If you want to lead a healthier life, you need to be more acutely aware of how your lifestyle choices — and the lifestyle choices of others — affect your long-term well-being. For example, you need to research nutrition in order to make sure that your diet is helping you progress towards your health goals, rather than pushing you farther away from them. But nobody ever said this would be easy. With all the information (and misinformation) that’s out there, it can be pretty overwhelming trying to create a health plan and carry it out.

One thing that can really muddle up this issue and make it even more challenging is being diagnosed with a respiratory ailment like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While it may seem like this will only have an effect on your lungs, your respiratory health actually has a significant impact on your systemic health. For example, in one of our more recent posts, we took a look at how COPD can cause heart problems and swelling in the hands and feet. 

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A topic that’s hotly debated these days is how vaping and e-cigarettes should be viewed as a COPD patient. Some people believe that vaping is an effective tool to help smokers wean off their bad habit to something that’s “less dangerous” and “less addictive.” However, on the other side, people believe it’s being used to get younger generations involved in smoking and other drugs. No matter where you stand on vaping, this post aims to clarify misconceptions about vaping and e-cigarettes. We’ll also show you why it’s a good idea to reconsider vaping as a COPD patient or someone who’s at risk of contracting COPD.

What are Vape Pens and E-Cigarettes?

The concept of “vaping” has not been around very long. In fact, the first commercially successful e-cigarette was created in 2003, but it wasn’t introduced to the United States until 2006. And despite the fact that the vaping industry was valued at around $14.05 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow to $29.39 billion in 2022, there still seems to be a lot of confusion about what vaping actually is.

Like most products, e-cigarettes have evolved a lot since they were first introduced; but the basic principles remain the same: a battery-powered heating device is activated when the user inhales. This, in turn, vaporizes the e-liquid which is inhaled as an aerosol which is a suspension of fine solid particles and liquid droplets. The smoke that comes from a cigarette is also considered an “aerosol” because it contains water droplets, but vaping advocates claim that cigarettes are far more dangerous because they release more HPHCs due to their high combustion temperature.

Technically speaking, e-cigarettes and vape pens are essentially the same thing. The main difference is that e-cigarettes are designed to look like real cigarettes and once you use them up, they are disposed of. On the contrary, vape pens are much more popular and they can be recharged and refilled rather than being disposed of. We’re going to take a look at some of the risks associated with vaping, as well as some of the perceived benefits so that COPD patients can make more educated decisions about their lung health.

What are the Risks Associated with Vaping?

Chemicals Found in “Vape Juice” 

Just like cigarettes, vape juice contains a whole host of chemicals that will harm your long-term health. We know that cigarettes have around 7,000 different toxic chemicals but when it comes to e-cigarettes, the facts are less clear. Since vape juice is being produced by thousands of companies across the country, it’s difficult to track everything that’s being put into them. According to the American Lung Association, however, these are some of the most dangerous components:

• Nicotine
• Carcinogens - including formaldehyde and acetaldehyde
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like Benzene
• Diethylene glycol
• Diacetyl - known to cause bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung)
• Acrolein - commonly used as a herbicide
• Propylene glycol - used to make paint solvent and antifreeze  

An Argument From Ignorance

There’s a common logical fallacy that vaping companies often use to prove the safety of their products. This fallacy is called “an argument from ignorance.” Basically what this comes down to is using a lack of evidence in order to prove that something is true. Most people realize that this is not a valid way to argue a point, but it’s easy to get past someone if they aren’t actively looking out for it.

Vaping companies will claim that their products are safer than cigarettes because there is no evidence that they cause COPD or lung cancer. The problem with this argument, however, is that vaping has not been researched long enough for us to know exactly how it contributes to chronic lung conditions. COPD, in particular, takes several decades to develop and severe symptoms don’t usually manifest until later in life. 

Another thing that needs to be researched is the effects of vaping on systemic health. We know that cigarette smoking damages your heart and blood vessels, and it’s a risk factor for many chronic systemic diseases, but vaping hasn’t been researched enough to determine if there is a link. Vaping advocates will claim that, since there are no immediate systemic effects, you have nothing to worry about. Be sure to look out for these logical fallacies next time you’re offered an e-cigarette.

It’s hard not to draw connections between what is going on now with vaping and what happened in the 1930s to 1950s with cigarettes. During those times, cigarettes were often advertised as “physician approved” just because they irritated the throat less than other cigarettes. These claims were based on nothing more than a couple of surveys and they were designed to profit off the general public’s lack of understanding concerning the dangers of cigarette smoking.  

Vaping is Addictive

No matter how you slice it, nicotine is an addictive chemical regardless of how it’s consumed. Cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes all contain high amounts of nicotine. This chemical is referred to as a “neurotoxin” because it alters the structure and function of the nervous system. Nicotine activates nicotinic receptors in the brain which are intended for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, responsible for cognitive processing, memory, and attention.

There are nicotinic receptors in every part of the brain, so this is why nicotine has such a wide array of effects. And because the vapor is inhaled to the lungs, the effects are nearly instantaneous. One of the most well-known and concerning parts of the brain that nicotine affects is the nucleus accumbens which is often referred to as the “addiction hub” of the brain. Once nicotine enters this area of the brain, it releases dopamine, the neurochemical that’s responsible for feelings of reward.

E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)

In 2019, we saw our first major outbreak of lung illness due to vaping. This new lung condition was dubbed “E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) by the CDC, and it’s currently being heavily researched. EVALI caused sudden and severe respiratory symptoms in otherwise healthy people, but researchers have determined that the one thing these cases had in common was the use of vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Another problem safety concern associated with e-cigarettes is the battery. While traditional cigarettes can cause fires, e-cigarette batteries have caused harm to the user by exploding or causing severe burns. According to VapeDanger.com, the batteries that are used in e-cigs are not tested well enough to ensure their safety and they’re typically designed for things like power tools rather than e-cigarettes.  

Vaping as a “Gateway” Drug

One of the downsides that’s often under-discussed when it comes to vaping is its potential to be used as a “gateway drug.” A gateway drug is a drug that may not be extremely harmful in and of itself, but it can lead to someone trying other drugs that are far more dangerous. For example, even though vape juice contains less nicotine than cigarettes, it could make it either for someone to get hooked on traditional cigarettes.

Are There Any Benefits of Vaping?

While there are some perceived benefits to vaping like reducing addiction to cigarettes or saving money, you’ll be much better off if you completely eliminate nicotine use in your life. Since we don’t know the long-term effects of vaping, you’re basically just flipping a coin when it comes to your health. It’s best to assume that the only things you should be inhaling into your lungs are fresh air or any medication that your doctor has prescribed you for COPD treatment such as corticosteroids, bronchodilators, or other medication administered through an inhaler or nebulizer. Even then, these drugs should only be used as prescribed by your doctor.  

How Should COPD Patients React to Vaping?

