Giving your lungs a break is an important daily task you, as a responsible COPD patient, should work towards.

Every time you are able to make your lungs work less, you are bettering your condition and your livelihood. This can be as simple as getting an air purifier in every room of your home and should be as constant as adhering to your oxygen prescription daily. 

In this blog we talk about the easiest way to give give you lungs a break. The best thing you can do is acquire a portable oxygen concentrator that will help you move through the day and your life with ease. In order for that to be a possibility, you need a supplement oxygen device unit this is lightweight, reliable, and affordable! 

As you probably know Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Disease is a progressive illness that is not curable. Therefore, your treatment and how you manage this disease is essential to ensure your COPD does not progress quickly into a more severe stage of COPD. 

Resting you lungs is, in itself, a treatment for managing COPD. By reading this blog, you can expect to learn the best oxygen units that will help you to manage your disease effectively and subsequently improving your quality of life with COPD. 

Taking your Oxygen Therapy Seriously 

If you are prescribed oxygen therapy, adhering to your prescription as you doctor orders is essential for taking care of your lungs, and overall health and well-being. 

Long-term oxygen therapy is the only known treatment for COPD that is proven to extend the life expectancy of COPD patients. Therefore, using your oxygen equipment correctly can help you live a better quality life longer. 

In this section we will discuss three portable oxygen concentrators all of which are reliable but each device is designed to cater to a different oxygen patient. 

The ARYA P5 portable Oxygen Concentrator 

The ARYA P5 portable oxygen concentrator is already making a name for itself in the oxygen industry as one of the smallest and quietest portable oxygen concentrators on the market. It is one of the newest portable oxygen concentrators available and it's not only small, it's also reliable, gets great battery life, and offers 10 different oxygen settings for more accurate dosing.

Along with being one of the smallest and quietest portable oxygen concentrators on the market, the ARYA P5 portable oxygen concentrator has some amazing features that set it apart from the rest of the units on the market.

The ARYA P5 is going to make getting back to living an active life as easy as possible. It’s lightweight with long-lasting battery life helping you regain your freedom and independence. It gets up to 8 hours of battery life and offers 10 different oxygen settings! There’s no other lightweight portable oxygen concentrator on the market that will give you more accurate oxygen dosing while running for up to 8 hours

There are several reasons why oxygen patients should be excited about the new ARYA P5 portable oxygen concentrator. The first, and most importantly, is that the oxygen delivery service is unmatched.

When looking for a portable oxygen concentrator, the second most important priority should be the weight and size of the oxygen device.

As mentioned above, the ARYA P5 is one of the smallest and lightweight portable oxygen concentrators money can buy! It weighs just 5.5 pounds with the battery installed, and it stands 9.8” W x 3.8” D x 9.25” H.

At 5.5 pounds, the ARYA P5 is going to be a great companion for anyone that is interested in a healthy and active lifestyle. Exercise becomes easier, being more mobile and independent is also an option now. Traveling no longer seems like a chore, but it is something to be excited about!

Not to mention, with the ARYA P5 you will have the oxygen you need without sacrificing other parts of life. Go exercise, grab lunch with your friends, or spend a day golfing without feeling weighed down by your oxygen.

The ARYA P5 is a device that will help first time oxygen users and long time oxygen users by giving everyone who needs supplemental oxygen therapy the freedom and independence they need.

The ARYA P5 offers a high oxygen output to accommodate as many oxygen users as possible. The ARYA P5 has 10 adjustable oxygen settings. It offers pulse flow settings 1-5 and increases by increments of 0.5. This precision oxygen delivery is important for people so they are getting the exact amount of oxygen their bodies require, not too much and not too little!

It offers pulse flow settings 1-5 that can be adjusted in 0.5 increments. So whether you’re exercising, feeling sick, or are experiencing an exacerbation you will be able to increase the machine’s oxygen output to get the oxygen you need. Just remember to check with your doctor before you increase the flow rate on your machine.

The ARYA P5 also comes equipped with RATE RESPONSIVE THERAPY™ (RRT) that delivers oxygen on demand! Everytime the device senses an inhalation, the breadth th triggers the device to respond accordingly. Whether a patient is climbing the stairs or taking a walk, ARYA P5 will automatically respond to the breath rate by adjusting the amount of oxygen needed to ensure the patient remains saturated.

