Lung function decline is a defining characteristic of COPD, and it gets worse as the disease progresses. Because of this, most COPD patients eventually have to begin using supplemental oxygen to help their lungs once they become too weak to absorb enough oxygen on their own.

The purpose of supplemental oxygen is to deliver extremely oxygen-rich air to your lungs, usually using a pressurized oxygen tank or an oxygen concentrator. This air, generally about 85-95 percent pure oxygen, allows your lungs absorb more oxygen with every breath.

Supplemental oxygen is a very important part of COPD treatment because it helps your lungs take in enough oxygen to supply your organs and tissues with the oxygen they need. Without it, your blood oxygen saturation can fall to unhealthy levels—a condition called hypoxemia—which can lead to serious, life-threatening complications over time.

Supplemental oxygen is also important for treating acute COPD symptoms, and can help you when you feel breathless from exercising or when your symptoms flare up. Many patients also use supplemental oxygen when they sleep to treat low blood oxygen levels during the night.

Despite how often supplemental oxygen is used and prescribed, it can be dangerous if you don't understand the risks. Oxygen is highly flammable, and you have to take special precautions when you use it to reduce the risk of a fire.

Even though they are rare, oxygen leaks and major fires can happen if you don't practice proper oxygen safety. High oxygen levels can make objects that wouldn't usually be a risk highly flammable, such as grease and oily creams. It also causes fires to burn hotter and spread faster than they normally would.

Even small sparks or flames can can cause combustion when there's excess oxygen in the air, which is why it's so important to understand how to use your oxygen safely and minimize the risks.

In this article we're going to show you how to practice proper oxygen safety so you can avoid accidents, injuries, or fires from using supplemental oxygen. We'll explain the benefits and risks of oxygen therapy, how to minimize fire hazards, and tell you how to follow proper safety protocols when using, storing, and transporting your oxygen.

If you or a loved one uses oxygen therapy to treat COPD or another respiratory condition, then it's important for you to know how to use supplemental oxygen as safely as possible. This guide will teach you the basics and provide you with a variety of valuable tips you can use in your everyday life if you are prescribed supplemental oxygen.

The Potential Dangers of Using Supplemental Oxygen

Before we discuss how to use oxygen safely, it's important to understand the potential risks. If you know what to look out for, you're less likely to make a dangerous mistake.

The main immediate danger that supplemental oxygen poses is its flammability. When oxygen leaks out into the air from your tank, nasal cannula, or mask, it can raise oxygen levels in the room or in your immediate area, which significantly increases the flammability of everything nearby.

A certain amount of leakage from your  nose and nasal cannula is inevitable, meaning there is a constant flammability risk when you use your supplemental oxygen. That's why you have to take a variety of fire-safe precautions any time oxygen is in use, even if your oxygen tank isn't nearby.

It is also important to make sure that all the oxygen from the tank goes straight into your lungs through your mask or nasal cannula instead of leaking into the air. Leaky tanks, faulty valves, and carelessness when opening and closing the valve can make the surrounding air extremely flammable, putting you, your belongings, and others nearby at risk.

Standard oxygen tanks, the most common type of equipment used to provide supplemental oxygen, pose hazards of their own, as well. The oxygen must be highly pressurized when it's stored in the tank, which means oxygen tanks can explode violently or “take off like a rocket” if the container is somehow damaged and ruptured.

You can avoid this danger by using an oxygen concentrator machine, but they tend to be pricier and harder to come by. Many patients don't have access to anything other than pressurized or liquid oxygen tanks because their budget, insurance, or medicare provider won't cover it.

The Benefits of Using Supplemental Oxygen

Despite the risks, supplemental oxygen is generally very safe to use as long as you use it carefully and as directed. It's also a very important part of treatment for people with COPD and other respiratory conditions who can't get enough oxygen to stay healthy on their own.

By raising your blood oxygen levels and taking some of the strain off your lungs, supplemental oxygen therapy can significantly improve COPD symptoms like breathlessness, coughing, wheezing, and fatigue. It can also help you be more active and participate in more of life's activities by making it easier to walk, exercise, and keep your symptoms under control.

Here are some more of the benefits you can gain from supplemental oxygen therapy:

• Improved mood and mental alertness
• Improved exercise ability and exercise endurance
• Improved energy and reduced fatigue
• Improved cardiovascular function
• Reduced hypoxemia and risk of hypoxia
• Improved sleep
• Reduced breathlessness
• Reduced risk of COPD complications including pulmonary hypertension and heart failure
• Overall improved quality of life

It's hard to overstate the importance of supplemental oxygen for COPD. If you doctor prescribes oxygen to you, it's vital that you use it exactly as directed according to your treatment plan.

Many patients don't follow their supplemental oxygen treatment regimen well enough because of inconvenience, aesthetics, or discomfort, but not using your oxygen as directed can worsen your COPD and lead to life-threatening complications, including heart failure. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble using your oxygen or sticking to your treatment plan.

Tips for Using Oxygen Safely

Now that you better understand the benefits and potential risks of oxygen therapy, we're going to show you how to practice proper oxygen safety. There are many important precautions that everyone who uses supplemental oxygen must take in order to reduce the likelihood of fires and burns.

In the next sections, we'll give you a variety of tips for preventing oxygen leaks and minimizing fire hazards in your home. We'll explain all the different flammable substances and spark risks that you should look out for and how to safely cook while using oxygen at home.

We'll also give you advice on how to store and transport your oxygen tanks so they won't leak or get damaged. To learn all of this and more, continue reading to learn all about how to practice proper oxygen safety in and outside of your home.

Prevent Oxygen Leaks

One of the most important parts of supplemental oxygen safety is to prevent oxygen from leaking out of your tank or mask. If too much oxygen escapes into the air, it poses a serious fire hazard.

Even a small spark or heat from a stove burner can cause oxygen in the air to ignite and set fire to you or objects nearby. That's why it's important to know how to handle your equipment safely when you use supplemental oxygen.

Here are some tips for preventing oxygen leaks:

• Always exercise care when turning the valve on your oxygen tank. Turn the valve slowly so you don't release too much pressurized oxygen at once.
  
  
• Do not forget to close the valve on your oxygen tank when you are not using it. Take the time to double check if you aren't sure that it is closed all the way.
  
  
• Visually inspect any oxygen tanks you have, including the valves, regularly. Check the outside of the tank for noticeable wear, tear, or damage, and check for any noticeable leaks.
  
  
• Always store your tanks in a secure place where they won't tip, fall, or get damaged.
  
  
• Liquid oxygen tanks will leak if laid on their sides, so it's particularly important to store liquid tanks upright with a cart or chains.
  
  
• Always use clean, undamaged tubing during oxygen therapy. Never use damaged equipment or tubing with holes or tears.

No matter how careful you are to prevent leaks from your tank and tubing, a small amount of oxygen will inevitably leak out near your nose and mouth while you use supplemental oxygen.

That's why it's so important to stay away from heat, sparks, and anything else that could cause the oxygen to combust. We'll go into this in more detail in the following sections.

Keep Heat and Flame Away From Your Oxygen

If you remember nothing else about oxygen safety, you should make sure you remember this: never, ever use your oxygen around an open flame. Doing so could quickly and easily cause a fire, which is why it's so important to keep your oxygen away from flames at all costs.

Open flames aren't the only hazard, however; even everyday heat sources like stoves and space heaters can also be dangerous. Anything with a heating element can pose a fire risk when you are using supplemental oxygen.

Here are some tips for avoiding heat and flame hazards when you use oxygen:

• Be very cautious when using supplemental oxygen while you cook. Always move at least five feet away from the stove to use your supplemental oxygen, and never wear your nasal cannula near a gas stove or open flame.
  
  
• Your oxygen tank and other equipment should also be kept at least five feet away from the stove and other heat sources at all times.
  
  
• When you are using oxygen, beware of all sources of open flames: this includes lighters, matches, candles, fireplaces, cigarettes, gas burners, etc. Do not use any of these items or allow anyone near you to start a flame while oxygen is in use.
  
  
• Do not smoke or use an electronic cigarette or vaping device while using oxygen. E-cigarettes contain heating elements that could potentially ignite the oxygen that collects around your nasal cannula, causing severe facial burns.
  
  
• Place “oxygen in use” signs in visible places near all of the entrances to your home (these are usually provided by your oxygen supplier). This will ensure that visitors and emergency personnel know to be cautious of the high flammability risk.
  
  
• Make sure to inform people around you of the risks of heat and open flame when you use oxygen. If needed, place a "no smoking, oxygen in use" sign nearby so others remember to be cautious.
  
  
• Take the same precautions that you would when using supplemental oxygen when you are near where you store your oxygen and extra tanks. Make sure you and everyone in your home knows where you keep your oxygen tanks and equipment and understand how to exercise proper fire safety.

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Keep Your Oxygen Equipment Away from Electronics, Static Electricity, and Flammable Substances

While they don't pose as much of a risk as heated appliances and open flames, faulty electronic devices can also pose a fire hazard when you use supplemental oxygen. Some electronics and mechanical toys can also create tiny sparks that can cause fires in the presences of excess oxygen, which is why you shouldn't use them at the same time as you're using supplemental oxygen.

