Continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators offer the oxygen patient a constant flow of oxygen. Many oxygen patients require continuous flow only during certain activities like while they exercise or when they sleep, while others need their oxygen continuously flowing at all times of the day and night.
Your oxygen prescription will be unique to you and you should do your best to adhere to the recommendation set up by your healthcare team. We also recommend working with an oxygen equipment company that is a licensed distributor of name brand products.
Oxygen patients should also be wary of the medical supply company your doctor office refers you to, because this is not always the company that wants to work with you to find the right device for you. Some people will order their oxygen device from sites like Amazon because they are cheaper, but what they do not realize is these machines are faulty and not only do they break easily, you will not get the medical grade oxygen you body needs.
When you work with an experienced respiratory specialist, they will ask you a series of questions, these questions will help them determine whether or not a portable oxygen concentrator will cover all of your oxygen requirements within your supplemental oxygen prescription. Your specialist should also be curious about your lifestyle and your wants and concerns as an oxygen patient, in order to best match you with the oxygen device that is going to be suited to your lifestyle.
When you work with LPT Medical, we require a doctor's prescription before anything else. This way we can be sure that your device will be compatible with your oxygen requirements.
This protocol also ethically binds us to the agreement that we will not sell medical grade oxygen to respiratory patients who do not qualify for it. Secondly, we want to know about you, what are your hobbies, do you like to travel, what are your respiratory goals? This way we can match you with a device that will help you reach your goals rather than hold you back.
Once we have established your oxygen requirements, we will take you through the different specifications of our devices and the pros and cons of each portable oxygen concentrator, and from there, you will feel confident choosing a device.
In this blog, we will discuss your options as a continuous flow oxygen patient. If you gave LPT Medical a call today at 1(800) 946-1201, and you were a continuous flow oxygen patient we would go through these options for you:
- Respironics SimplyGo
- Oxlife Independence Portable Oxygen Concentrator
- SeQual Eclipse 5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
In this article we do not discuss any of our portable oxygen concentrators costs because our prices are lower than the manufacturer's prices, therefore we are obligated not to advertise our low prices online. To learn about how we can help make your oxygen equipment more affordable, please call us today at 1(800)-946-1201 to learn about your options.
Respironics SimplyGo
Let us start with the smallest and lightest weight continuous and pulse flow oxygen device on the market!
The Respironics SimplyGo is a pulse flow and continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator that only weighs 10 pounds. 10 pounds is about as heavy as a gallon of milk, and this is still considered heavy for many oxygen patients. That is why the Respironics Simply Go comes with a wheeled cart and an over the shoulder carrying case, so you have multiple options to carry the device depending on what you are doing.
Activities you can Accomplish with the Respironics SimplyGo
If you are an active person, you can get a lot more done with the SimplyGo than you would lugging around a bulky liquid or gas oxygen tank. This is because the SimplyGo was designed to be portable, so it has a compact and simple design that makes wheeling it behind you a breeze.
You can go for long walks because the battery life of the Respironics SimplyGo can last for up to up to 2.9 hours with a single battery. With the SimplyGo you have the option to use the external battery module, allowing your device to operate while using two batteries, this gives you even longer to be out and about with your oxygen device while traveling, during road trips, and extended trips away from your home!
The wide range of flow settings on the SimplyGo gives you the freedom and independence to manage your condition confidently on your own. You will never have to wait around for an oxygen delivery service to bring you new oxygen tanks, instead you can dial in your pulse flow settings of 1-6 and your continuous flow settings 0.5-2.0 LPM to match your oxygen prescription.
Exercise
With these strong pulse flow settings and the ability to reach 2.0 LPM on continuous oxygen flow, you will be able to start exercising or continuing to exercise daily. Exercise for respiratory patients is crucial. Exercise helps to slow down the deterioration in your lungs if you have a chronic respiratory disease, and daily exercise can help to strengthen your muscles and your lungs thereby improving your overall quality of life.
Travel
If you enjoy traveling, whether it is by air plane, car, RV, or even boat, your Respironics SimplyGo will help you get to your destination worry free. All of our portable oxygen concentrators are FAA approved, and taking them with you on a plane is simple and manageable.
The Respironics SimplyGo is a compact device, its’ dimensions are 10” H x 6” D x 11.5” W, so it can easily fit under the seat space in front of you during your flight in the car during a road trip.
If you travel long distances, you might be worried about the battery life of your device.
If this is the case for you, you can always purchase the Respironics External Battery Charger which gives you the ability to recharge your batteries without plugging your concentrator into the AC or DC power cables the device comes with. It’s a single-bay charger and recharges one battery at a time. It’s equipped with a 110v power cord allowing you to plug it into any 110v wall outlet.