The ARYA Portable Oxygen Concentrator  

The ARYA Portable Oxygen Concentrator is a pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator (POC) that can cover oxygen patients that need pulse flow oxygen delivery  less than 5 liters per minute. 

One of the best things about the ARYA portable oxygen concentrator aside from it being lightweight (5 pounds) and having a long lasting battery (up to 16 hours) is the comprehensive warranty. It's not often you see a manufacturer give you an extended warranty on the portable oxygen concentrator as well as the sieve beds! 

With the ARYA portable oxygen concentrator you will have added peace of mind knowing you get lifetime warranty on the unit and an industry leading 5 year warranty on the sieve beds!

Most manufacturers offer a 3 year warranty on their unit and a 1 year warranty on the sieve beds. But ARYA truly stands behind their product like no one in the industry.

The Respironics SimplyGo 

The Respironics SimplyGo is both a pulse flow and continuous flow POC. It has the capabilities to support oxygen patients that need pulse flow operation up to 6 liters per minute or 2 liters of continuous flow. 

Weighing in at a mere 10 pounds and standing 10" H x 6" D x 11.5" W, the SimplyGo is one of the smallest and lightest continuous flow portables available! You will be able to bring it with you wherever you go and you will have no problem finding a place to store it.

Your SimplyGo will easily fit underneath the seat in front of you on the airplane, you can store it on the floor of your car or in the passenger seat as you drive, and when you don’t need to use it you will be able to put it in your closet without having to clear space for it.

Although 10 pounds is extremely light for a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator, it’s still pretty heavy to carry. But you won’t need to worry about that! Your SimplyGo package will include a custom carrying case and a wheeled travel cart so you have the option to carry it over your shoulder or you can pull it behind you on the travel cart.

The SeQual Eclipse 5 

The SeQual Eclipse 5 POC is a popular continuous flow device that is also reliable and durable. It is rated to last for years and the POC of choice of the U.S. military! 

The pulse flow settings range from 1-9 and the continuous flow settings range from 0.5-3.0 LPM, so it is able to cover most oxygen patient’s needs, and some!

{{cta('fa8abc2a-1e88-4fa3-82fd-1cb5b9ed43b2','justifycenter')}}

As mentioned above, the SeQual Eclipse 5 is one of the most, if not the most, popular continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market. That is largely due to its long-standing track record for being durable and reliable. If it’s good enough for the US Military, that should tell you something.

The hard-bodied shell of the Eclipse 5 is extremely protective. It will keep your concentrator protected from everyday wear and tear, accidental bumps and bruises, and if you have pets or grandkids in the house it will be able to withstand their crazy antics.

One of the best things about the Eclipse 5 is that it requires very little maintenance from you to keep it running. All you need to do is wash your filter once every week or two depending on how often you use your Eclipse and you are good to go! 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most prominent lung conditions. Worldwide, it affects more than 328 million people and this number is only expected to increase over time. 

While there are many different treatment options for COPD such as a refined dietary regime, inhaled medication, and pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy remains one of the best ways to keep symptoms in check.

Whether this is your first time looking for portable oxygen concentrators for sale or you’re back on the market after selling an old oxygen unit, you need to take some time to consider what options are available to you. 

It may be tempting to commit to the first oxygen machine you find that meets your needs, but studying each one will ensure that you get the device that’s ideal for your lifestyle.

However, this is not always easy considering the fact that there are hundreds of medical oxygen devices out there and many of them are falsely advertised making it difficult for an oxygen patient to weed out the bad ones.

 Fortunately, here at LPT Medical, we only offer oxygen concentrators from the most reputable brands in oxygen manufacturing so that you can always be sure you’re getting a machine that does exactly what it says it does.

To help you narrow down your choices, we’re going to be taking a look at two different portable oxygen concentrators today: the ARYA Portable Oxygen Concentrator and the Respironics SimplyGo.