Another risk is static electricity build-up, the kind that happens when you drag your socks across the carpet or rub a balloon on your clothes. The "shock," or spark, that results when the static electricity dissipates can pose a fire risk when you are using supplemental oxygen. While it's impossible to avoid static electricity altogether, especially during the dry, winter months, you   can reduce the risk of static sparks by avoiding certain types of clothing and fabrics.

Here are some tips for reducing the risk of fire from electronics and static electricity:

• Don't use electronic appliances when using oxygen. This includes electric razors, mechanical toys, heating pads, electric blankets, electric toothbrushes, and electronic hair dryers, hair curlers, and hair straighteners.
  
  
• Don't use any electronic device that produces heat when using supplemental oxygen. This includes electronic cigarettes.
  
  
• Avoid static-producing fabrics like wool, nylon, and synthetic fabrics (e.g. polyester). Instead, choose clothing and bedding made of cotton, which is much less likely to produce static electricity.
  
  
• Don't use any flammable products on your skin and hair, including flammable lotions, hair products, and hair sprays that could ignite due to heat or a static spark in the presence of oxygen. Especially watch out for products that contain petroleum and choose water-based ones instead.
  
  
• Avoid using chapstick and oil-based lotions on your body, and especially your face, when using your supplemental oxygen, as they can cause severe burns if they ignite.
  
  
• Avoid other flammable substances when using oxygen, including gasoline, paint thinner, cleaning fluids, aerosols, and sprays that contain alcohol.
  
  
• Never use any aerosol sprays while using supplemental oxygen. This includes air fresheners, spray deodorants, and hairsprays.
  
  
• Don't use alcohol-based hand sanitizers while using supplemental oxygen. If you use hand sanitizer before using oxygen, make sure that it has dried off of your hands completely before starting the oxygen or touching any of your oxygen equipment.
  
  
• Using a humidifier during dry weather can reduce the amount of static build-up that occurs in your home. Keeping your house at an ideal humidity level (usually around 40 percent humidity) may reduce your fire risk when using supplemental oxygen and can also help your COPD symptoms.
  
  
• If you use an oxygen concentrator, always plug it into an empty, grounded outlet (an outlet with three holes instead of two). Never plug it into an extension cord, a faulty outlet, or an outlet that has other electronics plugged into it.

Even if you don't want to switch out your wardrobe for cotton-based clothes, consider at least switching to cotton bed sheets and blankets, especially if you use nighttime oxygen.

Static electricity from other types of fabric poses a much greater risk while you are asleep; this is partially because you are more likely to build up a static charge while shifting under your sheets, and partially because you might not be able to respond as quickly if a fire starts while you are asleep.

Use Your Oxygen in a Well-Ventilated Area

Using oxygen in a well-ventilated space is another important precaution that you can take to reduce your flammability risk and avoid fires. That means using your oxygen in an area with plenty of airflow and open space whenever possible.

Proper ventilation ensures that any extra oxygen in the air can quickly dissipate and leave the room before it builds up to the point of posing a significant fire risk. Beware of small, enclosed spaces; you should always try go outside or seek a more open area before beginning supplemental oxygen treatment.

Here are some tips for making sure you use your oxygen in well-ventilated places:

• Make sure the ventilation system in your home is in good working order.
  
  
• Crack the windows in your car if you are using supplemental oxygen while driving or transporting an oxygen tank.
  
  
• Never place anything on top your oxygen tank. Doing so could cause any oxygen that leaks out to become trapped and build up to extremely flammable levels.
  
  
• Keep your oxygen tanks clean and in an open space where air can freely flow around them. Never store your oxygen tanks in an enclosed space or anywhere that doesn't have ventilation.

Prepare Your Home for Fire Emergencies

Even if you are very careful when using your supplemental oxygen, accidents can still happen. That's why, if you use oxygen in your home, you should be extra prepared in case a fire starts.

Here are some tips for home fire preparedness and precautions you should take if you or someone in your home uses supplemental oxygen:

• Make sure your house has the recommended number of smoke detectors and they are all in good working order. Check the batteries often and replace them promptly when needed.
  
  
• Make sure there is always a smoke detector in or right outside the room whenever you use supplemental oxygen.
  
  
• Always keep a fire extinguisher in your home and within easy reach, especially while you are using oxygen.
  
  
• Make sure your fire extinguisher is in good working order and replace it promptly when it expires.
  
  
• Make sure you and everyone else in your household knows how to operate your fire extinguisher correctly.
  
  
• Have an evacuation plan and escape route planned in case of a fire emergency. Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do, where to go, and where to locate any safety equipment such as window escape ladders.

Keep Oxygen Equipment Away from Children

Now that you understand how dangerous supplemental oxygen can be if not properly handled, it should be clear why you should keep children away from your oxygen equipment. Many children are not old enough to understand the dangers of oxygen or to be trusted to treat the equipment gently.

If you have children in your home, you should keep your oxygen equipment secured and out of reach whenever possible. Large oxygen tanks can be particularly tempting for little children to play with and climb on, so it's important to instruct kids that they are off limits and keep a close watch to ensure that they stay away.

Large, heavy oxygen tanks can also be very dangerous to children and cause injuries if they fall. This is yet another reason to store your tanks properly and securely so they can't be tipped or knocked over.

Always Store and Transport Tanks Securely

It's very important to make sure that you keep your oxygen tanks stored safely in a place where they won't be bumped or disturbed. You should keep any extra tanks in a stand or cart to ensure that they do not fall or get knocked over.

This is especially important when you are traveling with oxygen tanks, as there is a higher risk of the tanks getting jostled and tipped. Always keep your equipment carefully secured and protected any time you transport them from place to place.

Here are some tips for storing and transporting your oxygen:

• Use an oxygen cart, stand, or chains to secure any extra oxygen tanks that you are not using. Never store them loose or unsupported.
  
  
• Make sure all tanks are stored flat on the ground. Do not put them up on shelves or in any elevated place.
  
  
• Transport oxygen tanks in your car by securing them in the main cabin of your car, not in the trunk. Open your car windows slightly to ensure that you have adequate airflow and ventilation.
  
  
• Keep your tanks in a moderately temperature-controlled space, like an air conditioned room. Do not leave your equipment in the sun, in a hot car, or allow them to be exposed to temperature extremes.

Exercise Care When Handling Your Equipment

Overall, it's important to always handle your equipment gently and with care. It's important to protect your tanks from damage to prevent leaks and dangerous explosions.

Here are some tips for handling and using your oxygen equipment with care:

• Be careful not to drop your oxygen tanks. Use a stand, cart, or another safe container to secure your tanks when you move them from place to place.
  
  
• Never handle your tanks roughly or carelessly.
  
  
• Never drag or roll your tanks across the floor, set them down too hard, or let them bang against walls or other objects.
  
  
• Always lift your oxygen tanks by holding the bottom or sides of the tank; do not lift or carry your tanks by holding the cap or valve.
  
  
• Never cover your oxygen equipment, including tanks, tubing, and electrical cords. Do not put them underneath fabric, furniture or bedding.
  
  
• Do not use an oxygen tank that has been dropped or damaged.
  
  

Conclusion

Knowing how to use oxygen safely is extremely important for anyone with COPD. Most patients end up using supplemental oxygen at some point over the course of their life, and knowing what precautions to take can prevent devastating fires and injuries.

Even though most people who use supplemental oxygen don't have any problems, all it takes is one poorly-timed mistake or a stroke of bad luck to cau

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that affects around 16 million people in the United States alone. While there is no “cure” for COPD, the rate that it progresses can be slowed significantly with healthy lifestyle choices and therapy options such as pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, and nebulizer therapy. COPD is a debilitating condition meaning it can affect your ability to get around. But despite this, many people with COPD have been able to live active lives.

One activity in particular that many COPD patients may have trouble doing is grocery shopping. Many people enjoy going to the store because it can be therapeutic and it allows them to plan their own meals. However, on the other hand, grocery shopping requires a lot of walking and lifting which can be made more challenging by increased breathlessness, chest pain, and chronic fatigue.

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In this post, we’ll take a look at some actionable tips for making grocery shopping a little bit easier and accommodating of your lung condition. And if you are unable to make it to the grocery store, we’ll provide you with some interesting alternatives that you can try. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.

Speak With Your Doctor

Before you start planning your trip to the grocery store, it’s very important that you speak with your doctor. While it would be nice if there was one simple dietary plan that every COPD patient could follow, the truth is, no two people have the same nutritional needs. Your doctor will work closely with you to determine what foods you should be eating based on the severity of your COPD, your age, and whether or not you have any comorbidities like diabetes, sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease.

Diet and respiratory health are inextricably linked. Whenever you eat, the food consumed is used as raw materials in a process called cellular respiration. This is when the oxygen that you take into your lungs is used to break down food and turn it into usable energy for your entire body. If you eat unhealthy foods or you don’t have the proper balance of nutrients, your lungs will not have the energy and strength they need to function properly.

You not only need to know what to eat but how much to eat as well. If you don’t eat enough food and you’re malnourished, you likely won’t have the energy to go about your daily life and do things like grocery shopping or cooking. Many COPD patients are underweight because eating can lead to bloating, chest pain, and fatigue. If this is the case, your doctor may closely manage your diet to ensure you’re getting enough protein and healthy fats in your diet. He/she may also prescribe you medication that helps you cope with bloating and fatigue after eating.

