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2022 is half-way over! As we head into wildfire season. It is expected for many fires to spark around the country. There is no doubt that the wildfire’s smoke will be an issue for many.

While June through August is known as “wildfire season” in the U.S., 2022 has proven to be particularly dangerous. 

Unfortunately, the threat of large uncontained wildfires extends beyond property damage. These fires leave behind an enormous amount of smoke that can lead to air pollution all across the country. If you suffer from a respiratory illness such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or pulmonary fibrosis, this smoke could seriously disrupt your way of life.

In this post, we’re going to take a look at some actionable tips for dealing with outdoor air pollution as a respiratory patient, especially as it pertains to the wildfires that are affecting much of the country. If you’re planning on making changes to your respiratory treatment plan, be sure to consult with your doctor first.

How to Recognize Poor Outdoor Air Quality

Many people don’t pay any mind to the quality of air they breathe on a day-to-day basis. Whether it’s indoor air or outdoor air, people simply expect the air to be clean and healthy. However, even if you don’t experience any immediate symptoms, this does not mean that there are no symptoms at all.

Like we’ve discussed in previous posts, indoor air pollution is a major culprit of poor air quality. Despite feeling more secure in your own home, contaminants like cleaning products, mold, and dust can damage your lungs and exacerbate chronic pulmonary illnesses like asthma and COPD. As such, it’s important to take time each day to clean your home and keep it safe for you and your family.

While it’s pretty simple to eliminate air pollution in your home, it’s not so easy to do so outdoors. What’s more, how can you even recognize that there’s poor air quality in the first place? 

Air quality is measured using the Air Quality Index (AQI) which runs between 0 (great air quality) and 500 (very poor air quality). Below is a chart showing exactly how this AQI works.

While 51-100 AQI is considered “moderate,” you can assume that this air is not safe to breathe if you have a chronic respiratory ailment. It’s also important to take into consideration the level of activity you will be doing outdoors. Higher levels of activity such as walking, biking, or running will cause you to breathe more heavily and thus result in air pollution entering lower parts of your respiratory system. This means you’ll be more likely to experience exacerbations that could lead to hospitalization.

One of the best ways to check AQI in your area is through AirNow.gov. This organization receives data from a variety of sources in order to help people all across the country plan healthier lives. Simply click on the link above and you will be asked to enter the name of the location you want to check. You’ll be provided with the current AQI in your area as well as the AQI forecast for future dates. You should make it a habit to check this daily and plan your activities accordingly.

What Types of Pollutants are there?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are six major types of air pollution. These include particulate matter (particle pollution), lead, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ground-level ozone. Let’s take a look at each one of these so that you understand what they are and how they affect your lungs.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Particulate matter is the sum of all liquid and solid particles that are suspended in the air. This includes both organic and inorganic particles like pollen, smoke, dust, and soot. When you check the air quality in your area, particulate matter will be labeled as either “PM10” or “PM2.5.” The former indicates particulate matter that has a diameter of 10 micrometers or less and the latter indicates particles that have a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. To put this into perspective, the average human hair is 70 micrometers in diameter, so a PM2.5 particle is about 30 times smaller than this.

PM has a variety of different sources and can be composed of hundreds of different chemicals. PM that is less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter tends to be the most dangerous because it’s small enough to bypass the body’s innate immune system, reaching the lower parts of the lungs and even the bloodstream. Wildfires contain PM of all sizes so it’s imperative that you avoid it in order to keep your lungs safe.

Ozone (O3)

Ground-level ozone is a gas that’s found just above the surface of the earth. This type of pollution is created when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) — two primary pollutants — react in stagnant air and sunlight. Ozone is known not only for being a major health hazard to humans, but to animals, the environment, and even property. According to the British Lung Foundation, high levels of ozone are associated with more frequent hospitalization due to asthma attacks and COPD exacerbations.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Sulfur dioxide typically enters the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels by industrial facilities and power plants. Other sources of this gas are locomotives, heavy equipment, ships, vehicles that burn fuel that’s high in sulfur. SO2 is harmful to everyone, but it’s especially bad for people with chronic respiratory illnesses. It can irritate the respiratory tract and can greatly increase your risk of experiencing tract infections.

