Shirley: In normal people the respiratory drive is largely controlled by the level of arbon dioxide in your blood. In other words, we breathe in and out because our brain senses the carbon dioxide level in our blood Mr Zhao Shirley: But in some COPD patients, carbon dioxide no longer affects your respiratory drive. You are left with low levels of oxygen to drive your breathing. Your body has changed Mr Zhao Shirley: Let me explain. A COPD patients brain senses the need to breathe when the oxygen level is low. Thus a high flow of oxygen may send the wrong signal to COPD patients brain, saying there is enough oxygen in my body and there is no need to breathe very hard. The problem is, then carbon dioxide can build up in your body which can alter your body's chemistry and even put you into a coma Mr Zhao. Shirley: So, if the level of oxygen is corrected by too much oxygen therapy, for example if you are given high flow pure oxygen, the respiratory drive may be reduced you may not breathe well, and carbon dioxide can build up in your blood stream and make you confused or even comatose Mr zhao Shirley: So, for most of the COPD patients, the treatment goal is to keep your oxygen at a level that meets your body's need for oxygen. A range of 88-02% on oximetry usually is acceptable Shirley: You're right. Taking too much oxygen sends a message to your brain to slow your breathin Mr zhao Shirley: Yes, because too low an oxygen level may deprive the tissue in your brain and heart of oxygen and result in memory loss or change in your heart Mr zhaoShirley: In normal people the respiratory drive is largely controlled by the level of carbon dioxide in your blood. In other words, we breathe in and out because our brain senses the carbon dioxide level in our blood. Mr. Zhao: Shirley: But in some COPD patients, carbon dioxide no longer affects your respiratory drive. You are left with low levels of oxygen to drive your breathing. Your body has changed. Mr. Zhao: Shirley: Let me explain. A COPD patient’s brain senses the need to breathe when the oxygen level is low. Thus a high flow of oxygen may send the wrong signal to COPD patient’s brain, saying there is enough oxygen in my body and there is no need to breathe very hard. The problem is, then carbon dioxide can build up in your body, which can alter your body’s chemistry and even put you into a coma. Mr. Zhao: Shirley: So, if the level of oxygen is corrected by too much oxygen therapy, for example if you are given high flow pure oxygen, the respiratory drive may be reduced, you may not breathe well, and carbon dioxide can build up in your blood stream and make you confused or even comatose. Mr. Zhao: Shirley: So, for most of the COPD patients, the treatment goal is to keep your oxygen at a level that meets your body’s need for oxygen. A range of 88-02% on oximetry usually is acceptable. Mr. Zhao: Shirley: You’re right. Taking too much oxygen sends a message to your brain to slow your breathing. Mr. Zhao: Shirley: Yes, because too low an oxygen level may deprive the tissue in your brain and heart of oxygen and result in memory loss or change in your heart. Mr. Zhao: