Many people with COPD or other respiratory diseases, are shocked when their doctors inform them that they need to start using supplemental oxygen, and this shock doesn’t go away every time they recommend you rely on supplemental oxygen more and more, until eventually you are using your oxygen device, 24/7.
The shocking part about this, is that, you may feel as if you are building a dependence on the oxygen. However this is not the case.
It is your supplemental oxygen therapy that is giving your blood, bones, and muscles the oxygen it needs to function properly. Without it, your body and organs would be craving oxygen it needs to survive.
Therefore, the tricky part about oxygen therapy is adjusting to it so that you can reap all of the benefits this respiratory therapy has to offer you!
Once you are willing to admit that your supplemental oxygen is saving your life and your livelihood, you can begin to enjoy all of the activities you once did, only now you are either rolling an oxygen tank behind you, or carrying a portable oxygen concentrator while you do so.
How To Get A Full Night's Sleep While Using Oxygen
Once of the best “activities” you likely enjoyed before you had COPD, was sleeping! And you might have noticed, depending on how severe your COPD is, that your complication breathing is affecting how well you sleep. Sleep problems originate in you from a variety of issues, one of which can be reduced oxygen saturation.
Low oxygen can contribute to sleep problems
Many people with COPD and pulmonary fibrosis have problems sleeping, which increases fatigue throughout the day and affects your quality of life.
If you have COPD you are particularly vulnerable to wake during the rapid eye movement, or REM, part of your sleep cycle. REM sleep is the most rejuvenating part of your sleep cycle, but it poses a problem for COPD patients because during REM sleep, your diaphragm controls your breathing, while the smaller accessory muscles are temporarily not functional.
This means that your blood oxygen levels may fall causing you to wake up, disrupting your very important REM sleep.
If this seems to be the case for you, you should ask your doctor about the possibility of using oxygen at night. This may help you to sleep better and improve how you feel in the morning.
If you already use oxygen while you sleep, you might have noticed that you breathe through your mouth, rather than your nose and through your cannulas. This means you still are not getting enough oxygen while you sleep.
Your doctor may diagnosis you with a sleeping disorder if you sleeping complications can be attributed to certain symptoms you experience. If so, your doctor will have you start using a standalone device that will help you get enough oxygen into your blood while you sleep.
CPAP and BiPAP machines for sleep apnea
A CPAP machine is a device that compresses ambient air to create pressure for therapeutic purposes normally for sleeping. It is usually used at home to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but it can also be used in emergency settings in a hospital by a respiratory therapist.
If you have OSA, the main problem is that your throat collapses while you are sleeping, causing you to snore. Even if snoring does not bother you, the repeated collapsing of your throat actually obstructs airflow into your lungs, which can eventually lead to dangerously low oxygen levels in the blood.
Therefore, using a CPAP machine helps keep you throat open allowing oxygen to flow freely even while you are sleeping. If you still have trouble maintaining a healthy oxygen level while you are sleeping, oxygen concentrators can be used with a CPAP device for these certain situations.
So, if you have a lung disease like pulmonary edema or COPD on top of OSA, it might be necessary to add in oxygen to the tubing of your CPAP machine. This will achieve both functions at the same time: increasing the amount of oxygen you receive with each inhalation and also generating enough pressure to keep your throat open.
The other sleeping device you might need to use if you have COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, pneumonia, or asthma is a BiPAP machine.
A BIPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) machine delivers air flow to your airway at a prescribed pressure similarly to a CPAP machine. However, the difference is that there are two pressures, one for your inhalation and one for your exhalation.The inhalation pressure is set higher to keep your airways open, whereas the exhalation pressure is set lower to assist in an easier more complete exhalation.
It is important to have a oxygen concentrator that is compatible with a CPAP or BiPAP machine, so that if you ever need to use both devices while you sleep you have that option.
Here are the BEST portable oxygen concentrators designed with a great night’s sleep in mind
It's no surprise that the best way to get the best night’s sleep when you also have to use oxygen, is having the best breathing equipment available!
Here are 5 of the best portable oxygen concentrators on the market that will help you get to sleep and stay asleep.
- Inogen one G5 portable oxygen concentrator
- Respironics SimplyGo portable oxygen concentrator
- Oxlife Freedom portable oxygen concentrator
- SeQual Eclipse 5 portable oxygen concentrator
- Inogen One G3 portable oxygen concentrator
Inogen one G5 portable oxygen concentrator
With the Inogen One G5 you will be able to enjoy oxygen delivery benefits at night while you sleep thanks to the presence of Inogen’s intelligent Sleep Mode Technology.
Essentially what this means is that as your breathing rate becomes more shallow as you sleep, the Sleep Mode Technology will go to work by increasing each bolus dose of oxygen.
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Even if you are a mouth breather, the Sleep Mode Technology is able to detect shallow mouth breaths that are frequent when sleeping. This will then tell the Inogen One G5 to trigger a bolus dose based upon your specific fixed minute volume.
Now, most of our customers are able to use this technology to sleep with the Inogen One G5, however, we highly recommend you first speak with your doctor before using this while sleeping.
Respironics SimplyGo portable oxygen concentrator
The Respironics SimplyGo portable oxygen concentrator is arguably the best oxygen device for 24/7 use, because it is equipped with both pulse flow and continuous flow settings. Having a portable oxygen concentrator that is designed to run 24/7 has major advantages when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep.
The Respironics SimplyGo is CPAP/BiPAP compatible and it is equipped with both pulse flow and continuous flow oxygen delivery modes to cover you 24/7. It offers pulse flow settings 1-6 and continuous flow settings 0.5-2.0 LPM.
One additional feature the SimplyGo has to offer is its sleep mode technology! Whether you’re on the airplane or relaxing in your chair at home, and you feel yourself dozing off, you can turn sleep mode technology on to ensure your oxygen gets delivered while you are sleeping.
When you turn sleep mode technology on your SimplyGo increases its sensitivity to detect your breath and it softens the pulse flow delivery so it doesn’t wake you up. Don’t worry, if your SimplyGo doesn’t detect a breath or if you breathe through your mouth it will automatically switch back over to continuous flow to ensure you get your required oxygen.
Oxlife Freedom portable oxygen concentrator
The Oxlife Freedom portable oxygen concentrator was designed to be your 24 hour a day oxygen solution. During the day it’s long battery life and quick recharge time will allow you to spend a busy day running errands or have a fun day with family and friends, or a night out on the town.
When it’s time to sleep the quiet operation of the Oxlife Freedom won’t disturb your rest or your companion’s. The intelligent delivery system ensures that you stay properly saturated throughout the night. The machine senses as breathing gets shallower or slower and will adjust dosage for proper titration.
