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.

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 ARYA portable oxygen concentrator 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.

An oxygen concentrator is a device that administers medical-grade oxygen to a patient via a nasal cannula. Oxygen concentrators are used to treat a variety of respiratory ailments including COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia. There are a wide variety of oxygen concentrators on the market that suit people with different wants and needs, but it can be somewhat daunting choosing a concentrator if you’re not sure what to look for.

Earlier this year, we put out a great comprehensive guide for choosing a portable oxygen concentrator in 2020. If you’ve never used supplemental oxygen before or you’re switching to a concentrator from compressed oxygen or liquid oxygen, this guide will teach you everything you need to know about choosing the perfect oxygen machine for you.

In this post, however, we’re going to be looking at one oxygen concentrator in particular — The Inogen One G3 Portable Oxygen Concentrator. Ever since its release in 2012, this portable oxygen machine has been one of the most popular choices for oxygen patients everywhere. Despite being released 8 years ago, the Inogen One G3 still holds its own against newer concentrators like the Inogen One G5 and the Caire FreeStyle Comfort.

Keep reading if you’d like to learn more about how the G3 works and some of its key benefits. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to fill out the contact form at the side of the page. One of our respiratory specialists will reach out to you and guide you through the process of choosing an oxygen concentrator.

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High Oxygen Output

As an oxygen user, the most important thing you need to do is ensure that your oxygen device meets your needs. For example, someone with stage 1 COPD will not need a high concentration of oxygen while someone with stage 4 COPD will need significantly more oxygen. Every device has a different oxygen output, so you’ll need to do your research before committing to anything.

Fortunately, the Inogen One G3 provides oxygen users with a very high oxygen output. On its maximum setting of 5, the G3 puts out an impressive 1,050 milliliters of oxygen per minute (ml/min). While this may not sound like a lot, you need to consider the fact that the G3 is a pulse dose concentrator, not a continuous flow concentrator. What this means is that oxygen is only administered when the user inhales.

For example, at an average breathing rate of 20 BPMs and a continuous flow oxygen concentrator with a 3 liter per minute (LPM) output, you would only inspire 1 liter of oxygen each minute. This is the equivalent of 1,000 ml/min, slightly less than the output of the Inogen One G3. In other words, the G3 has about the same oxygen output as a 3 LPM continuous flow concentrator. If this is confusing, be sure to check out our pulse flow vs continuous flow comparison guide for more information.

While the Inogen One G3 has a higher oxygen output than most pulse flow units on the market, you’ll need to speak with your doctor first to ensure this is the right machine for you. Most people won’t even need to go beyond a setting of 2, but in rare cases, someone may require very high oxygen flow. In which case, you may need to upgrade to a newer oxygen concentrator. 

Lightweight Design

Up until the early 2000s, oxygen concentrators were stationary units. In other words, they weren’t designed to be moved around, and in order to use them, you had to have them plugged into a wall outlet. While stationary oxygen concentrators still exist today, they’ve largely been replaced with portable versions like the Inogen One G3. What’s more, the G3 weighs in at only 4.8 pounds making it one of the lightest portable oxygen concentrators ever produced.

Since the G3 weighs little more than a small handbag or purse, you’ll feel comfortable slinging it over your shoulder and going wherever you need to go. Whether you simply want to go to the store to grab a few things or you want to go for a long walk in the park, the G3 won’t cause any unnecessary strain in your shoulders or back. This is especially helpful if you already suffer from back problems or similar issues.

Small Form Factor

Another aspect of portability is the size of the device. Chances are if your portable oxygen concentrator was bulky and hard to handle, you wouldn’t be able to get out of the home and travel very easily. Luckily, the Inogen One G3 has a nice compact form factor that’s easy to tuck under your shoulder allowing you to move freely. If you’re traveling in public areas such as a busy city street, it will be easier to navigate without bumping into other people.

Another reason it’s important to have a small portable oxygen concentrator is that they’re easier to store. Many people own both a home oxygen concentrator and a portable oxygen concentrator, so these people need to be able to keep their portable unit out of the way when they’re at home. The G3 is small enough that you can keep it out of the way but big enough that you won’t lose it.

You might be surprised to learn that the Inogen One G3 is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the organization that oversees all commercial flights in the United States. What this means is that you can carry your Inogen One G3 on the plane with you as long as you notify the airline ahead of time and you have one and a half times the duration of your flight in battery life.

Everyone knows that flying these days can be uncomfortable due to a lack of legroom and personal space. However, you’ll be happy to know that the Inogen One G3 won’t take up any extra space. It’s small enough to slide under the seat in front of you or you can even hold it in your lap during the flight. If you don’t need it during the flight, you can even store it in the overhead compartment.

Durability

Just like your cell phone or laptop, portable oxygen concentrators are electronic devices. This means they have delicate components like processors that need to be kept in good condition in order to function properly. The good news is that Inogen took the time to create a machine that’s as durable as it is powerful.

All of the electrical components inside the Inogen One G3 are protected by a hard outer shell which is made from high-quality materials. If you happen to bump or scrape your G3, you can rest assured that it won’t hurt crucial parts inside the unit. While the G3 is durable, it’s not indestructible, so don’t intentionally drop it or cause harm to it. Since the G3 has a lot of air intake and output vents, it is not waterproof or water-resistant in any way.

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Battery Life

Portable oxygen concentrators are powered by lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are specifically designed to last and they can hold a charge long enough to keep you out all day long. The Inogen One G3 8-cell battery (which comes with the device) can last up to 4.5 hours on one charge. If you choose to upgrade to the larger 16-cell battery, you’ll get up to 9.5 hours on one charge. Note that using the 16-cell battery will slightly increase the weight of your device.

Oftentimes, battery life is the first thing people look for in a portable oxygen concentrator because without a great battery, you’re not going to be able to get out of your house long enough to live life on your own terms. Unlike with compressed oxygen tanks or liquid oxygen tanks, you’ll never “run out of oxygen.” Simply remove your battery and replace it with a fully charged one and you’ll be good to go.

One of the reasons the G3 has such a great battery life is because it’s a pulse dose oxygen concentrator. Like we mentioned before, this means that oxygen is only delivered when the patient inhales through the nasal cannula. As a result, the device can conserve a lot more energy while still providing you with the high concentration of oxygen that you need to stay saturated wherever you go.  

Easy to Use

The last thing anyone wants is to have another convoluted piece of technology to complicate their lives. From dealing with computer issues to having your calls dropped randomly, you may dread adding another electronic device to your life. The good news is that the Inogen One G3 was designed to be as easy as possible to use. There are only a few buttons on the entire device and you won’t have to spend weeks or months learning what they all do.

On the Inogen One G3 control panel (on top of the unit) you’ll find a power button to turn the device on and off, a backlight button, an audible alarm button, and two buttons to control the flow rate — that’s it! While the G3 is pretty straightforward, we recommend consulting the user manual whenever you get a new unit to educate yourself about the various alarms and settings available to you.

Two other things you’ll need to do with your portable oxygen concentrator are replacing the batteries and the air filters. Luckily, both of these processes are very simple with the G3 as well. Both of the air filters are found on the side of the unit and they can be removed without any tools for easy cleaning or replacement. The battery is attached to the bottom of the unit and all you’ll need to do is pull a tab on the side to remove it and replace it with a fully charged battery.

Quiet

While sound output should not be at the top of your priorities list by any means, it’s always nice to have a portable oxygen concentrator that doesn’t produce any unnecessary sound pollution. The Inogen One G3 comes in at around 39 decibels (dBA) on a setting of 2 making it better than average when it comes to overall sound output. 

Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about how loud POCs are. Many people believe that they will no longer be able to go to church, the library, or any public place without disturbing people, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. The Inogen One G3 is very quiet and what noise it does make is just a slight humming sound that likely won’t bother anyone.

Great Accessories

Accessories are the icing on the cake when it comes to portable oxygen concentrators. Everyone wants to find the oxygen concentrator that’s right for them, but if there are accessories that allow you to customize your experience, that’s even better! You’ll be happy to know that the Inogen One G3 has plenty of accessories you can use to make your oxygen experience even easier.

First up, we have the Inogen One G3 Rolling Backpack. It’s not very often that a rolling backpack is offered alongside a pulse flow oxygen concentrator because they’re all light enough to carry on your shoulder; however, the G3 is an exception here. This accessory allows you to either roll your G3 around behind you or carry it on your back using the adjustable shoulder straps. It also has ample room to hold your batteries, chargers, and other personal items.

Second is the standard Inogen One G3 Backpack. This is similar to the rolling backpack but it doesn’t have wheels. It has comfortable adjustable padded straps and plenty of room for G3 accessories and personal belongings. When the G3 is in this backpack, the control panel is easily accessible so you can make quick changes to your oxygen settings on the fly.

The third and final carrying option for the Inogen One G3 is the GO2 Carryall. If you’re someone who’s self-conscious about carrying an oxygen concentrator or you just want a carrying bag that’s a little more stylish, these are for you. The GO2 Carryalls look just like a purse or handbag, but the Inogen One G3 is concealed inside of it. They have mesh side panels that ensure your device gets enough air and there are two carrying options to suit your needs. These bags come in two different colors depending on your preference.