Oxygen Output

Above all else, you need to make sure that your new oxygen machine meets your health needs. Before making any choices, you’ll need to speak with your doctor or pulmonologist and learn the exact volume of oxygen and how many hours a day is appropriate for you. It’s important to note that the ARYA is a pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator and the Respironics SimplyGo is a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator.

What this means is that the ARYA only puts out oxygen when the user inhales, whereas the Respironics SimplyGo puts out oxygen irrespective of the user’s breathing rate. 

What results from this is that the Respironics SimplyGo has a much higher oxygen output, but most of the oxygen is wasted when the user is not inhaling. With that being said, both concentrators are designed to accommodate the needs of the majority of oxygen patients.

On a maximum flow setting of 6, the ARYA  puts out 1,050 ml/min of oxygen. The Respironics SimplyGo goes up to a maximum of 2 LPM on a continuous flow setting. 

What this means is that if you’re inhaling 50% of the time and exhaling 50% of the time, you’ll be receiving 50 ml/min of oxygen less with the SimplyGo than with the ARYA. We understand if this is confusing, so be sure to address any questions you may have with your doctor and respiratory specialist.

One more thing to note about the Respironics SimplyGo is that it also offers a pulse dose option. Like the ARYA, the Respironics SimplyGo can go up to a pulse flow setting of 6, so you’ll have plenty of options to adjust your oxygen delivery on the fly. 

One of the reasons you may want to switch to pulse flow is if you want to save battery life on your device. Continuous flow tends to drain your battery life much quicker than pulse dose.

Battery Life

Most oxygen patients have battery life top of mind when choosing a new portable oxygen concentrator because the more powerful the battery, the more freedom you will have to get out and do the things you want.

 Both the ARYA and the Respironics SimplyGo use lithium-ion batteries, a special type of battery that’s been designed to be powerful and lightweight. In fact, these are the same types of batteries that are used in most modern smartphones.

One of the main differences between the batteries in these two devices is that the ARYA uses one external battery while the Respironics SimplyGo uses two smaller internal batteries. 

However, by “internal” we don’t mean that you’ll need to send your device into the manufacturer to have it replaced. This just means that the batteries slide in and out of the device. The batteries on both of these devices are very easy to remove and replace.

Another benefit of the SimplyGo is that you’ll have the option to use either one or two batteries, but with the ARYA, you’ll be able to choose between an 8-cell battery that comes with the device and a 16-cell battery that doubles the battery life of your portable oxygen machine. 

If you compare the batteries straight out of the box, you’ll find that the ARYA offers a bit more freedom than the SimplyGo, especially when it’s used on its continuous flow setting.

On a pulse flow setting of 2, the ARYA will give you up to 4 hours of battery life. This can be extended with a 16-cell battery to 8 hours. The SimplyGo, on the other hand, comes with one battery that will offer 3 hours of freedom which can be extended to 6 hours if you purchase a second battery. 

This is significantly decreased when you switch to continuous flow, however. If you switch to continuous flow, 3 hours of battery life will be reduced to 1.6. Be aware that if you increase your flow rate, the battery life will be reduced.

All around, the ARYA will offer you more freedom than the SimplyGo, however, if you have other reasons for buying a SimplyGo, you’ll want to keep extra batteries on hand and consider using the pulse flow option. 

Accessories like the external battery charger will help you keep all your batteries full and ready for use no matter where you are in the world.

Weight and Size

The concept of portable oxygen therapy is not all that new. Oxygen cylinders have been used by COPD patients since the 1950s, but they were anything but convenient. As opposed to portable oxygen concentrators of today, oxygen cylinders are big, bulky, and difficult to maneuver. 

What’s more, they don’t run off of batteries like concentrators so they need to be refilled constantly. This requires you to either have a device called a “homefill station” in your home, or you need to go out of your way to find an oxygen retailer.

Fortunately, portable oxygen concentrators like the ARYA and the Respironics SimplyGo are both much lighter, smaller, and easier to carry than oxygen tanks. Instead of having to wheel them around with a carrying cart, these POCs can be slung over your shoulder and carried with ease. Let’s take a look at how the two of these compare.