SeQual Eclipse 5 portable oxygen concentrator
The SeQual Eclipse 5 portable oxygen concentrator offers both continuous and pulse flow settings. It will go up to a setting of 9 on pulse and it will go from 0.5-3.0 LPM on continuous flow.
It can be used 24/7 365 days a year and it is CPAP/BiPAP compatible so you can use it while you sleep if you need to.
Inogen One G3 portable oxygen concentrator
The Inogen One G3 portable oxygen concentrator, weighs 4.8 pounds and offers up to 8 hours of battery life, the Inogen One G3 has been one of the most popular portable oxygen concentrators on the market for over two years!
We could talk about this unit’s small, lightweight, and durable design, however, it also gives patients 24 hours a day 7 days a week of reliable oxygen delivery.
Despite the fact that the Inogen One G3 is a pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator, the majority of oxygen patients can still use this machine for nighttime oxygen delivery! Just like the Inogen One G2, the G3, it is equipped with Intelligent Delivery Technology.
Inogen’s Intelligent Delivery Technology ensures that your oxygen is delivered within the first 400 milliseconds after your concentrator detects your breath. This almost guarantees that you’re receiving the entire bolus dose of oxygen delivered by your G3.
Along with delivering oxygen within the first 400 milliseconds, the Intelligent Delivery Technology responds to your breath rate! This feature is what allows you to use your Inogen One G3 while you sleep even though it doesn’t offer a continuous flow.
When you are sleeping your breathing rate decreases. As the Intelligent Delivery Technology monitors your breath rate, it will automatically increase or decrease the amount of oxygen per bolus dose depending on the oxygen setting and your breath rate.
For example, if you are breathing at a rate of 10 breaths per minute the Inogen One G3 will double the amount of oxygen per bolus dose than if you were breathing at 20 breaths per minute. This is to ensure you are getting your required oxygen.
One of the big reasons pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators aren’t recommended to use at night while you sleep is that they don’t detect mouth breaths. The Inogen One G3, on the other hand, will be able to detect shallow mouth breaths! So as long as you don’t need a CPAP or BiPAP machine at night, the Inogen One G3 should work for your nighttime oxygen delivery system.
5 habits to practice for better sleep
On top of having the best breathing equipment, it is also important to practice these lifestyle tips that will help you get to sleep faster and staying asleep throughout the night
1. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise in during the day
Exercising during the day will not only improve sleep quality but also sleep duration at night. Exercise is one of the best ways to treat your COPD or other respiratory problems because it straightens your lungs and they are able to function better during the day and night.
As few as ten minutes of aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling or taking a tai chi class, can dramatically improve your sleep quality.
The best way to see results fast, is to exercise on a regular basis.
2. Avoid carbonated beverages late at night.
Soda and caffeinated beverages before bed are obviously not going to help you get to sleep faster, but what you might have not known is that carbonated drinks in general are not good for sleep.
By drinking carbonated beverages, your body will produce gas that pushes on your diaphragm, making breathing more difficult.
For that reason, it’s a good idea to avoid carbonated beverages before bed. This includes sparkling water for hydration or a glass of ginger ale to help settle your stomach.
3. Establish a sleeping routine
Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day. This means weekends, too! If you need a nap in the middle of the day, you can also add this into your sleep schedule.
Try your best to be strict about this! When your body has a sleep cycle to rely on, you can more naturally achieve sleep, even if you are sleeping with an oxygen concentrator during the night.
4. Designate your sleeping spot
As part of establishing a sleeping routine, you can also add certain bedtime activities into your schedule so that you body can adjust to when it is time to fall asleep. For example, you can start reading before bed and once this is a regular thing, your body and mind will calm realizing it is time to sleep.
It’s important that you designate your bed – and bedroom – for sleep. Do not spend time working or being actively awake in your bed.
5. Practice techniques for clearing your airways before bed
Techniques for airway clearance are something you can practice throughout the day, especially after meals; however, this is especially useful for getting a good night’s sleep. Airways clearing techniques may help you more naturally maintain oxygen levels throughout the night, whether or not you are sleeping with an oxygen concentrator.
One technique is controlled coughing for COPD.
Sleeping and COPD
There are a lot of daily struggles that come with having a disease like COPD and this disease is not going away.
The best way for you to live with COPD, is to manage and treat it with care and attention. This process starts and ends with sleeping! The more sleep you get, the better you feel and the more energy you have to exercise, eat healthy, and reach out to loved ones.
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One of the biggest mistakes you can make with COPD, is living with restless nights because of how easily you can solve this problem. If the issue is lack of oxygen, you should reach out to us at LPT Medical so that we can help you find the best oxygen concentrator at the best possible price that will fit your oxygen requirements and get you the sleep you need to operate productively during the day.
You can start by calling us at 1-800-946-1201 and speaking with one of our respiratory specialists.
If you already have an oxygen concentrator, and you still have trouble sleeping, try adjusting to a strict sleep scheduled and working out at least 10 minutes a day.
A combination of the right sleeping equipment, oxygen therapy, and daily habits will help you get to sleep you need. You will notice after a few weeks with sufficient sleep, your mood, and overall wellbeing will improve!
Continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators offer the oxygen patient a constant flow of oxygen. Many oxygen patients require continuous flow only during certain activities like while they exercise or when they sleep, while others need their oxygen continuously flowing at all times of the day and night.
Your oxygen prescription will be unique to you and you should do your best to adhere to the recommendation set up by your healthcare team. We also recommend working with an oxygen equipment company that is a licensed distributor of name brand products.
Oxygen patients should also be wary of the medical supply company your doctor office refers you to, because this is not always the company that wants to work with you to find the right device for you. Some people will order their oxygen device from sites like Amazon because they are cheaper, but what they do not realize is these machines are faulty and not only do they break easily, you will not get the medical grade oxygen you body needs.
When you work with an experienced respiratory specialist, they will ask you a series of questions, these questions will help them determine whether or not a portable oxygen concentrator will cover all of your oxygen requirements within your supplemental oxygen prescription. Your specialist should also be curious about your lifestyle and your wants and concerns as an oxygen patient, in order to best match you with the oxygen device that is going to be suited to your lifestyle.
When you work with LPT Medical, we require a doctor's prescription before anything else. This way we can be sure that your device will be compatible with your oxygen requirements.
This protocol also ethically binds us to the agreement that we will not sell medical grade oxygen to respiratory patients who do not qualify for it. Secondly, we want to know about you, what are your hobbies, do you like to travel, what are your respiratory goals? This way we can match you with a device that will help you reach your goals rather than hold you back.
Once we have established your oxygen requirements, we will take you through the different specifications of our devices and the pros and cons of each portable oxygen concentrator, and from there, you will feel confident choosing a device.