Lead

Despite being significantly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the 1980s, lead is still a common type of air pollution. You’re most likely to be exposed to lead when you’re next to metal processing plants, lead-acid battery manufacturers, or piston-engine aircraft that run on leaded aviation fuel. While lead can damage the lungs, it can also enter the bloodstream leading to poor immune or nervous system function, kidney damage, or cardiovascular damage.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) such as nitrogen dioxide, nitrous acid, and nitric acid are known for being highly reactive. This means that they are much more chemically active than other gases which often leads tot hem being more dangerous. Not only is NO2 harmful when inhaled, leading to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath, but it can also react with other chemicals in the air to form ozone and particulate matter. NO2 usually enters the atmosphere due to the burning of fuel.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of the combustion process. In other words, anything that burns fuel such as a car, machinery, gas heaters, and gas stoves release CO when they are used. CO is harmful to breathe because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives organs like the brain and heart of oxygen. Inhaling a large amount of CO can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, asphyxia, and death.

How to Stay Safe and Avoid COPD Exacerbations

While we can get involved in our communities to help improve air quality, very little can be done to prevent natural disasters like wildfires. It’s normal for there to be thousands of wildfires each year in the United States and it’s difficult to predict exactly where they will be or how bad they will get. As a result, COPD and asthma patients need to pay attention to the news and plan their lives around these devastating events.

Make it a Habit to Check the AQI Daily

Like we mentioned earlier, Air Quality Index (AQI) is the measurement used to determine how safe the air is to breathe. AirNow.gov updates its site regularly so you should make a habit of checking it at least once a day. Another great feature of this site is that it breaks down what pollutants are in the air. For example, it will notify you if there are more PM2.5 than PM10 in the air, indicating that the air is less safe to breathe.

One thing to note about AQI forecasts is that they are not 100% accurate. Similar to weather forecasts, there is room for error and the information is updated as more information becomes available. As a result, it’s important to also use your best judgment. If the report shows 50 AQI in your area but it looks hazy out, it’s best not to go out until it clears up. Another mistake people make is that they assume that rain will clear the pollution. While heavy rain can reduce pollution slightly, it’s nearly inconsequential when it comes to PM2.5  which is most harmful to your lungs.

Recognize the Signs of an Exacerbation

Secondly, you need to be aware of COPD exacerbation symptoms. An exacerbation is a period of time where coughing, wheezing, and chest pain get worse and it becomes increasingly difficult to breathe normally. The majority of COPD exacerbations are caused by respiratory infection, but the second most common cause of exacerbations is air pollution. If left untreated, exacerbations can lead to hospitalization and even permanent lung damage.

Generally speaking, you will want to seek medical attention for your COPD exacerbations. Even if you just experience a flare-up in your symptoms, your doctor should be notified so that he/she can take the necessary steps to help you recover quickly and effectively.

Take Your Oxygen Concentrator and Inhaler

As always, it’s important to have all your medications and medical devices with you whenever you leave the house. No matter what the air quality is like, your portable oxygen concentrator and inhaler will ensure that your blood oxygen levels remain stable throughout the day. What’s more, if you experience an exacerbation while you’re out, your portable oxygen concentrator or rescue inhaler will help you to recover more quickly.

 According to a study published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, there is clear evidence that using supplemental oxygen as prescribed by your doctor can strongly influence the outcomes of acute exacerbations. While more studies need to be done in order to determine exactly how it should be used, simply having a reliable portable oxygen concentrator on you at all times is a great first step. 

There are many portable oxygen concentrators for sale in this day and age, but we recommend either the Caire FreeStyle Comfort the ARYA Portable Oxygen Concentrator or the Inogen One G5. The FreeStyle Comfort released last year and provides COPD patients with up to 5 pulse flow settings and the G5 provides up to 6 pulse flow settings. If that’s not enough, you’ll be happy to know that both of these portable oxygen devices weigh under 5 pounds meaning they’re light enough to carry wherever you go without causing any strain on your back or shoulders.