The ARYA weighs in at only 5 pounds making it one of the lightest portable oxygen concentrators ever produced, just behind the AirSep Focus which weighs 1.75 pounds, and the Inogen One G4, which weighs 2.8 pounds. In terms of size, the ARYA is only 10” H x 7.3” L x 3.1” W or 226.3 in². So it’s very small and compact.

Continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators are naturally heavier than pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators; however, the Respironics SImplyGo still only weighs in at 10 pounds making it twice as heavy as the ARYA. 

The SimplyGo is the lightest continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator and it’s also the smallest continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator at just 10” H x 6” D x 11.5” W or a volume of 690 in².

All around, the ARYA is going to be a much better choice for you if size and weight are a concern. If you suffer from chronic shoulder or back pain as many people do, you won’t experience any additional strain by carrying this oxygen machine. Since it’s small, it can easily rest under your arm without it disrupting your normal walking posture. While the SimplyGo is much heavier, it does come with a rolling cart that can make things a lot easier.

Optional Features

If you’ve taken the time to narrow down all of the most important aspects of your portable oxygen concentrator like oxygen output, weight, size, and battery life, it’s time to take a look at the additional features that these oxygen machines offer. 

Fortunately, we live in a time of innovation; a time where people are coming up with unique and cost-effective solutions for people with chronic disabilities. This is no different when it comes to portable oxygen concentrators.

If you’re looking at the ARYA, you’ll be happy to know that it is one of the most feature-heavy portable oxygen machines on the market. Unlike something like the AirSep Focus which is a completely bare-bones oxygen concentrator, the ARYA uses something called telehealth technology. 

Telehealth is the concept of working with health professionals over long distances using modern technology. An example would be holding a video conference with your doctor to discuss the symptoms you’re experiencing.

But that’s not all ARYAview allows you to do. Since it’s a telehealth service, it will allow you to transmit all your data over a secure network so that both your oxygen provider and your healthcare provider will be about to monitor your oxygen use. If you fall back on your treatment plan, then he/she can reach out to you and help you correct it.

The data that’s tracked through ARYAview can be viewed through the portal on a desktop computer or with a smartphone device like an Android or an iPhone. It’s very easy to set up and use, but it is optional. So if you’d rather use your ARYA without any of this, you will be able to do so. Unfortunately, the Respironics SimplyGo doesn’t come with any features like this.

CPAP/BiPAP Compatibility

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are both common conditions and they can both affect the quality of sleep you get at night. 

When they both occur simultaneously, it’s known as COPD-OSA overlap syndrome. If you’re diagnosed with this condition, your doctor may advise you to use either CPAP or BiPAP and oxygen therapy while you sleep. However, you need to make sure your two machines are compatible first.

CPAP and BiPAP machines work by expanding the airways while you’re sleeping so that they don’t close up, causing you to get a poor night’s sleep. Because of this, these machines are not compatible with pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators like the ARYAt that need to be able to precisely measure your breathing rate. 

They are, however, compatible with continuous flow oxygen concentrators like the Respironics SimplyGo which put out a constant stream of oxygen.

In order to set your Respironics SimplyGo up with your CPAP/BiPAP machine, all you will need is a bleed-in adapter which will allow you to feed oxygen into your CPAP mask while you sleep. Be sure that your SImplyGo is set to your preferred flow setting and that it’s in the “continuous flow” mode as opposed to “pulse flow.”

Conclusion 

There’s no doubt about it, it’s not easy trying to choose a portable oxygen concentrator. Whether you’ve used an oxygen tank for years and you’re looking for an upgrade, or you’re looking for your first oxygen device, there are a lot of options out there. 

Unfortunately, it can be very challenging to find the resources you need in order to make an educated decision.

This is why we’ve made it our mission here at LPT Medical to make this process as easy as possible. This post compared two of the most popular portable oxygen concentrators on the market, however, there are a lot of other devices you should consider.

Simply reach out to one of our respiratory specialists either by email or phone and we’ll walk you through the whole process and find you the best deal possible. Once you’re ready to buy, we’ll set you up with a payment plan that works for you.

