Traveling with oxygen requires advanced planning

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Travel planning can be especially stressful for people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or other health conditions that require oxygen therapy. The following steps can be helpful with the process:

Call your local oxygen supplier one to two weeks in advance to arrange for your oxygen supply while you are traveling. Your needs will vary according to your mode of transportation and length of stay at your destination.
If traveling by air, book far in advance because airlines allow only a limited number of people traveling with oxygen per flight.
Take antiseptic hand-washing packets or gel to help avoid picking up bacterial or viral infections. Also wash hands with soap and water frequently.
If you are traveling to an area of high altitude, plan ahead for an oxygen supply at your destination.

To learn more about diagnosing and living well with COPD, read Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Treating emphysema and chronic bronchitis, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.

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