Newly Diagnosed

Information for patients and carers if they have newly diagnosed

Newly Diagnosed

If you have or someone you care for has recently been diagnosed with a long-term respiratory condition you may feel a mixture of emotions as well as a lot of unanswered questions.

It is vitally important that you and the person you care for receive support in understanding the condition and long-term plan of care. 

This is the key time for you to receive the right information from the right people.

Your BOC Healthcare Professional will be able to answer your questions and guide you to appropriate resources regarding your condition.   These resources may include local and national support groups as well as recognised websites.

Your medical condition has caused your oxygen levels to be low and require additional oxygen therapy.  If your oxygen levels remain low for long periods this may lead to damage of your vital organs i.e. heart.

This has been decided when your blood gases were performed on assessment.

The benefits of receiving oxygen therapy may include:

  • improved quality of life
  • recovery after an exacerbation
  • prevention of further damage to vital organs
  • extending life
Your oxygen has been set by your clinician at a flowrate that is safe for you.  It is important that you do not alter your flowrate unless advised by your clinician.

NHS Choices can provide some more information on home oxygen therapy treatment .

Useful Information

Many people with a respiratory condition become short of breath whilst carrying out everyday activities.  Being short of breath can be very frightening.   This may cause some people to reduce the amount of activity they do.  However, avoiding these activities can lead to decreased fitness and even more breathlessness.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is designed to help:

  • you manage your breathlessness
  • improve your fitness
  • your ability to carry out day to day activities
  • increase your confidence
  • improve your knowledge and understanding of living with a respiratory condition.
A Pulmonary Rehabilitation course is normally a six-week programme of exercise and education, led by a Respiratory Physiotherapist or Nurse.  It will involve a combination of:- 
  • individualised exercise programme
  • education sessions designed to improve self-management of respiratory conditions
  • promotion of lifestyle changes leading to improved quality of life
  • empowering you to take control of your long-term condition.
 The benefits of undertaking Pulmonary Rehabilitation include:-
  • improved breathlessness
  • increased exercise tolerance / improved fitness
  • improved quality of life
  • reduce hospital admissions.
Further information about pulmonary rehabilitation can be found by visiting the British Lung Foundation.

Patient exercise safety videos

How to exercise safely at home

BOC have produced a series of videos to help you exercise safely at home.

Home oxygen assessment and review is a service provided for people with a chronic lung disease or any other condition requiring home oxygen therapy. You may be referred because you already receive home oxygen therapy or you may have low oxygen levels.

What can you expect?

Your first appointment may involve the following: -

  • a review of your diagnosis
  • a review of your medication and self-management plan
  • a pulse oximetry reading, this involves attaching a small probe to your finger to measure your oxygen levels
  • a blood gas test to measure the levels of oxygen in the blood accurately.  This is obtained from either a small prick of the ear or blood taken from an artery in the wrist.  It is different from the blood test that is normally taken in the arm
  • performing walk tests to examine if your blood oxygen decrease on exertion.  These will be done to your own capability
  • education on your conditions and treatments available
  • referral to other agencies that are beneficial to you, with your consent.

Support Groups

Learn more about our healthcare services