On the other hand, being overweight can also cause a lot of problems in COPD patients. While overweight is far less common in COPD patients, the added weight can lead to obstructed breathing. If you are overweight, your doctor will likely make adjustments to your fitness routine to ensure you’re getting the right amount of exercise. Spreading meals throughout the day and implementing portion control can also help alleviate weight problems. Atrophy (muscle wasting) is a common cause of weight loss in COPD patients, so it’s important to lose weight in a healthy way that burns fat rather than muscle.

Last but certainly not least, you should not hesitate to address any questions or concerns you have about grocery shopping, cooking, and diet with your doctor. If you think you have a “weird” question, chances are, there are many other people out there who have the same question, so it’s best to just speak your mind. One good way to do this is to keep a notepad handy as you go about your day and write down any questions you have as you think of them. Once it comes time to visit your doctor, simply hand him/her the notepad.  

Take Time to Plan Ahead

Going to the grocery store with COPD is all about planning. The more prepared you are, the better you will be able to deal with complications as they arise. Before heading out the door, you might want to create a list of emergency contacts that you can call if you experience a flare-up in your symptoms and need someone to come get you. According to Healthline, the average COPD patient experiences between 0.85 and 1.3 exacerbations a year so it’s best to be prepared no matter where you’re going or what you’re doing.

COPD is an invisible disease in many ways meaning nobody is going to know that you have COPD just by looking at you. This is why it’s important to have a plan rather than relying on strangers in the grocery store if you experience a flare-up. If you’re able to, you might consider reaching out to a friend and schedule days to go to the grocery store together. This could be another person with COPD or a healthy individual, but what matters is that they understand your disease and how to deal with a flare-up or exacerbation.   

Research Nutritional Information and Brands

One thing you should get in the habit of doing is being more careful about the brands you buy and the nutritional labels on the back of each product. Unfortunately, there is a lot of deceptive advertising out there to make you think that you’re eating healthy food when you’re really not. According to Truth in Advertising, 70 percent of consumers make buying decisions while they are in the store making them more susceptible to false advertising.

Remember that stores are specifically designed to get shoppers like you to spend more money. But “spending more money” doesn’t always mean getting healthy and nutritional food. If you’re in the store looking at a wall of different products, don’t just take the first one you see. Take some time to read the nutritional label on each of them and determine which one is best suited for your dietary needs. Also, be sure to write down which ones you choose so that you know for next time.

Find the Right Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Medical oxygen is a core aspect of most COPD treatment plans. Using supplemental oxygen throughout the day as prescribed allows COPD patients to keep their blood oxygen levels stable while preventing breathlessness, chest pain, and coughing. The problem, however, is that oxygen tanks are very bulky and the longer you want to stay out of the house, the heavier your tank will be.

Fortunately, there is a better alternative to oxygen tanks called portable oxygen concentrators. Unlike oxygen tanks which store compressed oxygen, oxygen concentrators are electronic devices that take in ambient air, remove nitrogen, argon, and other gases, then put out medical-grade oxygen. The benefit of this is that you don’t need to buy a large, heavy oxygen tank just to get out of the house, you just need enough batteries to last the duration of your trip.

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One of the most popular portable oxygen concentrators on the market in 2021 is the Caire FreeStyle Comfort. This unit weighs in at only 5 pounds making it one of the lightest portable oxygen concentrators ever produced. But that’s not all that it has going for itself. The FreeStyle Comfort has a maximum oxygen output of 1,050 milliliters per minute (ml/min) of medical grade oxygen (5 pulse flow settings) and offers up to 16 hours of battery life on one charge while using the 16-cell battery.

Another great affordable portable oxygen concentrator is the Inogen One G5. Much like the FreeStyle Comfort, the G5 is lightweight, weighing in at only 4.7 pounds. It also has the highest oxygen output of any pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator with 1,260 ml/min of medical-grade oxygen. Last but not least, it offers up to 13 hours of battery life on one charge using a 16-cell battery.

Needless to say, there are plenty of options available to you in terms of portable oxygen concentrators. Rather than going with the first one you find, you should take the time to speak with a respiratory specialist who will be able to align you with the POC that best meets your wants and needs. Remember that you will need a prescription from your doctor or pulmonologist in order to purchase or rent a medical-oxygen device. 

Bring Your Rescue Inhaler

A rescue inhaler is a small portable device used to administer inhaled medications. Most respiratory patients including people with asthma and COPD are prescribed an inhaler because it provides quick relief during respiratory exacerbations. Fast-acting bronchodilators act quickly to open up the airways, clear mucus, and alleviate breathlessness so it’s important to carry yours with you and keep it handy whenever you go to the grocery store.

Unfortunately, inhalers are notoriously difficult to use. Unlike nebulizers which deliver medication in a constant stream, allowing you to breathe at your own pace, inhalers require you to inhale sharply in order for the medication to reach your lower respiratory system. This can be really challenging for some COPD patients, especially people with more severe lung impairment. One great way to combat this is to use an inhaler spacer. A spacer is a plastic piece that attaches to your inhaler mouthpiece and holds the medication for longer, giving you more time to inhale it. If you’d like more information on using an inhaler more effectively, please read this article. 

Use Mobility Aids

A mobility aid is a device that helps you get around more easily. Devices like walking canes, walkers, manual wheelchairs, and electric scooters can be invaluable tools for anyone with COPD. Many grocery stores have electric scooters at the door to make it more accessible for people with disabilities. These scooters usually have a basket on the front or back so that you can store your groceries, so be sure to take full advantage of these if you see them in your store. 

Choose the Right Time and Day

Choosing the right day and the right time to go to the store can make a world of difference. Going during peak hours will mean spending more time in lines and you might be forced to rush through your grocery shopping. For someone with COPD, this is not ideal because you need to be careful about the products that you’re buying. Additionally, there’s usually added stress and anxiety when you go during the busiest hours.

According to Thrillist, the busiest times at grocery stores are Saturday afternoons between 1 pm and 3 pm and weekdays after 4 pm or 5 pm. The least busy time is Monday mornings and any weekday before noon. Planning your grocery store trip during these times will make your shopping experience much more pleasant and you won’t feel the need to rush through what you’re doing just to get out of someone’s way. 

Learn the Store’s Layout

As you go through the store for the first time, you should take note of where everything is located. You don’t need to write down everything, but you should keep track of what isle number your favorite products are located in. This will make it much easier to plan your shopping list next time you go to the store.

Consider Grocery Delivery Services

Last but certainly not least, you may want to consider either doing grocery pickup or have your groceries delivered to your home. Grocery pickup is where you order your groceries online and then you simply have to drive to the store to pick them up. This will save you a lot of time and you won’t need to worry about walking around the store to find the groceries you need. Simply pull up, load the groceries into your car, and you’re all set.

Another option is grocery delivery. Grocery delivery is usually done by third-party companies like Instacart or Shipt and will provide you with even more convenience than in-store pickup. However, the one downside to having your groceries delivered is that you will have to pay a delivery fee, so this is not a great option if you just need a few things.

Conclusion

Grocery shopping and cooking are two activities that many people love to do. However, if you’re living with COPD or any other type of chronic lung disease, you may find it difficult to find the energy to do these things. What’s more, you might worry about not having enough medical oxygen to last the duration of your trip to the store. Follow the tips above to get you started with grocery shopping in a way that’s safe and accommodating for your respiratory illness.

Here at LPT Medical, we strive to provide as many oxygen patients as possible with high-quality, lightweight, and easy-to-use portable oxygen concentrators. Unlike old outdated oxygen tanks, portable oxygen concentrators enable you to go wherever you please without restriction. With long-lasting lithium-ion batteries, you’ll never have to worry about running out of oxygen while you’re out of the house. And taking a trip to the grocery store will be a breeze with POCs like the Inogen One G5 or Caire FreeStyle Comfort. 

Whether you simply have a question about portable oxygen concentrators or you’re looking for a great deal on a new or used portable oxygen concentrator, don’t wait to reach out to our respiratory specialists here in Denver, Colorado. You can reach us by phone at 1-888-416-3855 or by email at info@lptmedical.com. Alternatively, you can leave a comment below expressing your interest in an oxygen concentrator and we will reach out to you with more information.  

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are diseases within your airways and other parts of your lungs. Some of the most common CRDs are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, occupational lung diseases, and pulmonary hypertension. In this particular article we are focusing on COPD, but a lot of the information can be related to other CRDs.

There are a lot of basics your doctor will tell you about COPD once you are diagnosed, but as with anything in life, there are some things that cannot be explained, and instead you learn from experience.

Once you are diagnosis with COPD, there is no straight path you take, there are left turns and right turns obstacles big and small, all of which you will learn to go through. You will learn how to find ways to live with this disease, and we are here to not only help you live with COPD, but live a high quality life with COPD.

You will learn along the way, what COPD triggers are the most harmful to you and how to avoid them, you will learn what foods cause bloating in your body, and how to fit exercise into your daily routine.

While your doctor may suggest healthier habits and give you tips for living a healthier lifestyle, you are the one who has to go home and live with COPD, so you will have to determine how to follow your doctor’s advice in the most effective way possible, and this isn’t always black and white.

We designed this resource guide to help you navigate the reality of living with COPD, if something applies to you take it, if not leave it behind. Everyone is different and COPD affects every individual differently so it is important to listen to your body and mind to get the best possible treatment for your COPD.