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

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

{{cta('fa8abc2a-1e88-4fa3-82fd-1cb5b9ed43b2','justifycenter')}}

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

What are Vape Pens and E-Cigarettes?

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

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

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

What are the Risks Associated with Vaping?

Chemicals Found in “Vape Juice” 

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

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

An Argument From Ignorance

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

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

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

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

Vaping is Addictive

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

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

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

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

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

Vaping as a “Gateway” Drug

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

Are There Any Benefits of Vaping?

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

How Should COPD Patients React to Vaping?

Find other Methods to Quit Smoking

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

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

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

Focus on your COPD Treatment Plan

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

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

Get Outside and Exercise

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

Understand the Financial Burden of Vaping

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

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

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

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

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

Why is it Important to Treat Sleep Disorders?

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

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

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

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

What is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)? 

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

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

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

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

What is Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP)?

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

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

CPAP With C-Flex versus BiPAP

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

What is Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP)?

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

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

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

What is Supplemental Oxygen Therapy?

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

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

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

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

What Kind of Oxygen Devices Are There?

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

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

Pulse Dose versus Continuous Flow

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

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

How are PAP Therapy and Supplemental Oxygen Therapy Related?

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

What is COPD-OSA Overlap Syndrome?

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

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

They Both Require a Prescription

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

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

How to Connect an Oxygen Machine to CPAP

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

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

{{cta('fa8abc2a-1e88-4fa3-82fd-1cb5b9ed43b2','justifycenter')}}

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Portable Oxygen Concentrators are “More Advanced”

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

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

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

{{cta('fa8abc2a-1e88-4fa3-82fd-1cb5b9ed43b2','justifycenter')}}

Staying Active

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

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

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

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

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

Doing Chores Around the House

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

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

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

Traveling Long Distance

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

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

Keeping up With Your Friends

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

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

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

{{cta('b59df0c1-c4de-47a8-8e1c-0d33d4b414aa','justifycenter')}}

Avoiding Hospital Visits

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

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

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

Following Your COPD Treatment Plan

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

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

Staying Self-Sufficient

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

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

{{cta('43b79c5e-6bd6-4f02-ac27-2d038d20c146','justifycenter')}}

Conclusion

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

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

Most chronic respiratory conditions are considered “debilitating.” What this means is that they have a tendency to make the patient weak and physically incapable of certain tasks like rigorous exercise. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one such condition because it prevents carbon dioxide-rich air from escaping the lungs upon expiration. This results in frequent breathlessness, chest pain, fatigue, and more.

Another reason COPD could be considered a debilitating disease is that it often requires patients to be hooked up to an oxygen machine for a significant portion of the day. People with stage 1 or 2 COPD may only need to use supplemental oxygen for several hours a day, whereas someone with stage 3 or 4 COPD may need to be hooked up to an oxygen device 24/7.

From an outside perspective, this may seem a little daunting. After all, how could you expect to live a normal and full life if you’re expected to be connected to an oxygen device constantly? While this could be the “end of the line” so-to-speak for many other conditions, this is not the case for COPD patients. Fortunately, many years of research have gone into supplemental oxygen therapy and manufacturers are able to offer smaller, lighter, and more portable oxygen delivery machines than ever before.

In 2020, the gold standard in medical oxygen therapy are portable oxygen concentrators. Like the stationary oxygen concentrators which came before them, these are electronic devices. The primary difference, however, is that they run off batteries rather than a wall outlet, meaning you can take them wherever you want. If you’re a COPD patient who’s caught the travel bug, read on as we take a look at the top 5 portable oxygen concentrators for long-distance travel.

If you have any questions at all about any of the units, either follow the link to each product page or reach out to our respiratory specialists who can help you find the concentrator that’s right for you.

The Caire FreeStyle Comfort

There really isn’t a whole lot to say about the Caire FreeStyle Comfort that hasn’t already been said. However, we don’t mind repeating ourselves if it means getting the word out to more people about how great of a device this is. Simply put, the FreeStyle Comfort is one of the best portable oxygen concentrators that money can buy as of 2020 and this rings especially true for people who are interested in long-distance travel.