The external battery charger also has the ability to recalibrate your batteries! If you ever feel like your batteries aren’t holding a charge like they used to, simply recalibrate them on your charger.
You can also get the external battery module, this is a device that connects to your Respironics SimplyGo allowing you to attach a second battery. Essentially, you are able to double the battery life of your Respironics SimplyGo, affording you more time with oxygen before you have to charge the device again.
If you are traveling by plane a lot, it would be wise to look into the airline’s plug in capabilities, because there are a lot of planes that offer AC charging docks, in which case you could charge the batteries, use your oxygen device, and flight across the country at the same time.
Oxlife Independence Portable Oxygen Concentrator
O2-Concepts is probably a name you haven’t heard much about in the oxygen industry, but the Oxlife Independence portable oxygen concentrator by O2-Concepts is right up there on the list of the best continuous portable oxygen concentrators. It’s a sleek looking unit that is extremely durable and offers a number of different features that work to make your life easier!
Whether you’re looking for a concentrator to travel with or you want something for everyday use, the Oxlife Independence is capable of supplying you with oxygen 24/7.
Cutting-Edge Technology
The Oxlife Independence is the world’s first “smart” portable oxygen concentrator. It is equipped with DNA technology which is powered by the Verizon network. DNA technology takes the Oxlife and puts it in its own class of concentrators.
With DNA technology, your Oxlife Independence will monitor your usage and corresponding environmental conditions to adapt and proactively support your needs. It tracks vital data like hours used, breathing rate, ambulation, and more!
Life PT Medical and O2-Concepts will be able to remotely monitor your concentrator and your machine will notify us if there is anything wrong with the unit. And should the unfortunate event happen where someone steals your concentrator or it somehow gets lost, DNA technology lets us find it’s most recent location!
Reliable and Durable to Withstand the Trials and Tribulations of Time
The Oxlife Independence is durable, but it is also user friendly. The hard-bodied shell protects your Oxlife from everyday wear and tear and accidental bumps,
The most unique feature on the Oxlife Independence is the integrated travel cart. Most continuous flow portables have to be secured to a cart before use. The Oxlife’s integrated cart provides you with seamless transitions from storing to using your concentrator. The folding handle allows you to have your Oxlife ready to store or ready to use in seconds.
The large wheels make it easy to maneuver in large crowds, around your house, and while you’re exercising. They make it so you won’t have to worry about going up curbs/stairs or avoiding puddles outside. And they are replaceable in case anything happens to them!
Built to Last
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The Oxlife has a built in compressor rated to last up to 20,000 hours! You will be able to depend on the device 24/7 without a problem, even if you use a CPAP or BiPAP device while you sleep. It offers both pulse flow and continuous flow delivery modes so if your oxygen prescription changes over time, your device can be adjusted to cover your needs rather than needing to buy a new one.
On pulse flow it goes from 1-6 and on continuous flow it goes from 0.5-3.0 LPM so the device is powerful enough to cover most oxygen patients with some wiggle room to crank up the flow in the case of an emergency or other instances when you need a higher than normal flow.
Great Battery Life
Battery life is one of the most important features in a portable oxygen concentrator and when you are looking into buying a portable oxygen concentrator, looking for a device with efficient flow to battery life ratio is essential. The Oxlife Independence has the ability to operate using one or two batteries, and it gets great battery life for a continuous flow machine.
With one battery you will get up to 1.25 hours of battery life on a setting of 2 LPM and up to 3.00 hours of battery life on a pulse setting of 2.
With two batteries you will get up to 2.5 hours of battery life on a setting of 2 LPM and up to 5.75 hours of battery life on a pulse setting of 2.
This goes to show how much you can accomplish with a Oxlife Independence by your side!
SeQual Eclipse 5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
The SeQual Eclipse 5 is the 4th generation model in SeQual’s extremely popular Eclipse line of concentrators. In fact, the Eclipse 5 is one of the best selling and most reliable continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market. It offers the highest oxygen output on the market, gets good battery life, and it was also designed for the US Military.
Most Powerful Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator
The SeQual Eclipse 5 has the highest oxygen output on the market. It offers pulse flow settings 1-9 and continuous flow settings 0.5-3.0 LPM. With such a wide range of oxygen settings, the Eclipse 5 can accommodate most oxygen patients and it will be able to adjust to your needs when needed!
Along with offering pulse flow settings 1-9, the Eclipse 5 is equipped with Auto-Sat technology. Most portables that offer pulse flow can only provide a fixed amount of oxygen per minute based on your breathing rate.