COPD is commonly Misdiagnosed

One of the most important things to discuss about COPD, is the diagnosis. First of all, in many cases, people who have COPD are not to be diagnosed until the disease has progressed into a more severe state. More than 16.4 million people have been diagnosed with COPD, but millions more may have the disease without even knowing it.

It is increasingly common to miss the warning signs of COPD early on, as the beginning stages can often be chalked up to “getting older”. Therefore, COPD is often not found until the disease is very advanced, when there is something clearly wrong. This is alarming, and serious action should be taken to prevent it because COPD is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time. If you catch COPD warning signs early, the sooner you can start to treat COPD and slow down the deterioration in your lungs.

Some of the symptoms of COPD are similar to the side effects of “getting older.” If you think you have even mild symptoms of COPD, tell your doctor as soon as possible so they can test you.

Here are some early warning signs to look out for:

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• A chronic cough that may produce mucus in a clear, white, yellow or greenish color
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Lack of energy
• Unintended weight loss (in later stages)
• Swelling in ankles, feet or legs

You should be considered for diagnosis of COPD if you experience symptoms of a chronic cough, sputum production, dyspnea and a history of exposure to risk factors for the disease.

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To diagnose your condition, your doctor will look into you medical and family history before they look at your signs and symptoms. You should also bring up any exposure you've had to lung irritants — especially if you smoke cigarettes or are exposed to cigarette smoke a lot smoke. 

Be Careful to Avoid COPD Flare Ups

If you have COPD, you are also likely to experience COPD exacerbations, during which your symptoms become worse than the usual day-to-day symptoms. These episodes can be long-lasting and persist for at least several days, and in some cases you may need to seek medical attention.

There are many triggers of COPD exacerbations, and your trigger may be different than someone else's, but here is a list of some common triggers that you can work to avoid:

• Smoking
• Second-hand smoke
• Air pollutants
• Dust
• Dust mites
• Clean products such as bleach
• Indoor allergens like animal dander
• Outdoor allergens like hay and pollen
• Cold dry outdoor air during winter
• Hot moist steam from showers

If you have COPD it is best for you to avoid these triggers listed above. We wrote a resource guide for people who want to create a COPD safe living space inside their home, you can read it by clicking here.

There is No Cure for Chronic Lung Diseases

CRDs including COPD are not curable, however, various forms of treatment are available. Certain treatments such as supplemental oxygen therapy, can improve shortness of breath and help control symptoms and increase the quality of life for people with the disease. 

COPD gets worse over-time, and without the proper treatment, COPD will cause major health issues, and even lead death. 

COPD is Commonly Cause by Smoking and Air Pollutants

In addition to tobacco smoke, you can also develop COPD by inhaling other risk factors including air pollution, occupational chemicals and dusts, and frequent respiratory infections during childhood.

COPD is Diagnosed by Your Doctor with a Series of Tests

Common COPD tests are as follows:

Lung (pulmonary) function tests

These tests measure the amount of air you can inhale and exhale, and whether your lungs deliver enough oxygen to your blood.

Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray

X-rays can show emphysema, one of the causes of COPD. An X-ray can also exposure or rule out other lung problems or heart failure.

CT scan. A CT scan of your lungs can help detect emphysema and help determine if you might benefit from surgery for COPD. CT scans can also be used to screen for lung cancer.

Arterial blood gas analysis

This is a blood test which measures how efficient your lungs are transferring gases. So this test specifically looks at the oxygen in your blood and the removal of carbon dioxide.

Laboratory tests

Lab tests will not be used to diagnose COPD, however they can be used to find the cause of your symptoms, and rule out other respiratory conditions.

Spirometry

This is a test designed to diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), so it measures how deeply you can breathe and how fast air can move into and out of your lungs. Low results from a spirometry test can be consistent with COPD, but also may not be specific to COPD because it can be caused by other lung diseases and poor performance during testing.

Because COPD develops slowly, it can be hard to diagnose COPD accurately, which is why it is frequently diagnosed later in life, mostly in people 40 years or older.

You Can Treat COPD

While there is no cure from COPD, or other CRDs, you can treat your disease and ease the symptoms. With the correct treatment, medications, and healthy habits you can even slow down the progression of your COPD.

Oxygen therapy is one of the COPD treatments that can extend your life expectancy.

Eating healthy foods that do not cause bloating will help you feel less short of breath.

Exercising or walking regularly strengthens your airways and lung muscles, which helps you manage COPD symptoms more effectively.

Medications, like short-acting bronchodilator help open your airways to make breathing easier in emergency situations, and during a COPD exacerbation. Medications can make the recovery process easier.

If you Need Supplemental Oxygen your Doctor will Prescribe it to You

Supplemental oxygen therapy is a life saving treatment for respiratory patients with low blood oxygen levels. You can be administered oxygen through a liquid oxygen tank, compressed oxygen gas canisters, or a portable oxygen concentrator (POC). All of these methods feed oxygen to the user through an oxygen nasal tub or face mask.

The biggest difference between each of these methods is the tanks and canisters have a finite amount of oxygen that must be refilled, whereas a POC takes ambient air from its surrounding and purifies it into medical-grade oxygen. POCs also runs off of batteries so it will have to be re-charged.

Oxygen therapy will be prescribed to you by your doctor after undergoing tests that will measure your current oxygen intake and transfer of gases in your lungs. If you have Hypoxemia, meaning you have low blood oxygen levels, your doctor will prescribe you a flow rate and give you recommendations for an oxygen device.

You will then want to get in contact with an oxygen device distributing company, possibly in your local area. For example you can google search something like, Denver, Colorado oxygen supplies, and LPT Medical will pop up, same goes for Boca Raton, Florida oxygen equipment. This is one way to find portable oxygen concentrators for sale near you, but you can also order POCs from around the nation and they can be shipped to you.

If you are going to be using an oxygen tank, it is essential there is an oxygen delivery company near your home, because they will have to come and replace empty tanks with filled tanks weekly.

LPT Medical is a family owned and operated business, and while we do a lot of local oxygen sales in Denver and Boca Raton, we also work with customers nationwide. If you are in the market for a portable oxygen concentrator, call us at 1-800-946-1201 so we can help find you an oxygen device that fits your needs.

Too Much Oxygen Can be Dangerous

The reason it is crucial to go through a licensed oxygen distributor like LPT Medical, is because we make sure to look at your doctor’s prescription before we recommend an oxygen device to you.

We would recommend devices like the Caire Freestyle Comfort to an oxygen user with a pulse flow rate of 630 - 840 LPM. On the other hand, if you need a continuous flow of oxygen of about 0.5 - 1.0 LPM you would need a device like the Respironics SimplyGo.

If you started to take oxygen more often than your doctor recommended or upped the dosage, you would start to experience something called oxygen toxicity or oxygen poisoning, and this is very dangerous. The first sign of oxygen toxicity, manifests in your Central Nervous System, and you may start to experience things like:

• Visual changes
• Tunnel vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Nausea
• Twitching (especially of the face)
• Behavioral changes (irritability, anxiety, confusion)
• Dizziness

If you continue to use excessive amounts of oxygen, pulmonary toxicity will begin to occur as a result of too much oxygen in your system. After a certain amount of time with too much oxygen saturation tracheobronchitis or inflammation of the upper airways will start to negatively impact your respiratory system.

There will be a decline in your lung function, alveolar damage, and soon acute respiratory distress syndrome will onset. This could all eventually lead to collapse of your alveoli, also known as atelectasis.

The bottomline is that it is very important to follow your oxygen prescription as an oxygen patient. Other folks at risk of oxygen toxicity are deep sea divers. Be sure to ask your pulmonary doctor and respiratory specialist any questions you have, and clearly communicate your confusion.

Your Oxygen Prescription Will Vary Depending on the Severity of you Your Disease

It is possible that you will have to adjust your oxygen levels while you exercise, compared to while you rest. Some people will need to use oxygen 24/7 and others may only need it while they are exerting themselves physically.

All of this will depend on your condition, so you can’t always ask for advice from others who also have COPD or another oxygen user. Their oxygen dosage may be completely different than yours. The best way to get the most out of your oxygen therapy is to understand you and your condition, your oxygen prescription, and how to use your portable oxygen concentrator or oxygen tanks.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator Costs

Our portable oxygen concentrators costs range anywhere from $999 - $3,000 depending on the unit you are interested in. We also offer refurbished units so if you are on a tight budget we are still happy to work with you to get a reliable oxygen device. Be sure to call us to find out of our current specials that we update throughout the year on select devices!

COPD is Also Common in Women

At one time, tobacco was predominantly used by men and so COPD was subsequently much more common in men than women. Nowadays, there are more deaths resulting from COPD in women than in men. There are four reasons why this shift happened.

1. In the late 1960s, a large influx of women started smoking as a result of tobacco and advertising companies heavily targeting women.

2. Also, women are more vulnerable than men to lung damage from cigarette smoke and other pollutants because their lungs are smaller.

3. Estrogen has been noted to also play a role in worsening lung disease.

4. Lastly, because COPD has always been thought of as a “man’s disease” Women are often misdiagnosed. Many doctors do not think to check for COPD in women and miss the proper signs and therefore women go undiagnosed and untreated much more often..

Learn more about all things COPD in women

COPD is a Leading Cause of Death

COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, about 140,000 American die from COPD each year.

The total deaths from COPD are projected to increase unless urgent action is taken to reduce the underlying risk factors, especially tobacco use. 

