Everyone needs oxygen. People with healthy lungs are generally able to get all they need by breathing the air around them, which is around 21 percent oxygen. When air is breathed in, the lungs filter out the oxygen and transfer it into the bloodstream through tiny sacs called alveoli. For people whose lungs are inflamed or damaged, this is easier said than done. These people’s lungs are either temporarily or permanently unable to transfer enough oxygen into the bloodstream on their own. This is usually due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD is a blanket term that applies to a number of illnesses and conditions, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Supplemental oxygen therapy is a form of treatment for the symptoms of these conditions. By increasing the concentration of oxygen in the air that’s breathed in, the amount that the lungs can successfully transfer to the blood also increases. This may help patients sleep better, improve mood and mental alertness, increase stamina and prevent heart failure.

How do I receive oxygen therapy?

First, you will need to be evaluated by a doctor. If you’re in the hospital, you may receive oxygen therapy during your stay. Outpatient oxygen therapy can only be administered with a prescription.

You can receive supplemental oxygen using either oxygen tanks or oxygen concentrators. Oxygen tanks may contain either compressed oxygen gas or liquid oxygen. Compressed oxygen gas will last longer than liquid oxygen, but takes up more space. On the other hand, oxygen concentrators are generally less expensive and easier to maintain because they work by pulling in more of the oxygen that’s already in the air. However, concentrators are also noisier, not portable and need to be connected to a power source at all times.

Although oxygen itself is non-flammable, an oxygen-rich environment does make it easier for things to burn or combust. Whichever form of supplemental oxygen you’re using, you will need to follow certain safety precautions. These may include:

• Posting “No Smoking” and “No Open Flames” signs around your home
• Avoiding matches, candles, campfires, grills and burning tobacco
• Staying at least five feet away from sources of heat, including space heaters or stoves
• Storing your oxygen safely with the oxygen supply valves turned off when not in use

Improving lives in Central Oregon through oxygen therapy

At St. Charles Health System, we’ve helped many COPD patients improve their quality of life with oxygen therapy. Our compassionate physicians and staff are extremely experienced with this type of treatment and can guide you to the best possible outcome for you.

If you’re struggling with COPD, call St. Charles Health System today at 541-706-5860 to schedule an appointment with a pulmonary specialist.

The pulmonary specialists at St. Charles Health System work to improve the lives of patients with COPD in Central Oregon by providing oxygen therapy.

At any given time, a significant number of people who are hospitalized may require some type of respiratory therapy, especially those whose health is compromised by neuromuscular or metabolic disorders. Along with an increased risk of chest infections, these disorders may increase the possibility of breathing failure that can be caused by weakness of the muscles or nerves involved in the respiratory system.

The medical professionals at the St. Charles Heart and Lung Center provide wide-ranging respiratory services to patients with pulmonary disease or dysfunctions. In addition, we serve outpatients who find that breathing issues have limited their ability to live full, active lives.

St. Charles treats disorders that can cause respiratory distress

Many neuromuscular and metabolic disorders that can negatively impact the respiratory system’s ability to function are not curable, which is why our pulmonologists and respiratory therapists’ goal is to help people maintain their current breathing capacity and, when possible, to improve that ability.

The specialists at the St. Charles Heart and Lung Center have developed guidelines that allow us to effectively formulate a plan of care for any patient with these and many other common or less-common neurological disorders that may weaken respiratory muscles or nerves:

• Stroke
• Seizures
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• ALS
• Muscular dystrophy
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Pompe disease
• Forbes disease

Respiratory services for patients of all ages

People with neuromuscular or metabolic disorders who find themselves hospitalized with impaired breathing function can be assured that our pulmonary critical care physicians and respiratory therapists at the St. Charles Heart and Lung Center have a united goal: providing you with respiratory care that results in a faster recovery. And for non-hospital care, we are glad to offer our advanced care services at St. Charles Pulmonary Clinic, which is recognized as the largest and most established respiratory care clinic east of the Cascades.

St. Charles Health System’s scope of medical excellence includes comprehensive respiratory care services in Central Oregon at our four hospitals and outpatient clinic.