In this blog, we will discuss your options as a continuous flow oxygen patient. If you gave LPT Medical a call today at 1(800) 946-1201, and you were a continuous flow oxygen patient we would go through these options for you:
- Respironics SimplyGo
- Oxlife Independence Portable Oxygen Concentrator
- SeQual Eclipse 5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
In this article we do not discuss any of our portable oxygen concentrators costs because our prices are lower than the manufacturer's prices, therefore we are obligated not to advertise our low prices online. To learn about how we can help make your oxygen equipment more affordable, please call us today at 1(800)-946-1201 to learn about your options.
Respironics SimplyGo
Let us start with the smallest and lightest weight continuous and pulse flow oxygen device on the market!
The Respironics SimplyGo is a pulse flow and continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator that only weighs 10 pounds. 10 pounds is about as heavy as a gallon of milk, and this is still considered heavy for many oxygen patients. That is why the Respironics Simply Go comes with a wheeled cart and an over the shoulder carrying case, so you have multiple options to carry the device depending on what you are doing.
Activities you can Accomplish with the Respironics SimplyGo
If you are an active person, you can get a lot more done with the SimplyGo than you would lugging around a bulky liquid or gas oxygen tank. This is because the SimplyGo was designed to be portable, so it has a compact and simple design that makes wheeling it behind you a breeze.
You can go for long walks because the battery life of the Respironics SimplyGo can last for up to up to 2.9 hours with a single battery. With the SimplyGo you have the option to use the external battery module, allowing your device to operate while using two batteries, this gives you even longer to be out and about with your oxygen device while traveling, during road trips, and extended trips away from your home!
The wide range of flow settings on the SimplyGo gives you the freedom and independence to manage your condition confidently on your own. You will never have to wait around for an oxygen delivery service to bring you new oxygen tanks, instead you can dial in your pulse flow settings of 1-6 and your continuous flow settings 0.5-2.0 LPM to match your oxygen prescription.
Exercise
With these strong pulse flow settings and the ability to reach 2.0 LPM on continuous oxygen flow, you will be able to start exercising or continuing to exercise daily. Exercise for respiratory patients is crucial. Exercise helps to slow down the deterioration in your lungs if you have a chronic respiratory disease, and daily exercise can help to strengthen your muscles and your lungs thereby improving your overall quality of life.
Travel
If you enjoy traveling, whether it is by air plane, car, RV, or even boat, your Respironics SimplyGo will help you get to your destination worry free. All of our portable oxygen concentrators are FAA approved, and taking them with you on a plane is simple and manageable.
The Respironics SimplyGo is a compact device, its’ dimensions are 10” H x 6” D x 11.5” W, so it can easily fit under the seat space in front of you during your flight in the car during a road trip.
If you travel long distances, you might be worried about the battery life of your device.
If this is the case for you, you can always purchase the Respironics External Battery Charger which gives you the ability to recharge your batteries without plugging your concentrator into the AC or DC power cables the device comes with. It’s a single-bay charger and recharges one battery at a time. It’s equipped with a 110v power cord allowing you to plug it into any 110v wall outlet.
The external battery charger also has the ability to recalibrate your batteries! If you ever feel like your batteries aren’t holding a charge like they used to, simply recalibrate them on your charger.
You can also get the external battery module, this is a device that connects to your Respironics SimplyGo allowing you to attach a second battery. Essentially, you are able to double the battery life of your Respironics SimplyGo, affording you more time with oxygen before you have to charge the device again.
If you are traveling by plane a lot, it would be wise to look into the airline’s plug in capabilities, because there are a lot of planes that offer AC charging docks, in which case you could charge the batteries, use your oxygen device, and flight across the country at the same time.
Oxlife Independence Portable Oxygen Concentrator
O2-Concepts is probably a name you haven’t heard much about in the oxygen industry, but the Oxlife Independence portable oxygen concentrator by O2-Concepts is right up there on the list of the best continuous portable oxygen concentrators. It’s a sleek looking unit that is extremely durable and offers a number of different features that work to make your life easier!
Whether you’re looking for a concentrator to travel with or you want something for everyday use, the Oxlife Independence is capable of supplying you with oxygen 24/7.
Cutting-Edge Technology
The Oxlife Independence is the world’s first “smart” portable oxygen concentrator. It is equipped with DNA technology which is powered by the Verizon network. DNA technology takes the Oxlife and puts it in its own class of concentrators.
With DNA technology, your Oxlife Independence will monitor your usage and corresponding environmental conditions to adapt and proactively support your needs. It tracks vital data like hours used, breathing rate, ambulation, and more!
Life PT Medical and O2-Concepts will be able to remotely monitor your concentrator and your machine will notify us if there is anything wrong with the unit. And should the unfortunate event happen where someone steals your concentrator or it somehow gets lost, DNA technology lets us find it’s most recent location!
Reliable and Durable to Withstand the Trials and Tribulations of Time
The Oxlife Independence is durable, but it is also user friendly. The hard-bodied shell protects your Oxlife from everyday wear and tear and accidental bumps,
The most unique feature on the Oxlife Independence is the integrated travel cart. Most continuous flow portables have to be secured to a cart before use. The Oxlife’s integrated cart provides you with seamless transitions from storing to using your concentrator. The folding handle allows you to have your Oxlife ready to store or ready to use in seconds.
The large wheels make it easy to maneuver in large crowds, around your house, and while you’re exercising. They make it so you won’t have to worry about going up curbs/stairs or avoiding puddles outside. And they are replaceable in case anything happens to them!
Built to Last
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The Oxlife has a built in compressor rated to last up to 20,000 hours! You will be able to depend on the device 24/7 without a problem, even if you use a CPAP or BiPAP device while you sleep. It offers both pulse flow and continuous flow delivery modes so if your oxygen prescription changes over time, your device can be adjusted to cover your needs rather than needing to buy a new one.
On pulse flow it goes from 1-6 and on continuous flow it goes from 0.5-3.0 LPM so the device is powerful enough to cover most oxygen patients with some wiggle room to crank up the flow in the case of an emergency or other instances when you need a higher than normal flow.
Great Battery Life
Battery life is one of the most important features in a portable oxygen concentrator and when you are looking into buying a portable oxygen concentrator, looking for a device with efficient flow to battery life ratio is essential. The Oxlife Independence has the ability to operate using one or two batteries, and it gets great battery life for a continuous flow machine.
With one battery you will get up to 1.25 hours of battery life on a setting of 2 LPM and up to 3.00 hours of battery life on a pulse setting of 2.
With two batteries you will get up to 2.5 hours of battery life on a setting of 2 LPM and up to 5.75 hours of battery life on a pulse setting of 2.
This goes to show how much you can accomplish with a Oxlife Independence by your side!
SeQual Eclipse 5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
The SeQual Eclipse 5 is the 4th generation model in SeQual’s extremely popular Eclipse line of concentrators. In fact, the Eclipse 5 is one of the best selling and most reliable continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market. It offers the highest oxygen output on the market, gets good battery life, and it was also designed for the US Military.