Avoid Exercising Outdoors

Exercise is an important part of your COPD treatment plan. Pulmonary rehabilitation is designed to strengthen your muscles, increase your endurance, and help you breathe easier. But it’s imperative that you exercise safely and that you follow the guidelines set forth by your doctor or pulmonologist. Over-exercising or exercising outside when there is pollution can lead to flare-ups or exacerbations.

When you exercise, you breathe more heavily meaning air pollution is more likely to reach the lower parts of your lungs. You’re also taking in more air and more pollution as a result. While it is nice to exercise outdoors, you’re not going to have a good time if you’re breathing in polluted, stuffy air. If possible, try to get inside and clear a space in your living room or bedroom to perform pulmonary rehabilitation.

Don’t Track Harmful Pollutants Indoors

Whether you’re exercising indoors or you’re simply spending more time indoors due to poor outdoor air quality, it’s important to avoid tracking outdoor pollutants inside your home. The problem with indoor air quality is that it’s more concentrated and pollutants can be moved around your home through the HVAC system. So even if you think that your home is safe, it could be affected by the quality of air outdoors.

There are several different ways that you can test the air quality in your home. You can either purchase your own air quality monitor or you can call a home inspection company that will come to your house and do it for you. The latter tends to be a better option because then you don’t have to learn how to interpret the data and find a way to improve your home’s air quality.

Quit Smoking Immediately

The last tip for coping with outdoor air pollution when you have COPD is to quit smoking. Not only is smoking the primary causal factor of COPD and other lung conditions like lung cancer, but it also has a number of other effects on the body that make you more susceptible to the risks associated with air pollution. For example, cigarette smoking damages, and in some cases destroys the cilia in your lungs and airways. 

Cilia are small, hairlike organelles that are responsible for trapping and removing foreign substances from the airways. By doing so, they prevent these harmful substances from reaching the lower respiratory system where they can lead to infections. Studies also show that the chemicals in cigarette smoke can also suppress the adaptive immune system by making it less active and prepared to fight off disease. 

Conclusion

Unfortunately, wildfires are a reality that we all need to face. Depending on where you live in the country, you may have to deal with wildfire smoke as early as June and as late as August. As such, it’s best to be prepared with an effective action plan.

If you have COPD or asthma, you should not be going outside when the AQI is above 100 and if you want to exercise outdoors, you should wait until the AQI in your area is below 50. This will help ensure that your lung condition remains stable and that you don’t experience any flare-ups or worse, an exacerbation.

As with all concerns related to your COPD treatment plan, you should contact your doctor or pulmonologist if you have any questions. 

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 have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for a long time, it is likely you have experienced an exacerbation or flare up. A COPD exacerbation means your respiratory symptoms (breathlessness, coughing, and wheezing) were suddenly escalated to a degree where you might have been obligated to seek emergency medical attention.

Obviously it is best to avoid COPD exacerbations also known as flare ups at all costs, however the nature of COPD makes it difficult to avoid these situations entirely. Simple everyday activities can cause a flare up.

Raking leaves and being exposed to seasonal allergies can initiate a sudden reaction in some people. Others will be susceptible to bleach and cleaning products that cause serious respiratory reactions. The bottom line is that everyone is different and everyone’s COPD affects them differently, meaning it is impossible to give someone an indefinite guide into avoiding COPD flare ups entirely.

There are many different practices and healthy habits you can implement into your daily routine in order to reduce the chances of experiencing a flare up, and this is something we will discuss in detail later in this article. First and foremost, it is important to be prepared for when you do experience escalated symptoms.

Having a risk management plan in place will help you to make the right decisions depending on the scenario.

Preparation for COPD Flare Ups

In this section we are discussing how preparation can make the difference between an uncomfortable yet manageable COPD flare up and hospitalization.