With Auto-Sat technology, you don’t have to worry about that. Whether you are walking upstairs, exercising, or simply having a bad breathing day your SeQual Eclipse 5 will monitor your breath rate and give you a consistent bolus dose every time it detects a breath.
That’s not the only way the Eclipse 5 guarantees that you get your required oxygen though…
When you are using pulse flow and your Eclipse 5 doesn’t detect a breath, you will still get your oxygen! So if you dozed off watching a movie, flying on an airplane, or riding in the car and your Eclipse 5 doesn’t detect a breath, it will automatically switch over to continuous flow to keep providing you with oxygen.
Durable and Reliable
The SeQual Eclipse 5 is one of the most, if not the most, popular continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market. That is largely due to its long-standing track record for being durable; it was designed for the US Military, that should tell you something.
The hard-bodied shell of the Eclipse 5 is extremely protective. It can withstand bumps and bruises with any damage, so it will last a lifetime.
One of the best things about the Eclipse 5 is that it requires very little maintenance from you to keep it running. All you need to do is clean out your oxygen filter once every week or two in order to make sure your are getting purified oxygen depending on how often you use your Eclipse.
Portable and Easy to Travel With
Despite the SeQual Eclipse weighing upwards of 18 pounds, it is simple and easy to take with you wherever you go.
It comes with a wheeled travel cart with smooth wheels that makes pulling your concentrator behind you seem effortless.
The oversized wheels, elevated platform, and telescopic handle make going up curbs and stairs a breeze.The design also protects your concentrator from water when you have to go over puddles or when it’s snowing.
The telescopic handle lets you adjust the travel cart to the height that is most comfortable for you! And if you ever need to store your concentrator the handle slides all the way down and locks. So if you’re traveling you can keep your SeQual on the travel cart and it will still fit underneath the seat in front of you!
Depending on the setting of your oxygen flow, the SeQual Equinox can last anywhere from 1.3 hours to 5.9, so the battery life allows you to be about and about longer without having to worry about charging your device.
When you do need to charge your Equinox, it is super simple, and you have multiple options, so no matter where you are, as long as there is a DC or and AC outlet, you will have the tools to charge the device, and you can always continue to use the device while it is charging,
A Simple Comparison
As you can see, there are a few key differences between the SimplyGo, Oxilife, and the Eclipse. For one the SimplyGo weights much less than the Oxlife or the Eclipse. The battery life of the Eclipse and the Oxlife is greater than that of the SimplyGo.
All of the devices are reliable and durable, but the Eclipse is known for its low maintenance requirements.
You can travel by plane, car, boat, or foot with any of these devices, but the Respironics SimplyGo is the most compact and lightest to carry around with you. However, all three are small enough to fit under the seat in front of you while you travel on an airplane. The Equinox has a telescopic handle that makes traveling a breeze.
The Oxlife has DNA technology that can track certain health related information, so this device is great for people who are interested in keeping track of their breathing stats.
It can be overwhelming to look over all of this information and then have to decide on the device you want, which is why we have respiratory specialists waiting for your call. Give us a call if you have any questions or concerns, or simply leave a comment on this blog if you have any questions.
We are writing this article to answer the million dollar question: Are portable oxygen concentrators worth the upfront costs?
To clarify, we are a medical equipment company in Denver Colorado, and our specialty is in portable oxygen concentrators (POC). We work closely with these devices everyday along with the folks and families that need them. It is our number one priority to educate, execute, ensure. This means educating everyone that calls, messages, emails, or comments with inquiries about our oxygen devices. Executing the sales process effectively and efficiently, so our customers can get their oxygen device as soon as possible. And lastly ensuring that all of our customers are happy, satisfied, and taking full advantage of their oxygen device.
With all of this in mind, it is important to note that portable oxygen concentrators are not for everyone. An individual’s certain health condition and the criteria set up by their doctor will inform our respiratory specialists in Boca Raton, Florida whether or not they would benefit from owning a portable oxygen concentrator, and which device they will be able to take advantage of most based on their lifestyles.
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So for those readers that are eligible for either a pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator or a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator this blog is for you! We will give you the truth behind buying a portable oxygen concentrator and you can determine for yourself whether or the costs are worth the experience of owning one!
In this article we will talk about:
- Portable oxygen concentrator costs
- Setting up a payment plan to offset the upfront costs
- What you get out of owning a POC
- Longevity of POC compressors
- Battery life of the rechargeable lithium ion battery
- Difference between living with oxygen tanks and living with a POC
Costs of Owning a Portable Concentrator
There are three types of costs you will encounter over time with a portable oxygen concentrator, however, the recurring costs are very minimal if anything they are nonexistent compared to owning a liquid or gas oxygen tank.