During invasive mechanical ventilation, a breathing tube is inserted into the windpipe and fresh air is delivered to the patient’s lungs. Mechanical ventilation is typically used during a surgical procedure when a patient is under general anesthesia or in patients with the following conditions:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), myasthenia gravis, spinal cord injuries or other conditions where the nerves that control breathing are damaged
• Lung diseases such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and pneumonia, where lung function is impaired
• Coma, stroke and traumatic brain injuries where a person’s ability to breath may be affected

While the use of invasive mechanical ventilation can be lifesaving in someone with these conditions, there are risks associated with this procedure, including infections, collapsed lung or damage to the vocal cords or lungs. For more information about invasive mechanical ventilation or the wide range of respiratory services and treatments at St. Charles Health System, call 541-706-5860 today.

St. Charles Health System in Central Oregon uses invasive mechanical ventilation along with a range of other respiratory treatments and technologies to help patients who live with and experience symptoms of lung disease.

Get help with your emphysema in Central Oregon

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that results in the destruction of the air sacs in the lungs. How does it affect your breathing? Typically, you experience less lung capacity and difficulty breathing. About 3.7 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with emphysema, making it a relatively significant respiratory disorder. It is the third most common cause of death in American adults.  

What causes emphysema?

Smoking, especially if you have either smoked for many years or been exposed to significant secondhand smoke, is the most common cause of emphysema. Other factors include:

• Breathing in dust particles or chemical fumes
• Exposure to air pollution
• Family history of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
• Jobs working with livestock, grain, textiles or coal
• Preexisting lung disease

The most common symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath, which develops over time and can ultimately lead to emphysema. St. Charles treats symptoms of emphysema with smoking cessation therapy, bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pulmonary rehabilitation to improve breathing through coughing and breathing exercises. Living healthier can also help. Doing things like exercising regularly, avoiding respiratory irritants and cold air, and stopping smoking can slow the progression of the disease and decrease the risk of complications.

Talk with your doctor about how St. Charles can help

Want to learn more about the St. Charles Heart and Lung Center in Central Oregon or need to schedule an appointment? Please call us today at 541-706-7715.

The emphysema experts at the St. Charles Heart and Lung Center are here to help you breathe easier.

Living with COPD in Central Oregon

Roughly 24 million Americans live with COPD, a condition marked by increasing shortness of breath due to damage to the small airways, as well as changes to lung tissue where oxygen enters the circulation.

In Central Oregon, St. Charles Health System is recognized for its expert work in diagnosing and treating COPD patients whose symptoms may include: 

• Shortness of breath
• Frequent coughing
• Tightness in the chest
• Wheezing
• Excess mucus
• Fatigue
• Bluish color to the fingernails and lips

Smoking is the most common cause of COPD, but it can also be caused by long-term exposure to second-hand smoke, dust and chemicals. People with a disease called alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency can also develop COPD.

Diagnosing COPD at St. Charles Health System

Pulmonary specialists at St. Charles Health System diagnose COPD by measuring how much air you can breathe in and out, how fast you can breathe air out and how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood. The most common COPD tests include:

• Spirometry, a painless test in which you blow as hard as you can into a tube connected to small machine called a spirometer that measures how much air you breathe out and how fast you can do it.
• Chest X-ray or chest CT scans create pictures of your heart, lungs and blood vessels that allow St. Charles experts to detect damage.
• The arterial blood gas test measures the oxygen level in your blood using a blood sample taken from an artery.

Treating COPD at St. Charles Health System

While damage to the lungs caused by COPD can’t be reversed, it can be slowed, so it’s important to stay away from anything that can irritate your lungs. Smokers are urged to quit their habit with help and support from St. Charles specialists.

People with COPD may also receive medications to open airways, allowing air to flow more easily. They may include:

• Bronchodilators and cortisteriods: Taken with an inhaler or “puffer,” these reduce swelling or inflammation in the airway. They can be combined into one inhaler or taken separately. Short-acting bronchodilators act immediately. Long-acting bronchodilators work for a longer period.
• Oral steroids: They reduce swelling in the airway, but usually are given for a few days at a time.
• Antibiotics: People with COPD are prone to lung infections, so you may need to take antibiotics to fight infection.