Find other Methods to Quit Smoking

Possibly the most common use for e-cigarettes is as a tool for smoking cessation. Proponents of vaping will say that vaping can act like a nicotine patch or other types of nicotine replacement therapy in order to wean people off of cigarettes. Unfortunately, studies have shown that using e-cigarettes in this way is no more or less effective than other smoking cessation tools. What’s more, there’s a chance that you could become addicted to both cigarettes and e-cigarettes. According to the Truth Initiative, 54.6% of e-cigarette users in 2016 also smoked cigarettes. This would suggest that many people are using vaping as a supplement rather than a replacement for traditional smoking.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the most effective cessation tools include counseling, medications, or some combination of the two. There are several different types of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that can be used to quit smoking, but the most popular include one-on-one counseling and group therapy. FDA-approved smoking cessation medication includes Chantix (varenicline tartrate) and Zyban (buproprion hydrochloride). Before taking these medications, however, you should speak with your doctor to determine if they’re right for you.

Above all, it’s important to try these other methods of smoking cessation before resorting to vaping. While e-cigarettes may be the most accessible option for many people, they are not proven to be effective at helping you kick the habit, and more importantly, we don’t yet know the long-term effects of vaping on the body. If you have COPD or you’re currently at risk of COPD, you should invest time in behavioral therapy, nicotine replacement therapy, or one of the FDA-approved medications before resorting to vaping.

Focus on your COPD Treatment Plan

If you have COPD, you should be focusing on your treatment plan above all else. This includes things like smoking cessation, supplemental oxygen therapy, a refined diet, and pulmonary rehabilitation. If you’ve smoked for years or decades, you may find it tempting to invest in vaping because it’s often advertised as a “healthier alternative” to smoking. But in reality, vaping will put you at a higher risk of contracting pneumonia, one of the primary causes of COPD exacerbations.

If you spend your time and energy focusing on making positive lifestyle changes, you’re likely to see your nicotine dependency dissipate over time. According to Addictions and Recovery, nicotine stays in the body for about 72 hours and nicotine withdrawal is worst 2 to 3 days after quitting. However, it takes around 3 months for your brain chemistry to return back to normal after smoking. Try to focus on your COPD treatment for this duration of time and you’ll find that it becomes much easier to avoid nicotine products. 

Get Outside and Exercise

If you’re still struggling with nicotine withdrawal, consider exercising more frequently. According to Medical News Today, exercise is one of the best-known ways to combat nicotine cravings, and the best part is that it doesn’t require you to commit to a high-intensity exercise routine. Even 10 minutes each day of moderate exercise can significantly reduce the chance that you’ll fall back on your smoking cessation plan.  

Understand the Financial Burden of Vaping

One of the claims you’ll hear thrown around is that vaping is “95 percent healthier and 40 percent cheaper than smoking.” While this is certainly an interesting statement, it’s not based in reality. First and foremost, very little research has been done on vaping especially when it comes to the long-term effects on the lungs. So, it’s very difficult to prove or disprove that vaping is “95 percent safer.”

Secondly, the cost of smoking or vaping varies greatly. Some people smoke several packs of cigarettes a day while others smoke only once or twice a week. When they say that vaping is “40 percent cheaper,” they are usually comparing the lower estimates of vaping with the upper estimates of smoking. Be careful when you hear claims like this, especially if they’re coming from vaping companies.  

Conclusion

Vaping is a trend that’s been increasing in popularity for years. Although it’s mainly used by young adults, many older adults and seniors are embracing it as a “healthier alternative” or “cessation tool” for traditional cigarettes. If you suffer from COPD or another chronic respiratory disease, you should be wary of these claims and focus on healthy lifestyle choices that are backed by many decades of research rather than several years of research.

Here at LPT Medical, we only sell products that are medically proven to help patients with COPD. Most people with COPD will be prescribed supplemental oxygen and we are happy to provide lightweight and durable portable oxygen concentrators that can keep you moving despite your respiratory condition. Whether you’re looking for the Caire FreeStyle Comfort, Inogen One G5, Respironics SImplyGo, or any other affordable portable oxygen device, we are here to help.

Oxygen is one of the most abundant gases in the atmosphere making up around 21 percent of the air that we breathe. All organisms need oxygen to survive because it plays a pivotal role in a process called cellular respiration. During this process, glucose from the food that we eat reacts with oxygen to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy carrier in living organisms.

But it’s not just about getting oxygen in your lungs; it’s also about getting the right amount of oxygen. Everyone should have a blood oxygen level between 75 and 100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), so if you have a chronic respiratory illness like COPD or pulmonary fibrosis which reduces the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream, you’ll need to rely on supplemental oxygen therapy.

Despite being necessary for human life, medical oxygen is considered a “controlled substance” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration because it poses several risks if it is used incorrectly. Getting too much oxygen in your blood can result in a condition called oxygen toxicity (hyperoxia). Most cases of oxygen toxicity lead to headaches, confusion, and sleepiness, but continued exposure to high partial pressures of oxygen can cause permanent damage to your lungs and body.     

While it may seem scary being prescribed supplemental oxygen, it’s not all bad! If you use oxygen exactly how it was advised by your doctor you’ll find that supplemental oxygen is very safe. Here at LPT Medical we also strongly recommend using a portable oxygen concentrator which is much safer and more reliable than other oxygen devices such as oxygen tanks, liquid oxygen tanks, and stationary oxygen concentrators.  

Stick around if you’re interested in learning more about oxygen concentrator safety and feel free to leave any questions or comments in the section below.

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Why Are Portable Oxygen Concentrators Safer?

First off, you may be wondering why portable oxygen concentrators are considered “safe” in the first place. After all, they put out medical grade oxygen just like oxygen tanks, liquid oxygen tanks, and stationary oxygen concentrators. So, you might assume that it comes with all the same risks that are associated with these other devices. However, this is not necessarily the case.

Portable oxygen concentrators are the most advanced oxygen delivery devices ever created. They’re a product of many years of innovation and research, so it goes without saying that their safety features are more advanced as well. One of the main safety features are modern portable oxygen concentrators is something called pulse dose oxygen delivery. This is a technology that closely tracks your breathing rate and only delivers oxygen when it detects an inhalation.

The main purpose of this is to conserve energy and make your batteries last longer, but it has some major safety benefits as well. If you happen to drop your nasal cannula, the tubing that delivers oxygen to your nose, the flow of oxygen will stop. Since oxygen is an oxidizer, meaning it makes everything it comes in contact with more flammable, this is a groundbreaking feature. Unfortunately, with older oxygen delivery systems such as oxygen tanks or liquid oxygen tanks, this is not possible.

Another major safety feature of portable oxygen concentrators is their size and shape. POCs tend to be very small and box-shaped meaning they’re easy to carry under your arm and they’re not likely to hurt anyone if you accidentally bump into them. Since they’re so light, you’ll never have to wheel them around with a carrying cart which can be a huge tripping hazard for you and people around you.

