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Patient Education

Supplemental Oxygen: More Resources

Education and Support

Getting the right oxygen equipment for you takes time and effort. Find information and support from other oxygen users at a local Better Breathers group, Interstitial Lung Disease support group or pulmonary rehabilitation program.

To find an ILD support group near you, go to http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/life-with-pf/support-groups.

Cost Savings

People with special energy needs due to oxygen concentrators in the home may qualify for lower gas or electric rates. One example is PG&E's Medical Baseline Program.

Oxygen is an IRS-approved medical expense. Also, the cost of electricity used to operate your oxygen concentrator may be deductible. See IRS publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses.

Traveling to High Elevations

For elevations of cities throughout the world, see worldatlas.com.

Safety

The Food and Drug Branch of the California Department of Health Services regulates the quality, purity, labeling, manufacture, sale and advertising of oxygen for medical use and its delivery systems in accordance with the Sherman Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law (California Health and Safety Code Sections 26000 through 26851).

Continue reading

If you have concerns about unsafe or illegal practices by manufacturers or sellers of oxygen for medical use or its delivery systems, notify the following agency:

Department of Health Services
Food and Drug Branch
1220 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-6921

Get Involved

There are an estimated 1.5 million supplemental oxygen users in the U.S., although the exact number is unknown.

There is strong evidence that supplemental oxygen can improve overall health and quality of life. It's important that Medicare oxygen equipment guidelines reflect the needs of supplemental oxygen users. If you are unhappy with the current rules and regulations associated with supplemental oxygen equipment, you may write to your congressperson:

www.congress.org

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation advocates for those with interstitial lung disease:

www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org

Supplemental Oxygen Index:

  • Supplemental Oxygen: The Need for Supplemental Oxygen
  • Supplemental Oxygen: Your Oxygen Equipment
  • Supplemental Oxygen: Oxygen Safety
  • Supplemental Oxygen: Traveling With Oxygen
  • Supplemental Oxygen: More Resources

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.

Related clinics

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Program

Berkeley Outpatient Center

400 Parnassus Ave., Sixth Floor, Room A6114
San Francisco, CA 94143

(415) 353-2577
M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Recommended reading

Supplemental Oxygen

Find Supplemental Oxygen Resources including, The Need for Supplemental Oxygen, Your Oxygen Equipment, Oxygen Safety, Traveling With Oxygen, and more.

FAQ: Cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide is part of a class of drugs called immunosuppressants that suppress the immune response and reduces inflammation in the lungs. Learn more.

FAQ: Methotrexate

Commonly asked questions regarding Methotrexate including, recommendation, precautions, possible side effects, suggested monitoring and more.

FAQ: Mycophenolate

Commonly asked questions regarding Mycophenolate including recommendation, precautions, possible side effects, suggested monitoring and more.

FAQ: Prednisone

Commonly asked questions regarding Prednisone including, the reason for recommendation, special precautions, possible side effects, monitoring, and more.

ILD Nutrition Manual

Nutrition Manual for Interstitial Lung Disease including, General Guidelines for Eating Healthy, Body Mass Index, Increasing Protein in Your Diet and more.

ILD Resources

Patients living with interstitial lung disease (ILD) will find numerous resources listed here, offering information and support.

GERD in ILD Patients

Many studies have shown a link between GERD & lung disease, including interstitial lung disease (ILD). The reason for this relationship is unclear. Learn more.

Pulmonary Hypertension and Interstitial Lung Disease

Pulmonary hypertension, or PH, occurs when blood pressure in the lungs becomes elevated, and can be caused by a thickening of the pulmonary artery walls.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation for ILD Patients

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive program for lung disease patients whose symptoms are impacting their everyday activities. Learn more here.

Conditions we treat

  • Connective tissue Disease-Associated ILD

  • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

  • Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

  • Sarcoidosis

DId you know?

Thanks to UCSF's Center for Advanced 3D+ Technologies, our surgeons are able to create an exact replica of a patient's anatomy long before they make the first incision. When surgeons hold a model of your heart or bones in their hands, they can tailor the most complex procedure to your precise needs.

Learn more
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