Risk Management Plan

Developing your own risk management plan can be a useful tool for when scenarios do arise and drastic action must be taken quickly in order to ensure a positive outcome.

Here is a simple outline of a risk management plan that we have filled out for a COPD exacerbation:

1. Identify Risks

What are your risks and how likely are they to occur?

COPD poses health risks including having a COPD flare up. A COPD flare up is usually triggered by inflammation in the lungs either due to an infection or irritant that causes this inflammation.

2. Minimize or Eliminate Risks

Once the risks have been identified you need to either eliminate or minimize those risks.

The most important irritates and infections you should avoid are pneumonia, flu, seasonal allergens, air pollution, smoke. We will discuss details in a later section about how to avoid these irritates and in turn avoid COPD flare ups.

3. Identify Rolls

One of the simplest and most effective tools in managing your COPD flare up is to delegate who has to do what, should your plan have to be enacted.

Make sure to have an emergency contact on your phone who you can count on to drive you to the hospital. You should also have an emergency tool that can notify your caregivers or medical services for you.

4. Create an Action Plan with Your Doctor

Recovery contingencies should be determined by the extent of your flare up.

Which also means you should have a good understanding of how detrimental or minor your flare up is. And while this will come with experience, but there are ways you can track your symptoms and better understand the severity of your symptoms so that you are able to make this distinction during the flare.

Your doctor and you should set up an “action plan” ; it should outline specific actions, doses, or medications to manage a flare up. For example, they might prescribe for you to increase your oxygen flow setting while you are experiencing the flare up, or they might prescribe an emergency inhaler that will give you a dose of fast-acting steroids.

If your exacerbation is severe enough to seek emergency medical care, you should be aware of the urgent care in your locale. You should have your medical history written down in your phone or on your person (a piece of paper in your wallet, or attached to your portable oxygen concentrator carrying case) to give to medical responders so they are updated about you and your condition.

If you are allergic to any medication or have had any reactions to medical treatments in the past, you can make sure to have this written down so if you are having trouble breathing, you don’t have to try and talk with the emergency responder too much.

5. Communicate Your Plan To Your Caregivers

Make sure you tell everyone in your circle what to expect should they need to help you through a COPD flare up.

You can also work together to understand your symptoms better so that you and your caregivers feel confident managing minor flare ups, and you understand when you must seek medical attention.

Now that you have a risk management plan, you must be able to recognize the symptoms of a COPD flare up.

Recognizing Escalated COPD Symptoms

During a COPD exacerbation, airways become restricted and your lung function quickly and dramatically declines. Suddenly, you may experience more mucus clogging your airways, or the muscles in your respiratory tract constrict significantly, cutting off your air supply.

Symptoms of a COPD flare are:

• Breathlessness or shortness of breath. If you are gasping for air, and neither oxygen nor medication are relieving your breathlessness, seeking medical attention is the right thing to do.

• Increase in coughing attacks. Coughing helps to rid your lungs and airways of mucus blockages and irritants and while coughing is a normal and useful reaction for COPD patients, if it is persistent to the point where you feel discomfort for a long period of time, call your doctor right away.

• Wheezing. Hearing a wheeze or whistling noise when you breathe means that air is being forced through a narrower passageway, if your airways are swelling or built up mucus cannot be cleared, breathing will become nearly impossible and medical attention will be necessary should your medications and oxygen therapy prove useless.

• Increase of mucus. You may begin to cough up more mucus than normal, and it may be a different color than usual. Mucus that is clear or a slight yellow color is normal, but if it is a dark green, dark brown, or dark red color you should call your doctor right away.

• Fatigue or sleep problems. Sleep disturbances or exhaustion can indicate less oxygen is getting to your lungs and through your body and can be an indicator or exacerbated COPD symptoms

• Cognitive impairment. Confusion, slow thought processing, depression, or memory lapses can mean your brain isn’t receiving enough oxygen. This is a huge indication of severe COPD symptoms, so call your doctor right away.