Most Powerful Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator
The SeQual Eclipse 5 has the highest oxygen output on the market. It offers pulse flow settings 1-9 and continuous flow settings 0.5-3.0 LPM. With such a wide range of oxygen settings, the Eclipse 5 can accommodate most oxygen patients and it will be able to adjust to your needs when needed!
Along with offering pulse flow settings 1-9, the Eclipse 5 is equipped with Auto-Sat technology. Most portables that offer pulse flow can only provide a fixed amount of oxygen per minute based on your breathing rate.
With Auto-Sat technology, you don’t have to worry about that. Whether you are walking upstairs, exercising, or simply having a bad breathing day your SeQual Eclipse 5 will monitor your breath rate and give you a consistent bolus dose every time it detects a breath.
That’s not the only way the Eclipse 5 guarantees that you get your required oxygen though…
When you are using pulse flow and your Eclipse 5 doesn’t detect a breath, you will still get your oxygen! So if you dozed off watching a movie, flying on an airplane, or riding in the car and your Eclipse 5 doesn’t detect a breath, it will automatically switch over to continuous flow to keep providing you with oxygen.
Durable and Reliable
The SeQual Eclipse 5 is one of the most, if not the most, popular continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market. That is largely due to its long-standing track record for being durable; it was designed for the US Military, that should tell you something.
The hard-bodied shell of the Eclipse 5 is extremely protective. It can withstand bumps and bruises with any damage, so it will last a lifetime.
One of the best things about the Eclipse 5 is that it requires very little maintenance from you to keep it running. All you need to do is clean out your oxygen filter once every week or two in order to make sure your are getting purified oxygen depending on how often you use your Eclipse.
Portable and Easy to Travel With
Despite the SeQual Eclipse weighing upwards of 18 pounds, it is simple and easy to take with you wherever you go.
It comes with a wheeled travel cart with smooth wheels that makes pulling your concentrator behind you seem effortless.
The oversized wheels, elevated platform, and telescopic handle make going up curbs and stairs a breeze.The design also protects your concentrator from water when you have to go over puddles or when it’s snowing.
The telescopic handle lets you adjust the travel cart to the height that is most comfortable for you! And if you ever need to store your concentrator the handle slides all the way down and locks. So if you’re traveling you can keep your SeQual on the travel cart and it will still fit underneath the seat in front of you!
Depending on the setting of your oxygen flow, the SeQual Equinox can last anywhere from 1.3 hours to 5.9, so the battery life allows you to be about and about longer without having to worry about charging your device.
When you do need to charge your Equinox, it is super simple, and you have multiple options, so no matter where you are, as long as there is a DC or and AC outlet, you will have the tools to charge the device, and you can always continue to use the device while it is charging,
A Simple Comparison
As you can see, there are a few key differences between the SimplyGo, Oxilife, and the Eclipse. For one the SimplyGo weights much less than the Oxlife or the Eclipse. The battery life of the Eclipse and the Oxlife is greater than that of the SimplyGo.
All of the devices are reliable and durable, but the Eclipse is known for its low maintenance requirements.
You can travel by plane, car, boat, or foot with any of these devices, but the Respironics SimplyGo is the most compact and lightest to carry around with you. However, all three are small enough to fit under the seat in front of you while you travel on an airplane. The Equinox has a telescopic handle that makes traveling a breeze.
The Oxlife has DNA technology that can track certain health related information, so this device is great for people who are interested in keeping track of their breathing stats.
It can be overwhelming to look over all of this information and then have to decide on the device you want, which is why we have respiratory specialists waiting for your call. Give us a call if you have any questions or concerns, or simply leave a comment on this blog if you have any questions.
Oxygen to be harnessed and used to treat respiratory patients is a relatively new form of medication, but it has been proven to increase the quality of life and even add years to people's lives with severe respiratory illnesses. As with any new treatment or medication, the tools and methods are evolving, becoming more advanced and efficient. The history of oxygen as a drug moves in an exponential trend towards the safest and most efficient devices that LPT Medical carries today.
As a modern day medical equipment company based in Denver, CO and other locations including Boca Raton, FL., we are humbled by the history of oxygen therapy products in particular. We want to appreciate all the pioneers and innovators who came before us, the ones who paved the way into a new-age of technology for people struggling with respiratory diseases.
Without their ingenuity we would not be here today, able to offer our customers these top of the line products like the Inogen One G5 and the Caire Freestyle Comfort. Oxygen has come a long way, and the methods in which oxygen is prescribed and the devices used to administer oxygen have both progressed into the safest and most effective products.
There was a moment in time where to pursue oxygen as a therapeutic resource for patients with chronic lung disease was cause for concern. In the 20th century of the risks of experiencing oxygen toxicity due to the administration of oxygen therapy was relatively high. Oxygen toxicity is a form of lung damage that occurs when you breathe in too much supplemental oxygen. It’s also called oxygen poisoning, and it happens to divers, people who use too much of their medical oxygen supply, or those who use supplemental oxygen and do not have low enough blood-oxygen levels.
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If you are using portable oxygen for long-term oxygen therapy purposes, your healthcare team will test you while you are doing normal activities or exercise and at rest to determine that your oxygen is at the correct setting. Talk with your doctor about how to use oxygen safely and correctly if you are unsure.
Similarly to any new medication or treatment, time and research was put into the application of oxygen as a drug, and overtime and with the accessibility of ambulatory oxygen devices, the long-term effects of continuous oxygen were able to be established and meet certain safety and efficiency requirements that we have today.
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Today, there are three popular ways to get your oxygen outside of the hospital:
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- Liquid oxygen tanks
- Compressed gas cylinders
- Portable oxygen concentrators
With a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) you will be able to carry this small, battery-powered device around with you, use it at home all day and night, and even take it with you on an airplane.
Your POC will come with a carrying case that you can throw around your shoulder if your device is light-weight enough to carry. You can also get a portable oxygen concentrator backpack that will carry your POC and other belongings. Other POCs come with wheels or a cart if they are 10 pounds or more like the Respironics SimplyGo and the Solar Eclipse 5. Both of these devices are continuous and pulse dose capable, offer high oxygen outputs, and they are still very portable.
POCs run on batteries, so a device with a larger battery will last longer, and you will never have to get the device “refilled” instead you will plug in the device or the battery to an external charger or an AC or DC outlet, and you can use the device while the batteries charges.
A liquid oxygen system has a refillable oxygen reservoir that is stationary inside your home and other smaller refillable portable tanks that you can take with you when you leave your home. The tanks are very cold, so you have to be careful when you handle them. Your delivery company will refill your tank about every 2 weeks, and you will refill your own portable tanks when you need to with the large reservoir in your home.