Outstanding Durability

For many people, the most stressful thing about going on a long-distance trip is the thought of losing or breaking something that’s valuable to them. For example, if you break your phone, you might spend half your vacation getting it fixed rather than enjoying your time away from home. Or worse yet, you may find yourself in a situation where you aren’t able to get it fixed. This is why it’s so important to invest in durable and reliable equipment that won’t stop working when you need it most.

You may be surprised to know that the Caire FreeStyle Comfort is the one and only portable oxygen concentrator that’s used by the United States armed forces; in other words, it’s the only true “military-grade” portable oxygen concentrator. And while we certainly don’t expect you to be going to boot camp anytime soon, this is most definitely a testament to the quality design that Caire uses on their product.

With the FreeStyle Comfort, you’ll never have to worry about damaging your unit if you happen to bump into something or drop it on accident. While there are a lot of delicate electronic components inside the FreeStyle Comfort, they’re all protected by a solid outer shell. Be aware, however, that this portable oxygen concentrator (along with most other POCs) is not waterproof. The carrying case will help protect it from water a little bit, but it is not water-resistant, so be sure to take care when using it outside.

{{cta('43b79c5e-6bd6-4f02-ac27-2d038d20c146')}}

The Inogen One G5

Inogen is one of the top companies in the industry when it comes to pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators. Since their inception, they’ve worked tirelessly to make portable oxygen units lighter, smaller, and more powerful than ever before. Releasing just last year, the Inogen One G5 proved that it’s possible to have a high flow of medical-grade oxygen wherever you go.

High Oxygen Output

Oxygen output is a crucial factor to consider when buying a new portable oxygen concentrator. When your doctor or pulmonologist prescribes you oxygen, he/she will give provide you with an exact volume of oxygen that you need per minute. Pulse dose machines like the Inogen One G5 are measured in milliliters per minute (ml/min). And the G5 has the highest oxygen output of any pulse dose concentrator on the market. Its maximum oxygen output is 1,260 ml/min and a pulse flow setting of 6. That’s about 210 ml/min for each flow setting.  

Simply put, a high flow of oxygen means that more people will be able to experience the freedom of owning a lightweight portable oxygen concentrator. And if you’re someone who uses a lower flow setting like a 2 or a 3, you’ll be happy to know that you have some breathing room if you should need to move up for one reason or another. For example, if you check your blood oxygen level using a pulse oximeter and it’s lower than expected, you can simply press a button on the G5 and receive an additional 210 ml/min of oxygen.

{{cta('fa8abc2a-1e88-4fa3-82fd-1cb5b9ed43b2','justifycenter')}}

Possibly the best part about the Inogen One G5’s high oxygen output is that it doesn’t come at the expense of other features. For example, the G5 puts out 1,260 ml/min of oxygen compared to the Caire FreeStyle Comfort’s 1,050 ml/min of oxygen. Despite that fact, the G5 weighs 0.3 pounds less than the FreeStyle Comfort at just 4.7 pounds with the 8-cell battery. It also doesn’t compromise when it comes to battery life. On a pulse flow setting of 2, the G5 offers up to 5 hours of battery life with the 8-cell battery and 10 hours of battery life with the 16-cell battery. Compare this to the FreeStyle Comfort which offers 4 hours with the 8-cell battery and 8 hours with the 16-cell battery.

Another great benefit of the G5 is something called the Inogen Connect. This is a smartphone application that connects to your POC through Bluetooth. Once the devices are paired, you’ll be able to view information about your flow setting, remaining battery life, and more. You can even view the device manual if you end up needing to troubleshoot it. This app is especially useful if you’re using the Inogen One G5 backpack and you don’t want to stop constantly to check your G5. Simply pull out your phone and adjust the settings that way.

The Inogen One G3

While the Inogen One G3 came out quite a few years ago, it still holds up in 2020 as one of the top pulse dose portable oxygen devices on the market. The G3 is a slight downgrade from the G5 in terms of size and oxygen output, however, it more than makes up for this with an array of high-quality accessories that allow you to customize your supplemental oxygen therapy.