Upfront Costs
The biggest cost, and what scares most oxygens users right off the bat is the upfront costs, and the facts that POC are very rarely covered by insurance or Medicare.
First of all, the upfront costs can be avoided if you purchase the POC from a licensed distributor, such as LPT Medical. Because we offer a multitude of different brands and carry a lot of products, so we are able to offer the lowest prices. LPT Medial carries Inogen portable oxygen concentrators, Philips Respironics, RedMed, among others and we have something that will work for most oxygen patients.
Portable oxygen concentrators costs will depend on the type of device you need, pulse flow devices are typically cheaper than continuous flow devices, because continuous flow devices have to be much more powerful. The ability of a portable oxygen concentrator’s battery will also factor into the price, so a device with very long lasting battery life, may be more expensive than a device with a less powerful battery.
All of this, and more, can be discussed with your respiratory specialist!
If you still can’t afford the upfront costs of a POC, you can work with your respiratory specialist to set up a monthly payment plan.
Payment plans are great for people who want to build healthy credit, and would rather pay a smaller amount over a period of time, than a large sum at one time.
Recurring costs
The recurring costs associated with medical equipment are costs that you should avoid if at all possible. You can avoid these costs by being diligent about what you require as far as equipment and what you do not, this all comes down to educating yourself.
For example, when it comes to oxygen equipment, oxygen tanks will cost more the longer you use it, and the costs will never subside. Every time you need to refill the tanks, you are wasting time and money.
With a portable oxygen concentrator, you may have to occasionally pay to have it fixed after the 3 year warranty is up, but luckily, portable oxygen concentrators are very durable, like the SeQual Eclipse 5 was design for the US military, and it is known for being durable and reliable for years and years.
The other great things about working with LPT Medical, when you buy a portable oxygen concentrator is how we will only sell oxygen devices to people who can benefit from the device for years to come. This greatly has to do with the potential to increase your oxygen supply should you ever need to. Some portable oxygen concentrators emit more oxygen and for folks who have a high oxygen prescription we would only recommend a powerful device that has room to support you should you need more oxygen in the future or in the case of a COPD exacerbation.
What you get out of owning a POC
This section is all about you!!!
What are you getting out of a portable oxygen concentrator? Here is a list of all of the positive things oxygen patients have told us about their POCs.
- Reliable: POCs give you the oxygen you need to combat respiratory disease symptoms and the tools to accomplish your daily oxygen therapy thereby adding years to your life.
- Portable: Easy to carry over the shoulder with the custom carrying case, in a portable oxygen concentrator backpack. Even the heavy continuous flow device are easy to bring with you wherever you go because the wheels are lightweight and large so it can maneuver through in any terrain, and the shape of the devices are compact and manageable
- Independence: Oxygen users feel they are finally able to depend on themselves, rather than be at the will of the oxygen tank supply company. POC owners can charge their batteries, carry their own device, and so much more.
- Ability to travel: Most oxygen users are still very active and are eager to spend time with family and friends. POCs are all FAA approved, and every device we sell will fit under the seat in front of you.
- Ability to exercise: With a lightweight portable oxygen concentrator by your side, exercise is more attainable. Even a short walk down the street seems more manageable than if you had to drag an oxygen tank with you.
- Freedom: POC owners have the freedom to do and go where they please. With the rechargeable battery, you will never run out of oxygen. Every device we sell comes with an AC and a DC charging cable, so you will be able to charge your device in the car, RV, boat using the cigarette lighter, or a traditional wall outlet in your home. You can use the device while it is charging so you never have to worry about running low on oxygen. This peace of mind gives you the freedom to go about your day focused on other things rather than your oxygen.
If this list of lifestyle improvements still doesn’t sway you, POC are also much cheaper than oxygen tanks in the long-run. If you have an oxygen tank, overtime, you will have paid more money towards refilling your tanks every week than you would have if you paid for a rechargeable portable oxygen concentrator that you only have to pay for once.
Reality of Owning a Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Of course, like anything in life, nothing is perfect. POCs do not work for everyone, and sometimes the operational capacity or the design just doesn’t fit into an individual’s lifestyle or oxygen requirements. While we are capable of determining whether or not our POCs will cover you medically, you ultimately have to decide if a rechargeable battery powered device is right for you.
There are luckily very few general cons to owning a portable oxygen concentrator. They are user friendly, durable, and if they do malfunction they can be easily fixed or replaced. We are very confident in the products we offer, which is why we are willing to offer such a generous warranty on every new device we sell. We even offer warranties on used and refurbished devices, that is how much we believe in the product.
Longevity
The key to satisfying any customer is to offer them a product that they can have for a very long time, and if we can do that at a reasonable price, we did our job correctly!