As you can tell, oxygen manufacturers have worked hard to make POCs as safe as possible, but there are still some things you should look out for. Without further ado, let’s take a look at 7 safety tips for using a portable oxygen concentrator.

Avoid Smoking Near Your Concentrator

Despite smoking causing about 80 percent of COPD cases, many people still smoke when they’re diagnosed. Every doctor will recommend that you quit smoking as soon as possible because continuing to inhale smoke and chemicals will lower your immune system and make you more likely to experience symptom flare-ups and life-threatening exacerbations. But these are just a few of the reasons to quit smoking.

Another very important reason to quit smoking is that they are a fire hazard, especially when you’re using supplemental oxygen therapy. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were about 18,000 home fires started by cigarette smoking between 2012 and 2016 which accounted for about 5 percent of the total fires. And smoking near your concentrator will not only increase the chance that you’ll start a fire, but it could make it burn more.

While you should not be smoking at all, regardless of whether you’re using supplemental oxygen or not, it’s especially dangerous to smoke next to your POC. Smoking can leave behind embers and ashes that can easily start a fire in the wrong circumstances. You should also take the time to speak with anyone else who lives in your home to make sure they don’t smoke around your oxygen concentrator. Some people prefer putting up “no smoking” signs throughout their home in order to remind visitors not to light up a cigarette without going outside.

Keep Your Concentrator Dry

Portable oxygen concentrators are electronic devices just like your cell phone, computer, or tablet. What this means is that they are extremely susceptible to water damage. There are many sensitive electronic components inside of the concentrator, so if you submerge it in water or water enters through any of the vents, then it could permanently damage your device. There’s also a chance it could harm you if you’re not careful.

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The best way to keep your unit dry is to use some type of carrying case. Fortunately, if you are using a popular POC like the Inogen One G5, the Caire FreeStyle Comfort, or the Respironics SimplyGo, there are plenty of options available to you. Even older POCs like the Inogen One G3 have new carrying cases that can keep them dry. The GO2 Carryalls, for example, are made of genuine leather and they fully cover the device preventing it from getting wet. However, there are mesh patches on the side that keep the vents clear of obstruction, so it is possible to let water in if you’re not careful.

Unfortunately, we’re unlikely to see waterproof portable oxygen concentrators anytime in the near future. POCs work by drawing in ambient air and filtering out unnecessary gases like argon and nitrogen so all of these devices are vulnerable to water damage.

Store Your Concentrator in a Secure Place

Another safety consideration to make when purchasing a portable oxygen concentrator is the way you store it. Some people like to have a stationary oxygen concentrator to use in their home and a POC to use when they go out so it’s important to have a plan as to how and where you’re going to store it.

First and foremost, you should store your POC in a well-ventilated area. What this means is that you shouldn’t put it in a confined space because it could damage the unit and create an unnecessary fire risk.

Use the Right Oxygen Tubing

Oxygen tubing is very important when it comes to your safety. Oxygen tubing is what connects to your portable oxygen concentrator and delivers oxygen to your nose. The most common problem people have with oxygen tubing is that it’s too long. If this happens it may drag on the ground and cause a tripping hazard for you and the people around you.

One way to solve this is to invest in tidy tubing. This is a type of oxygen tubing that’s coiled so that the tubing is only as long as you need it to be. Whether you carry your portable oxygen concentrator under your shoulder or you wheel it behind yourself using a rolling cart, the tubing won’t be dragging or dangling in a way that could compromise your safety.

Another safety tip related to oxygen tubing is to check it regularly for signs of damage. If your oxygen tubing is kinked or it has a hole in it, you probably won’t be receiving the right amount of oxygen that you need to stay healthy. If you’re using a pulse dose concentrator which relies on breath detection in order to deliver oxygen at the optimal moment, damaged oxygen tubing could negatively impact this. It’s a good idea to have some backup oxygen tubing and nasal cannulas on hand at all times in the event that something goes wrong.

Another thing you should be doing is cleaning your oxygen tubing regularly. Over time, oxygen tubing can gather bacteria which can lead to you becoming sick if you’re not careful. Since infection is the top cause of COPD exacerbations and we’re in the middle of a pandemic, this should be a top priority for you.

Have Back-Up Batteries on Hand

Although portable oxygen concentrator batteries are extremely reliable, you still shouldn’t go out of the house without at least one backup battery. The reason for this is because you may encounter a situation where you need to stay out of the house longer than you thought and you won’t want to stress about running out of oxygen when you’re not near an outlet. Fortunately, most POC batteries are very lightweight so you won’t be adding a lot of extra weight if you need to carry a couple of extra batteries.

If you are planning on taking a flight, be aware that most airlines will require you to have at least 1.5 times the flight duration in battery life. So, for example, if your flight is 4 hours long, you will need to have at least 6 hours of battery life available to you. This rule is in place to make sure you account for any delays that might occur during your flight. Be sure to contact your airline at least 48 hours before a flight to notify them of your oxygen use and ask about any other safety precautions.

Plan for Power Outages

Power outages are a rare occurrence but they’re still a reality. Since portable oxygen concentrators require electricity to run, you need a power source in order to charge your batteries. One thing many oxygen manufacturers advise is that you contact your utility company and ask about priority service. Some companies have safety measures in place to ensure that people who own oxygen concentrators or other medical devices that rely on electricity can always have access to electricity. Electricity generators are the most common way to do this. For more information, check out this site.

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Another thing you should do to plan for power outages is to have an action plan. An action plan, just like the name suggests, will help you be prepared to take action in an urgent moment when you have little time to think about what to do. For example, if your power goes out during a storm, you may need to go without power for several days or upwards of a week. A power generator likely won’t last this long so you’ll need to have an alternative course of action.

Read Your Product’s User Manual

Last but certainly not least, you should have a good grasp on your portable oxygen concentrator’s user manual. The user manual is the paper booklet that is packaged with your device and it describes important information like how to use your device, how to troubleshoot any errors, and most importantly, information about how to use the device safely. Every POC works slightly differently, so even if you have used a POC in the past, it’s a good idea to read through your whole user manual and fully understand it.

Conclusion

All around, portable oxygen concentrators are the safest supplemental oxygen devices on the market. They’re lightweight, have a small form factor, and they’re extremely reliable. But since they deliver medical grade oxygen, there are some inherent precautions you should take before using them.

Above all, your oxygen manufacturer and user manual will be the best resources for you. Every portable oxygen concentrator operates a little differently, so it’s best to fully understand how it works before you begin using it. However, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or reach out to us.

Around 70 million people in the United States suffer from some form of sleep disorder such as narcolepsy, insomnia, or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). These conditions can appear anytime during our lives and they have a significant impact on our general health and well-being.

Unfortunately, there are many obstacles that prevent people from receiving the treatment they need for sleep disorders. Chief among them is the fact that many people don’t even realize they have a problem in the first place. Symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, restlessness, or difficulty concentrating are often shrugged off as an inevitable part of life.