With the release of each of their concentrators, Inogen offers an external battery charger. This is a small device, about the size of your battery, that can charge either your 8-cell or 16-cell battery without it being connected to the concentrator. This is a great accessory to have because it allows you to charge two batteries at once: one on your G3 and the other on the external charger. This means you’ll be able to get out and get going faster than ever before.

Conclusion

All around, the Inogen One G3 is one of the best portable oxygen concentrators on the market, despite releasing many years ago. It provides a high oxygen output for people with severe respiratory illness, it’s very easy to carry and store, it offers a long battery life, and it’s supported by many great accessories to help you make the most of it.

If you’ve never used oxygen before, it’s important to first speak with your doctor. He/she will help you determine the ideal flow setting to maximize the health benefits of supplemental oxygen. You’ll also discuss how often you should use oxygen and whether or not you should use it while you sleep. 

Once you’ve spoken with your doctor, don’t hesitate to give our respiratory specialists here at LPT Medical a call. We’ll walk you through the process of choosing an oxygen concentrator that takes into account your lifestyle and preferences. Fill out the contact form at the side of the page to get started.

Last year, we were very happy to announce that we would be selling the Caire FreeStyle Comfort, the latest pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator by Caire, Inc. This concentrator was miles ahead of anything that Caire had manufactured in the past, and it even held its own against the most popular oxygen concentrator on the market: the Inogen One G5.

One of the reasons we continue to support the FreeStyle Comfort is that it’s backed by a company that prioritizes quality above all else. Whether you have COPD, cystic fibrosis, or any other chronic lung condition, you need an oxygen device that you can rely on wherever you go and for many oxygen patients, the FreeStyle Comfort has been the best oxygen concentrator for that.

If you keep up with our blogs, however, you know that we like to approach every subject from as many angles as possible in order to give you a better understanding of your needs and the industry as a whole. In this post, we’re going to be comparing and contrasting the Caire FreeStyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator and standard compressed oxygen tanks. As always, if you have any questions, be sure to leave them in the comment section below, or feel free to give us a call and address them with one of our respiratory specialists.

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Oxygen Output

Supplemental oxygen isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Every oxygen patient has varying degrees of lung function and as a result, everyone requires a different amount of oxygen in order to stay healthy. For example, someone with stage 1 COPD may only experience a small amount of airway obstruction, so they might only need to use oxygen for an hour or two a day. However, someone with severe stage 3 or 4 COPD may need to use oxygen 24 hours a day.

Another important factor to consider is the “grade” or “purity” of the oxygen you’re inhaling. Earth’s atmosphere is made up of only about 21 percent oxygen. The rest of the atmosphere is composed of various other gases including nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide. Medical-grade oxygen, on the other hand, always has over a 90 percent purity rating. This should not be confused with “recreational” oxygen which is sold in canisters and doesn’t require a prescription to purchase.

Both portable oxygen concentrators, like the Caire FreeStyle Comfort and oxygen tanks put out medical-grade oxygen. In fact, oxygen tanks are refilled with something called a HomeFill Station which operates like an oxygen concentrator. The main difference between the two is that an oxygen tank will allow you to put out oxygen at a higher flow rate. This is ideal for people with severe lung impairment, but it’s not necessary for the vast majority of respiratory patients.

Another thing to note is that the Caire FreeStyle Comfort is a pulse dose machine. What this means is that oxygen is only administered when the user inhales rather than continuously flowing out of the device like with an oxygen tank. Because of this, many people underestimate the value of pulse dose oxygen concentrators. The FreeStyle Comfort puts out 1,050 milliliters per minute of oxygen which is roughly the equivalent of 3 liters per minute on a continuous flow device such as an oxygen tank.

Ultimately, it will be up to your doctor or pulmonologist whether you should use the Caire FreeStyle Comfort or an oxygen tank. While oxygen tanks tend to be the default for many people, they are not necessarily the best option, especially for people who want to maintain their freedom, independence, and mobility while on oxygen.

Portability

If you think about it, “portability” has been a defining feature of this millennium so far. Ever since the early 2000s, we’ve seen technology become smaller, lighter, and more powerful than ever before; this is really no different when it comes to O2 devices. Just several decades ago, oxygen concentrators were mostly only used in the home. While there were portable versions, they were cumbersome and difficult to maneuver. 

Fast forward to today and you’ll find that oxygen patients have a wide variety of lightweight portable oxygen devices to choose from. The AirSep Focus is the lightest portable oxygen concentrator ever produced, weighing in at just 1.75 pounds! However, it’s only able to go up to a pulse flow setting of 2 (330 ml/min), so it may not be enough oxygen for many patients.

The Caire FreeStyle Comfort, however, is the perfect balance of both portability and power. It weighs in at only 5 pounds and it’s able to output over three times as much oxygen as the AirSep Focus. Its dimensions are only 10” H x 7.3” L x 3.1” W, so it’s also very small, compact, and easy to carry. Whether you’re just going for a walk in the park or you’re going on a long vacation, you’ll find that the FreeStyle Comfort is as easy to transport as a small purse or handbag.

Unlike portable oxygen concentrators, oxygen tanks haven’t gotten any smaller in the past couple of decades. Oxygen can only be compressed a certain amount before it becomes too dangerous to use, so the size of your tank directly correlates with the amount of oxygen you will have access to. While there are “portable oxygen cylinders” they will only offer you several hours of freedom before they need to be refilled.  

Safety

Safety should always be the first priority when choosing an oxygen device. Unfortunately, oxygen manufacturers have not always been able to provide this to their patients. Oxygen is considered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be a controlled substance. First and foremost, oxygen is an oxidizer meaning it makes everything it’s exposed to more flammable.

Secondly, it is possible to overdose on oxygen and experience something called oxygen toxicity. This condition is characterized by lightheadedness, fatigue, muscle twitching, and nausea. Prolonged exposure to high levels of oxygen can even be deadly. This is why it’s so important that oxygen is used exactly as instructed by your doctor.

While oxygen tanks are mostly safe to use, they still pose more of a safety risk than pulse dose oxygen concentrators like the Caire FreeStyle Comfort. For one, oxygen tanks are stored at very high pressures of around 2,000 to 3,000 psi (pressure per square inch). This makes them a huge explosive hazard whereas oxygen concentrators do not pressurize oxygen at all.

Another reason oxygen tanks are more dangerous is that they are continuous flow. When you release the pressure valve on an oxygen tank, oxygen will constantly flow out of the nasal cannula until you turn it off. This is dangerous because if it were exposed to fire it would oxidize it making it burn more. This can be somewhat remedied by using a pulse dose conserver which can be attached to the top of the tank, but there’s still a chance it could be leaking oxygen.

Finally, the weight and size of oxygen tanks are a potential hazard. Oxygen tanks are made of metal and they’re usually very heavy and bulky. If one happens to fall on you while you’re removing it from storage it could cause serious injury. Its bulkiness can also make it a tripping hazard and make it difficult and stressful to transport.

The Caire FreeStyle Comfort doesn’t have most of these issues because it’s so light and portable. You can easily carry it on one shoulder without it causing back pain and you’ll never have to wheel it around using a rolling cart. Since it’s so small, it’s very easy to store and keep somewhere that you’ll remember where it is.

Cost-Effectiveness

When money is tight, every financial decision you make counts. On the surface, it may seem like oxygen concentrators are the cheapest form of supplemental oxygen. But when you take into consideration long-term costs, they’re actually one of the more expensive options out there. Conversely, portable oxygen concentrators, in general, are designed to save you a significant amount of money over time.

The Caire FreeStyle Comfort has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $2,495, but it comes with a battery, AC and DC charger, carrying case and strap, and a 3-year warranty. What this means is that if anything that comes with your POC breaks or isn’t functioning properly within 3 years, you can have it replaced free of charge. This warranty can be extended to give you even more coverage and security.

Even if you don’t choose to extend the warranty, Caire builds their portable oxygen concentrators to last. On average, a new portable oxygen concentrator will last 5 to 7 years depending on how well the user takes care of it, and we’ve even seen them last much longer than that in certain cases. If you’re interested in learning how to clean and maintain oxygen equipment, we wrote a great post on this subject a couple of years back. You can find it here.

Another thing to note is that the Caire FreeStyle Comfort requires very little long-term maintenance. Whereas oxygen tanks need to be filled up every time they run out, oxygen concentrators simply need to be plugged into a wall outlet to recharge. You’ll never need to go out of your way to find an oxygen supplier to refill it and you won’t have to invest in a HomeFill Station which can break the bank.

Even if you purchase your Caire FreeStyle Comfort at the suggested retail price of $2,495 that works out to about $41 per month over 5 years or $30 a month over 7 years. However, if you take advantage of a sale, it will be even less than that! There are also a whole host of financing options you can use to make payments easier and you can even trade-in your oxygen concentrator whenever you’d like if you’re thinking of upgrading. On the other hand, you likely won’t get anything for trading in an oxygen tank and you may even have trouble finding someone to take it. 