The truth is that portable oxygen concentrators were built to last. Devices like the Inogen One G5, the Caire freestyle comfort, and the Respironics SimplyGo, all have compressors that are rated to last 20,000 hours. The Oxlife Independence Portable Oxygen Concentrator is so low maintenance, pretty much the only thing you need to worry about is changing the filter.
Differences Between Owning a Portable Oxygen Concentrator Vs. an Oxygen Tank
If you currently have an oxygen tank, hopefully after reading this article you can see the difference owning a POC can make in your life. If you are a new oxygen patient reading this, here is a resource to see side by side how owning a POC compares to owning an oxygen tank
- POCs weigh less than a tank
- You do not have to refill a POC, whereas you will have to refill your oxygen tank
- Your POC runs off of batteries, an oxygen has a limited reserve of oxygen that you will use up over time
- Oxygen tanks cannot come with you on airplanes, POCs can be carried on flights with you
- POCs are designed with mobility and portability in mind, oxygen tanks were developed early on when being mobile was not a priority for oxygen patients
- POCs are more technologically advanced yet very user friendly, and some can offer health tracking systems, whereas tanks offer a more simple operation
Overview
Making a large financial decision doesn't have to be stressful. Once you know more about a product it becomes clear how much value something can bring to your life, the decision becomes much easier.
We hope this article gave you some insight in the life of owning a POC. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to call us at 1(800)-946-1201, our respiratory specialists are standing-by to help you sort of the medical jargon, finances, and anything else that might be holding you back from purchasing a POC of you own.
We hope this guide helped you determine whether or not a POC is right for you, and if the costs are worth the luxury of owning one yourself!
If you have any question or concerns please comment below, and feel free to share this blog with family or friends if you think they might be interested.
It is true that when people are diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or any other chronic respiratory illness their lives change forever.
Even though you might feel physically the exact same way leaving the doctor's office that day as you did when you walked in, your mentality is noticeably different. After you are diagnosed with COPD or once you have reached a point in your diagnosis where you need to be out on oxygen you are given another chance.
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It is not a death sentence, and it should not be treated as one. You can look at this moment as a second chance.
Now you know why you are coughing excessively, feeling tired, short of breath, moody and all of the things you were experiencing are due to something in your body that isn’t exactly right. And while that thing that isn’t exactly right is not curable, you can treat it and make it more manageable day to day.
There are levels of severity of COPD that are broken down based on your lungs capacity and their ability to do their job! At a certain point in your diagnosis, there may come a time where you need extra help getting oxygen pumping through your body.
You will go through a series of tests that will display to you doctor whether or not you need supplemental oxygen therapy. As with any prescription drug, you will be prescribed medical oxygen, and within your prescription will be instructions on how much oxygen you need and when.
Supplemental oxygen therapy is designed to help you improve your lifestyle and quality of life. And similarly to prescription medication, too much is too much and too little isn’t enough, so be sure you follow your doctor's instructions when it comes to oxygen therapy.
This also means it's essential to have an oxygen therapy device that can handle your oxygen needs. You can either go with an oxygen tank or a portable oxygen concentrator (POC).
Both devices will give you oxygen, but one device is an older more traditional source of oxygen (tanks) while the other (POCs) is a newer more advanced device that has a number of qualities that make everyday life easier.
To learn more about you oxygen therapy options read this blog: Upgrading From an Oxygen Tank to the Respironics SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator
So let's get down to it… Once you get that oxygen therapy prescription, your oxygen therapy gives you another chance to treat your disease so it is more manageable and you symptoms are less intrusive.
Oxygen therapy is also the one treatment that has actually been proven to add years to your life, and not only time, but quality time where you can eat right, exercise, and sleep well (if you put in the work).
This is not to say that there will be hard days, COPD and respiratory illness across the board are no joke, and they affect millions of people across the world.
How Oxygen Therapy Can Save your Life
When you get on oxygen you will be sourcing your lungs with extra medical grade pure oxygen so that oxygen can move fluidly throughout your blood and muscles.
With the help of you oxygen therapy you will have an easier time getting to sleep and staying asleep. Exercise will come more easily because you won't fee las tired or short of breath. Oxygen therapy is giving you the tools to live an active and healthy life, so it is not not only extending your life but improving the quality of life you have.
Here are the 7 portable oxygen concentrators, and their most attractive features, that will help you live a long and healthy life.
Inogen One G4
The Inogen One G4 is a pulse flow device, it only weighs 2.8 pounds, that's no more than a basic laptop computer.
Caire Freestyle Comfort
The Caire Freestyle Comfort is also a pulse flow device, it has a long lasting battery life. With the double battery installed it can last for up to 8 hours on a setting of 2 LMP.
