Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the lungs have become scarred. There are many diseases and incidents which can cause pulmonary fibrosis – over 200 diseases, in total. The symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are, primarily, difficulty in breathing. This is because the tiny alveoli (air sacs in the lungs) are damaged and do not function as effectively as they should. If you are diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, your doctor will try to find out the cause of the lung scarring, but they will also begin to treat you right away. Treatment includes medications to stop or delay the progress of the condition, physical therapy to ensure you get the best from your lungs without risking further damage, and also relieving treatments such as the use of medical oxygen to ensure that you are comfortable and as healthy as possible. If you will be traveling to higher altitudes or plan on trying out some physical activity, you may also need oxygen to cope with the greater oxygen demands that your body will make under these conditions.

Wait, can you travel with pulmonary fibrosis, you might be saying? It is often the case that when we are ill, we assume that we cannot and should not travel, but this would mean that people with irreversible but manageable conditions or chronic illnesses would never travel! You absolutely can travel with pulmonary fibrosis – as long as you take some basic precautions and make sensible preparations before you go. OxygenWorldwide is a logistical expert in oxygen delivery for travelers with lung disease, and have a worldwide network of suppliers who work seamlessly to ensure that you receive the oxygen you need when you need it.

Why Do Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients Need Oxygen While Traveling?

Your experience of pulmonary fibrosis might be a mild one, and yet, when you ask your doctor about traveling, they might strongly recommend that you organize some portable oxygen for your trip – oxygen that is a known hazard on flights and sure to be a pain to try and arrange! Why would you need something that you don’t necessarily need all the time at home?

The short answer is altitude, exertion and exposure! If you are visiting places with very different climates to those you are used to, it can affect your breathing ability in unexpected ways. The higher up you go, altitude-wise, the thinner the air around you, plus you will be putting in more physical effort as you explore the country. Even walking around an airport can take a fair amount of effort on your part – and more effort requires more oxygen! And finally, levels of pollution, the ambient temperature, and even the natural humidity of your destination country might be uncomfortable for your level of pulmonary fibrosis, causing you issues that you do not experience at home.

It is important to listen to your doctor’s advice about ensuring a good supply of supplemental oxygen for your voyage as pulmonary fibrosis does more than simply make you feel breathless: it actively reduces your lung function which causes low levels of oxygen in your body (hypoxemia) which can be very serious indeed.

If you have no idea how to arrange oxygen for travel with pulmonary fibrosis, this is easily overcome: OxygenWorldwide can help you to travel with confidence, ensuring a timely and convenient supply of oxygen to you at your destination – or even destinations, if you are planning a tour.

Challenges of Traveling with Pulmonary Fibrosis and Oxygen

The challenges of traveling with pulmonary fibrosis are similar to the challenges of living at home with the condition: you must manage your energy levels so that you do not overexert yourself and become exhausted, and you must ensure that you take with you all your medications and treatments – it can be all too easy to lose one’s routine away from home, leading to missed medications, exercises not correctly performed and trying to do too much because it is all so new and exciting.

Traveling with oxygen, especially flying with oxygen for pulmonary fibrosis is equally trying: there are so many rules and regulations about the transport and storage of oxygen, especially on planes, that it can seem quite daunting when you are also trying to organize accommodation, tickets to events and landmarks, planning your itinerary and transportation, and more – and all of this potentially in a foreign language! For most commercial airlines, you will have to use an FAA-approved POC (portable oxygen concentrator) rather than an oxygen cylinder, and you will have to ensure that your chosen airline is aware of your need for oxygen and what equipment you will be bringing along with you. And quite apart from airlines, some countries have very strict oxygen regulations too! As well as this, there are also some – although usually less stringent than air travel – restrictions on trains and cruise liners, so, once again, you will have to make sure that you know the ins and outs before you commit to your choice of transportation.

But don’t despair: there is nearly always a way to achieve your aims of traveling with pulmonary fibrosis and oxygen – and the easiest way is to allow OxygenWorldwide to make all the plans for you! Apart from their extensive network of local oxygen suppliers, OxygenWorldwide will take care of all the logistics, regulations and more, so the end result is you receiving your oxygen, in the form you need it, when and where you need it, no matter if that is as you leave the plane on arrival, at your hotel or Airbnb, and also being on hand for refills and/ or back-up supplies. OxygenWorldwide also operate a 24-7 emergency line, so you can get in touch instantly should something untoward happen, flexibly adjusting their delivery schedule to meet your new needs promptly. (However, if your plans change, do let them know as soon as possible to ensure that their oxygen delivery for travelers with lung disease like yourself can be tweaked for a seamless and worry-free experience.)