Ease-of-Use

In this day and age, it’s more important than ever to simplify your life. No matter whether you’re old or young, poor or wealthy, most people just have too many things on their plate to worry about. For some people, simplifying could mean downsizing by getting rid of things that you don’t need or it could just mean replacing those things with ones that are easier to manage.

When most people try a portable oxygen concentrator like the Caire FreeStyle Comfort for the first time, they find that it’s much easier to manage for several different reasons. First and foremost, they work great as an all-in-one oxygen machine. Rather than using a portable oxygen cylinder while you’re out of the house and then having to switch over to your home oxygen tank when you get home, the FreeStyle Comfort can be used as both a portable and home unit.

Another factor contributing to its ease-of-use is the interface. Just like the concentrator itself, the interface is electronic and there are no knobs that you have to turn or worry about. Simply turn the device on and select the flow setting that you would like to use. If there are any problems, the device uses an alarm to notify you.

Durability

Respiratory patients depend on their oxygen. But what happens if you accidentally drop your oxygen device or bump into something? While the Caire FreeStyle Comfort may not look durable at first glance, you might be surprised to find that it’s very compact and solid. All of the delicate electronic components that keep the device running are protected by a hard outer shell that will protect from scratches and dents. The carrying case that comes with the device will also give some added protection. And since it’s light enough to carry on your shoulder, you’ll be able to navigate more easily without the chance of dropping it or bumping into anything.

While oxygen tanks are mostly made of metal, the nobs and nozzles on top of the tank are plastic. If any of these things are damaged, it could lead to a leak in the tank. Oxygen tanks are more prone to damage when you use a rolling cart because you aren’t always able to see what obstacles are in your way without looking behind you. Oxygen tanks also have an awkward shape that can make them difficult to handle.

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Final Thoughts

It’s not always easy to make decisions about your health as a COPD patient. There are many different oxygen devices for seniors and you may have no idea where to begin when it comes time to choose one. While oxygen tanks have been used for many years, they’re certainly starting to show their age when it comes to portability, cost, and general ease-of-use.

Portable oxygen concentrators, however, are more technologically advanced and offer you more freedom for you to live life on your own terms. The Caire FreeStyle Comfort is one of the newest POCs the industry has to offer and it doesn’t disappoint. Weighing in at only 5 pounds with a maximum oxygen output of 1,050 ml/min of oxygen, it will meet your needs wherever you are in the world.

If you have COPD, you're probably no stranger to feeling drained, tired, and lethargic. Fatigue is a common problem for COPD patients, and a serious one at that. Fatigue is a common culprit behind exercise avoidance and sedentary living, which causes many patients to experience a quicker physical decline.

Fatigue is often used as a synonym for feeling tired or exhausted, but it's actually different in several ways. First, fatigue isn't necessarily related to activity or quality of sleep; you can feel fatigued even if you haven't done anything tiring and even if you get plenty of rest at night.

Fatigue is a kind of whole-body exhaustion that takes “feeling tired” to a new level. It hurts your ability to concentrate, drains your energy, and often worsens anxiety. Fatigue makes you feel too tired to do things that you usually enjoy, and can make simple things like dressing, reading, or leaving the house feel like monumentally difficult tasks. Often, fatigue is a sign that your body is having trouble keeping up with its energy needs.

Fatigue can make everything feel like a chore, like you have to drag yourself to every activity and social engagement. Some patients feel so fatigued every day that they stop exercising, isolate themselves in their homes, and give up on healthy lifestyle habits and treatment goals that are necessary for their well-being.

That's what makes fatigue such a major concern for COPD patients and the doctors that treat them. When left untreated and unmanaged, fatigue discourages many people with COPD from doing the very activities that would help preserve their health and quality of life.

In this article we're going to help you beat COPD-related fatigue by giving you thirteen useful tips for reducing fatigue and maximizing the amount of energy you have to invest in your life every day. But first, let's look at what causes fatigue and how it affects the lives of people with COPD.

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Causes of COPD-Related Fatigue

COPD is a chronic, continually-progressing disease, and simply managing the symptoms alone can get exhausting. But there are several specific ways in which the disease causes patients to suffer from fatigue.

COPD-related problems like decreased lung function, lack of exercise, and lack of oxygen all result in fatigue. Unhealthy habits can also make it worse; a poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and lack of sleep all contribute to COPD-related fatigue.

Let's take a closer look at some of the main causes of fatigue for COPD patients.

Lack of Exercise

COPD symptoms can make exercise very difficult, which can start you on a negative cycle of exercise avoidance, fatigue, and physical decline. The less you exercise, the more breathless and fatigued you will feel, which then makes it more and more difficult to stay active.

This is partially due to loss in physical strength, but fatigue is also directly related to the lung function decline that happens when you don't get enough exercise. The more your lung function is reduced, the more easily you become winded, and the more likely you are to have low-blood oxygen levels and fatigue as a result.

Hypoxemia

Having blood oxygen levels that are too low is known as hypoxemia, and it's a condition that causes your body to feel very fatigued. This discourages many people with COPD from being as active as they should be, even though exercise is essential for keeping your lungs and body strong.

Hypoxemia is often treated with supplemental oxygen, which delivers extra oxygen to your lungs so that your blood oxygen saturation doesn't drop too low. If you experience frequent fatigue, your doctor can evaluate your blood oxygen to see if supplemental oxygen is right for you.

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Lack of Sufficient Nutrients

COPD causes uncomfortable symptoms that make it difficult for many patients to eat properly. Patients with inflated lungs due to emphysema, in particular, have difficulty breathing when they eat.

Because of this, many patients avoid meals and don't get enough calories and nutrients. This is especially common in the later stages of COPD.

People with COPD also tend to need more calories because of their declining lung function. Damaged lungs aren't able to absorb as much oxygen with every breath, and have to work harder to keep your blood oxygen levels up. This results in your lungs and the muscles that support them working overtime when you breathe.

Studies show that the breathing muscles of people with COPD use up to ten times the amount of energy compared to people with healthy lungs. This means that most COPD patients burn extra calories just walking, living, and breathing.

Because of this, many people with COPD have to eat a higher calorie diet to supply their lungs and breathing muscles with the nutrients they need. This helps them meet their daily nutrient requirements, have more energy, and experience less COPD-related fatigue.

How to Beat COPD Fatigue and Have More Energy Every Day

Depending on the severity of your COPD and how active you are, you might find even simple, everyday tasks difficult to do. If you're not careful, fatigue can quickly lead to a sedentary lifestyle and an even quicker decline in your physical ability.

Maintaining your physical mobility is key for maintaining a good quality of life, which is why treating COPD-related fatigue is so important. If you can reduce your fatigue, you will have more energy and strength to live a healthy, active life.

There are a variety of treatments for COPD-related fatigue and daily habits you can practice to boost the amount of energy you have every day. Continue reading for a variety of different ideas, including dietary tips, lifestyle habits, and exercises that can help you overcome COPD-related fatigue.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Photo by Sgt. Andy Bellami

As we've mentioned before, lack of exercise is a major contributing factor to COPD-related fatigue. When you avoid physical activity, it causes your muscles to atrophy, and even weakens the muscles you use to breathe. It also causes your lung function to decline, increasing COPD symptoms and making it harder for your lungs to supply enough oxygen to your body.

Luckily, there is a special type of class designed to help COPD patients who struggle with this exact problem. It's called pulmonary rehabilitation, and it uses a variety of hands-on methods to help you increase your strength, endurance, and quality of life.

Pulmonary rehabilitation classes are usually six to eight weeks long and often held as group lessons. Classes are generally run by a team of social workers, dietitians, and medical professionals that are knowledgeable about chronic respiratory diseases. Classes include exercise instruction, lessons on breathing exercises and medications, and opportunities to learn a variety of useful skills that will help you stay active and maintain your independence with COPD.

Here is a list of some of the benefits you can receive from taking a pulmonary rehabilitation class:

• Improved blood circulation
• Reduced breathlessness
• Deeper breathing
• Improved physical fitness and exercise endurance
• Improved mood and motivation
• The skills for proper COPD dieting
• Reduced chance of COPD exacerbations and hospitalizations
• Increased mobility and ability to do daily activities
• Knowledge about COPD medications and treatments
• Improved quality of life

Regular Exercise

People with COPD often feel like they don't have enough strength or energy to devote to exercise. However, if you start getting regular physical activity, you're more likely to have more energy, not less.

Regular physical activity is a cornerstone of COPD treatment because it keeps your body, lungs, and breathing muscles strong. It also helps battle anxiety, fatigue, and certain kinds of chronic pains.

When fatigue makes you feel the most like staying in bed, that's when you need to get up and be active the most. Staying sedentary will only make you feel worse; you have to get your body moving in order to overcome fatigue and find the energy you need to start your day.

If you're not used to exercising, you can start with light stretching, walking, and body weight exercises like leg lifts. Try taking up an active hobby, like biking, gardening, or swimming for extra physical activity.

Don't get sucked into a negative spiral of exercise avoidance, which inevitably leads to worsened symptoms, worsened fatigue, and accelerated physical decline. You should try to stay as active as you can for as long as you can, and always follow the exercise plan recommended by your doctor.