Underlying risk factors of COPD that need to be mitigated to reduce COPD deaths include:

• Exposure to tobacco smoke
• Occupational exposure to dusts and chemicals
• Exposure to fumes from burning fuel
• In some cases genetics

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Overview

If you think you could possibly have COPD, or if you have recently been diagnosed with COPD we hope that you found this guide into the basics and secrets of COPD useful in some way.

If you learned anything about yourself and your condition, please leave a comment below or share with someone that might learn something too!

There is so much more information about COPD that you will learn through the process of living with COPD, and you can find more resources about oxygen therapy and COPD related article by clicking here. 

If you have COPD or another disease that is causing low blood oxygen levels supplemental oxygen therapy can be a life saver, quite literally. If done correctly you can add years to your life simply by adhering to your oxygen prescription. Beyond taking your oxygen as prescribed, you can start to eat healthier, stop smoking, and start exercising all of which are habits that will contribute to a healthy and long life with a respiratory illness.

In this article we are focusing on supplemental oxygen as a treatment for COPD.

Research shows that oxygen is the only drug that can prolong life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In fact, oxygen not only prolongs life, it improves the quality of life and has numerous health benefits for people with chronic low oxygen levels due to a variety of diseases.

Despite all of the research suggesting oxygen can make your life living with COPD more comfortable and enjoyable, some people still struggle with oxygen therapy and claim it is uncomfortable, it is limiting, and weighs them down. We wrote this article for those people who feel they are not living out the benefits oxygen therapy has to offer.

Many people live happy joyful lives traveling, exploring new relationships, trying new and exciting things, all while managing and treating their COPD. People who can live with such an invasive and chronic illness still have their hardships, but they are also committed to their treatment plan for COPD daily which makes living with this disease more manageable.

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In this article we are going to explain the do’s and don’ts of oxygen therapy so that you can start managing your COPD to the best of your ability, and finally start reaping the benefits oxygen therapy has to offer.

What is oxygen therapy?

The overarching goal for your oxygen therapy is to ensure that you maintain adequate blood oxygen levels under all conditions, all day and all night. The duration of oxygen you need and the flow setting you should use for your oxygen delivery is determined by your doctor.

They will test you while you are resting and during activities. If your blood oxygen levels are calculated to be lower than the normal range at rest, continuous oxygen delivery, meaning for 24-hours a day, is the single most important treatment, above eating healthy and exercising, that can prolong your life.

By getting you blood oxygen levels back to a normal level while you sleep, exercise, and do daily activities, your body will not have to suffer through the negative consequences of intermittent or chronic low blood oxygen levels that COPD poses.

There are three main forms of home oxygen therapy. You can take it in gas form via an oxygen cylinder (the old-fashioned bullet-shaped metal tanks), in liquid form via a barrel-shaped metal tank that converts the liquid to gas upon release, or via a portable oxygen concentrator which extracts oxygen from your environmental air and compresses it into medical-grade oxygen.

Your doctor will work with you to decide what your oxygen needs are and your oxygen supply company will work with you and your doctor to find the best device to fit your needs. They will write you a prescription for the exact flow rate (liters per minute), frequency, and delivery system that is the best fit for you.

Do's and Don'ts

Don’t take more or less of your oxygen unless directed otherwise by your doctor

Oxygen is not just a gas making up a part of the air we breathe, it is a medicine. Supplemental oxygen is prescribed by your doctor, and just like other medications, it should only be taken under your doctor’s direction.

Oxygen saturation is usually considered to be normal if it is above 90% for a healthy individual living at sea level, however your doctor should be able to determine what the normal level of oxygen saturation is dependent upon your condition and individual characteristics. Typically, if your oxygen saturation is below 88% without oxygen, you will likely be prescribed supplemental long term oxygen therapy (LTOT).

When you are prescribed oxygen, your doctor will measure your blood oxygen levels while you are at rest, while you exercise, and while you sleep or rest. Some people will require supplemental oxygen continuously; others only require it intermittently or only during the night.

The specific frequency and duration you need supplemental oxygen during the day and night is dependent upon your pulmonary function tests (PFTs) that are performed by your doctor. In individuals with COPD, hypoxia in the lungs means oxygen levels become extremely low, and if you do not take your oxygen when you are supposed to, or you leave it at a low setting that does not match your prescription, your lungs and furthermore your organs will not get enough oxygen. This will cause damage and injury throughout your body.

It is also possible for oxygen users to use too much oxygen, causing a condition called oxygen toxicity. This is seen in deep sea divers, premature babies, and patients with COPD who inaccurately utilize their oxygen supply when there is high exposure to high concentrations of oxygen. You should carefully monitor yourself for signs and symptoms of oxygen toxicity throughout your treatment, especially when you first start oxygen therapy.

Signs of too much oxygen and symptoms of oxygen toxicity include:

• Headache
• Hiccups
• Shivering
• tingling in the limbs
• Vision
• hearing changes
• Fatigue
• Hyperventilation

If you continue to abuse your oxygen supply, and the high exposure to oxygen continues, vertigo and nausea will occur, followed by behavioral changes (irritability, anxiety, confusion), clumsiness and eventually convulsions.

Even though it is possible to get too much oxygen from your oxygen concentrator it is unlikely when you use your oxygen concentrator as it has been directed and prescribed to you.

This is hugely why all oxygen supply companies will require a prescription from your doctor, and why your doctor should choose your oxygen prescription based on valid results from your pulmonary tests. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest possible concentration to you that will still provide therapeutic benefits, in order to avoid symptoms of too much oxygen but also make sure your blood oxygen levels get back to normal.

Do be sure to have an oxygen device that can cover your needs should they increase over-time

If you have COPD, and you see your doctor regularly, one of the tests they will look for is determining the severity of your COPD and how it has progressed since they last saw you.

Because CODP is a chronic illness, there is no cure, and it also progresses over time, meaning you may not need supplemental oxygen now, but one day you might. And if you have an oxygen prescription now, that might change in the future should the prescription no longer fulfill your body’s oxygen requirements and it will need to be increased.

This is why it is important when you are in the market for an oxygen device, specifically while you shop for a portable oxygen concentrator that the machine is capable of increasing its oxygen output beyond your oxygen requirements at the time. If you have a reliable sales person and you are purchasing the device from an licensed distributor of medical equipment, this will be one of the main priorities both you and the company's representative should be looking into: the device's flow rates and its capabilities to fulfill you oxygen requirements and beyond.

You may also need to increase your oxygen prescription in the case of an emergency or if you are experiencing a mild to severe COPD exacerbation where your symptoms are escalated. Your doctor will inform you of when and why you should increase your oxygen output in these scenarios and you should feel confident in doing so. If you do not, you should speak with your doctor or other healthcare specialists that you work with closely to ensure you know this protocol.

As we mentioned above, taking too much oxygen or not getting enough, are both harmful practices that will impose harmful side effects on your body.

Do not smoke

Everyone is going to tell you to quit smoking if you have COPD. While it is too late to reverse your disease, it is not too late to stop it from progressing into a more severe state, and the single most important thing to do is to quit smoking or quit being around smoke.

It is also important to quit smoking if you use supplemental oxygen for a few reasons. The first being that it is unsafe for you and the people in your home and vicinity. Especially if you use oxygen cylinders or liquid tanks, because these methods of oxygen delivery create an oxygen-rich environment. Oxygen is a flammable gas, and a cigarette or a lighter near a flammable gas is just bad news all together.

You should make sure to notify your fire department that you are an oxygen user, and let them know the method of oxygen delivery you use. Confirm that you have a fire extinguisher inside your home, and functioning smoke alarms, all of which are precautionary measures should a fire ever occur.

This is also a great place to note that you should stay at least 10 feet away from open flames, such as a fireplace, gas heater or stove, candles, etc.

Do ask a lot of questions

COPD is confusing! And there is no one right answer for everyone! So ask questions until you are comfortable and confident in all of your endeavors including home oxygen therapy.

Ask your doctor questions about your treatments, medications, and prescriptions. Ask them where you can get involved with a pulmonary rehabilitation course. Ask them to go over your action plan for a COPD exacerbation, and then ask them again. If you have a disease like COPD, you must be in the know at all times, and feel fully confident of what is going on inside your body so you know what to look out for when something changes.

Here is a great resource about communicating with your doctor, and asking the questions you might not even know to ask: COPD Education is Key: 15 Questions you Need to ask your Doctor

When you are shopping for a portable oxygen concentrator, or another form of oxygen therapy, ask your respiratory specialist about the reasons they recommend one portable oxygen concentrator over another.

Why the Caire FreeStyle Comfort fits your friend’s oxygen requirements but you require something more powerful like the Respironics SimplyGo. Ask them questions about traveling with a portable oxygen concentrator compared to oxygen tanks. Ask them how you can charge your portable device’s batteries while you’re at home or in the car.

If you get your oxygen delivered be sure to closely monitor your gauges on your oxygen equipment so you are never running low. Promptly notify your oxygen supplier with plenty of time for them to deliver refills, and upon delivery be sure to ask questions of your oxygen delivery person.

If you're new to oxygen therapy, or are thinking about changing your oxygen method to a more portable system, call us at 1-(800)-946-1201, and we will help you decide on the best portable oxygen concentrator that fits your needs, and also makes your life easier. If you have questions about how much portable oxygen concentrators costs, you will not find the true answer online.