Another obstacle preventing sleep disorder patients from getting the help they need is confusion about their disease and the treatment options that are available to them. People hear terms like CPAP, BiPAP, EPAP, or APAP, but they never actually receive a simple explanation of what these terms mean and how they relate to each other.

In this post, we’re going to clarify any confusion about these terms as well as how they pertain to other types of respiratory therapy like supplemental oxygen. Remember to check in with your doctor if you have any questions or if you are thinking of making any changes to your treatment plan.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

There are several types of sleep apnea, but one of the most common is obstructive sleep apnea. OSA occurs when the muscles in your throat relax intermittently at night causing you to stop breathing and lose sleep. It’s estimated that about 22 million Americans have some form of sleep apnea. 

Obstructive sleep apnea is notoriously difficult to self-diagnose because the patient will likely have no recollection of what caused them to lose sleep or wake up frequently at night. In fact, many undiagnosed OSA patients believe that they get great sleep each night. This is why it’s important to speak with your doctor about having a sleep study done so that a medical specialist can examine your sleep patterns and determine if OSA is present.

A sleep study (polysomnography) is a non-invasive exam where you will stay in a sleep center overnight. During this study, electrodes will be placed on your head that measure brain activity, you will have a pulse oximeter attached to your finger which measures blood oxygen levels, and a belt will be wrapped around your chest to monitor breathing.  

This is one of the most effective ways for a health professional to diagnose OSA because it will show them exactly what’s going on in your body during sleep. For example, if your breathing is interrupted, your blood oxygen levels will likely drop and you’ll wake up. Occasional sleep interruptions are normal, but if it’s happening frequently throughout the night there is a more serious underlying issue at play. According to worldsleepday.org, patients with severe sleep apnea may wake up more than 30 timers each hour.   

Why is it Important to Treat Sleep Disorders?

For many people, the term “sleep disorder” doesn’t bring about a huge amount of urgency. You may be thinking that a sleep disorder can be cured with an extra cup of coffee in the morning or an energy drink for lunch, but the issues extend far beyond a little extra drowsiness in your day-to-day life.

Not only can a sleeping disorder sap your energy, but it’s a risk factor for many different life-threatening illnesses as well. According to the Mayo Clinic, complications of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) include high blood pressure, heart problems, metabolic syndrome, and liver problems.   

Furthermore, a medical report published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine states that sleep apnea increases the risk of heart failure by 140 percent and the risk of stroke by 60 percent. What’s more, it states that obesity is by far the most significant risk factor with about 60 to 90 percent of sleep apnea patients being obese. Other risk factors include cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and diabetes mellitus.

Knowing this information, it’s not hard to see how sleep disorders are a much more serious condition than most people realize. While it may only manifest itself with minor symptoms in your daily life, its impact on your long-term health is far worse. It can also contribute to other unhealthy lifestyle choices such as a poor diet or exercise routine, so it’s important to seek out appropriate treatment options.

What is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)? 

Continuous positive airway pressure is a therapy that is used to treat obstructive sleep apnea. It’s considered the first non-invasive treatment because, prior to the 1980s, the only effective treatment for OSA was tracheostomy, a surgical procedure that involves making an incision into the trachea in order to bypass an obstructed airway.

The first CPAP machine was invented by Dr. Colin Sullivan in 1981. It works by administering a gentle stream of pressurized air through oxygen tubing that’s connected to the patient’s nose. At night, the patient can breathe freely while the pressurized air prevents the throat from closing up during sleep. Although modern CPAP machines use the same principles as the one created in 1981, they are much quieter and more comfortable, allowing the patient to get a better night’s sleep.  

One important thing to note is that CPAP is not the same thing as oxygen therapy. While CPAP does blow air into the nose, it uses ambient air including oxygen, nitrogen, and all the other gases that we normally breathe rather than medical grade oxygen. The sole purpose of CPAP therapy is to keep the airways open while you sleep. 

While CPAP machines deliver constant pressure, this pressure can be changed when you aren’t using the device. All CPAP devices use the measurement centimeters of water (cmH20) which is the same unit that lung pressure is measured in. Most patients require between 6 and 14 cmH20 and the average setting is 10 cmH20, however, the setting you use will depend entirely on your condition and the setting that your doctor prescribes. It’s also important to note that every CPAP machine has different capabilities, so you’ll want to make sure it meets your needs before purchasing it.

What is Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP)?

Although CPAP is still the most widely used PAP therapy device to this day, one of the major complaints about it is that it’s difficult to exhale against the air put out by the device. This typically isn’t a problem for someone with healthy lungs, but if you suffer from a low FEV1/FVC ratio, this could be a different story. In simple terms, FEV1/FVC ratio measures your lungs’ ability to exhale effectively. Low FEV1/FVC is often a sign of obstructive lung diseases like chronic bronchitis or emphysema.

BiPAP or Bilevel positive airways pressure is an alternative to CPAP which has two different pressure settings: one for inhalation (inspiratory positive airways pressure) and one for exhalation (expiratory positive airway pressure). The BiPAP machine will automatically detect whether you’re inhaling or exhaling and administer the pressure accordingly. Typically, a higher pressure will be applied when you’re inhaling.

CPAP With C-Flex versus BiPAP

Many people get confused when they hear about C-Flex which is a special feature that comes with some newer CPAP machines. This setting will help decrease the expiratory pressure by up to 3 cmH20. So, in other words, it’s more of a comfort feature that doesn’t completely eliminate the expiratory pressure. On some devices, this feature is called “expiratory pressure relief” or “EPR” for short.

What is Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP)?

APAP is the third and final category of positive airway pressure device. Unlike CPAP and BiPAP, APAP machines automatically adjust airway pressure depending on what is needed at any given time. For example, if the APAP machine detects that your airways have closed, it will increase the pressure to open them up. Similarly, it can detect other episodes like hypopnea (slow and shallow breathing), flow limitation (when an increase in esophageal pressure is not accompanied by a flow increase), or snoring which can also disrupt sleep.

One of the obvious benefits of APAP is that it’s significantly more adaptable than CPAP or BiPAP. It contains a lot more technology and as a result, it’s often better for treating complex sleep apnea conditions. One complex form of apnea, REM-related obstructive sleep apnea occurs specifically during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep. 

Another type of apnea that can be remedied with APAP is positional apnea. This is when your apneic episodes can be attributed to one or more specific sleeping positions. If you tend to move around a lot at night, the APAP machine will recognize this and adjust accordingly.

What is Supplemental Oxygen Therapy?

While supplemental oxygen therapy is often confused with CPAP, BiPAP, and APAP, it is an entirely different therapy that is used to treat respiratory conditions rather than sleep disorders. Oxygen therapy is the administration of medical grade (high purity) oxygen via a nasal cannula. Oxygen therapy ensures the lungs are fully saturated so that a patient can maintain oxygen levels in their blood.

Most commonly, oxygen therapy is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is an umbrella term used to describe two different chronic diseases: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is characterized by swollen and damaged alveoli. These are the small air sacs in the lungs that are responsible for the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the blood. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by inflamed and swollen bronchial tubes, the small airways in the lungs.  