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Don't Skip Breakfast

Breakfast is an essential part of a healthy morning routine and will give your body a nutritional boost of energy. If you have COPD, it's especially important to start off your day with a nutritious, balanced meal of fruit, protein, and whole grains.

Eating food in the morning gives your metabolism a jump-start and can help you feel awake, energized, and alert during the day. Don't skip breakfast or wait too long to eat, otherwise you're likely to feel tired sluggish, and fatigued.

Minimize Stress

Living with constant stress not only eats away at your mental resources, but it drains your physical resources as well. Stress is a huge contributor to fatigue, and it's a common problem for people with COPD.

If you experience an excessive amount of stress, changing your habits and environment can make it easier to cope. You can relieve stress through physical activity, meditation, spending more time with loved ones, eating a healthy diet, journaling, and more.

Try to identify stress-inducing people, situations, and environments in your life that you have control over. Then, work on finding solutions that allow you to avoid, minimize, or cope calmly with the things that cause stress in your life.

If you are dealing with chronic stress-induced fatigue, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about mental health services and resources that are available in your city. Consider joining a support group, seeing a therapist, or asking a psychologist about medications that might help with your anxiety.

Eat Nutritious, High-Calorie Foods

Increasing the amount of calorie-dense foods you eat is a great way to make sure you meet your daily calorie requirements. High-calorie foods are particularly helpful if you're struggling to get enough calories because of breathlessness, appetite loss, or trouble keeping up with a high-calorie diet.

If this sounds like you, then you may need to add more healthy, calorie-dense fats and proteins to your diet. Foods like yogurt, cheese, and ice cream, for example, are great options that you could eat as part of a meal or as a stand-alone snack.

It can also help to prioritize the highest-calorie foods first. For example, if you often find yourself unable to finish your food at mealtimes, eat the most nutritious, calorie-dense items on your plate first. It can also help to avoid drinking liquids before or during meals, that way you're less likely to feel bloated and breathless, and you'll have as much room in your stomach as possible for food.

Here are some nutritious, high-calorie foods that can help you meet your daily calorie needs:

• Milk
• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Ice cream
• Nuts (e.g. almonds and walnuts)
• Nut butters (e.g. peanut butter or almond butter)
• Eggs
• Olive oil and other vegetable oils (e.g. sunflower oil)
• Smoothies
• Protein shakes

As a final tip, eating small meals instead of large ones can make it easier to get enough calories without ever feeling too full. Try eating five or six smaller meals spread out throughout your day instead of the traditional, larger meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Care For Your Mental Health

Anxiety and depression are common mental health issues that come along with COPD. Coping with the diagnosis alone can be difficult, and the stress of managing the disease and losing physical independence can be difficult to weather on your own.

Fatigue is a common symptom associated with both depression and anxiety, and is sometimes a major factor in COPD-related fatigue. That's why neglecting your mental health is not an option; caring for yourself and your emotions is necessary for both your physical and mental wellbeing.

If you suffer from chronic anxiety, depression, or are having trouble coping with COPD on your own, don't hesitate to seek help. You can talk to your doctor, therapist, or any other licensed mental health professional to get advice, support, and prescription medication if you need it.

You can also find support in group therapy, both in person and online. Your doctor or another mental health professional could help you find mental health support groups and other services in your area, or you can join one of several COPD and lung disease support groups online.

Eat a Lung-Healthy Diet

Did you know that eating a diet high in carbs can actually strain your lungs? That's right, foods high in carbohydrates make your lungs have to work harder to breathe compared to foods high in healthy fats and proteins.

Because of this, you should try to limit the amount of carbohydrates in your diet and replace them with more lean proteins and healthy fats. This will help your lungs work more efficiently, which lowers your risk of experiencing low blood oxygen levels and hypoxemia-related fatigue.

In this way, eating fewer carbs can actually give you more energy and reduce fatigue caused by low oxygen levels in your blood. However, you still need a limited amount of carbs in your diet, and cutting them out completely would cause malnutrition and even worse fatigue.

When you do eat carbohydrate-rich foods, make sure they contain complex carbohydrates instead of simple carbs. Choose things like whole-grain breads and whole-wheat pastas, which contain complex carbs, instead of white breads and pastas, which are stuffed with simple carbs.

Simple carbohydrates cause your blood sugar to spike and fall rapidly, which gives you a limited burst of energy that quickly gives way to fatigue. Avoiding all simple carbs, including sugars, helps keep your blood sugar stable and prevents sudden blood sugar spikes that ultimately lead to fatigue.

Avoid Caffeine

Caffeine might give you energy and help stave off fatigue in the short run, but too much can make you feel worse. Many people get addicted to the caffeine “high,” but end up crashing and feeling even more tired, anxious, and fatigued later on.

Caffeine can also hurt your ability to sleep, which will sap your energy reserves even more if you suffer from chronic fatigue. It's best to avoid caffeine when possible, or to wean yourself off of it for good. At the very least, be careful to cut off your caffeine intake at least six to eight hours before bedtime.

Make Sure You Get Enough Vitamin D

Many people who suffer from fatigue are actually deficient in vitamin D, and correcting the deficiency can significantly improve fatigue. In fact, it's common for doctors to prescribe vitamin D supplements for people with fatigue-related disorders.

It just so happens that vitamin D deficiency is particularly common in COPD patients—up to 66 percent of patients are deficient—and it is a common factor contributing to COPD-related fatigue. Studies show that vitamin D deficiency also affects patients' bone strength and ability to breathe, and that supplemental vitamin D can help improve exercise endurance and strengthen the muscles used for breathing.

If you have COPD and suffer from chronic fatigue, you should talk to your doctor to get tested for vitamin D deficiency. Your doctor can determine if a deficiency is causing your symptoms and prescribe you a vitamin D supplement if needed to correct it.

But you don't always need a supplement; minor vitamin D deficiencies can often be corrected by increasing the amount of vitamin D in your diet and by spending more time in the sun. Just letting the sun touch your skin for ten to twenty minutes a day is enough to give you a significant boost of vitamin D.

Most people should get anywhere from 400-800 IU, or 10-20 micrograms, of vitamin D per day. People who don't spend much time in the sun will need to get most of their Vitamin D from their diet.

There are several kinds of foods that naturally contain vitamin D, and even more that are fortified with extra vitamin D. Here are some good dietary sources of vitamin D you should know:

• Egg yolks
• Cheese
• Salmon
• Mackerel
• Tuna
• Sardines
• Beef liver
• Cod liver oil
• Cereals fortified with vitamin D
• Milk or yogurt fortified with vitamin D
• Orange juice fortified with vitamin D

Supplemental Oxygen

If you have advanced COPD and are experiencing chronic fatigue, it might be because your blood oxygen is low. In the later stages of COPD, many patients have to use supplemental oxygen to prevent hypoxemia and hypoxemia-related fatigue.

Supplemental oxygen is not right for everyone and has to be prescribed by your doctor. Some people need supplemental oxygen all the time, while others only need it during exercise, exacerbations, or while they sleep.

If you are having trouble breathing and getting enough oxygen at night, you might need nighttime oxygen to help you sleep better and keep your blood oxygen levels up while you sleep. You might also want to get tested for sleep apnea, a breathing-related sleep disorder that causes your body to be starved of oxygen at night, leading to daytime sleepiness and fatigue.

Your doctor will be able to test your lung function, your oxygen saturation, and review other information to determine whether you need supplemental oxygen and whether or not your insurance will cover the cost. In some cases you can use other treatments, like medications, exercise, or breathing techniques, to improve your breathing efficiency, instead.

Take Hydration Seriously

Dehydration doesn't feel good; it can cause headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. And what's worse, if you have COPD, not getting enough water can make symptoms like coughing and breathlessness worse, too.

Water has a multitude of benefits; it helps thin out your mucus, supports healthy metabolism, and lubricates your lungs and airways to prevent irritation. Staying hydrated also keeps your energy levels up, improves your mood, and can even prevent illnesses and infections.

Many sources recommend drinking up to 6-8 cups of water a day, but it varies greatly from person to person and depends on your age, sex, weight, and more. The CDC recommends drinking water whenever you feel thirsty.

If you have trouble drinking enough water, you can try keeping an extra large water bottle with you throughout the day. Use it to motivate yourself, make hydrating as convenient as possible, and to help you keep track of how much you drink.

Often, people who are dehydrated feel sluggish without even knowing why. When you feel particularly lazy or fatigued, try drinking a large glass of cold water. Wait a few minutes and, chances are, you'll feel much better and have more energy afterward.

Conserve Your Energy for What Matters

While you should always try to be as active as possible in your daily life, in the later stages of COPD it is usually necessary to start cutting out some activities and active responsibilities. That might mean delegating certain tasks to friends and family members, hiring help, or using tools and techniques to reduce the amount of effort that daily tasks require.

As you lose mobility and have less strength and energy during the day, time and energy-saving tips can be life-savers. If you can find ways to simplify tasks and responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, and running errands, you'll have more energy for the activities you enjoy.