Flying with Oxygen for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Just as you will have to check your luggage for disallowed items and meet all the criteria for traveling (shoes that are easy to remove, limited fluids, clear bags and containers, etc) so too must you prepare for flying with oxygen and pulmonary fibrosis.

As soon as you decide to travel, you should run it past your doctor or medical team. Often, you will need a medical certificate stating that you need medical oxygen in order to be permitted to take your oxygen equipment on board the plane. Your doctor will also check you over and make sure that you are fit enough to travel. When you book your tickets, make sure you note that you require medical oxygen, and then reiterate this at least 48 hours in advance of your flight, to be sure that everyone concerned knows about your needs and is prepared for your arrival. On the plane itself, you will most likely only be permitted an oxygen concentrator which uses the natural atmosphere to filter nearly pure oxygen for your use while onboard, but even here you must ensure that your concentrator is one of those approved by both the FAA and your chosen airline. Finally, make sure you have some spare batteries so that your equipment will be available to you even if there are some delays along the way.

At the Airport

Take steps to look after your health as you travel, for example, by using energy friendly methods: use a wheelchair inside the airport so as not to exert yourself by walking the sometimes considerable distances to the departure gates. Arrive early so you never have to rush, and always double- and even triple-check the details – it is infinitely better to feel a little foolish than risk not being able to protect your health!

OxygenWorldwide can arrange for your oxygen to be brought to you at the airport, if you like, and they will support you at every step of the way from check-in to boarding to disembarkation when they can be waiting for you as you step off the plane.

Choosing the Right Oxygen Solution for Travel

When it comes to oxygen equipment, there are a number of choices:

  • Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs): these are ideal for when you are travelling and are, as mentioned above, often the only option permitted on air travel, and they are also great for when you are out and about during the day, visiting museums, attending concerts and other events and generally exploring your holiday destination. They are relatively small (about the size and weight of a sturdy backpack) and are ideal for continuous use for three to four hours at a time
  • Oxygen Cylinders: best for use in static locations, for example at your hotel room for use as needed during the day and night. These are big and heavy containers, and they hold several days’ worth of oxygen at one time
  • Liquid Oxygen (LOX): the sort of supply you will have in long-term accommodations or at your home. Liquid oxygen is stored under pressure, bubbling into gas as needed, and the containers are very heavy and should be left in place once installed, only being moved to be serviced or refilled. These are perfect for patients who need a long-term constant supply of oxygen or who have a high oxygen use-rate

OxygenWorldwide can advise you on the best oxygen solutions for your itinerary and needs, so that your holiday is as comfortable and hassle-free as possible, with all your oxygen needs met in a way that does not overly burden you with extra weight or worries about your oxygen running out.

Managing Pulmonary Fibrosis While Travelling

Just as at the airport, avoid overexerting yourself: use wheelchairs when they are available, plan well in advance so you can walk slowly and mindfully, plan plenty of rest stops and use whatever mobility assistance is available. Monitor your condition by periodically checking your blood oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter, and stay well-hydrated with clean cool water. Avoid pollution if you can, using masks and closing windows if necessary – pollutants and dehydration can both worsen the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis.

One of life’s adages is ‘prepare for the worst but hope for the best’ and that includes planning for potential emergencies while you are traveling. Know where the nearest hospitals are, have a few emergency contacts stored in your phone and on paper in readily accessible places, and always have a tentative back-up plan, just in case.

Bear in mind that OxygenWorldwide has that emergency line: take note of it and use it if you need to: it exists to offer round-the-clock support for oxygen-related travel concerns!

Why OxygenWorldwide is the Best Travel Partner for Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients

OxygenWorldwide has a global network of trusted partners who work to supply oxygen needs worldwide. We can meet you on arrival at your destination country, oversee your oxygen supply throughout your stay, and even see you safely off onto the next leg of your trip, whether that is going back home, or moving onto another country, passing you onto to the next local partner. We tailor our service to the needs of our customers, ensuring a seamless and safe oxygen delivery system for each traveler. We provide peace of mind so you can, literally, breathe easy as you explore the world.

Traveling with pulmonary fibrosis is possible if you prepare carefully for your trip, consulting your doctor beforehand and taking onboard any advice you are given. If you’re planning a trip soon – or would like to – contact OxygenWorldwide as a first port of call for expert advice and guidance, and to access hassle-free oxygen travel solutions.