Inogen One G5
The Inogen One G5 is the most popular pulse flow device on the market because it is so powerful. It can operate on any setting 1-6 LPM without sacrificing battery life.
Respironics SimplyGo
The Respironics SimplyGo is the lightest continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator. It weighs 10 pounds and can give off pulse or continuous oxygen depending on the setting you set it to.
Oxlife Freedom
The Oxlife Freedom is a pulse flow device that is the first of its kind. It is equipped with tools to help oxygen patients and their healthcare providers better manage their respiratory conditions! The built in DNA or Dynamic Network Analysis is cutting edge technology that allows your healthcare provider to more closely monitor your oxygen use.
Oxlife Independence
The Oxlife Independence portable oxygen concentrator is a continuous and pulse flow device is also the first of its kind. It is the world’s first “smart” portable oxygen concentrator. It is equipped with the same DNA technology inside the Oxlife Freedom which is powered by the Verizon network. The Oxlife Independence can monitor your usage and corresponding environmental conditions to adapt and proactively support your needs. It tracks vital data like hours used, breathing rate, ambulation, and more!
SeQual Eclipse 5
The SeQual Eclipse 5 is both a continuous and pulse flow device. It is known for offering the highest oxygen output on the market, gets good battery life, and it was also designed for the US Military.. It is one of the most popular continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market because of its long-standing track record for being durable and reliable. If it’s good enough for the US Military, that should tell you something.
Staying On Track to Live A Healthy Life on Oxygen
If any of these portable oxygen concentrators are calling your name, simply call 1(800)-946-1201 to speak with an oxygen specialist about their other features and how it can fit into your life!
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Once you have an oxygen device that you trust you can start adjusting your lifestyle to a more positive and active one that cultivates more energy and happiness. We would like to leave you with some positive suggestions for everyday life that will make the challenges you face dealing with respiratory disease more manageable.
Keep a Journal
Keeping track of your oxygen levels, symptoms, triggers, and health related issues are valuable for you and your doctor. This can give your doctor an inside look at your life at home, and how your symptoms evolve and change so they can advise a course of action and treatment plan that works for you.
It is also valuable to jot down your emotions, to do lists, write down goals, and stories. Writing ignites a creative part of your brain, that like your muscles need exercise.
Even if you haven't written anything down for years, it is never too late to pick up a pen and paper and write down your struggles, achievements and everything in between.
You will be surprised how helpful it is to make decisions when you create a pros and cons list, or how writing down something that happened to you that day can enhance your memory.
Exercise in the Water
We hear all the time that oxygen patients also require exercise as treatment. But for many, exercise can cause a lot of other issues throughout the body.
People with COPD may have muscle or bone conditions that make exercise painful and high impact workouts can be impossible. Water exercises give you the alternative for a less stress induced workout on the body.
A 2013 study found that water-based exercises might increase a person’s exercise capacity and quality of life. In people with COPD and physical disabilities, water-based exercises were more effective than both land-based exercise and no exercise.
The researchers suggested that these effects might be due to the unique properties of water, which support body weight through buoyancy and provide resistance to increase exercise intensity
Breathing with Purpose to Avoid Excess Anxiety
Avoiding stress and anxiety are two big ones when it comes to easing COPD symptoms. Breathing can be directly related to relaxation or lack there of.
Anxiety will come up for the patient and caretakers for everyone with chronic illness. The very real stressors that come with chronic illness include medical emergencies, financial worries, everyday care issues.
So these stressors are unavoidable, and the emotional distress can trigger a physical reaction that may lead to you being hospitalized for exacerbated symptoms, known as a COPD flare up.
Naturally when humans feel afraid or upset, the heart rate, and blood pressure increase, this causes the breathing to speed up. Anxiety and fast breathing means more shortness of breath. For people with respiratory disease who already suffer from shortness of breath, this can generate even more anxiety, which causes further shortness of breath…It’s a toxic cycle.
So how can you and your caretaker help each other learn to relax in these moments? Try following three basic relaxation techniques from the Crossroads Hospice online resource center:
Take 10 minute to do each of the following breathing techniques:
- Deep breathing. Sit comfortably, feet on the floor. Put one hand on your chest, the other just under your ribs. Breathe slowly through your nose, counting to five. Only the hand at your belly should rise. Exhale slowly, counting to five. Repeat.
- Muscle relaxation. Lie down or sit comfortably. Starting with your toes, tense and relax your muscles, moving up your body to calves, thighs, etc. Count to five while tensing and to 30 while relaxing. Notice the difference between tense and relaxed.