You can increase your energy to a certain extent through effective COPD treatment and using the methods on this list, but your mental and physical energy stores will still be limited. That's why you need to know when to rest and take it easy so you don't overexert yourself or have to give up on important activities.

It's important to save enough energy during the week to stretch, exercise, and socialize. If you conserve your energy wisely, you will be more likely to be able to find the strength to participate in other healthy activities like sports, hobbies, and social outings. These kinds of activities are necessary for maintaining a healthy body, healthy mind, and enjoying your life to the fullest.

Learn to Recognize Fatigue

When you wake up and feel sluggish, or when you feel breathless and tired, you might not realize that the reason is fatigue. If you don't understand fatigue and how it differs from other types of malaise, it's easy to mislabel it as as anxiety, illness, hunger, physical exhaustion, or lack of sleep.

The problem with this is that, if you attribute fatigue to something else, you could steer yourself toward solutions that won't be effective. For example, mistaking fatigue as physical exhaustion could lead you to avoid exercise, when in reality exercise could actually reduce your fatigue.

Fatigue is more than simply feeling a little tired or run down, but the symptoms are often generic and vague. This makes fatigue sometimes difficult to spot.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of fatigue:

• Chronic feelings of sleepiness and tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability and mood swings
• Sore, aching, or weakened muscles
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty concentrating
• Slowed movement and reflexes
• Lack of motivation

When you feel tired and lethargic, take time to think about your sleep quality, recent heavy exercise, or anything else that could be causing you to feel run down. If you can rule out other causes, there's a good chance the culprit is fatigue.

When you know that you're suffering from fatigue, you can start to address it by putting some of the techniques we've discussed in this article to use. You should also talk to your doctor if you experience chronic fatigue. Your doctor can evaluate your blood oxygen, medications, and suggest other treatments that can start you on the path to regaining your energy and joy in life.

Conclusion

Recognizing and treating fatigue is a key part of managing COPD. Luckily, there are many effective ways for people with the disease to manage their fatigue and find the energy they need to participate in life to the fullest.

Even though fatigue is still somewhat poorly understood, there are plenty of non-drug treatments that can help many people with COPD beat, or at least manage, their chronic fatigue. More solutions will likely emerge as doctors and researchers continue to develop a better understanding of the causes and effects of COPD-related fatigue.

By watching your diet, exercise, hydration, and taking care of your mental health, you'll be much better able to keep your body strong and combat th

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a broad umbrella term that’s used to describe over 100 different chronic lung conditions. Each of these illnesses is characterized by scarring and hardening of lung tissue, a process commonly known as “pulmonary fibrosis.”

The term “interstitial” refers to the space around the blood vessels in the small airways and the walls of the alveoli (the small air sacs in the lungs). ILD results when inflammatory cells accumulate in these areas, causing shortness of breath, chest pain, and a chronic cough. 

While all types of ILD are separate and often have different causes and risk factors, they are all considered “restrictive lung diseases.” This means that they all decrease the total volume of air that the lungs can hold or they’re caused by a problem related to the expansion of the chest during inhalation.  

If you’re interested in learning more about the different types of ILD, their symptoms, causes, and treatment options, as well as how they compare to other chronic pulmonary diseases such as COPD, read on. The more educated you are about your lung health, the better you will be able to deal with symptoms if they arise.

What are the Different Types of Interstitial Lung Disease?

A lot of the confusion around interstitial lung disease is due to the fact that there are so many conditions listed under this umbrella term. Rather than going through every single disease, it’s more practical to divide them all into subgroups based on how they’re contracted. Once you understand each of the different subsets of ILD, you’ll be able to adjust your lifestyle choices accordingly to reduce your risk of contracting them.

Occupational or Exposure-Related ILD

The first type of ILD, occupational or exposure-related, is also one of the most common. Just like the name suggests, this type of ILD is caused by exposure to harmful substances like smoke, metals, or chemicals, often found in unsafe working environments like factories, mines, or construction sites.

These illnesses can be particularly dangerous because they often develop over many years of exposure with little or no side-effects at first. In the past, business owners were not required to implement safety protocols that would protect their workers from these harmful substances, but this all changed in the late 1900s. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was founded in 1971 which is a government organization that oversees many of the work-related safety laws and regulations in the United States. In particular, the OSHA has set their sites on ILD prevention because it’s a problem that’s been overlooked for so long.

If you contracted ILD while working, you may be able to file an occupational disease workers’ compensation claim. These laws typically vary based on the state you’re in, but generally speaking, you can receive monetary compensation as long as your doctor can provide you with a note indicating that your disease was caused by your job.

Below are some of the most common types of occupational ILD:

Asbestosis

For many people, the first thing that comes to mind when they think of occupational disease is asbestosis. This is the condition that results from the inhalation of asbestos particles often used in things like cement, fire-resistant coating, pipe insulation, drywall, and more. Since the 1970s, however, asbestos has become heavily regulated especially concerning its use in home and consumer products. 

The reason asbestos poses such a hazard is that the microscopic fibers it releases can become lodged in the lungs causing permanent damage and fibrosis. There is no ‘safe’ amount of asbestos you can inhale before it starts to damage the lungs, so it’s imperative to use a respirator any time you have to handle it. There are six different types of asbestos — actinolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, amosite, and chrysolite — all of which are known to cause asbestosis.

Asbestosis should not be confused with mesothelioma which is a type of cancerous tumor that forms in the lung due to asbestos poisoning. The life expectancy of mesothelioma patients is much shorter than that of an asbestosis patient.

Silicosis

Silicosis is a type of ILD that’s caused by tiny crystals called silica. It’s commonly found in the mining, steel, construction, and roofing industries, and much like asbestos, these particles become deeply embedded in the lungs, leading to permanent and irreversible damage.

According to the OSHA, about two million people are exposed to crystalline silica through construction work across 600,000 workplaces in the country. Employers are required to follow a strict set of regulations that limit workers’ exposure and they’re also required to provide a specific type of respirator that filters out silica crystals. 

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Treatment-Related ILD

Believe it or not, interstitial lung disease can occur as a side-effect of certain medications or drugs; this is referred to as treatment or drug-related ILD. Some of the most common medications associated with ILD include chemotherapy, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and heart medications. 

Chemotherapy Medication

Bleomycin is a type of antitumor antibiotic commonly used to treat conditions like Hodgkin lymphoma and germ cell tumors. Approximately 10 percent of patients who receive this drug contract pulmonary fibrosis and it’s associated with a number of other lung injuries including hypersensitivity pneumonitis and pneumonia.

It’s not known exactly why bleomycin can cause lung damage, but research indicates that it may be related to oxidative damage, genetic predisposition, and elaboration of inflammatory cytokines. Other chemotherapy medications that can cause lung damage include carmustine, busulfan, and cyclophosphamide.  

Immunosuppressant Drugs

Just like the name suggests, immunosuppressant drugs help to slow or block immune responses in the body. This is important for people with an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the patient’s own organs. Some common immunosuppressant drugs include azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and azathioprine and they all have the potential to cause collateral lung fibrosis.

Heart Medications

A study found that people who use amiodarone to treat abnormal heartbeats had a 5 to 7 percent chance of developing pulmonary fibrosis. Among the patients who develop fibrosis of the lungs, there is a fatality rate of about 10 to 20 percent. Multaq (dronedarone) is often used as an alternative to amiodarone due to its lower risk of lung injury.

Biologic Agents

A biologic agent is a medication that’s made from living organisms. It’s typically used to treat cancer, but it can treat other diseases as well. Biologic agents such as alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), trastuzumab (Herceptin), and bevacizumab (Avastin) are known to cause ILD. However, since these are used to treat serious illness, the benefits may outweigh the risk.

Autoimmune Disease ILD

Your immune system is responsible for protecting your body from foreign substances like bacteria. In a healthy person, immune cells (lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes) prevent infection and keep your body healthy. However, in someone with an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakenly identifies its own cells as “foreign” and attacks them.

There are many different types of autoimmune diseases. Some of them target a specific organ like the lungs, while others may be systemic meaning they can cause damage to the body as a whole. Autoimmune disorders typically can’t be cured, but they can usually be managed with a precise treatment plan focused on suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation.

Women are far more likely to develop autoimmune diseases, making up about 78.8 percent of those affected. While there are several reasons why this is the case, it’s mainly due to genetics. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects about 1.3 million Americans. RA primarily attacks cells in the joints such as the hands, feet, wrists, and knees and causes chronic inflammation and swelling. People with RA tend to have difficulty standing, walking, and living an otherwise normal life.

In a number of patients, rheumatoid arthritis has been known to manifest itself in other parts of the body such as the lungs, heart, and eyes. In particular, fibrosis of the lungs and interstitial lung disease have been known to significantly increase the mortality rate of rheumatoid arthritis patients. According to a medical report, the expected survival rate of someone with RA and ILD is about 3 years on average. 

Lupus

Lupus shares many of the same symptoms as rheumatoid arthritis, but they are not the same disease. While lupus can lead to inflammation and swelling in the joints just like RA, lupus is more likely to affect the internal organs and skin. The pain caused by RA also tends to increase and then dissipate whereas the pain from lupus usually remains constant. There are four different types of lupus:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — the most common type of lupus.