A compressed gas system can also be used at your home. It includes a stationary oxygen concentrator with a long tube. When you go out, you carry a portable tank. Your supplier can deliver the portable tanks to you refilled, or you can refill it on your own from your concentrator. When you go out with your portable tank, you’ll use an oxygen conserving device that supplies small, pulsed doses to help your portable tank last longer.
Based on this information, it might be evident that the portable oxygen concentrator is the newest and most efficient form of oxygen therapy that has been developed so far. Because the device takes air from the surrounding area, you will never have to rely on an oxygen supply company to come to your home and refill your oxygen, instead you just have to recharge the batteries as you would with your cell phone or other electronics.
These devices are designed to be portable, so you can maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, even if you use your oxygen all day long. The pulse dose machines are typically under 6 pounds, making them easy to carry with you without getting worn out from the added weight.
The continuous flow devices range from 10-18 pounds, however these are still more portable and less restrictive than any other device like a tank or canister. The carts are durable, and the wheels are lightweight and large enough to make it through any kind of terrain. They also all fit underneath the seat in front of you when you fly, because one of the most freeing aspects of these devices is that you can fly on airplanes with them!
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Before a portable oxygen concentrator, oxygen was still readily available to people with respiratory disease.
Here is the overall history of oxygen therapy:
Oxygen is one of the elements that’s essential for human life. Earth’s atmosphere is composed of about 20% oxygen which is the perfect amount for someone with healthy lungs to breathe easily. However, the farther you go up in altitude, the thinner the air becomes meaning you have to inhale more air to get the same amount of oxygen. This is why many mountain climbers use special devices that allow them to get the oxygen they need.
In much the same way, someone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other respiratory conditions may need to use oxygen at high altitudes. If you’re not yet prescribed oxygen, you may need to rent an oxygen device before traveling. And if you’re already on oxygen, you may need to increase the flow rate of your device in order to account for the change in altitude.
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No matter which camp you’re in, you’re going to need an oxygen device that can operate at high altitudes and enables you to get around easily without becoming breathless or fatigued. In this post, we’ll take a look at why it’s important to use oxygen at high altitudes and list some of the best portable oxygen concentrators for use at high altitudes.
The Importance of Having Access to Reliable Oxygen at High Altitudes
If you’re traveling to a higher altitude to visit a mountain town, or to do some skiing or hiking, you need to first consider how the altitude will affect you. Altitude sickness is a condition that can affect anyone, regardless of their age or health. But it’s more likely to occur in people who have either lived close to sea level or they have a lung condition such as COPD, asthma, or pulmonary fibrosis (PF).
Essentially, altitude sickness is what happens when you quickly go from low altitude to high altitude. It occurs when your body has a difficult time adjusting to the lack of oxygen and it can result in symptoms such as breathlessness, nausea, confusion, and fatigue. There are three different types of altitude sickness: acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE).
Acute mountain sickness is the most common and mildest form of altitude sickness. HAPE often comes on more quickly and severely than AMS and it’s the number one cause of death due to altitude sickness. Lastly, HACE is a type of altitude sickness that results in cerebral edema. This is when fluid builds up in the brain causing confusion, nausea, and can even cause a coma.
Having a reliable source of oxygen is very important if you’re a COPD patient. Even the mildest form of altitude sickness, AMS, can be serious for COPD patients because it can result in exacerbations and low blood oxygen levels. In addition to a reliable portable oxygen concentrator, you should plan your trip in a way that gives you time to acclimate to the change of altitude. Another thing to note is that any exercise you do, such as hiking or skiing will further increase your breathlessness.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the top 5 portable oxygen concentrators for high altitude...
5.) Caire FreeStyle Comfort (10,000 feet)
The Caire FreeStyle Comfort is one of only a few portable oxygen concentrators to be released in the past couple of years. And, unsurprisingly, it’s also one of the best. While Caire Inc. is a brand you might not recognize, they’re actually one of the top oxygen manufacturers in the world, selling products under the name “SeQual” and “AirSep.”
The Caire FreeStyle Comfort is a pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator meaning it only puts out oxygen when the user inhales. What this means is that this device is very efficient with long battery life and a lightweight design that won’t cause you any unneeded strain as you go about your day. It’s one of only a handful of concentrators that weighs under 5 pounds and it’s currently the most reliable portable oxygen concentrator on the market.
The FreeStyle Comfort has a maximum oxygen output of 1,050 ml/min and it has a maximum pulse flow setting of 5. This offers you plenty of room to adjust your oxygen flow as you move up and down in altitude. You’ll never have to stress about running out of oxygen either since this device offers up to 16 hours of battery life on one charge using the 16-cell battery. You can always carry an extra battery too if you want an extra safety net.
This mobile oxygen generator provides users with an ergonomic design. Unlike many other oxygen devices, it has a curved shape that fits comfortably at your side. When you walk around it will stay at your hip rather than swaying around causing you to lose balance. This is a small detail but it just goes to show that Caire Inc. has gone the extra mile to ensure oxygen patients are as comfortable as possible.
4.) Inogen One G5 (10,000 feet)
The Inogen One G5 has been neck-in-neck with the Caire FreeStyle Comfort since it was first manufactured. Inogen Inc. has been a household name when it comes to reliable lightweight oxygen devices, and the G5 is their latest and greatest product. One of the unique things about the G5 is that it combines all the best features of its previous generations of oxygen concentrators.
While the Inogen One G4, the last generation of Inogen units, was the second lightest portable oxygen concentrator ever produced, it lacked the oxygen output to satisfy the needs of the majority of oxygen patients. Much like the FreeStyle Comfort, the G5 weighs under 5 pounds, but it also offers a higher oxygen output at 1,260 ml/min or 6 pulse flow settings. What this means is that more oxygen patients — even those who have high oxygen demands — can experience the freedom of owning a portable oxygen concentrator.
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Another unique feature of the Inogen One G5 is Inogen Connect, a mobile application that affords you more control over how you use your oxygen concentrator. This application connects your phone wirelessly to your concentrator and enables you to check your battery life and adjust your flow setting without ever touching your oxygen device. This is especially useful for people who use the Inogen G5 backpack and don’t want to take it off constantly to check their G5.
When it comes to using medical oxygen at high altitudes, most people will find that the G5 has just as much, if not more to offer than the Caire FreeStyle Comfort. It has the same maximum operational altitude at 10,000 ft and it offers a little more oxygen output in case your blood oxygen level drops and you need to move up a couple of flow settings. You can also rest easy knowing you own a mobile oxygen machine manufactured by one of the most trusted names in the industry.
