Home Oxygen Therapy in India

Do you know that you can have oxygen therapy at home? There are many different options from the basic cylinder to an oxygen concentrator machine (which is expensive).

If you need oxygen for short periods (1/2 hour – 1 hour a day), then you can opt for the cylinder. If you need something throughout the day, then you need to opt for an oxygen concentrator which filters out oxygen from the normal room air and then given to the patient to breathe in. It’s about the size of a big vacuum cleaner or a suitcase. I haven’t tried it but the salesman tells me that a lot of asthma patients use it.

We have been using the cylinder for about three years now for my grandmother and it is very beneficial when she has problems breathing properly.

How do you go about getting home oxygen therapy?

You need to find out whether you / your family member are eligible. Your doctor needs to give you a prescription.

Then you need to pay a visit to one of the suppliers. I use Praxair and they have been prompt at delivering the oxygen cylinders. You will have to pay a refundable deposit to the Oxygen Supplier of your choice for each cylinder you opt for. There is only one size available for home use. I suggest you get two cylinders so you always have a back-up.

Then you need to buy the following items (at a Medical / Surgical Equipments store in your locality) to use the cylinder at home:
1. Trolley (a special one comes for the cylinder).
2. Regulator with bottle
3. Mask or the Nose Tubes. Buy both. It’ll come in handy for different situations.

That’s all it takes. About a day’s worth of meeting the doctor, meeting the supplier and getting your equipment. The rewards are tremendous. If you have someone in your house with a heart ailment/breathing problem, make sure you opt for Home Oxygen Therapy.