related admissions typically include the room, nursing care, standard monitoring, and the oxygen supply itself. Blood gas tests, specialist consultations, imaging such as chest X-rays or CT scans, and any home equipment are usually itemised and billed separately from the package.
BPJS Kesehatan and most Indonesian private insurance plans do not cover treatment received abroad, so patients travelling overseas for care usually pay out of pocket or hold private international health insurance. Before travelling, ask the hospital for a written cost estimate that lists which services are included in any quoted package and which will be charged separately. This estimate is the only reliable way to budget for the trip without unexpected bills on discharge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions of oxygen therapy will I need?
The number of sessions depends on why you need oxygen therapy in the first place. Someone using it for a short-term lung infection may need it for only a few days, while someone with a chronic condition like COPD (a long-term lung disease that makes breathing difficult) may use it daily for months or years. Your doctor will decide the duration based on your blood oxygen levels and how well you respond to treatment.
What does oxygen therapy feel like?
Most people find oxygen therapy comfortable, and many feel noticeable relief from breathlessness within minutes of starting. The oxygen is delivered through a soft mask or small tubes that sit just inside the nostrils, called nasal cannulas. Some people experience mild dryness in the nose or throat, especially during longer sessions, and a humidifier attachment can help with this.
How soon will I feel better after starting oxygen therapy?
Many people feel less short of breath quite quickly, sometimes within the first session. However, deeper benefits, such as better sleep, more energy, and improved daily function, often build up gradually over days or weeks of consistent use. Your doctor will track your progress through regular checks of your blood oxygen level, which measures how much oxygen your blood is carrying.
How much does oxygen therapy cost?
The cost varies depending on several factors specific to your situation. Key drivers include whether you need therapy in a hospital or at home, the type of equipment used (such as an oxygen concentrator, which is a machine that pulls oxygen from room air, or pressurised tanks), and the total duration of treatment. Requesting a written estimate directly from the hospital gives you the most accurate figure for your case.
This page is general information, not a substitute for medical advice. Every case is different. Your doctor decides what is right for you.