Preventing COPD

Unless you have AAT deficiency, COPD is often preventable. If you smoke, quit. This will limit the damage that may have already occurred. If you work in an area that is heavily polluted or you are exposed to airborne irritants, be sure to wear masks or other protection over your mouth and nose while in that environment.

COPD is a serious diagnosis, but by making lifestyle changes and working with a St. Charles specialist to find effective treatment options, you can slow the progression of the disease and maintain a full life.

If you think you may have COPD, don’t wait. Symptoms are a sign that the disease is progressing. Please consult your primary care doctor right away at St. Charles Health System.

In Central Oregon, St. Charles Health System strives to help people with COPD lead normal, healthy and happy lives.

Breathlessness, wheezing, a tight chest and coughing are some of the common symptoms of asthma. Recognizing and avoiding asthma triggers is a good way to prevent asthma attacks and control the symptoms. Using prescribed medications is another tool for asthma treatment and management.

Bronchodilator therapy at St. Charles Respiratory Care

Asthma management includes a two-pronged approach: treating asthma attacks when they occur and achieving long-term control of asthma. The respiratory therapists at St. Charles Respiratory Care employ bronchodilator therapy in Central Oregon for patients with asthma. Bronchodilator medications relax the smooth muscles in the lungs, which widens the airway passages so a person with asthma can breathe easier. These medications can both relieve and prevent symptoms associated with asthma. Bronchodilator therapy is just one of the many respiratory services we offer at St. Charles Respiratory Care to help people suffering from asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and a host of other respiratory conditions.

To learn more about the respiratory services offered at St. Charles Health System, call 541-706-5860 to schedule an appointment or to speak with a specialist.

Find a range of respiratory treatments, including bronchodilator therapy, in Central Oregon at St. Charles Health System.

This condition may either be acute or chronic: An acute case of bronchitis may last between a few to 10 days where chronic bronchitis is ongoing. Symptoms of both acute and chronic bronchitis include wheezing, coughing, fatigue, chest discomfort or tightness, and coughing up mucus, which can be white, clear or yellowish-gray.

The cause of bronchitis varies. Acute cases are commonly caused by viruses, usually the same viruses that cause the flu and colds. Dust, air pollution and cigarette smoking are the main causes of chronic bronchitis. Should you or a loved one have this condition, find bronchitis treatment in Central Oregon at St. Charles Health System.

Expert bronchitis treatment at St. Charles Health System

The respiratory therapists at St. Charles Health System offer a range of treatment options for both acute and chronic bronchitis. Acute cases may be relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers and cough medicines, oral or inhaled steroids to help reduce the inflamed airways, or bronchodilator medications to open the airways to improve airflow. Chronic bronchitis may be helped by oxygen and bronchodilator therapy, but quitting smoking or avoiding secondhand smoke and other possible lung irritants are also effective. Pulmonary rehabilitation — breathing exercises that help you breathe more easily — may also be used to treat cases of chronic bronchitis.

For more information about bronchitis symptoms, causes or treatment or the respiratory services offered at St. Charles Health System, call 541-706-7715 to schedule an appointment or to speak to a physician.

St. Charles Health System offers expert bronchitis treatment in Central Oregon.

If you have asthma, your airways are always somewhat inflamed. However, when something triggers your symptoms, your airways become even more swollen and the muscles around the airways can tighten. This makes it more difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and/or chest tightness.
For many asthma sufferers, these symptoms are usually related to physical activity, and healthy people can even develop asthma symptoms only when exercising. Staying active is an important way to stay healthy, so asthma shouldn't keep you on the sidelines. Your physician can develop a management plan to keep your symptoms under control before, during and after physical activity.

Kinds of asthma

There are several kinds of asthma:

• Asthma that flares up during or after physical activity is called exercise-induced asthma (EIA) or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB).
• People with a family history of allergies or asthma are more prone to developing asthma. Many people with asthma also have allergies. This is called allergic asthma.
• Occupational asthma is caused by inhaling fumes, gases, dust or other potentially harmful substances while on the job.
• Childhood asthma impacts millions of children and their families. The majority of children who develop childhood asthma do so before the age of five.