Options to Suit Your Lifestyle

One of the best things about owning an Inogen One G3 is that you don’t just have to settle with what you get right out of the box. There are plenty of accessories that you can use to make your supplemental oxygen more tailored to your preferences. For example, if you’re getting ready to travel long distance, you might choose to upgrade the carrying case that comes with the G3 to something like the Inogen One G3 backpack which will allow you to carry your G3 on your back instead of at your side. What’s more, you’ll have lots of extra space in the bag for personal belongings like your keys, wallet, or passport. 

Another similar option to the G3 backpack is the Inogen One G3 Rolling Backpack. This has shoulder straps just like the other one but it also has wheels and an extendable handle so you can pull it around like a suitcase. This is ideal if you’re going to be traveling by plane and you’re bringing a lot of other accessories such as an additional battery, external battery charger, or additional charging cables.

Last but not least, the GO2 Carryalls are another carrying option available to G3 owners. Unlike the backpacks which are designed to provide users with more convenience and carrying space, the GO2 Carryalls provide a more stylish carrying bag for the G3. At first glance, they look like an ordinary purse or handbag, but upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that they are precisely designed for the G3. The user interface is easily accessible via the top zipper, the sides are made of mesh material so that the devices air intake vents aren’t blocked, and there are several extra pockets where you can store personal items.

The Inogen One G4

If you’re someone with early-stage COPD, you’re likely not going to need a huge amount of oxygen throughout the day. If this is the case, you’re probably not going to want to lug around a large POC if it’s not absolutely needed. If this sounds like you then the Inogen One G4 might be right up your alley.

The Inogen One G4 weighs in at just 2.8 pounds making it the second lightest portable oxygen concentrator ever made, behind the AirSep Focus. The G4 goes up to a flow setting of 3 with a maximum oxygen output of 630 ml/min. This is exactly half of what the Inogen One G5 offers. 

The Respironics SimplyGo

The one thing that all of the above machines have in common is that they’re all pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators. These POCs tend to be much smaller and lighter than continuous flow oxygen concentrators, making them ideal for long-distance travel. However, there is one continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator that we’d recommend for travel — the Respironics SimplyGo. 

The reason we’d recommend this over other continuous flow units is because it’s far lighter and smaller than other options out there. For example, the SimplyGo weighs only 10 pounds, but other popular continuous flow units like the Oxlife Independence weigh in at 19.4 pounds. This is nearly twice the weight and it doesn’t have much to compensate for it when it comes to oxygen output or battery life either.

The SimplyGo is one of the few continuous flow machines that can be carried on your shoulder and you’ll find it easy and convenient to take on a flight, cruise ship, or whatever mode of transportation you choose. Since the SimplyGo offers both continuous and pulse flow settings, you’ll have more options for how you’d like to receive your supplemental oxygen on the go.

{{cta('b59df0c1-c4de-47a8-8e1c-0d33d4b414aa','justifycenter')}}

One more benefit of taking a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator with you on a long trip is that it’s compatible with CPAP and BiPAP machines. So if you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or any other sleep disorder, you’ll be able to attach your SimplyGo and get a better night’s sleep while you’re away from home. 

Are Portable Oxygen Cylinders an Option?

Now that you know about some of the best portable oxygen concentrators for long-distance travel, you might be wondering what’s wrong with portable oxygen cylinders. These are the small oxygen tanks that you’ve likely seen people carrying around on their backs or wheeling around with a carrying cart. While these can be convenient in some cases, they’re a very poor choice for long-distance travel.

Firstly, they are not approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for in-flight use. What this means is that — no matter what airline you choose — you will not be able to fly with an oxygen tank. You’ll either have to approve with your doctor first that you’re able to travel without oxygen or find another way to travel which can be difficult and time-consuming.

Tips for Flying with Portable Oxygen

Conclusion

We live in unprecedented times for oxygen patients. In the past, being diagnosed with COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or other chronic respiratory conditions meant giving up your basic freedoms. However, in this day and age, it’s possible for oxygen patients to experience significant freedom by investing in a portable oxygen device that matches their lifestyle.

There are plenty of great options available to you, but you may be having trouble narrowing down your choices. When you’re ready, give our respiratory specialists here at LPT Medical a call and we’ll walk you through the whole process.