A basic google search will take you to pages that lists these devices anywhere from $2,000 - $3,000, for example the Inogen One G5 is listed on google for almost $3,000. This is because the manufacturers require its distributors to only advertise their devices at set prices, and so the best way to get accurate prices is to call and speak with a respiratory specialist over the phone.

Don’t be careless with storing and transporting your oxygen

If you use an oxygen cylinder or liquid oxygen tanks, you have to store the devices properly. They cannot fall over, and should remain upright and tied into place while being transported.

If you have an oxygen concentrator, you should be careful with the device naturally, but if you are prone to being clumsy or dropping your things, having a durable portable oxygen device should be on your list of priorities.

If you are worried about breaking your portable oxygen device, you might want to consider a device like the SeQual Eclipse 5 which 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 and reliable as it was intentionally created for the US Military. The hard-bodied shell of the Eclipse 5 is extremely protective. It will keep your concentrator protected from everyday wear and tear, accidental bumps and bruises, and if you have pets or grandkids in the house it will be able to withstand their crazy antics.

The Invacare Platinum Mobile is another durable pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator built for mobility and designed to withstand the trials of everyday life. This concentrator has a rugged design with reinforced bumpers and cushions to protect the unit from daily wear and tear. It contains a foam encapsulated compressor and latch-free doors to absorb shock because sometimes occasional bumps can simply be unavoidable, it is even water resistant!

Don’t run low on oxygen

As we have mentioned in this article, it is critical for you to take your oxygen as prescribed, so running lower on your oxygen supply or running low on the batteries, is not a good practice.

If you use an oxygen canister, or oxygen tanks, always put an order in for your delivery service to have them refilled before you run out.

If you have a portable oxygen concentrator, be sure to keep your device charged, and try to avoid letting the battery die in order to preserve the overall battery life. You can also notify your local utility company and let them know that you have an oxygen concentrator in use, so that you will be given priority during power outages. You may also want to consider buying a backup generator in the event of power outages, so you are still bale to charge your breathing device's batteries.

Do’s and don’ts for using liquid oxygen

Here are some additional factors you should know while using liquid oxygen:

DON'T tip the device or lean it, make sure it is stable and upright at all times, or the liquid can leak out

DO keep the tank at least 5 feet away from space heaters, electric or gas heaters, steam pipes, furnaces, and radiators

Do’s and don’ts for using oxygen concentrators

Here are a few more tips for using an oxygen concentrator:

DON’T ever use an extension cord to plug in your concentrator and do not plug anything else into the same outlet while you are charging your device

DO keep the unit about 6 inches away from the wall curtains or anything else that might obstruct the filter and prevent air circulation around it; this will also help avoid heat build up

DON'T cover the unit with anything like blankets or towels; this will also help avoid heat build up

If you would like more tips and tricks for making supplemental oxygen therapy more enjoyable overall click here to read How to Make Supplemental Oxygen More Comfortable

Overview

Oxygen therapy can be of great benefit to you and you loved ones. It can give you the energy and strength you need to start doing the things you love to do again. With certain oxygen device like portable oxygen concentrators , you can travel by plane, and easily carry with you to run errands or exercise.

All oxygen therapy methods share a similar goal, and that is to get your blood oxygen levels back to a normal rate. If you need your therapy to do even more for you in order to be satisfied, you should talk to you doctor about the possibilities of switching to a portable oxygen concentrator, so you can start getting more than just the essentials from your tanks or canisters.

Until then, we hope that you have found some useful information that you can bring home with you to make the most out of your oxygen therapy and start living the life you want to, whether thats being more active, having more energy, or coping with your COPD more effectively.

The lungs are one of five vital organs in the human body along with the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver. Every breath you take helps to produce and distribute nutrients in the bloodstream that provide you with energy, heal your wounds, and maintain every other organ throughout the body. And while most people understand the basics of maintaining healthy lungs i.e., getting enough exercise, eating healthy foods, and not smoking, many people aren’t aware of how specific lung diseases differ from one another and how they’re diagnosed by medical professionals.

There are many lung diseases, but each one affects a different part of the respiratory process. For example, one condition may affect your physical ability to take in air while another could affect your lung’s ability to absorb oxygen from that air. While the symptoms you experience may be similar in these two situations, the way they’re diagnosed and treated could be very different.

If you’re diagnosed with a lung disease, it’s important that you’re educated about its unique characteristics because, while your doctor will provide you with medication and information regarding your disease, your body’s ability to heal will inevitably depend on the lifestyle changes you make.

In the following sections, we’re going to break down each category of lung disease to help you demystify them and eliminate any confusion you may have. Then, we’ll take a look at how exactly respiratory diseases are diagnosed by doctors. Keep in mind that if you have any questions or concerns about your respiratory health, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your pulmonologist or in one of the many online forums designed to support those suffering with respiratory disease.

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The Importance of Respiratory Health

Despite lung disease being one of the leading causes of death worldwide, many people are unaware of the role their lungs play in their overall health. While asthma and lung cancer are household names in the health world, they are far from the only conditions you should be aware of or concerned about.

Unfortunately, as we age, most things become more difficult and that includes breathing and maintaining healthy lungs. If you’ve smoked in the past or lived in a polluted area, you’re going to be at a much higher risk for a variety of different respiratory conditions so the best way to stay healthy is to get started as soon as possible with protecting your lungs.

Generally, raising awareness is a great way to stress the importance of lung health and prevent many diseases before they take hold. Simply discussing the topic with a friend and striking up a conversation on a blog, online forum, or among your friend group will get people talking and cause them to be more conscious about their lung health.

How The Lungs Work

The lungs are one piece of the respiratory system and are responsible for bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide. The respiratory process begins when the diaphragm (the muscle between the lungs and the abdomen) contracts, expanding the lungs and causing air to flow down the windpipe to the trachea where it is divided into the bronchial tubes and into the lungs.

As air enters the lungs it’s divided into smaller air passages called bronchioles. At the ends of these bronchioles are alveoli, tiny air sacs with blood vessels and capillaries on them. The walls of the alveoli absorb oxygen where it passes into the blood. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide is released from the blood and sent out of the body when you exhale. 

Your red blood cells need oxygen to complete a process called metabolism. This is where nutrients taken from the food you eat are broken down using oxygen to create usable energy for your body. The heart then pumps this blood throughout the body reaching every organ in the body. 

Your respiratory system has a number of “defense mechanisms” that it uses to prevent irritants and harmful substances from entering the lungs and bloodstream. Tiny hairs in the nose called cilia help to prevent larger particles from entering your lungs. Additionally, mucus in the bronchial tubes and trachea help prevent viruses and bacteria from reaching the lungs. However, if these impurities do reach the lungs, they can sometimes be brought up through mucus. 

The Different Types of Respiratory Disease

The majority of lung disease in the United States are the result of smoking, infections, and genetics. They can be classified into six different categories. Each category impacts a different part of the lungs. Because each of these categories can overlap in terms of symptoms, causes, and risk factors, it’s often difficult to diagnose them without the appropriate diagnostic tests and a thorough examination of symptoms. Read on to learn more about each category of respiratory disease.

Diseases Affecting the Airways

The airways are all parts of the respiratory system that transport air from one point to another. It starts at the nose and mouth, passes through the pharynx and larynx, and into the trachea. After reaching the trachea, it passes into the left and right bronchi and then the three lobes in each lung. 

Asthma

Asthma is one of the most common respiratory diseases affecting the airways. It’s characterized by persistent inflammation and spasms that result in shortness of breath and wheezing. During an asthma attack, muscles near the airways contract and they become swollen causing the bronchial tubes to narrow. 1 in 13 people have moderate to severe asthma according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Asthma is classified into two different categories: allergic asthma (extrinsic) or non-allergic asthma (intrinsic). Allergic asthma is caused by external factors or irritants that come from outside the body such as pollution, cigarette smoke, pollen, exhaust, or airborne chemicals. Non-allergic asthma is the result of internal triggers such as bacterial and viral inflammations of the airways. Emotional or physical stress can also induce an asthma attack.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It’s an umbrella term that includes emphysema (damage to the alveoli) and chronic bronchitis (damage to the bronchial tubes). 90 percent of instances of COPD are the result of smoking.

COPD isn't a disease that takes hold overnight; it develops gradually over years like many lung conditions. As a result, many people don't realize they have COPD until their symptoms get bad enough for them to see a doctor. Like an asthma attack, a COPD exacerbation is a sudden onset of symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Breathlessness - especially during physical activity
• Chronic cough that tends to get worse over time
• Wheezing or other breathing sounds
• Coughing up mucus (phlegm)
• Symptoms that get worse with sickness such as a cold or the flu

Acute Bronchitis

Also known as a chest cold, acute bronchitis is the temporary inflammation of the bronchi. This is usually accompanied by a fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, and excess mucus production. While acute bronchitis is not usually a huge health concern, combined with other more serious respiratory conditions, it can cause an exacerbation that could be fatal. This is why it's so important to avoid getting sick if you have any type of lung disease.

Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis differs from the above conditions in that it’s genetic. Someone with with cystic fibrosis will have difficulty clearing mucus from the airways because the disease causes it to become sticky and thick. These people typically have frequent lung infections and a chronic cough and it's often detected in childhood so it can be treated early on.