- Visualization. In a quiet place, lie down or sit comfortably. Imagine yourself at your favorite place of tranquility (beach, mountains, etc.). Bring in as many elements of the place as you can: what you would be seeing, smelling, hearing, touching.
Managing Fatigue Effectively
It's common for COPD patients and oxygen users to “run out of gas” even when doing simple things around the house.
You can learn to conserve energy—The energy that keeps you awake and moving around—so you are able to enjoy activities and exercise that you love to do for longer.
Try getting into the rhythm of this simple strategy- Understand that you have a limited amount of energy each day. If you’re mindful of how you use that energy by creating a daily routine, for chorus, everyday necessities, any medical treatment, and exercise and life’s pleasures.
Plan out your days with the pace for each activity. Keep these tactics in mind:
- DON’T rush, allow plenty time for what needs to get done.
- Alternate activity with rest.
- Divide large chores into smaller tasks spread across the day or week.
- Work smarter by minimizing trips up/down stairs, shopping with a list and in as few stores as possible, cook in bulk and freeze the leftovers, after bathing, rest in a terrycloth bathrobe instead of drying with a towel. These little things conserve a lot of energy over time.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You can order your medications and groceries to be delivered.Throughout the day, look for opportunities to sit down, and minimize time walking, lifting, and bending (use extensions bending and reaching).
- Sit down while cooking, cleaning, bathing, dressing, or grooming face and hair, have a stool or seat handy in multiple rooms of your house.
- Stay organized and lay out supplies at waist height so everything is within easy reach before you start cooking, cleaning, bathing, or dressing.
- Use an elevated toilet seat, a grabber for objects, and elongated handles on shoe horns, brushes, and dustpans.
By learning how to operate at a mild pace with lots of helpful tools throughout your house, daily life gets easier and easier, and your tank of energy will get you further and further the more you conserve energy.
Overview
Of course, none of these simple everyday changes listed above will make much of a difference if you are lugging around a heavy oxygen tank, or are stressed and worried about getting your next oxygen delivery.
First step to getting your second chance at a healthy and active life after being prescribed oxygen, is getting an oxygen device that can help you through life, rather than holds you back.
Talk to your doctor about your oxygen device options and how your prescription will work day to day, and then call us at LPT Medical at 1(800)-946-1201 so we can help you find a device that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Here at LPT Medical, our goal is to get a portable oxygen concentrator in the hands of anyone who needs one. While oxygen tanks get the job done, we strongly believe that having a portable, lightweight oxygen device can significantly improve the lives of COPD patients around the world by empowering them with more freedom and ease of use than they ever thought possible. However, before we can recommend an oxygen concentrator to you, we need to learn a little bit about your condition, lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals. Reach out to our respiratory specialists at 1-888-416-3855 or email us at info@lptmedical.com to get started.
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In this post, we’re going to be looking at the Oxlife Independence. This is a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator manufactured by the industry-leading experts over at O2 Concepts. If you recall from last month, we reviewed the Oxlife Freedom which is essentially the pulse dose version of the Oxlife Independence. They’re built on a similar architectural design, so you can expect the same power and reliability from the Independence. Just remember that it is a continuous flow device so it will be a little heavier and bulkier than its pulse dose counterpart.
If you want to see a full unboxing and review of the Oxlife Independence portable oxygen concentrator, watch the video above. If you’d like more detailed information on the unit, continue reading below.
Highest Oxygen Output in its Class
One of the concerns many oxygen patients have when they upgrade to an oxygen concentrator is whether or not they will be able to receive the oxygen they need to stay healthy. After all, everyone has different oxygen needs whether they’ve just been prescribed oxygen or they’ve been on oxygen for many years. As a result, this concern is well placed. Not all concentrators will work for every oxygen patient, so you should be careful before making any decisions.
With that being said, the Oxlife Independence is on par or better than other oxygen concentrators in its class when it comes to oxygen output. On its maximum setting, the Independence puts out 3.0 liters per minute (LPM) of oxygen. And it can go up to a maximum pulse dose setting of 6 which exceeds that of the leading portable oxygen concentrator on the market, the Caire FreeStyle Comfort. You can switch between pulse dose and continuous flow on demand, but it’s important to speak with your doctor first who can tell you which setting is best for you.
The great thing about having such a high oxygen output is that it affords more oxygen patients to experience the benefit of portable oxygen concentrators. Now, even patients with high oxygen demands are able to travel freely whether it’s by car, bus, or plane. You’ll also have the flexibility to adjust your oxygen flow up or down depending on what you’re doing. For example, if you’re sedentary, you may want to reduce your oxygen flow rate; whereas if you’re exercising, you may want to increase your oxygen flow rate.