COPD is one of the most common progressive lung diseases in the world, affecting an estimated 328 million people. Although it’s primarily caused by cigarette smoking, some people contract COPD due to a rare condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. COPD is characterized by a chronic cough, chest pain, increased phlegm and sputum production, and exercise intolerance.

Depending on the severity of COPD that a patient has, they will need different flow rates of oxygen. Supplemental oxygen is measured in either liters per minute (LPM) or milliliters per minute (ml/min) depending on the oxygen device that is being used.

What Kind of Oxygen Devices Are There?

There are several different types of oxygen device: oxygen tanks, liquid oxygen tanks, stationary oxygen concentrators, and portable oxygen concentrators. Oxygen tanks are the oldest type of oxygen therapy and they work by storing oxygen at high pressures inside of an aluminum tank. Liquid oxygen tanks are similar to regular oxygen tanks but they’re stored in liquid form meaning they need to be kept at very low temperatures.

Oxygen concentrators are electronic oxygen therapy devices that take in ambient air and remove unnecessary gases like nitrogen and argon, then it puts out medical grade oxygen through a nasal cannula. Stationary oxygen concentrators need to be plugged into a wall outlet at all times but portable oxygen concentrators run off lightweight batteries that can be taken anywhere.

Pulse Dose versus Continuous Flow

There are two different delivery methods for oxygen: continuous flow and pulse flow. The best way to think of these is like the difference between a drinking fountain and a water bottle. Drinking fountains are like continuous flow oxygen concentrators because they put out a constant stream of water irrespective of how much you drink. On the other hand, pulse flow concentrators are like water bottles because you’re drinking all of the water that comes out of the bottle.

Pulse dose oxygen concentrators are more advanced than their continuous flow counterparts because they are able to detect your breathing rate and deliver oxygen at the right moment similar to how an APAP machine changes the pressure in your airways based on your breathing and sleep patterns. However, in certain situations, your doctor may advise you to only use continuous flow oxygen machines. One of the best pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators currently available is the Caire FreeStyle Comfort and one of the best continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators is the Respironics SimplyGo.

How are PAP Therapy and Supplemental Oxygen Therapy Related?

Although PAP therapy and oxygen therapy are used to treat entirely different diseases, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t related. Both therapies are used to improve breathing and to promote lung health as well as general well-being. And in certain situations, you may need to use both CPAP and oxygen therapy at the same time.

What is COPD-OSA Overlap Syndrome?

Just like the name suggests, COPD-OSA overlap syndrome is when symptoms of both COPD and OSA are present. In other words, a patient can have both damaged lungs and airways that collapse during sleep. As you can imagine, this is a pretty bad combination and it can lead to a lot of complications when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep.

There is no evidence to suggest that OSA causes COPD or vice versa, but a COPD patient who is obese or smokes will be at a higher risk of also contracting OSA. It’s important to remember that COPD is an “obstructive” lung disease, not a “restrictive” lung disease. What this means is that it affects the lung’s ability to expel air rather than inspire air. This is why COPD patients with OSA will likely be prescribed an APAP machine rather than a CPAP machine because it doesn’t add any unnecessary strain on their lungs when they expel air.

They Both Require a Prescription

Another similarity between oxygen therapy and PAP therapy is that they both require a prescription. Under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CPAP, BiPAP, and APAP machines are considered “Class II Medical Devices.” This means that these devices have potential risks and you’ll need a prescription to purchase one.

Similarly, oxygen is considered a controlled substance by the FDA, and as such, any device that puts out high purity or medical grade oxygen is regulated. If you decide to purchase an oxygen tank, liquid oxygen tank, stationary or portable oxygen concentrator, you will need to provide a prescription from your doctor. 

How to Connect an Oxygen Machine to CPAP

If you have COPD-OSA overlap syndrome, you may need to use both oxygen therapy and PAP therapy at the same time. If this is the case, you’ll need to make sure that your PAP device and oxygen device are compatible. Most CPAP machines are compatible with oxygen machines, but you’ll need to make sure you have a continuous flow oxygen concentrator. Pulse dose concentrators like the Inogen One G5 rely on your breathing to deliver oxygen correctly and CPAP will mess with this.

Your oxygen tubing will connect to the CPAP between the mask and the input valve, but if there is no place to connect them, then you will need to purchase an oxygen bleed adapter. Once the devices are connected you should make sure both devices are on before you go to sleep at night. If your nasal passages get dry while using both the CPAP machine and oxygen machine, you can typically purchase a humidifier for either unit that will allow you to sleep more comfortably.

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Conclusion

Although CPAP therapy and oxygen therapy are commonly confused, they are not the same thing. CPAP, BiPAP, and APAP are used to treat obstructive sleep apnea, one of the leading sleep disorders in the country. Oxygen therapy, on the other hand, is used to treat COPD and other chronic respiratory diseases.

However, under certain conditions such as COPD-OSA overlap syndrome, your doctor may advise you to use both of these therapies. It can be confusing trying to pick out the right CPAP machine or oxygen concentrator, especially if you want to ensure that they’re compatible with each other. To make this process as easy as possible, reach out to our respiratory specialists here at LPT Medical and we’ll walk you through it and get you the exact device you’re looking for.

Life is full of obstacles that we need to overcome. Whether it be an obstacle in our career or personal life, success always comes from our ability to adapt to these circumstances and find a way past them. Thankfully, you never have to feel “alone” when it comes to facing these challenges. There’s no shame in relying on friends and family when times get tough, especially if it’s your health that’s at stake.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one life-changing obstacle that millions of Americans are faced with each year. If you’re diagnosed with this common lung disease, you will need to plan your life around your treatment plan which could involve drastic changes to your diet or exercise routine, as well as kicking bad habits like cigarette smoking, a poor sleep schedule, or overeating.

While this may sound like an immense barrier to overcome in your life, by breaking it down and focusing on one thing at a time, you’ll find that it’s much easier than you thought. Aside from relying on friends, family, and healthcare professionals, you should also make it a priority to rely on modern technology. At first, it may seem easier to stick with technology that you know how to use and that you’re comfortable with, however, over time you’ll find that modern technology is not as scary as it seems. 

In this post, we’ll take a look at 7 different barriers you’ll be able to overcome with the help of a portable oxygen concentrator. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our respiratory specialists.

How Portable Oxygen Concentrators are “More Advanced”

If you think about the phone that’s in your pocket or the computer that’s sitting on your desk at home, you might be amazed at how far these devices have progressed in the past decade. These devices have all progressed in a way that allows us to accomplish more with less effort. And in some cases, they can even automate processes that were once tedious chores.

Oxygen delivery devices have progressed in much the same way. Unlike old bulky oxygen tanks, modern portable oxygen concentrators afford COPD patients the opportunity to accomplish more in their day-to-day lives with less hassle. But in order to accomplish that, oxygen manufacturers how to pursue a new type of oxygen delivery that didn’t involve storing oxygen inside a tank.