Cystic fibrosis alters a protein in the body called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane (CFTR). This protein manages the flow of salt and water in and out of cells in the body. Because the balance of salt and water is altered, mucus becomes thicker which can affect a number of systems throughout the body, especially the respiratory, digestive, reproductive systems, and sweat glands.

Diseases Affecting the Air Sacs (Alveoli)

There are millions of alveoli in the lungs. Each balloon-shaped air sac is only one cell thick and are the “endpoint” of the respiratory system where oxygen enters the bloodstream. There are a number of disorders affecting the alveoli that can result in inflammation, overdistention, or surfactant which prevents the alveoli from deflating entirely between breaths.  

Pulmonary Edema

A pulmonary edema occurs when the alveoli begin to fill with fluid preventing the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This disease can often occur as a result of congestive heart failure and can be deadly.

In situations where pulmonary edemas are not caused by the heart, this is called noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. This results when the capillaries in the lungs become leaky or more permeable. This may happen as a result of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a viral infection or more.

In order to prevent pulmonary edemas, you should focus on your cardiovascular health. Eat a heart-healthy diet low in salt, sugar, and solid fats, exercise regularly, and never smoke. Pulmonary edemas can be fatal so it's important that you visit a cardiologist and pulmonologist regular to monitor your heart and lung health. 

Pneumonia

This condition results when the alveoli become inflamed and infected, usually filling with pus and making it difficult to breathe. While pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening, it's more dangerous for people with a weakened immune system or people with other health problems.

Pneumonia can be acquired from a number of sources including hospitals, long-term care facilities, or other healthcare facilities. In order to prevent pneumonia, you should get vaccinated, practice good hygiene, and keep your immune system strong by eating right and not smoking.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a contagious disease resulting from a bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. This disease begins in the lungs but bacteria is known to travel to other parts of the body like the spine, brain, and kidney. People who have active tuberculosis may experience symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and coughing up blood-tinged phlegm. To some, tuberculosis is known as the "disease of poverty" because it is far more common in developing countries that are often overcrowded.

Lung Cancer

While lung cancer can occur in any part of the lungs, it occurs more frequently in or around the alveoli. Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer but it's also the most preventable with up to 90 percent of all cases being caused by smoking. While there are more than 20 different types of lung cancer, the two most common are small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. 

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

ARDS occurs when the alveoli in the lungs begin to fill with blood from surrounding blood vessels. Because ARDS leads to low blood oxygen levels and breathing failure, it can often be a fatal disease and while two thirds of ARDS patients survive, some may never fully recover from their symptoms.

Diseases Affecting the Interstitium

Between the alveoli in the lungs, there is a thin lining containing blood vessels that are responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and the air sacs. This delicate layer is called the interstitium.

Diseases that affect the interstitium are classified under the umbrella term “interstitial lung disease” (ILD) and include things like autoimmune disease, sarcoidosis, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Other diseases that can affect the interstitium include pulmonary edema and pneumonia.

Diseases Affecting Blood Vessels

It’s important to remember that what affects one part of the body often has an effect on another party of the body — this is often the case with diseases affecting blood vessels. When the right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood, it goes to the lungs through the pulmonary arteries. These arteries may become damaged by disease as well.

Pulmonary Hypertension

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) can result in chest pain and shortness of breath. The primary concern with pulmonary hypertension is heart failure as it puts a strain on the right ventricle of the heart.

High blood pressure usually results when capillaries and pulmonary arterioles are damaged, clogged, or narrowed in some way. When this happens, the right side of your heart will have a harder time pumping blood through the lungs. Eventually, the patient will experience heart failure.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Also known as a blood clot, a PE may be pumped into the lungs resulting in low blood oxygen levels and difficulty breathing. It can also result in damage to the lungs or other organs within the body and can even be fatal. Common signs of a pulmonary embolism are a chronic cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Treatment options for PE include blood thinners, compression clothing, and physical activity.

Diseases Affecting the Pleura

The pleura is the outer lining of the lungs made up of the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura. The pleura as a whole assists the lungs as you inhale and exhale by producing a fluid that lubricates them and allows them to move easily. 

Pleural Effusion

Heart failure or pneumonia can sometimes result in what’s called a pleural effusion. This is when an excess amount of fluid builds up in the space between the chest wall and the lung. Draining the fluid can help the patient regain their breathing.

The two types of pleural effusion are exudative and transudative. Exudative pleural effusions are the result of an excess of white blood cells that have reached the pleural fluid. Cancer, infection, and inflammation are usually the cause of this type of pleural effusion. On the other hand, transudative effusion is usually caused by kidney disease, liver disease, and cardiac failure. It's usually pale and yellow in color.

Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax, also known as a collapsed lung, results when air leaks into the area between the lung and the chest wall (pleural cavity). There are a number of things that can cause pneumothorax like chest injury, lung disease, or lung procedures. Depending on how severe the event was, pneumothorax can fix it self or it may require medical attention. To treat it, doctors insert a needle or tube between the ribs and remove excess air.

Mesothelioma

This is a rare type of cancer that’s typically caused by exposure to asbestos, a fibrous mineral often used in the building and construction industry. Years of exposure can significantly damage the lungs and can be life threatening. In order to prevent mesothelioma, it's a good idea to have the air quality in your home tested regularly.

This cancer attacks mesothelial cells found in the abdominal cavity and membranes lining the chest. This forms a tissue called mesothelium which lubricates organs and prevents them from becoming damaged as they move up against one another. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the abdomen while pleural mesothelioma occurs in the chest cavity.

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Diseases Affecting the Chest Wall

In order to take in as much air as possible, your lungs, diaphragm, and chest wall need to be as flexible as possible. When any one of these is obstructed it can result in difficulty breathing and other respiratory disorders.

Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Obesity is common and can have numerous adverse effects on the body. Extra weight on the abdomen and chest, however, can lead to serious breathing problems, especially if other respiratory diseases are involved. In most cases, respiratory patients will undergo some form of exercise in order to prevent fat from building up in the chest.

Neuromuscular Disorders

Myasthenia gravis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are two neuromuscular disorders that may affect the lungs. These conditions affect the nerves that control the muscles in your chest wall resulting in difficulty breathing. This can’t be cured but it can be managed and treated. 

Diagnostic Tests for Lung Conditions

Because so many lung conditions have overlapping symptoms, it can be difficult to diagnose them. According to WebMD, between 25 and 50 percent of people in the United States visit a doctor with a concern about shortness of breath every year. Lung diseases are by no means uncommon, but they can range in severity from mild to life-threatening.

While your doctor will likely ask you about the symptoms you’ve been having, he/she will likely have to perform some type of test to accurately diagnose your condition. A physical examination is usually where they will start along with studying your medical history. If these bring up any concerns, your doctor will have a better idea of what test to perform.  

Spirometry

If your doctor believes you are exhibiting signs of COPD, asthma, or pulmonary fibrosis, he may perform a spirometry test. These tests can also be used if you already have a lung disease in order to see how well your treatment is working.

During a spirometry test you will exhale into a tube that’s attached to a spirometry device. This will result in two measurements: forced vital capacity (FVC), the amount of air you can exhale, and forced expiratory volume (FEV), the amount you can exhale in one second.

Chest X-Rays

A chest X-ray can reveal a number of things about your pulmonary health. Because they produce images of your heart, lungs, blood vessels, and airways, your doctor will be able to see how your lungs are functioning with the rest of the body. Your doctor will be able to identify cancer, emphysema, pneumonia, collapsed lungs, and heart issues that could be affecting your lungs.

Blood Gas Tests 

This is a type of blood test used to determine your blood oxygen levels. Blood gas tests or blood gas analysis will provide your doctor with crucial information about the function of your lungs and can be used to diagnose a wide range of respiratory diseases. It will measure your oxygen saturation level, partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and arterial blood pH. If you already have a lung disease, pulse oximetry is a quick and noninvasive  way to check your blood oxygen levels. Your doctor may recommend this, especially if you are using supplemental oxygen like an oxygen tank or oxygen concentrator.

Chest CT Scan

A CT Scan is a more advanced form of X-ray allowing your doctor to see more detailed images of the chest and its internal organs. A CT scan can be used to reveal tumors and evaluate heart and lung diseases. The main benefit of a CT scan over a traditional X-ray is that it’s much easier to see subtle details in the internal organs which could be crucial for accurately diagnosing a lung diseases like pneumonia, tuberculosis, interstitial diseases, and detect inflammation of the pleura covering the lungs. 

Bronchoscopy With Biopsy

A bronchoscopy is a procedure where a thin tube with a camera on the end is inserted through the nose or mouth in order to view the airways and the lungs. The biopsy part involves taking a small amount of tissue for testing which is not always necessary depending on what your doctor is testing for. Bronchoscopies are typically used to look for blockages in the airways, diagnose shortness of breath or a chronic cough, or to follow up on a CT scan that revealed a lung infection.

Electrocardiography (EKG)

Electrocardiography is a noninvasive test that can help your doctor determine if blood flow to the heart is being impaired. During this procedure, several electrodes will be attached to your chest and monitor your heart rhythm which is displayed on a screen. This type of test can be used to diagnose lung disorders that affect the blood vessels and heart. 

How To Maintain Healthy Lungs

Respiration is one of the most important processes that your body performs and your lungs are at the center of it. Fortunately, you don’t have to leave your lung health up to chance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 39 percent of chronic lower respiratory diseases cases (the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.) are preventable. What this means is that making healthy lifestyle choices will significantly decrease your chance of being diagnosed with a lung disease.