Neonatal lupus — a condition that affects infants

Drug-induced lupus — caused by prescription drugs

Cutaneous lupus — primarily affecting the skin

Just like RA, lupus can affect the lungs. According to the Johns Hopkins Lupus Center, 50 percent of people with SLE will experience lung complications. These complications include the following:

Pleuritis — This is when the pleura (the membrane surrounding the lungs) become inflamed. If fluid begins to form and leaves the membrane, this is known as pleural effusion.

Acute Lupus Pneumonitis — This is a rare condition that can have serious complications for lupus patients. it’s known to cause sharp pain the chest, a dry cough, and shortness of breath. If acute lupus pneumonitis isn’t treated immediately, it could result in permanent lung scarring.

Chronic (fibrotic) Lupus Pneumonitis — This is essentially the same as acute lupus pneumonitis but it occurs over several years rather than abruptly. While both these conditions are interstitial lung diseases, chronic lupus pneumonitis is more comparable to other ILDs like occupational and treatment-related.

Pulmonary Hypertension — Although this condition is not technically considered an ILD, it’s important to know about if you have lupus. PH is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries leaving the heart. This damages the heart because it’s working harder to pump blood and it can damage organs throughout the body if they aren’t getting oxygen.

Scleroderma

Your body is composed of a variety of “connective tissues” like collagen, fibers, and other tissues that give each organ its shape and elasticity. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that alters your body’s production of these tissues. 

While this may seem harmless at first glance, it’s important to note that most organs, especially the lungs, depend on their shape and consistency in order to function properly. For example, your lungs need to be elastic in order to expand and take in air. And if your skin gets too thick, it can begin to block blood vessels, requiring your heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body.

The type of ILD caused by scleroderma is called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This is a result of small blood vessels in the lungs called pulmonary arteries, becoming narrow and constricted. Since PAH is caused by pulmonary fibrosis, it’s considered a progressive lung disease. Symptoms are not likely to improve on their own, so a refined treatment plan is necessary. 

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Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a very rare condition characterized by tiny clumps of inflammatory cells called granulomas. Sarcoidosis usually appears on the skin, but pulmonary sarcoidosis forms on the lungs. Usually, the granulomas go away on their own, but if they don’t, they can cause permanent scarring and obstruction in the lungs. It can also result in a condition called bronchiectasis which is when the lungs are frequently infected.

Idiopathic ILD

The term “idiopathic” denotes a disease or condition that has an unknown cause. If your doctor believes you may have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), he/she will perform a number of tests to rule out any potential causes. If no cause is found, you may be prescribed standardized IPF treatments like nintedanib, an anti-fibrotic drug, or pirfenidone, an anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory drug. As you can imagine, not knowing the root cause of IPF makes it much more difficult to treat. 

What are the Symptoms of Interstitial Lung Disease?

The above list gives examples of just a few of the interstitial lung diseases there are and what causes them. Researchers are constantly working on understanding the prognosis of lung fibrosis and how it can be treated more effectively. But if you want to limit the damage caused by interstitial lung disease, it’s important to recognize the warning signs early on.

As aforementioned, symptoms of ILD can develop over the course of many years so it’s imperative that you take all respiratory symptoms seriously and consult with a doctor as soon as possible. ILD is a chronic disease, so the damage that’s caused by it is irreversible. However, the sooner it’s recognized, the sooner your doctor will be able to provide you with treatments that will prevent it from progressing as quickly.

The two most common symptoms of ILD are shortness of breath and a dry cough. Excess mucus is not usually a symptom of ILD, but it could be a sign of COPD or another chronic lung disease. Other symptoms of ILD include whole-body fatigue, fast breathing, deformity of nails, or rapid weight loss.

How is Interstitial Lung Disease Treated?

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Many people are surprised to find that exercise is a key part of treating ILD. While heavy exercise can exacerbate respiratory issues, controlled and precise training routines can help improve endurance, strength, and regulate weight. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are run by health professionals who can educate you about how your lungs work and what steps you can take to improve your quality of life with ILD.

Medications

There are many medications used to treat ILD, so it’s hard to say what your doctor will prescribe. However, some of the most common medications for ILD include corticosteroids, pirfenidone, nintedanib, as well as anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory drugs. If your ILD is caused by something like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you may be prescribed medication that limits this, preventing further damage to the lungs. 

Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen therapy is the administration of medical-grade oxygen through a nasal cannula or oxygen mask. Most ILD patients are prescribed periodic or 24/7 oxygen because it helps ensure the lungs are fully saturated with oxygen. There are many different oxygen therapy machines on the market, but most people prefer portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G5 or the Caire FreeStyle Comfort. These units are lightweight, reliable, and allow oxygen patients more freedom in their daily life. 

Surgery

Lung biopsy is a fairly common procedure for anyone with ILD. This is when a medical professional surgically removes a part of the affected lung in order to take a sample and study it. This can help your doctor better understand how you contracted ILD, and what medication you can take to reduce your symptoms. In very rare and severe cases, your doctor may recommend a lung transplant surgery which is the full removal and replacement of the lungs.

What’s the Difference Between Interstitial Lung Disease and COPD?

Interstitial lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are commonly confused, likely due to the fact that they have very similar symptoms. Both are characterized by a chronic cough, fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, and shortness of breath. However, where these conditions differ is in their causes, risk factors, and the type of damage that is done to the lungs.

Like ILD, COPD is an umbrella term, but instead of 100s of conditions, COPD is made up of just two: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema patients, the walls of the alveoli begin to collapse preventing the proper exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the blood. Emphysema can also cause air to become trapped in the lungs so that it can’t be expelled correctly. Chronic bronchitis is when the bronchial tubes, the airways that lead to the lungs become damaged and start to swell.

COPD is an “obstructive” lung disease, meaning it prevents the patient from expelling air correctly. ILD is a “restrictive” lung disease, meaning it prevents the patient from inspiring air properly. 85 to 90 percent of COPD cases are caused by smoking while ILD is caused by a whole variety of things. While smoking is a risk factor for ILD, it is not a primary causal factor. 

Treatment for COPD and ILD may look similar and it usually starts with eliminating the factor that’s causing the lung damage. Smoking cessation is imperative in both cases but it’s especially important for COPD patients. Oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes are commonly used to treat both conditions, but COPD patients may need additional medications like bronchodilators to reduce swelling in the airways.

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Conclusion

While interstitial lung disease denotes hundreds of different conditions, it is still possible to significantly reduce your risk of contracting it. First and foremost, you should quit smoking and always wear a respirator if you have to work in dangerous industrial environments such as mines, construction sites, or factories. Take care to also follow all OSHA regulations that your company requires.

Secondly, if you have an autoimmune disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, you should visit your doctor frequently in order to keep it under control. Untreated inflammation and immune reactions can lead to damage and scarring of the lungs.

Lastly, if you’re experiencing respiratory symptoms like breathlessness, chest pain, or a chronic cough, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor right away. Respiratory symptoms lasting more than a couple of days are considered “chronic” and might be a sign of a serious underlying condition. 

For many patients who have COPD, oxygen therapy is a major feature of day-to-day life. If you use oxygen during the daytime, managing oxygen tanks and equipment inevitably becomes a routine part of almost every daily task and activity.

Supplemental oxygen can be a huge hassle to use every day, especially if your equipment is uncomfortable, unwieldy, or difficult to use. Because of this, the kind of supplemental oxygen equipment you use can have a major effect on your daily routine, and even affect your overall quality of life.

But if you choose equipment that's convenient and comfortable, you'll feel much less restricted and be better able to integrate supplemental oxygen therapy into your everyday life. That's why it's so important to review your options and choose an oxygen delivery system that is right for you.

Your supplemental oxygen therapy is a lifeline, not a tether, and it should be as simple, easy, and comfortable as possible. If you do your research and take the time to understand the different options, you'll be much more likely to find equipment that is convenient, comfortable, and adds a minimal amount of hassle to your daily life.

In this post, we're going to help you get the most out of supplemental oxygen therapy by showing you all of the different options that are available, including different types of oxygen tanks, oxygen concentrators, oxygen masks, and nasal cannula. We'll help you you understand the pros and cons of each oxygen device and delivery system so can find the equipment that is most comfortable and convenient for you.

More knowledge allows you take a more active role in your COPD treatment, and explore options outside of what's standard. Armed with information about all the different kinds of oxygen therapy devices and equipment will allow you to better work with your doctor and insurance provider to get the option that's right for you.

When you first start using supplemental oxygen, the whole process can be overwhelming, in part because of all the equipment you have to care for and keep track of. But learning more about supplemental oxygen delivery systems and how they work can help you feel more comfortable and at ease.

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Choosing the Right Supplemental Oxygen Equipment

When choosing what kind of oxygen equipment to use, there are two main decisions to make: what kind of therapy device to use (e.g. compressed gas tanks, liquid tanks, or oxygen concentrators) and what kind of delivery system equipment to use for delivering the oxygen to your nose or mouth (e.g. Nasal cannula, face masks, and tubing).

