Oxygen Therapy Explained | What It Is & How It Works

What is Oxygen Therapy?

Oxygen therapy, also known as supplemental oxygen, is a medical treatment that gives people with low blood oxygen levels a boost. Lack of oxygen can make you tired, short of breath, confused, and in some cases, cause more serious health problems. Oxygen therapy helps keep oxygen levels safer and more comfortable so the body continues to function properly.

In New Zealand, oxygen is seen as medication, so you will need a prescription from a healthcare provider to use supplemental oxygen.

Old couple smiling and hugging while looking at each other in a home setting.

Who Might Need Oxygen Therapy?

Many conditions can affect the lungs or the body’s ability to absorb oxygen. Some of the most common reasons are:

Chronic lung conditions such as COPD, cystic fibrosis or severe asthma
Viral infections like pneumonia or COVID-19
Sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea
Respiratory injury or trauma
High altitudes/flights
Certain medications that affect breathing

Some people need supplementary oxygen all day, while others only need it when they are active, sleeping, recovering, or having certain medical procedures. Your doctor will use clinical tests like a blood gas test to check your oxygen levels and see if oxygen therapy is right for you.

How Oxygen Therapy Works

There are different ways to give oxygen therapy, depending on your health condition and lifestyle. There are two main types: supplemental oxygen therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Supplemental Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Supplemental Oxygen Therapy

Supplemental oxygen is the most common type of oxygen used at home, in clinics, and in hospitals. It gives you oxygen through a mask or nasal cannula using one of these systems:

Cylinders or Tanks of Oxygen

Tanks contain compressed or liquid oxygen and need to be replaced or refilled when empty. They come in various sizes depending on use.

Concentrators of Oxygen

Oxygen concentrators take in air from the outside, filter it, and then send concentrated oxygen back to the user. Depending on the model, you can use them at home or on the go without having to refill them.

See how our Kingon P2-TOC compares to oxygen cylinders

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a specialised treatment that takes place in a pressurised chamber, usually in a hospital or other medical facility. The higher pressure helps the lungs take in oxygen more quickly. People don't use HBOT every day for oxygen support, they use it for certain medical conditions, like wounds that won't heal, certain infections, or decompression sickness.

Old couple in airport, one is using a nasal cannula.

What Are the Benefits of Oxygen Therapy?

When prescribed and used correctly, oxygen therapy may help:

Improve energy and reduce fatigue
Support clearer thinking and better mood
Improve sleep quality
Increase stamina and mobility
Reduce breathlessness during activity

Your healthcare provider will decide what flow rates and usage times are best for you, since everyone's experience is different.

Questions That Are Often Asked

What is supplemental oxygen?

An oxygen concentrator or cylinder can give you extra oxygen, which is called supplemental oxygen. Consult your doctor before buying a device.

Why might I need supplemental oxygen?

If clinical tests show that your oxygen levels are consistently lower than normal or if you have symptoms that make it hard for you to do your daily activities, your doctor may suggest oxygen therapy.

How often is oxygen therapy used?

Some people need supplemental oxygen all the time, while others only need it when they are resting, working out, or sleeping. Your doctor will make a plan that works for you.

What does low oxygen feel like?

Low oxygen levels can make you tired, make it hard to breathe, make you dizzy, give you headaches, make you irritable, or give you a blue colour around your lips or fingertips. Testing is important because some people may not have any symptoms at all.

Understanding Oxygen Therapy

What is Oxygen Therapy?

Who Might Need Oxygen Therapy?