What’s more, many of the lifestyle changes you can make are very simple and will have far reaching effects beyond just your respiratory health. Heart health is very closely linked to lung health, so chances are, if you’re taking good care of your heart, you’re also helping your lungs. Let’s take a look at some simple things you can do to improve your health.

Avoid Airborne Pollutants

The scary thing about airborne pollutants is that we’re surrounded by them constantly, sometimes without us even knowing.

More than 1.5 million adults in the United States use supplemental oxygen to treat a variety of respective respiratory diseases. Oxygen therapy is used to improve the quality of life and prolong survival for patients with low oxygen levels. If you are a long time oxygen patient, or if you are someone who has recently been prescribed oxygen therapy, you might be curious what the transition from an oxygen tank to a portable oxygen concentrator would look like, and if the benefits of a POC would outweigh the costs associated with switching methods.

In this article we will talk about the logistics of switching to a POC from an oxygen tank so you can decide for yourself what the best option is.

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We will offer the Respironics SimplyGo as a reasonable device that will fit into most people’s oxygen requirements, however there are a plethora of other portable oxygen concentrators that might work better for you. For the sake of explaining the transition from a tank to a POC, we chose the SimplyGo as a great alternative oxygen device to an oxygen tank because it offers both continuous and pulse flow settings, and it is still very lightweight.  

In this post we are going to cover:

• Health insurance
• Costs of a POC compared to the costs of oxygen tanks 
• Specs of the Respironics SimplyGo 
• Benefits of a owning a POC 

Health Insurance 

So, you've been diagnosed with a respiratory disease and your doctor tells you that you need supplemental oxygen in order to breathe better and stay healthy. After considering all of your options, you and your doctor decide that a portable oxygen concentrator is the best oxygen delivery method to fit your needs. The first thing you, and most people, want to know is whether it is covered by health insurance and medicare or not.

There is no simple answer, but, it is possible to get medicare and some insurance providers to cover part of the cost of a portable oxygen concentrator. But it's only in very rare cases, and it is unlikely for this to happen.

So why don’t insurance providers want to cover portable oxygen concentrators? 

Medical insurance companies have a long reputation of finding any excuse to deny patients coverage for medical equipment and treatments. Even Medicare has a tendency to deny patients coverage for equipment that could make a huge difference in someone's health. They have strict rules that make getting coverage difficult and burdensome, and they often find reasons to deny approval for a treatment even when a doctor says that it's the best option.

It is more common for Medicare oxygen benefits to cover part of the rental for a portable oxygen concentrator, but even this is not easy. Medicare reimbursement simply doesn't pay suppliers enough every month for them to be able to afford to offer portable oxygen concentrators. Because of this, most people only have a few options for supplemental oxygen methods and have to choose between either liquid or gas tanks.

It's horrible that most medical insurance providers won't meet their patients' needs and help them get the medical equipment that's right for them and their lifestyle. That's why we've made it our mission to offer portable oxygen concentrators at the lowest possible price, so you can afford to get the oxygen delivery system that's best for you.

Cost of a Portable Oxygen Concentrator vs. Oxygen Tanks 

The price of oxygen equipment factors into most people's decision making process when it comes to deciding on an oxygen device. Unfortunately, maybe people are misinformed by their own research, and are paying too much for oxygen equipment that isn’t right for them. 

One thing you must take into consideration when evaluating the prices of a POC compared to an oxygen tank, is that once a POC is paid for, there are no more expenses that you have to worry about. On the other hand, with oxygen tanks, you will continuously be paying for more oxygen every week for as long as you have the device. So, in the long-run, which device will actually be more expensive? 

Oxygen tanks and oxygen concentrators ultimately serve the same main purpose for COPD patients: they provide supplemental oxygen to the patient in order to improve their oxygen levels to reduce shortness of breath, improve oxygenation and increase energy and well being. 

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Yet, oxygen concentrators and oxygen tanks offer very different daily experiences for the oxygen user, and this should be taken into account when you are weighing the costs associated with each device.

Tanks have significantly higher daily costs, but the cost for an oxygen tank upfront is very small. With the costs of refills and tank replacements, owning an oxygen tank comes out to more than $2,000 every year of owning one.

The cost of a portable oxygen concentrator varies depending on the device you get, if it is new or used, and whether you pay up front or finance the device from an oxygen equipment company.  But no matter what the cost comes out to, your POC will last you several years, and you'll never pay for an oxygen delivery service nor wait around for a delivery again. 

If you are hesitant about the prices of a reliable portable oxygen concentrator or spending too much money up front, please call 1-800-946-1201 so that one of LPT Medical’s respiratory specialists can help you find a portable oxygen concentrator that fits into your life for the best possible price. 

Benefits of Owning a POC 

In this section we are going to discuss the benefits of owning a POC as an oxygen patient and specifically what it is like to own the Respironics SimplyGo!

Weighing your Options... Literally 

The weight alone is reason to switch from oxygen tanks to the Respironics SimplyGo. The SimplyGo weighs 10 pounds, and the shape is designed to be easy to carry and fit in small places. 

Your SimplyGo package will include a custom carrying case and a wheeled travel cart so you have the option to carry it over your shoulder or you can pull it behind you on the travel cart.

Travel with your Respironics SimplyGo 

You can store it easily because of its sleek shape and most importantly you can bring it with you while you travel, either by plane, boat, RV, car, train, even by foot if you are so inclined. With an oxygen tank you are unable to use your oxygen on a plane, you can’t even bring it with you because of the oxygen hazard tanks create. Portable oxygen concentrators including the SimplyGo are all FAA approved for travel, and you are able to carry-on your device and not have to pay to rent one.  

If you like to travel, you cannot fly with your own oxygen tank, therefore, you will be charged out of pocket for the rental of oxygen equipment while you are away, usually upwards of $300 per week. During your vacation or business trip, you will have to carve out time to pick up and return your oxygen equipment and plan on traveling to and from the oxygen rental service. 

Powered by a Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery 

Having a battery powered oxygen device is a huge advantage for all oxygen patients. Rather than depending on a person to deliver and refill your oxygen tanks, you rely on yourself to charge the batteries every night. 

You can recharge your device’ batteries simply by plugging it into the standard outlets in your wall as you would your cell phone. You are also able to charge the batteries in the car, RV, or even on a boat with the cigarette lighter and the DC cable your device will come with. 

Having the accessibility to charge your device at any time, even while you are using it, gives you the freedom to be out of the house doing the things you love to do. 

The Respironics SimplyGo gives you the ability to operate it using one or two batteries using the optional external battery module. One battery will be perfect for things like exercising, running quick errands, and doing things around your home while using two batteries is ideal for traveling, road trips, and extended trips away from your home.

Designed for 24/7 Use 

Another main advantage to owning a Respironics SimplyGo is that you can utilize it day or night, even if you use a CPAP or BiPAP machine while you sleep. 

The Respironics SimplyGo is CPAP/BiPAP compatible and it is equipped with both pulse flow and continuous flow oxygen delivery modes, as well as pulse flow settings 1-6 and continuous flow settings 0.5-2.0 LPM, so you will be covered you when you exercise, sleep, rest, and do  a regular daily chorus.

One additional feature the SimplyGo has to offer is its sleep mode technology. Whether you’re on the airplane or relaxing in your chair at home, and you feel yourself dozing off, you can turn sleep mode technology on to ensure your oxygen gets delivered while you are sleeping.

The sleep mode technology enhances the device’s sensitivity to detect your breath and it softens the pulse flow delivery so it doesn’t wake you up. Don’t worry, if your SimplyGo doesn’t detect a breath or if you breathe through your mouth it will automatically switch back over to continuous flow to ensure you get your required oxygen.

Independence 

We find that many oxygen patients are still frequently active, love to travel, and work in their respective capacity. You might have a story similar to some we have heard where your oxygen equipment holds you back from certain events or goals. 

Many oxygen tank users encounter issues with delivery delays, or lack of inventory. There have been many instances where someone has been tested on a continuous-flow, liquid oxygen system, but their supplier could only provide them with pulse-dose compressed air tanks and a heavy floor concentrator thereby tethering them to their home, constraining them from their obligations and priorities.

So even though they should have a portable tank, they are left at the will of what their oxygen supply company provides them, which is no where near the freedom and independence they deserve.  

Also if you decide to stick with an oxygen tank, you cannot make any other plans on delivery days since there is no way to know what time they will come.

With the help of a reliable and portable oxygen device, and provided with sufficient oxygen, oxygen users are healthier and can continue to contribute to their families and to society. It is no secret that most people who require supplemental oxygen also enjoy activities, work, and freedom over sitting at home tethered to an oxygen hose. 

Overview 

The transition from a oxygen tank to a portable oxygen concentrator is a clear step in a direction that will give you more freedom and independence, the ability to travel, and the motivation you need to make the most out of daily activities without being weighed down and tethered to an oxygen hose inside your home.

While this may not be an option for everyone, depending on your oxygen requirements, the Respironics SImplyGo can cover most oxygen users needs. It is a great device should you need to transition between continuous flow and pulse flow, but it is still lightweight so if you enjoy long walks, running errands, exercising, or just being able to maneuver around your house, this device will help you along the way rather than get in your way.