There is no cure for asthma. Even when you feel fine, you still have the disease and it can flare up at any time.
However, once it is properly diagnosed and you and your doctor arrive at a treatment plan, you will be able to manage your asthma and your quality of life will improve.

How asthma is treated

St. Charles Pulmonary Clinic providers offer quality treatment for Central Oregon patients with asthma. The St. Charles Pulmonary Clinic is the largest, most well-established respiratory care clinic east of the Cascades, and our pulmonologists are committed to helping patients live fuller, more active lives.

An allergist/immunologist is the best qualified physician in diagnosing and treating asthma. With the help of your allergist, you can take control of your condition and participate in normal activities.

Sometimes asthma symptoms are mild and go away on their own or after minimal treatment with asthma medication. Other times, symptoms continue to get worse.

When symptoms get more intense and/or more symptoms occur, you're having an asthma attack. Asthma attacks also are called flare-ups or exacerbations.

It is key to treat your asthma symptoms when you first notice them. This will help prevent the symptoms from worsening and causing a severe asthma attack. Severe asthma attacks may require emergency care, and they can be fatal.

Asthma is treated with two types of medicines: long-term control and quick-relief medicines. Long-term control medicines help reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms. Quick-relief, or "rescue," medicines relieve asthma symptoms that may flare up.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact us at 541-706-5860 today.

From allergy tests to medication prescription to life-style advice, St. Charles Health System offers patients a wide range of pulmonary services in Central Oregon.

Blood is your body’s delivery service. It brings oxygen and nutrients to different parts of the body and carries away the carbon dioxide that the body produces. Once the blood has run out of oxygen, it travels to your lungs where the carbon dioxide is filtered out and fresh oxygen is picked up. Then the blood cycles through the body again.

An arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is a special test that can help determine how well your lungs are working. It measures the oxygen content and saturation of your blood, the pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide dissolved in your blood, and your blood acidity. Combined, these factors can tell your doctor how well your lungs are moving oxygen into your blood and how well carbon dioxide is being moved out.

What makes this type of test unique from normal bloodwork is that the blood is drawn from an artery instead of a vein. This means that the blood being tested has just left your lungs and hasn’t traveled through the rest of the body yet.

When ABG analysis is needed

An ABG analysis is commonly performed to check for severe respiratory problems, or to see whether treatments for those issues are working. These conditions could include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis. However, ABG analyses are also effective for measuring the blood acidity of people who are dealing with other health issues, such as:

• Heart failure
• Kidney failure
• Severe infections
• Sleep disorders
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Drug overdose

An arterial blood gas analysis is not enough to diagnose a problem by itself, so this type of test is often done in combination with other tests.

Specialized respiratory care in Central Oregon

At St. Charles Health System, we believe that the road to recovery begins with understanding. That means using the right combination of tests at the right time to get a proper diagnosis. Our expert physicians and staff are thoroughly experienced with performing and analyzing ABG tests, so they know how to get the most out of this critical tool.

If you’re struggling with chronic respiratory problems, call St. Charles Respiratory Care today at 541-706-5860 to schedule an appointment with a pulmonary specialist.

St. Charles Respiratory Care offers a wide variety of tests and treatments for respiratory patients, including arterial blood gas analysis.

Airway management is a broad-based term that, in non-emergency health care, usually refers to allergy and asthma therapy. These airway management therapies include short-term (or rescue) medications and long-term medications.

Short-term medications treat symptoms once they occur. They include bronchodilator medications that relax the bronchial smooth muscles that control the airways into and through the lungs. Short-acting inhaled medications are taken as needed to relieve immediate symptoms.

Long-term medications include anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator medications that help prevent symptoms from occurring by treating airway inflammation and airway obstruction.

Corticosteroids applied via inhalers are taken daily to prevent symptoms and keep asthma under control. Sometimes, oral corticosteroids are used longer term to control severe chronic asthma. Short courses of oral corticosteroids are used to help reverse the increased inflammation of a severe acute episode, speed recovery and prevent recurrence.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact us at 541-706-5860 today.

From allergy tests to medication prescription to life-style advice, the specialists at the St. Charles Pulmonary Clinic offer Central Oregon a wide range of pulmonary services.

Sources: NIH.com, American Association for Respiratory Care