3.) Respironics SimplyGo (10,000 feet)
The Respironics SimplyGo is a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator released by Philips in 2012. The term “continuous flow” indicates that it puts out a constant stream of oxygen irrespective of the user’s breathing rate. This is problematic because it means oxygen is coming out of the device even when the user isn’t inhaling. In other words, the SimplyGo is less efficient than the two devices listed above.
With that being said, the Respironics SimplyGo is still an excellent portable oxygen delivery device for certain people. For example, if your doctor requires that you use continuous flow oxygen rather than pulse dose, the SimplyGo will be one of your best options. It’s the lightest continuous flow unit, weighing in at 10 pounds, and it also has the same maximum operational altitude as the FreeStyle Comfort and Inogen G5 at 10,000 ft above sea level.
While the Respironics SimplyGo is light enough to be carried on your shoulder or back, you’ll probably be more comfortable using a carrying cart and wheeling it around. And since the batteries are placed in the top of the unit, you won’t have to flip the device over or remove your carrying case in order to replace them. This is very convenient when you’re traveling and don’t have much time to stop.
2.) AirSep FreeStyle 5 (12,000 feet)
AirSep is a brand that’s been in the oxygen industry for a long time, and it shows. Over the years, they’ve manufactured oxygen concentrators that are trusted by millions of people. They always show a constant desire to innovate their products and adapt them for a new generation of people who expect more portability and comfort from their oxygen devices.
Much like Inogen’s “G” line of POCs, AirSep has their “FreeStyle” line of POCs. The FreeStyle 5 was released quite a few years ago. But despite its age, the FreeStyle 5 still stands out as one of the best wearable oxygen concentrators on the market. It provides oxygen users with 1,000 ml/min of pulse dose oxygen and 5 different pulse dose options. What’s more, it only weighs 6.7 pounds meaning it’s significantly lighter than the lightest continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator.
The FreeStyle 5 is an outstanding option for anyone who wants to travel to high altitudes because its maximum operating altitude is 12,000 feet above sea level. Considering the city in the United States with the highest altitude is just over 10,000 feet, the FreeStyle 5 will more than suit your needs.
Like all oxygen concentrators on this list, the FreeStyle 5 comes equipped with both AC and DC charging options. In other words, you’ll be able to charge your POC at home or in hotels via a wall outlet as well as in a vehicle via the electrical outlet. If you’re traveling to another country you can purchase a charging adapter. However, be sure to check the user manual before doing this to make sure you’re using the right voltage.
1.) SeQual Eclipse 5 (13,123 feet)
The SeQual Eclipse 5 is known for offering the highest oxygen output of any portable oxygen concentrator. It can put out a maximum of 3 liters per minute of continuous oxygen and it has 9 different pulse flow settings as well. But what many people don’t know is that the SeQual Eclipse 5 also holds the record for the highest operational altitude of 13,123 feet above sea level.
Despite how powerful the Eclipse 5 is, it is very heavy. It weighs around 18.4 pounds which is nearly four times as much as the FreeStyle Comfort and Inogen One G5. It’s also extremely bulky, so if you’re looking to do some hiking or skiing, the Eclipse 5 is not the oxygen concentrator for you. This unit is best for people with high oxygen demands who still want to be able to travel or live at high altitudes.
Since the SeQual Eclipse 5 has both continuous flow and pulse dose you’ll have enough options to suit whatever situation you’re in. If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and you need to use a CPAP machine while you sleep, you can switch to continuous flow on your Eclipse 5 and use it simultaneously with positive airway pressure. On the other hand, if you’re out and about and you want to conserve battery life, you can switch over to the pulse dose setting.
Conclusion
Whether you’re going to high altitude for a short vacation or to live, you need to ensure that your oxygen device will function properly. Not all oxygen devices have the same maximum operational altitude, and you should take into account other factors such as the device’s portability, battery life, and reliability. All of the devices on this list are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) meaning you’ll be able to fly on any commercial flight within the United States while using your POC.
No matter whether you’re traveling to high altitude soon or you’re trying to plan for the long term, be sure to reach out to our respiratory specialists here at LPT Medical. It’s our highest priority to find you a portable oxygen concentrator that meets both your wants and your needs. We start by asking you about what oxygen flow you need. We then start to narrow down your options based on your lifestyle.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section so that we can get back to you. And if you’re ready to learn more about oxygen concentrators, give us a call or email us.
If you have a condition such as chronic obstructive respiratory disease or pulmonary fibrosis, it is possible that you will eventually require supplemental oxygen therapy as a main treatment method if you do not already.
The nature of these respiratory diseases is that the conditions tend to get worse overtime due to environmental stress and your body’s natural aging process. Among the 16.4 million people who have reported that they have been diagnosed with COPD, approximately 800,000 for those people also receive long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT).
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Long term oxygen therapy is an essential part of many people’s daily lives, and if you are one of the 800,000 people utilizing oxygen therapy everyday, it is important to understand all of your options when it comes to oxygen devices. Having the best device for your lifestyle will help you reach your goals so you can live a long and happy life.
In this blog we want to explain to you all of the ways portable oxygen concentrators differ from traditional oxygen therapy methods like liquid and gas tanks. This will show you how important it is for your wellbeing to own an oxygen device that motivates you to do better rather than just helping you get by.
Long Term Oxygen Therapy Benefits
No matter what type of oxygen device you own it is important to first acknowledge the benefits of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). LTOT has been widely acknowledged by medical professionals and respiratory specialists as a tool or treatment to increase the life expectancy in patients with severe hypoxemia.
Out of all of the treatments necessary for managing and living with respiratory conditions such as COPD, oxygen therapy is one of the treatments that can actually add years to a respiratory patient’s life. Of course taking medication, eating a healthy diet, and taking pulmonary rehabilitation courses are all great steps towards living a healthy life with a chronic respiratory disease, but LTOT is the most important on par with quitting smoking.
If you have COPD and severe resting hypoxemia where your oxygen saturation levels are less than 88% you should be prescribed LTOT for at least 15 hours daily, and your doctor will need to prescribe you oxygen at a specified flow rate.
Your flow rate will correspond to the severity of your condition in certain situations, for example while you rest or exercise, and you will need to adhere to the oxygen prescription that your doctor wrote in order to take full advantage of your oxygen therapy.
These benefits include:
- Reduced shortness of breath
- Increased energy
- Helps improve quality of sleep
- Helps to improve exercise tolerance
- Fewer complications and hospitalizations
- Increases survival
- Ability to travel by air with a portable oxygen concentrator
Owning a Portable Oxygen Concentrator
On the surface, LTOT offers respiratory patients a number of health benefits, but owning a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) gives oxygen patients benefits on a much deeper and a much more human level. Rather than just giving you the oxygen you need to survive, a POC is a tool that gives oxygen patients the ability and confidence to reach their goals, whether that is to start walking more or traveling to see their family and everything in between.