Oxygen therapy devices tend to be very expensive, and many patients' choices are limited by what their insurance or medicare supplier will provide. However, many patients are able to get the therapy device they prefer by working with their insurance company, their oxygen supplier, budgeting, applying for financial assistance, or financing with low monthly payments.

Other oxygen equipment, like oxygen masks and tubing, tend to be much more affordable for the average COPD patient, although they have to be replaced regularly. You can choose from countless types of tubing, masks, and cannula that come in variety of different sizes, shapes and materials.

What kind of oxygen therapy device and delivery system is right for you depends on a variety of factors, including your oxygen prescription, doctor's recommendations, your activity level, face shape, and even your clothing choices. Much of it comes down your personal habits and preferences, and what's right for someone else will not necessarily be what works best for you.

Here are some of the major factors you should consider when choosing oxygen therapy devices and delivery system:

• Oxygen flow rates supported
• Oxygen concentrations supported
• Comfort
• Travel & portability
• Total oxygen capacity
• Ease of refilling or replacing
• Aesthetics
• Discreteness
• Cost

In the following sections, we'll introduce you to all the major options for oxygen devices delivery systems that are out there to choose from. We'll show you how each piece equipment works, explain what makes each one unique, and discuss the pros and cons of each option with regard to features, price, portability, aesthetics, and ease of use.

Types of Oxygen Therapy Devices

There are three main types of oxygen therapy devices: liquid oxygen tanks, compressed gas oxygen tanks, and oxygen concentrators. Oxygen tanks (also known as oxygen canisters) always have a limited supply of oxygen and must be replaced regularly, while oxygen concentrators create purified oxygen from ambient air.

The first thing you need to consider when choosing an oxygen therapy device is whether or not it can supply the oxygen concentration and oxygen flow rate that your doctor prescribed. It's important to have at least one device that can deliver the maximum amount you need; so if you use three liters per minute of supplemental oxygen at rest and six liters per minute during exercise, you must have an oxygen therapy device that can deliver the higher, six-liters-per-minute flow rate.

Oxygen equipment is expensive, and what you use might depend on what your insurance company will cover or what your medicare supplier can provide. The vast majority of oxygen tanks are provided as rentals, but, in some cases, you can work with your insurance company to cover some or all of the purchase price of some equipment (such as a home or portable oxygen concentrator).

The kind of oxygen therapy device that's best for you depends on your lifestyle, activity level, and the flow rate that your oxygen prescription requires. In the next sections, we'll introduce you to the three types of supplemental oxygen devices and compare their features, benefits, and drawbacks.

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Compressed Gas Oxygen Tanks

Compressed gas tanks have long been the standard device used for supplemental oxygen therapy. They are simple, inexpensive, and come in many sizes to accommodate use both in the home and outside of the home.

The tanks are made of thick metal to contain the oxygen, which is highly pressurized inside the canister. Because of this, you have to handle the tanks very carefully, taking care to keep them upright and away from anything that could cause damage. If the tank becomes punctured, it could cause the tank to explode or turn into a dangerous projectile rocket.

Compressed gas tanks are designed for basic functionality and are extremely simple to use; all you have to do is turn a key to open or close the valve, which turns the oxygen flow on and off. They contain a moderate amount of oxygen and need to be replaced regularly as they get depleted.

Most people who use compressed gas tanks for oxygen therapy rent their tanks from an oxygen supply company, which comes to haul away empty cylinders and replace them with full tanks on a regular basis. It is typical for oxygen patients to have one or more large compressed gas oxygen tanks at home and a couple smaller, portable canisters for when they go out.

Large and medium-sized oxygen tanks can be placed in carts for easy wheeling around your home, or kept stationary in a secure place. Small, portable tanks can be carried by hand or secured in a special carrying case.

Here is a breakdown of the major pros and cons of compressed gas oxygen canisters:

The benefits of compressed gas oxygen tanks:

• Simple and easy to use
• Reliable
• Relatively inexpensive
• Come in a variety of sizes
• Always covered by insurance

The drawbacks of compressed gas oxygen tanks:

• Large and bulky
• Heavy and difficult to transport
• Can be dangerous if damaged, punctured, or leaky
• Have to be replaced at regular intervals
• Must always be secured upright in a safe place
• Compressed gas is volatile and requires extra care and caution

Liquid Oxygen Tanks

Liquid oxygen tanks are similar in appearance to compressed gas oxygen, except they hold liquid oxygen instead of gas. In order to store oxygen in liquid form, it must be kept at super-cold temperatures, around -300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Since liquid oxygen is much more dense than gaseous oxygen, liquid oxygen tanks can hold much more oxygen than gas tanks. They can also store oxygen at a lower pressure, making liquid tanks less volatile and reducing the danger of leaks and punctures.

Like gas oxygen canisters, liquid oxygen tanks are usually rented and have to be refilled regularly by your oxygen supply company. However, unlike gaseous tanks that all come pre-filled, liquid oxygen is usually supplied from a large home reservoir that you store in your home, which you can use to fill up smaller canisters as needed.

Like gas canisters, liquid oxygen canisters come in a variety of sizes, with small tanks for portability and larger ones for home use. Many patients prefer liquid tanks because they are relatively light, safe, and last longer than compressed gas tanks.

However, liquid oxygen tanks don't come without any risk; contact with the pure liquid oxygen or touching the cold parts of the canister or tubing can cause serious burns or frostbite. The liquid oxygen itself is also extremely dangerous, and you must exercise extreme care when refilling canisters from your reservoir.

Also, the liquid oxygen in the tank has a limited lifespan; it evaporates and leaks out over time whether or not you use it. The liquid oxygen in the tank must be used up within one or two weeks, otherwise it will become depleted on its own.

Just like compressed gas oxygen cylinders, liquid oxygen cylinders can be transported in special carts and cases. Full tanks must also be kept upright and secured to prevent damage and leaks.

Now that you understand how liquid oxygen tanks work, here's a closer look at the pros and cons:

The benefits of liquid oxygen tanks:

• Reliable
• Lighter than compressed gas tanks
• Contain more oxygen and last longer than compressed gas tanks
• Less dangerous because oxygen is stored at lower pressure
• Come in a variety of sizes

The drawbacks of liquid oxygen tanks:

• Must refill tanks by hand from reservoir
• Oxygen depletes with time even if you don't use it
• Risk of frostbite and burns from cold liquid oxygen
• Higher cost
• May or may not be covered by insurance

Oxygen Concentrators

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There are many different types of oxygen concentrators, both stationary and portable. They work by pulling in normal, ambient air and purifying it to create concentrated, breathable oxygen.

Home Oxygen Concentrators

Home oxygen concentrators are a great alternative to large tanks and reservoirs for home oxygen use. Most can provide up to 95 percent pure oxygen and provide up to 10 liters per minute of flow.

Home oxygen concentrators are very convenient because they never run out of oxygen or have to be replaced as long as they are plugged into a power source. Many are also light and easy to wheel around the house.

The sleek, plastic casing that home concentrators are made of is much more aesthetically pleasing than old, worn-out tanks, and they stand out in a room much less than large canisters do. They are also relatively lightweight and easy to wheel around the house, their compact design making them less of a nuisance and helping them stay out of your way.

Another great thing about oxygen concentrators is that they are very safe, and carry no risk of high-pressure explosions if punctured, as compressed gas oxygen canisters do. You also have to worry much less about leaks and flammability; oxygen concentrators have no risk of leaking oxygen into your home when not in use.

However, because oxygen concentrators need electricity to function, you should always have a backup supply of oxygen tanks if you use a home concentrator as your primary oxygen therapy device. In the case of a power outage or malfunction, you will need to use an alternative source of oxygen until your home concentrator can operate again.

The benefits of home oxygen concentrators:

• Easy to use
• Lightweight
• Small, compact, and discrete
• Easy to transport around the home
• Don't require refilling or replacing
• Unlimited supply of oxygen
• Very low maintenance
• Decreased fire risk and reduced risk of oxygen leaks
• Can be cheaper than liquid or gas tanks if you use a large volume of oxygen every week

The drawbacks of home oxygen concentrators:

• Most only supply low to medium oxygen flow rates
• Can be noisy while operating
• Requires a backup oxygen supply in case of power outages and emergencies
• Tends to be more pricey than gas or liquid tanks unless you use a large amount of oxygen

Portable Oxygen Concentrators

The main difference between portable and home oxygen concentrators is that portable concentrators are much smaller and can operate off of battery power instead of just A/C. Even though their battery power is limited, keeping multiple batteries and switching them out as they get depleted can make them last for many hours in-between charges.

Many portable oxygen concentrators are much lighter and less bulky than portable tanks, making them ideal for using during physical activity and when you go out and about. Many even come with comfortable carrying bags so you can carry them on your back or over your shoulder.

Portable concentrators vary widely in size, shape, design, and function, so it's important to look at all the different brands and types available. Many can only deliver very low flow rates of 1-2 liters per minute. However, more and more new portable oxygen concentrators are being designed to provide higher flow rates so they can serve a wider number of oxygen patients.