Oxygen concentrators work by generating oxygen from ambient air. They use intake vents to draw in surrounding air, then remove impurities like nitrogen and argon. It then puts out medical-grade oxygen that the user inhales through the nasal cannula. While this may sound complicated, the whole process is automated for you and all you need to worry about is learning how to turn the device on or off and adjust the flow setting which determines how much oxygen you receive. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the obstacles you’ll overcome with a portable oxygen unit.

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Staying Active

Exercise plays a crucial role in weight management, improving mood, boosting energy, promoting better sleep, and reducing your risk of developing diseases like diabetes and arthritis. Unfortunately, many people are under the impression that the need to exercise dissipates as we age or if we develop a chronic condition like COPD. This could not be farther from the truth!

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular physical activity in seniors reduces your risk for common conditions like coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and colon cancer. It’s also one of the best ways to combat feelings of loneliness or helplessness which are common in old age.

The good news is that you don’t need to commit to a rigorous exercise routine in order to benefit. Studies have shown that even a small amount of moderate exercise each day will have immense benefits for our health. What’s more important than the intensity of the exercise is how frequently you do it. Maintaining a sedentary lifestyle for more than a couple of days or weeks on end will inevitably cause your health to decline.

If you have COPD, you know that exercise can be a huge barrier in the way of staying healthy. Even patients with moderate (stage 2) COPD have around 50% to 79% lung function (FEV1), so it’s no surprise that many people with COPD become breathless after a small amount of exercise. This is why it’s absolutely vital that you keep up with your supplemental oxygen needs because it will ensure that your blood oxygen levels remain stable. 

According to Healthline.com, a normal blood oxygen level is between 80 and 100 millimeters of mercury (mm HG), but it’s important to first check in with your doctor to make sure this is best for you. Either way, if you want to maintain your oxygen levels, you’re going to need a reliable portable oxygen device that you can take with you whenever you exercise. Since portable oxygen concentrators are much lighter and smaller than their alternatives, most people prefer them if they’re looking to stay active. 

Doing Chores Around the House

Doing chores isn’t something that most people look forward to. They can be quite tedious and take time away from things that are much more entertaining. But COPD patients often have a unique perspective when it comes to chores because they can help them feel more in control and independent in their daily lives.

Simple tasks like taking out the trash, washing the dishes, or folding clothes can be very important for COPD patients who may feel anxiety or loneliness. These seemingly menial tasks can help keep your mind occupied in your downtime, keeping your mind off your disease and any other negative thoughts that you might come across. They can also help you keep your living space clean by reducing clutter.

Modern portable oxygen concentrators make it much easier for COPD patients to get around their own homes than old outdated oxygen tanks do. In the past, oxygen patients would need to purchase an extra long nasal cannula that they could drag around from room to room. This can be a pain, not to mention it’s also very dangerous because it can be a tripping hazard.

Traveling Long Distance

Long-distance travel is a huge barrier for many people with COPD. Since oxygen tanks are illegal on commercial flights for safety reasons, those with a respiratory impairment are required to take slower forms of transportation such as driving or riding a train or bus. If your goal is to visit your friends or loved ones across the country, you may be better off letting them come to you.

On the other hand, if you use a portable oxygen concentrator, you’ll be happy to find that no form of transportation is off-limits. Portable oxygen concentrators are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for in-flight use. All that is required is that you bring enough batteries to last you 1.5 times the length of the flight in duration. So, for example, if your flight was two hours long, you need three hours’ worth of battery. This is not a problem, however, considering concentrators like the Caire FreeStyle Comfort and Inogen One G5 can provide you with well over 10 hours of battery life on one charge. 

Keeping up With Your Friends

A couple of months ago, we wrote an article titled, “7 Social Benefits of Owning a Portable Oxygen Concentrator.” In this post, we discussed the social stigma that’s often associated with supplemental oxygen therapy. From an outside perspective, oxygen users are often seen as less capable than their counterparts due to the fact that they have to lug around a bulky oxygen tank. But when they switch over to a portable oxygen concentrator, this stigma often goes away.

Not only are oxygen concentrator owners perceived as “more capable,” but they actually are more capable. Portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G3 can easily be slung over your shoulder and carried around all day without you experiencing shoulder or back pain or shortness of breath. What’s more, it offers a variety of carrying options that can help you conceal your device and make it more inconspicuous.

The GO2 Carryall is one such carrying option that any G3 owner can enjoy. This is a leather bag specially designed to fit the Inogen One G3. Instead of simply protecting the G3, however, they also look very stylish and match many different wardrobes. It’s also very easy to access the G3 control panel if you need to adjust your flow setting, check your battery life, or turn the device on or off.

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Avoiding Hospital Visits

There’s no doubt about it, being admitted to the hospital constantly due to flare-ups or exacerbations is exhausting, time-consuming, and it can put a huge strain on your financial well-being. According to businessinsider.com, the average stay at a hospital is around $10,700. In other words, you can eat through your savings real fast if you don’t come up with some plan to reduce medical emergencies due to COPD.

Simply put, POCs help you prevent exacerbations and flare-ups because they offer a reliable source of oxygen no matter where you are in the world. Whether you’re sitting at home or you’re exercising at your favorite park, these oxygen machines will keep your lungs fully saturated, which in turn will ensure that every tissue and organ in your body has the oxygen it needs to function properly. This will put you in the best position possible to avoid medical emergencies like a heart attack, stroke, or high blood pressure.  

Another way that portable oxygen concentrators prevent exacerbations and flare-ups is because they come equipped with particle filters. These filters remove small particles from the air that you would normally be inhaling before it enters the device. This is mainly done to prevent damage to the POC itself, but it has the added benefit of purifying the air that you inhale through the nasal cannula. However, if you want to breathe the cleanest air possible, you should be sure to remove and clean the particle filter regularly. If you don’t know how to do this, consult your product’s user manual or speak with a respiratory specialist.

Following Your COPD Treatment Plan

A COPD treatment plan is an all-encompassing set of guidelines that your doctor will create for you to help you slow the progression of your disease and reduce symptoms. It usually involves some type of exercise routine like pulmonary rehabilitation, an improved diet, medication, and supplemental oxygen therapy. Like anything in life, the more you work at your treatment plan, the easier it will be to follow.

If you’re struggling to manage all these different things, however, you may benefit from a portable oxygen concentrator. Unlike oxygen tanks, you’ll never have to “refill” your concentrator. Simply plug it into a wall outlet until it’s fully charged or you can keep an extra battery charged so that you have no downtime. This will free up some time for you to work on other areas of your treatment plan such as your diet or exercise routine.

Staying Self-Sufficient

Self-sufficiency is something that can easily be taken for granted if you’re not careful. Chances are, you’ve spent your whole life working and taking care of yourself, but if you’re diagnosed with COPD, you might see this freedom slowly start to disappear. You may find yourself becoming increasingly reliant on friends or loved ones for support.