Ability to Exercise
POCs like the Caire Freestyle Comfort and Inogen oxygen concentrators are very lightweight yet very powerful pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators. Because these devices are lightweight, it makes it easy for you to bring with you on walks, bike, ride, or to your pulmonary rehabilitation classes.
These devices also have great battery life, meaning you can stay out longer and exercise with your device without anxiety that you will run low on oxygen. The Freestyle Comfort and the Inogen one series all have the option to upgrade to a larger battery, one that lasts longer even if you have to increase your oxygen output while you are exercising.
Exercise is critical, even if it is just a walk a day, as a respiratory patient you are benefited greatly from improving your physical strength and your endurance. That being said, physical activity does not always come naturally, and finding the motivation can be difficult.
Having the right oxygen equipment that will help you to reach your goals makes it easier to find motivation to get up and do a little bit of exercise everyday. Rather than lugging around a heavy oxygen tank, a lightweight portable oxygen concentrator is the perfect accessory for the gym or a walk around the park!
Ability to Travel on an Airplane
Liquid and gas oxygen tanks are never permitted on any airplane, not in your carry on or checked baggage. Clearly this is limiting oxygen patients everywhere from experiencing the joys of vacation or traveling for their business or career.
If you have a POC you will be able to travel again with ease and comfort. Even in 2021, during the global pandemic, air travel has more risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, but as a oxygen patient with a portable oxygen concentrator you will be able to travel again once it is safe with ease.
Click here to read Everything you Need to Know About Traveling with Oxygen Equipment in 2021
Saving Money
Having a chronic illness is expensive, no matter what type of insurance you have, there are a lot of costs associated with hospital and doctor visits, medical equipment, medication, therapy, exercise classes, and so much more. These costs add up over time, and the recurring payments will break the bank overtime.
Click here to read How to Budget and Afford a Portable Oxygen Concentrator
One of the most important aspects of owning a portable oxygen concentrator besides the health benefits, are the financial savings. Many people shy away at the first sight of the upfront costs associated with POCs. For example Inogen costs much more than the initiative costs of the most basic oxygen tanks, however, overtime the costs of refilling your oxygen tanks and renting oxygen while you travel will greatly outweigh the upfront cost of a portable oxygen concentrator.
Every Time you have to get your tank refilled with oxygen, you have to spend valuable time and money. With a POC, all you have to do is remember to recharge the battery, and you will have oxygen everywhere you go for free!
With a POC you are never wasting oxygen, even if you forget to turn off your device when you aren't using it. There are plenty of times where your oxygen tank will continue to emit oxygen even when it doesn't need to, and every time this happens you are wasting money.
Peace of Mind You Will Never Run Low on Oxygen
Beyond the health benefits and the financial savings, you are also giving yourself peace of mind when you have your own portable oxygen concentrators.
Devices like the SeQual Eclipse 5 are known for their durability and reliability. The SeQual Eclipse 5 was actually designed for the U.S. military, and it is one of the most popular continuous flow oxygen devices today.
When you purchase a new POC from LPT Medical, you will get a 3 year warranty, and even if you decide to buy a used device, you will still get a warranty! The warranty protects you from spending too much money on the rare malfunctions and other issues that may arise. This peace of mind alone gives you the freedom to enjoy life to the fullest and take advantage of all of the benefits oxygen therapy can provide you
Battery Life that Lasts
Battery life is one of the most important aspects of owning a portable oxygen concentrator, it is essential that you are looking into the battery life of the device you are interested in before you buy one.
If you need a high oxygen output, understand that the battery life will be affected by this, and it is probably a good idea for you to purchase a bigger battery for your device. For example, inogen systems all come with an inogen 8-cell battery but for an additional yet reasonable cost you can get the bigger Inogen 16-cell battery that will last longer.
Having two batteries and an external battery charger is the best option for oxygen patients who travel a lot, or simply enjoy being on the go for long periods of time. With the external charger, you can charge one battery while using the other, and switching your batteries is very easy.
Talk with your respiratory specialist about the battery life of all of the devices you are interested in, and also ask them about buying a larger battery if you are interested in going longer periods of time with your oxygen device.
Getting a bigger battery is not essential, remember that you can use your oxygen device while you are charging it, so if you like to rest in the middle of the day, this is a perfect opportunity to plug on your POC. Also device like the Caire Freestyle Comfort come equipped with UltraSense Breath Detection Technology, which is a breath detection feature that makes this oxygen unit one of the most efficient and effective on the market. Rather than providing you with a constant stream of oxygen, the Freestyle Comfort delivers oxygen only when a breath is detected. This “bolus” of oxygen is precisely synced with your breathing ensuring no oxygen is wasted.
This technology is perfect for while you rest in the middle of the day, because your oxygen device will not keep you up or wake you from a nap, it simply give you the oxygen you need and nothing more.
Overview
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The benefits of long term oxygen therapy are undeniable, and the lifestyle improvements you gain from owning a POC compared to alternative oxygen devices are also very evident.
If you are still curious about the differences between owning a POC compared to an oxygen tank please take the time to read some of the blogs on our respiratory resource page, or simply call 1(800)-946-1201 to speak with a respiratory specialist.
The holidays and shopping for friends or family with COPD can be difficult. But you know what's more difficult? Living with COPD every day of the year, and especially in the cold winter months!
Gifts can bring a lot of joy to the holiday, but special gifts picked out specifically for your loved ones with chronic respiratory diseases can bring joy that lasts throughout the year! Below are 16 practical Christmas gift ideas that COPD patients may find useful!
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So, while the gifts laid out in this article are practical and very useful for COPD patients, always remember that COPD patients may want something lighthearted, fun, that brings an element of the holiday spirit.
Exercise Bike
Exercise is an essential part of treating COPD. Exercise gives COPD patients hope for rebuilding strength and enjoying a fuller, more active life.
Pulmonary rehabilitation programs typically combine education, exercise training, nutrition advice and counseling, but for some people pulmonary rehab classes are not an option!
An exercise bike is a great option for low impact exercise that you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Nothing is more important to the person who has COPD than exercise. Exercise ultimately makes it easier for those with COPD to breathe by strengthening muscles, bones, and lungs.
An exercise bike is something that will be valued by your loved one for years to come.
A tip for purchasing an exercise bike for a loved one is to choose a model that has several levels of resistance and a smooth magnetic resistance system so it can meet any COPD patient's needs.
Hat, Scarf and Glove Set
The cold winter months are a challenging time of year for COPD patients who already struggle to get around.
Staying warm is especially important for someone with COP. Breathing in cold air can ignite a bronchospasm and shortness of breath, causing a nasty flare up.
A scarf, hat and glove set will help your loved ones stay warm when they go outside and reduce the likelihood of them experiencing an exacerbation due to the cold air.