Built for Ease of Use on the Go
Something that goes hand-in-hand with portability is ease of use. When you’re out of the house, whether you’re out for a walk or on a trip across the country, the last thing you want is to deal with is a complex or poorly designed electronic device. The experts at O2 Concepts recognized this need and as a result, they focused a lot of time and energy into making the Oxlife Independence simple and easy to use.
The first thing that you’ll notice about the Oxlife Independence is that it has a sleek design. The all-black matte finish means that you won’t notice any scuff marks or fingerprints. However, despite this, you should still take care to clean it regularly to prevent it from collecting germs and bacteria. Be sure to follow the cleaning instructions listed in the user manual to prevent damage to the unit.
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There are many other quality-of-life design choices that were built into the Oxlife Independence. For example, batteries are replaced via the back of the unit rather than having an internal battery or a battery that’s inserted into the bottom of the unit. This makes it very easy to swap out battery packs on the move. Since it holds two batteries, you can even swap them out individually while the unit is still powered on meaning there is no downtime in your oxygen delivery.
Just like the Oxlife Freedom, the interface on the Oxlife Independence is intuitive. There are only four buttons on the interface. One to turn the device on and off; one to switch between continuous and pulse flow; and two for adjusting the flow rate. That’s it! There’s no need to spend hours sifting through the user manual just to figure out what everything does. Most people will have no problem using their concentrator straight out of the box.
One of the First “Smart” Oxygen Concentrators
Chances are, you’ve probably heard the term “smart” technology before. This is a relatively new term but it refers to technology that helps us stay connected and is constantly learning and improving our experience. Smartphones, for example, don’t just make calls and send texts. They’re all-in-one tools that can help us improve every aspect of our lives whether it’s our fitness routine, diet, or enabling us to stay connected with people around the world.
The Oxlife Independence uses something called Dynamic Network Analysis (DNA) technology which we referenced in our post about the Oxlife Freedom. DNA is a type of “smart” technology that allows oxygen patients to stay connected with their healthcare providers. The benefit of this is that they will be able to ensure that you are complying with your oxygen treatment plan and they can help you troubleshoot any problems that you are having. In other words, it adds a whole new level of security to your medical oxygen delivery.
According to O2 Concepts, DNA links all Oxlife Independence devices to a secure proprietary network. Your oxygen provider can monitor your oxygen usage to ensure compliance with your prescription, monitor the state of your equipment, and schedule routine equipment maintenance to avoid costly repairs and equipment downtime. And the best part of all of this is that it is completely optional. You don’t need to feel like you’re being forced to use this added feature if you do not want or need it.
5-Year Product Warranty
Another major concern oxygen patients have when upgrading to an oxygen concentrator is that they will be less reliable than their oxygen tanks. While concentrators like the Oxlife Independence are built with complex electronic components, the important thing to remember is that your device is backed by a 5-year warranty. Most oxygen concentrators only come with a 3-year warranty, so this goes to show that O2 Concepts puts a lot of faith in their products and their ability to operate for many years without issue. What this means for you is that you can go about your day with peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, you will be covered.
Conclusion
O2 Concepts is a brand that’s been praised for the power and reliability of its oxygen concentrators and the Oxlife Independence is no exception. With up to 3.0 LPM of continuous flow oxygen and six different pulse dose settings to choose from, you’ll have plenty of flexibility to adjust your oxygen delivery depending on your level of activity. From top to bottom, the Independence was designed to be easy and comfortable to use while away from home so that you don’t have to constantly stop what you’re doing to consult the user manual.
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Since the Oxlife Independence doesn’t hold any compressed oxygen like a traditional oxygen tank or liquid oxygen tank, it’s approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for in-flight use. You’ll be able to take this concentrator on any commercial aircraft within the country. Just be sure to contact your airline well in advance to see what their restrictions are. Most airlines require you to carry at least 1 ½ times the duration of your flight in batteries to account for any delays.
We will gladly provide you with an Oxlife Independence if you have been prescribed oxygen by your doctor. However, we also want to make sure that it’s the right device for your medical needs and your lifestyle. Give our oxygen concentrator specialists a call and we’ll walk you through the whole process from choosing an oxygen device to presenting you with your buying options and even helping you to receive financial compensation through Medicare. You can reach out to us either by phone or email.
Oxlife Independence Specs
Weight |
19.4 Pounds |
Dimensions |
20.2” H x 10.9” W x 8” D |
Flow Rate |
Continuous Flow Settings 0.5-3.0 LPM Pulse Flow Settings 0.5-6.0 |
Battery Life |
Continuous Flow Up To 2.5 Hours Pulse Flow Up To 5.75 Hours |
Power |
100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz; 12-19 VDC |
FAA Approved |
Yes |
Warranty |
5 Years |