One of the reasons COPD patients may find themselves becoming less self-sufficient is because of their oxygen device. Oxygen tanks need to be refilled regularly meaning you’ll either have to go to an oxygen company yourself or have them deliver full oxygen tanks to your home on a regular basis. But if you switch over to a portable oxygen concentrator you’ll find that you never need to rely on others. Simply charge up your batteries and you’ll be able to go wherever you want, whenever you want.

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Conclusion

Everyone faces roadblocks in their life that make it more difficult to accomplish everything we’ve set out to do. But being diagnosed with COPD can feel like facing an obstacle that can’t be overcome. Fortunately, by taking things one step at a time and relying on friends, family members, and modern technology, it is possible to make progress and live a happy life.

Most COPD patients prefer using portable oxygen concentrators over other oxygen devices like compressed oxygen, liquid oxygen, or stationary oxygen concentrators because they help them to overcome some of their greatest challenges with less stress and anxiety. They’re also far more reliable and less dangerous to use. 

Creating an effective financial plan is essential no matter who you are or what stage of life you’re in. According to brightplan.com, having organized financials can help you improve your confidence, peace of mind, and reach both long-term and short-term goals. However, if your life becomes complicated by a chronic condition like COPD, you might find that financial planning is a lot more time-consuming and less straightforward.

Not only does COPD come with a lot of added costs like doctor’s visits, medications, and oxygen devices, but it also leads to added stress, anxiety, and worry; all of which can make it feel overwhelming to create a financial plan. Luckily, the more you educate yourself about your disease and the common financial mistakes that COPD patients make, you’ll be well on your way towards creating a more secure long-term plan.

Here at LPT Medical, we take pride in offering cost-effective long-term solutions for your supplemental oxygen needs. We offer a wide selection of portable pulse dose and continuous flow oxygen concentrators, stationary oxygen concentrators, as well as oxygen accessories that help you get the most out of your purchase. Read on to learn about some actionable tips for saving money as a COPD patient and be sure to reach out to us if you’re interested in an oxygen machine.

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Reduce Living Expenses

If you think about it, a lot of your money goes into essential things like your monthly rent, food, gas money, car repairs, and insurance. But just because these things are necessary does not mean that you can’t save money on them. In fact, according to a CNBC article from last year, on average, people spend $143 more than their budgeted weekly allowance. And while this may not sound like a whole lot, that adds up very quickly accounting for over $7,000 each year.

Another thing associated with living expenses is that many people assume they only affect younger people. People that are just out of high school or college are oftentimes more aware of their monthly living expenses because they don’t have that much money saved up. As a result, they need to be more frugal in the way that they use things such as utilities or how much they use their car. As we age, however, it’s easier to overspend on living expenses because we have more of a financial safety net.

One popular trend that’s being embraced by many seniors is something called “downsizing.” Simply put, this is the process of significantly reducing your expenses by getting rid of things that you don’t need. In some cases, downsizing could even mean moving from your current home into one that is physically smaller and less costly. By doing so, you’ll be able to save up more money each month for things like doctor’s visits and COPD medication.

Another living expense that COPD patients may struggle with is the prospect of applying to a nursing home. According to AARP, a nonprofit organization designed to support people over the age of 50, the cost of long-term care options like nursing homes is skyrocketing. Because of this, many people with disabilities are opting for cheaper options that don’t break the bank.

Reduce Unnecessary Spending

Unnecessary spending differs from living expenses in the fact that they are not essential. This includes things like subscription services, gym memberships, cigarettes, or any other type of “luxury” product or service. The problem is that nowadays it’s so easy to spend money. Online shopping has become such a common way for people of all ages to pass their time but it’s also very easy to lose track of how much you’re actually spending.

Cigarette smoking is another expense that can really add up over time. Believe it or not, around 38 percent of people with COPD still smoke despite the fact that 85 to 90 percent of COPD cases are the result of smoking. What’s more, smoking a pack a day can run you around $2,292 each year. Not to mention the fact that continuing to smoke while you have COPD will increase your risk of experiencing an exacerbation and cause your diseases to progress more quickly. Inevitably, this will lead to more medical expenses.

Another unnecessary expense that many people fall victim to is subscription services. It seems like just about every product or service nowadays is bound to a subscription payment in hopes that consumers will start one and forget they have it. Unfortunately, this is usually what happens. Take some time to go through your bank statements and identify any recurring costs, and if they aren’t absolutely necessary then you should eliminate them. 

Limit Hospital Visits

By far the biggest expense for anyone with a disability like COPD is a hospital visit. You may be surprised to find that the average hospital visit costs the patient $10,000 and hospital stays are responsible for 60% of all bankruptcies. With this information in mind, it should be your number one priority to prevent medical emergencies that facilitate a need to visit the emergency room.

The best way to prevent medical emergencies related to COPD is to follow your COPD treatment plan and avoid exacerbation triggers such as smoke, pollution, and other airborne particles. And due to the fact that infections are the most significant cause of exacerbation, you should also take safety precautions like getting your annual flu shot and staying up-to-date about COVID-19.

The most essential components of your COPD treatment plan include supplemental oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation. Oxygen therapy will help you keep your blood oxygen levels stable wherever you go which can prevent respiratory failure and pulmonary rehabilitation will keep your lungs and muscles working efficiently making it easier to breathe. 

Learn About Social Security Disability Benefits

Old-age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) is the official name for “social security benefits” in the US. This program is funded by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes made by employees and matched by employers. According to the official Social Security website, Social Security benefits play a crucial role in the economic well-being of millions of Americans. So, when it comes to managing your finances with COPD, it’s important to know what your social security benefits allowance is.

The social security administration defines a disability as any condition that prevents you from participating in “substantial gainful activity” for 12 months or more. In other words, if you are unable to work due to severe respiratory symptoms you should start collecting social security in order to help you pay for medical expenses. However, in order to determine whether COPD is severe enough to warrant SS benefits, they use something called the “Blue Book.” COPD is listed under section 3.02. 

In order to qualify for social security benefits, you also need evidence of your COPD diagnosis. First and foremost, you’ll have to provide a full history of your COPD including symptoms, prognosis, and physical examination results. Below are some of the test results that you should provide:

• Pulse oximetry
• Hospital records
• Spirometry results
• Lung function tests
• Supplemental oxygen prescriptions
• Imaging tests such as CT scans
• Arterial blood gas tests

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Remember that it is possible for them to deny your social security benefits claim for COPD. Because of this, it’s important to gather all the medical information you can before filling out the claim. It takes around 3 to 5 months to process your documents and let you know the results, so if you are careless in how you go about the process, you may be waiting a lot longer than expected to start receiving your benefits. Here are some tips to ensure that you’re doing the process correctly:

Fully Understand the Blue Book

The Blue Book also called the “Disability Evaluation Under Social Security” highlights medical conditions and the symptoms that need to be specified in order to receive benefits. You can either view an updated version of this book online or you can receive one in the mail which may take several weeks. This document is used as a guide book for agency officials when determining the validity of your application, so it’s important to read and understand it, especially the section that pertains to your condition.