There are face masks designed for people with COPD that you can also buy. They are less fashionable, but offer a ventilation system that warms and moisturizes the cold dry air they are breathing in while outside!
Oxygen Therapy Gifts
If you are looking for a gift for a love one who uses oxygen therapy here are some ideas:
A New Pulse Flow or Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Device
Pulse flow options:
Caire Freestyle Comfort
The Caire Freestyle Comfort is a pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator capable of delivering medical grade oxygen to COPD patients via face or nose cannula.
When you order the Freestyle Comfort from LPT Medical you are not only getting the portable oxygen concentrator, it will come with some additional accessories that will help your loved one make the most out of their oxygen therapy device, as well as a 3-year warranty!
Portable oxygen concentrators run off battery power, and the Caire FreeStyle comes with the 8-cell Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery. If you want a more powerful battery, you have the option to get the large Caire FreeStyle 16-cell battery.
You will also get an AC adapter and the DC car adapter, which allows you to charge your device in a traditional wall outlet, or in the car using the cigarette lighter.
If you want another way to charge your device, you can purchase the Caire Freestyle external battery charger separately. With the external charger, you can keep your batteries charged no matter where you are in the world.
When you buy a Caire FreeStyle Comfort, you will also receive the Caire FreeStyle custom carrying case that comes with a convenient shoulder strap. You can also opt for another carrying method with the Caire Freestyle comfort backpack, this way you have several options to choose from when you carry your device with you.
With the purchase of the Caire FreeStyle Comfort, you will receive:
- 8-Cell Battery
- AC Charging Cable
- DC Charging Cable
- Caire Freestyle Custom Carrying Case
- Tubing
- Filter
- Manual
- 3 year-long warranty
Lifestyle P2
The Lifestyle P2 from Rhythm is one of the smallest and lightest units on the market. At 4.37 pounds, it offers pulse settings 1-5 and gets up to 5 hours of battery life.
Rhythm products, specifically their Lifestyle P2 portable oxygen concentrator, is not only built to keep oxygen users safe, comfortable, and independent, it is also a source of guidance and education.
Lifestyle Mobility Aids exists with a simple mission— to take care of people with medical needs, including those with respiratory issues that need supplemental oxygen to survive.
What Comes With the P2 Rhythm Portable Oxygen Concentrator?
- P2 Rhythm Portable Oxygen Concentrator
- AC Power Supply
- DC Power Supply
- Rechargeable Battery
- Protective Carrying Case
- Shoulder Strap
- Tubing
- Filter
- Manual
- 3 year Warranty
Inogen One G5
Medical oxygen tanks can be restrictive and oftentimes people sacrifice their freedom to hang out with friends or visit with family on your terms due to their oxygen device.
Help your loved one get back to doing what they love, ditch those cumbersome oxygen tanks and order the brand new Inogen One G5 portable oxygen concentrator.
Instead of worrying about refilling your oxygen tanks, the Inogen One G5 restores your mobility thanks to its portable delivery of pulse flow settings of 1-6, which is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Plus, if you’re familiar with the Inogen family of medical oxygen concentrators, the Inogen One G3 offers incredible battery life in combination with a compact and lightweight design. Well, the Inogen One G5 portable oxygen concentrator is lighter and offers a longer battery life than the Inogen One G3.
What Comes With Your Inogen One G5:
- Inogen One G5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
- Single Battery
- AC Power Supply
- DC Power Supply
- Custom Carrying Case
- Shoulder Strap
- Tubing
- Manual
- 3 Year Warranty
Continuous flow options:
Respironics SimplyGo
Philips Respironics broke the stereotypical design for continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators when they released the Respironics SimplyGo.
Ever since it was released it has been one of the top continuous flow units on the market! However, its small size isn’t the only reason it’s been one of the top units on the market. Backed by one of the biggest names in the respiratory field, the SimplyGo is as reliable as they come!
If you are looking for a lightweight portable continuous follow device to gift your loved one for the holiday call 1+(800)-946-1201!
What Comes With Your SimplyGo?
- Respironics SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator
- 1x Battery
- AC Power Supply
- DC Power Supply
- Custom Carrying Case
- Padded Shoulder Strap
- Padded Handle Strap
- Travel Cart
- Accessory Bag
- Tubing
- Manual
- 3 Year Warranty
SeQual Eclipse 5
The SeQual Eclipse 5 is the 4th generation model in SeQual’s extremely popular Eclipse line of concentrators.
In fact, the Eclipse 5 is one of the best selling and most reliable continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market. It offers the highest oxygen output on the market, gets good battery life, and it was also designed for the US Military.
What Comes With Your Eclipse 5?
- SeQual Eclipse 5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
- 1x Battery
- AC Power Supply
- DC Power Supply
- Travel Cart
- Accessory Bag
- Tubing
- Filter
- Manual
- 3 Year Warranty
Other COPD Gift Ideas
FDA Approved Pulse Oximetry Monitor
Having a FDA approved pulse oximetry monitor indicates whether or not you are getting enough oxygen.The large, easy to read LED display and accommodates fingers of all sizes, and is each to bring anywhere due to its compact size.
Blood Pressure Monitor
A blood pressure monitor is an essential piece of a COPD management kit! Many people with COPD also struggle with other complications and may take a variety of medications. Maintaining healthy blood pressure is an essential part of disease management.
Blood Pressure Monitor can also display an automatic alert if an irregular heartbeat is detected and the ability to remember the last 100 BP readings. All great safety features that help to better understand what the body is doing and how it functions in certain situations.
Nebulizer Compressor Kit
A nebulizer administers medication directly into the COPD patient's airways, helping them breathe easier.
Some COPD patients are lucky enough to have insurance that pays for their nebulizers, but this is not always the case and many are unable to afford one.
If your loved one does not have a nebulizer compressor kit, it is a great gift that keeps on giving.
Custom carrying backpack for the Inogen One G5
A custom carry backpack is just the ticket your loved one needs to live a more active and independent lifestyle.
This backpack is lightweight and durable, this one can be used with almost any compact portable oxygen concentrator but it fits the One G5 perfectly. It is perfect for COPD patients who like to travel and be active.
COPD for Dummies
COPD for Dummies or any other resource that helps explain COPD is a great gift that help educate the family on COPD so everyone is capable of lending a helping hand, but also so that everyone can understand the disease and its toll it take on those diagnosed with it
The book includes the most basic information on COPD symptoms, diagnosis, causes, treatment, and how to cope with COPD.
This may be a nice gift for those who were recently diagnosed with COPD.
Overview
Make the holidays extra special this season with gifts for people in your life with COPD! Buying them gifts that are practical and useful for disease management can help them all year around become more independent and healthier!
If you are interested in the process of buying a portable oxygen concentrator or accessories to go with their portable oxygen concentrator simply call 1+(800)-946-1201