The best thing about oxygen concentrators is that purify oxygen from the ambient air, which means they will never run out of oxygen. The only thing you have to worry about is keeping the batteries charged or making sure you have an outlet to plug your concentrator in to.

Oxygen concentrators also have the benefit of being much more sleek and stylish than the bulky, unwieldy gas and liquid oxygen tanks. They look more like small appliances or electronics than medical equipment, making them much more discrete than other oxygen therapy devices.

Many patients use portable oxygen concentrators as a secondary or backup oxygen therapy device. For example, they might use compressed gas tanks at home and during exercise, while using their portable concentrator when they leave their home. Even if a portable oxygen concentrator cannot provide the maximum flow rate you need, you can still use it during sleep, rest, and other less strenuous activties as long as it can provide the minimum flow rate in the range that your doctor prescribed.

Most insurance and medicare providers don't cover portable oxygen concentrators, but there are ways to get financial assistance or even get your insurance to cover some or all of the cost. Here at LPT Medical, you can even finance your portable concentrator and make it much more affordable with low monthly payments.

Although they will not work for everybody, portable oxygen concentrators are by far the lightest and most transportable oxygen therapy device available, and is one of the only types of supplemental oxygen that you can take with you on an airplane. Getting a portable oxygen concentrator can cut a great deal of hassle out of oxygen therapy and make a huge improvement in your quality of life.

Now that you have a better understanding of portable oxygen concentrators, let's break down the pros and cons:

The benefits of using a portable oxygen concentrator:

• Simple to use
• Rechargeable (many include car chargers, too)
• Can be used with batteries or plugged into wall power
• Don't need to be refilled or replaced
• Variable flow rates
• Many have digital interfaces for convenience
• Many are allowed on airplanes (check your brand and model before flying)
• Multiple batteries available to extend battery life
• Convenient and comfortable carrying cases
• Small and compact
• Stylish and discrete

The drawbacks of using a portable oxygen concentrator:

• Can only deliver lower flow rates
• Limited battery life (when away from A/C power)
• May not work efficiently at very high altitudes
• Some can be noisy while operating
• Many work best on pulse-flow and have limited continuous flow options

Types of Oxygen Delivery Systems: Masks, Nasal cannula, and Tubing

Choosing the right oxygen therapy device can significantly improve the convenience of oxygen therapy and make it easier to travel and stay active. However, choosing the right delivery system for breathing the oxygen is just as important, and can spare you a great deal of discomfort and pain.

Some oxygen masks and nasal cannula can be very uncomfortable to wear on your face every day, and put weight on your ears that can cause severe discomfort over time. However, you can make your oxygen experience much more pleasant if you take the time to find the right mask or cannula that fits you snugly and comfortably.

There are many different options to choose from; cannula and masks come in a variety of different sizes, shapes, and materials. Some are even designed for specific functions, like high-flow oxygen or for recycling carbon dioxide. What works best for you depends on the contours of your face, your aesthetic preferences, and what personally feels more comfortable for you.

However, it's important to understand that your options may be limited depending on your prescribed oxygen concentration, flow rate, and other aspects of your individualized oxygen therapy. Make sure to talk to your doctor before buying a new oxygen face mask or nasal cannula to make sure that it is appropriate for your condition.

Nasal cannula

A nasal cannula is a type of tubing that delivers oxygen to your nose through two hollow prongs, one for each nostril. Nasal cannula are preferred by the majority of patients for low flow, continuous oxygen use because they are convenient, hands-free, and less bulky.

The best thing about nasal cannula is that they are discrete and stay out of the way, allowing you to eat, talk, and breathe without interruption. However, most can only provide limited oxygen concentrations and low flow, so they are generally only used by patients in stable condition whose blood oxygen saturation levels are only slightly below normal. Standard nasal cannula can only deliver up to 30 percent oxygen at up 4 liters per minute, and special high-flow cannula are necessary for anything above 4 liters per minute.

The main problem that oxygen patients tend to have with nasal cannula is ear discomfort, which affects the majority of oxygen patients who use them. This is because nasal cannula are held in place by hooking over your ears, and the weight of the tubing pulls down and causes ear pressure that can be extremely uncomfortable and even painful after awhile.

Because of this, there are many different types of nasal cannula that try to solve this problem through softer materials and creative design. What is most comfortable for you will depend on the unique shape of your face and ears and how sensitive you are to the pressure.

Nasal cannula can also dry out your nose and hurt the skin on your face. The tubing can irritate your skin from abrasion and the nasal prongs can wear on the inside of your nose. That's why it's important to find a cannula with nasal prongs that are soft enough for your skin and to position them correctly in your nose.

When it comes to choosing the right nasal cannula, you may need to try a few different types before you find the best fit. You might even want to keep several different kinds of nasal cannula around to use on different occasions; for example, you might want to use a bulkier, more secure nasal cannula at home and use a slimmer, more discrete cannula when you go out.

Here are some of the main types of nasal cannula to choose from.

Standard Nasal Cannula

Standard nasal cannula are worn across your face by hooking the tubes over your ears and inserting the prongs into your nostrils. They can only handle low oxygen flow rates up to six liters per minute and oxygen concentrations up to 40 percent.

High Flow Nasal Cannula

High-flow cannula are designed for patients who require higher oxygen concentrations and a higher flow rate. They can deliver oxygen concentrations up to 90 percent at a flow rate of up to 40 liters per minute.

However, many patients cannot tolerate high-flow nasal cannula because they can be very loud and uncomfortable. In fact, even with a standard cannula, flow rates above 2 liters per minute tend to cause nasal dryness and discomfort.

Soft Touch Nasal Cannula

Both standard and high-flow cannula are available in versions made with softer, more flexible tubing materials. These cannula are designed to cause less ear discomfort and reduce skin irritation and chafing.

Single-sided Nasal Cannula

Recently, some oxygen equipment stores have begun selling a new kind of single-sided nasal cannula. This cannula is meant to be less bulky, more discrete, and reduce ear pressure, and it comes with a clip to secure the tubing to your clothes, protecting it from getting yanked or tugged out.

One type of single-sided cannula, the Oxy-Breather, is made with extremely soft tubing and has a single hook that goes over one ear, instead of two. Another type, the Uni-flo, has a similar design but only has one nasal prong, instead of two.

The best part about single-sided nasal cannula is that they hook on to one ear and come across only one cheek, leaving the other side of your face completely free and uncovered. This makes single-sided cannula much less noticeable and less in the way of your face.

Oxy-Glasses

Another type of specialty nasal cannula is the Oxy-Glasses, which are designed for even more discrete and unobtrusive oxygen use. The tubing from the nasal cannula is actually built into the glasses, so that the tubes are hidden by the glasses frames instead of being draped across your face.

You can use Oxy-Glasses with plain glass lenses or, if you have an eyeglass prescription, you can get them fitted with prescription lenses. However, Oxy-Glasses are pricey and not covered by insurance or Medicare.

The Pros and Cons of Nasal cannula

Now that you have a better understanding of how nasal cannula work and what options are available, let's take a closer look at the pros and cons:

The benefits of using a nasal cannula:

• Simple to use
• Inexpensive to buy
• Covers only a small part of your face
• Discrete
• Hands-free
• Doesn't interfere with eating, drinking, or talking

The drawbacks of using a nasal cannula:

• Can only be used for lower oxygen concentrations and flow rates
• Ear pressure and discomfort
• Nasal dryness and discomfort
• Skin irritation and chafing
• Doesn't work for mouth breathing
• Not recommended for high flow rates

You may need to try several different kinds of nasal cannula before you figure out what is most comfortable for you. If the standard delivery system that came with your oxygen tanks or concentrator is not comfortable for you, don't suffer needlessly; there are many different options out there to choose from, and you're bound to find one that works and fits you well.

Oxygen Masks

Many patients, especially those with more severe breathing problems, use oxygen masks instead of nasal cannula as a primary means of breathing supplemental oxygen. While they are more bulky and cover both your nose and mouth, they have other benefits, including the ability to deliver high-flow oxygen and treat severe hypoxemia.

You can use an oxygen mask by hand, raising the mask to your face whenever you take a breath, or you can secure it onto your face for more continuous use. Most masks come with straps on the back so you can secure it to the back of your head.

Oxygen masks also have the benefit of being able to deliver higher oxygen concentrations, higher flow rates, and have the means to better control the amount oxygen and carbon dioxide that you breathe with each breath. Some masks, called re-breathers, have reservoirs with one-way valves that can keep outside air out and control the amount of carbon dioxide you take in with every breath.

The main drawback of using an oxygen mask is that it covers up so much of your face. It can also make it very difficult to eat, drink, and talk, since you have to remove the mask every time you speak or take a bite.

Some people need to use oxygen masks instead of nasal cannula because masks can better control higher oxygen concentrations, carbon dioxide re-breathing, and how much ambient air mixes in with the oxygen. Others cannot tolerate the discomfort of nasal cannula and simply find oxygen face masks more comfortable to wear.

There are several different types of oxygen masks designed for high- or low-flow oxygen and patients with