Receive Up-to-Date Lung Function Tests

One good way to ensure that you’re receiving your full allowance is to get up-to-date tests. For example, if you received a spirometry test several years ago, you may want to consider having another test done. COPD is a progressive disease meaning it tends to get worse over time, so you want the documents you send to the SSA to reflect that.

Learn About Medical Vocational Allowance

In certain situations, it is possible for someone with severe disability to not qualify for social security benefits. However, there is something called a medical vocational allowance which can make this possible. What you’ll need to do to qualify for this is to prove that your disability has prevented you from working a job that you’ve been trained to do. Since COPD significantly impairs lung function, you should have no problem proving this if you are involved in manual labor work. 

Contact a Social Security Attorney or Advocate

If you’re worried about qualifying for social security benefits or you believe you have been wrongly denied for benefits, you may consider working with a social security attorney or advocate. One of the greatest benefits of contacting an SSDI attorney is that you’re protected by something called a contingency fee arrangement. What this means is that your attorney is only allowed to charge you a fee if you win the case. What’s more, the fee is capped at 25 percent of the past-due benefits awarded to you, up to a maximum of $6,000.

Cut Costs on Medication

Medication is another area that COPD patients tend to overspend in. There are a large variety of medications that you may be required to take for COPD including bronchodilators to prevent shortness of breath, antibiotics that prevent infection and exacerbations, and anti-inflammatories which reduce flare-ups. Unfortunately, many COPD patients purchase these expensive medications without taking the time to consider how they can save money. We discussed this topic in detail in a previous post, but we’ll go over it again for your convenience.

Order Prescriptions Online

Most peoples’ gut reaction after being given a prescription is to go to their local pharmacy. While there’s nothing wrong with this approach, it will likely mean spending significantly more money on your medications. Rather, it’s often a better option to research online pharmacies because there is more competition meaning they will offer lower prices. Many online pharmacies also offer free shipping and quick turnaround times, so you shouldn’t have to wait too long to receive your medication.

Purchase Generic Brands

While you’re probably constantly bombarded with advertisements of name-brand medications, these are not the only options out there. In fact, many generic brands offer the same exact product for a much lower price. If you want to save some money, ask your doctor about generic brand medications to see if they will work for you.

Use a Patient Assistance Program (PAP)

Believe it or not, many pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs designed to help low-income people pay for their medication. Oftentimes, these programs require you to make below a certain income, you must be a US citizen, and you can’t be a part of any other patient assistance program with a different pharmacy.

Ask Your Doctor for Advice

Last but certainly not least, you should always consult your doctor before making decisions about your medication. Not only will he/she have advice for you to save money on your medications, but he/she may also warn you of common pitfalls of the pharmaceutical industry. Medication is expensive these days so it’s important to take the time to understand your options.

Participate in a Clinical Trial

A clinical trial is a program designed to test the safety and efficacy of new medications and treatments before they hit the market. Clinical trials are carefully designed by medical professionals and they must be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These research programs depend on volunteers, so it’s very easy for anyone to sign up for one and get involved. 

The benefit of participating in clinical trials for COPD is that you may be able to test new medications for free and in some cases, researchers will even pay you to participate. What’s more, the researchers will thoroughly examine your medical history to ensure the new medication doesn’t negatively interfere with your condition. Generally speaking, clinical trials are safe and they can save you hundreds or thousands on your medical expenses. It’s also nice knowing that you have the power to help researchers test new drugs and treatment procedures. If you’re interested in researching COPD clinical trials, visit clinicaltrials.gov. 

Invest in a Long-Term Oxygen Therapy Solution

Supplemental oxygen therapy is a reality for most COPD patients. Whether you have stage one COPD or stage four COPD, medical oxygen helps to ensure that your blood oxygen levels remain stable and that you can breathe easily. Unfortunately, many COPD patients take the wrong approach when it comes to purchasing a medical oxygen device and it often costs them more in the long run.

Oxygen tanks are a very popular oxygen for oxygen therapy because they are accessible and have low upfront costs. The problem, however, is that the costs add up very quickly because you have to keep refilling them. Since they run out of oxygen so quickly most people keep two or more on hand at any given time. They’re also really heavy, bulky, and dangerous to use. 

Alternatively, you could invest in a long-term oxygen therapy solution like a portable oxygen concentrator. Rather than refilling oxygen concentrators as you would with an oxygen tank, these devices draw in ambient air and output medical-grade oxygen. Since these are electronic devices, all you need to do is have access to a power outlet in order to charge the batteries. Additionally, portable oxygen concentrators are extremely lightweight and easy to carry making them perfect for traveling and getting out of the house.

If you’re looking to save money in the long term and you want a powerful, reliable oxygen device, we recommend either the Caire FreeStyle Comfort or the Inogen One G5. Each of these units is 5 pounds or under, they offer over 10 hours of battery life, and they can last you between 5 and 7 years with minimal maintenance. They also have 3-year warranties which will protect you from rare occurrences like manufacturing defects.

The above portable oxygen concentrators are pulse dose delivery, meaning they deliver oxygen whenever the user inhales. In certain situations, your doctor may require you to use continuous flow instead. In this case, we recommend using the Respironics SimplyGo. This oxygen machine is not quite as light as the other two but it is the most reliable and trusted continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator on the market.

While portable oxygen concentrators have a larger upfront cost, they are always the best long-term solution. Another benefit of owning one is that if you ever decide you want to upgrade to a newer model or your doctor tells you that you no longer need oxygen, many oxygen retailers will buy back your oxygen concentrator. This is usually not possible with oxygen tanks because most oxygen companies just rent them out rather than selling them. 

Speak With a Financial Advisor

Seeking out the help of a financial advisor is usually a last resort for the average person. Some financial advisors charge a pretty penny for their work and some people simply have nothing to gain from it. However, if you’re overwhelmed with financial decisions after being diagnosed with COPD and you can find the right financial expert to go to, it’s always something to consider.

A financial advisor will walk you through all of your financials and put together a long-term plan that will help you meet your goals. Oftentimes, they will tell you where to invest your money and give you a monthly allowance for what you’re allowed to spend. They’ll also help you better understand how to deal with the increasing number of medical expenses that you’re having to deal with.  

Conclusion

Financial planning is something that we all have to deal with throughout our life. Taking the time to understand how much money you have and understanding where you should invest that money is crucial to living comfortably. Unfortunately, if you’re coping with a chronic lung disease like COPD, asthma, or pulmonary fibrosis, the process of planning your finances may be difficult and time-consuming.

On a positive note, if you take the time to understand your condition and some common mistakes that COPD patients make, you can avoid some major financial pitfalls. Hopefully, some of the tips listed in this article got you started on the right foot, and if they did, be sure to share it with a friend or loved one who may be struggling with the same issue.