Creating an Action Plan for a COPD Flare Up

If you are experiencing a COPD flare up, there are a few steps you can take in order to treat your symptoms on your own rather than immediately calling for emergency care. Understanding and managing COPD symptoms means that you have to be confident enough to know how and when to utilize certain medications and strategies. Having an extensive conversation with your doctor about these measures is very important, you can also learn a lot about COPD flare up preparedness in a pulmonary rehabilitation course.

During a flare up it is important to try to stay calm to minimize your symptoms, anxiety can initiate added breathlessness that will only make your situation worse. But if you feel overwhelmed, reach out for help right away.

1. Use a Quick-Acting Inhaler

Rescue inhalers work by sending a powerful stream of medicine straight to your constricted lungs. This is different from your normal short-acting bronchodilators inhaler that will give you medication that takes longer to initiate but lasts longer in your system. A fast-acting relief inhaler helps to relax the tissues in your airways quickly, letting you breathe easier right away and it wheres off shortly after.

2. Take Oral Corticosteroids to Reduce Inflammation

Corticosteroids may already be a part of your treatment plan that you have set up with your doctor. They reduce swelling and may help to widen your airways to let more air in and out of your lungs so if you don’t already take corticosteroids your doctor may prescribe them for a period of time after you have a flare up to help get your inflammation under control.

3. Use Oxygen Therapy to Get more Oxygen Into Your Body

If you use supplemental oxygen at home, you may want to take advantage of your extra oxygen supply supply during a flare up. If you have a portable oxygen concentrator (POC), your normal flow setting should be much lower than the device's full capabilities. If you experience a flare up, your normal oxygen output may need to be increased to a higher dosage of oxygen, this is why your POC should be capable of operating at a higher output than your prescribed level.

Increasing you oxygen supply during a flare up is something you will discuss with your doctor when they prescribe you oxygen therapy. It should also be outlined again in your action plan for when you experience a COPD flare.

(4.) Seek Emergency Care if Steps 1-3 Are Not Useful

In some severe instances, your rescue medication, anti-inflammatory steroids, and oxygen therapy won’t bring your exacerbation symptoms back down to a manageable level, in which case you may need mechanical intervention.

If you notice that your at-home action plan isn’t bringing you relief or if any of your symptoms begin to get worse, it is time to reach out for help. Call an ambulance, or have a caregiver make the call for you. Once you arrive at the hospital, you may need machine intervention like theophylline to help bring your symptoms under control. In these cases, it is not abnormal to also need an IV to rehydrate your body, as well as antibiotics to prevent respiratory infections like pneumonia.

Fortunately, most people recover their breathing after taking steps 1 -3 to get their their symptoms under control.

You can also work towards creating healthy habits and lifestyle changes that will help you to avoid these situations as much as possible. Reducing the chance of experiencing a COPD flare up are simple best practices, and will help you to lead a healthy and long life with COPD.

Prevention

Preparation can make the difference between an uncomfortable yet manageable COPD flare ups and severe flare ups that require hospitalization. Prevention can help you to avoid COPD flares in the first place, by reducing the likelihood of experiencing exacerbated COPD symptoms.

Avoiding COPD flare ups

About 33 percent of COPD exacerbations don’t have a known cause, which is why the preparation section of this article is so important, because no matter how well you work to prevent COPD exacerbations, sometimes there are unforeseeable implications that will affect your respiratory system.

Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen therapy is administered at home for at least 15 hour a day. Pulmonary patients can use oxygen devices like a liquid oxygen tanks, gas oxygen tanks, or portable oxygen concentrators. Portable oxygen concentrators costs the most up front, but in the long term offer the most savings because you never have to pay to refill the device as you would with a tank or canister.

To learn more about oxygen therapy devices click here.

Each year, approximately 1.5 million patients in the United States receive long term oxygen therapy (LTOT). LTOT improves survival rates and increases the quality of life in hypoxemic patients with COPD. Staying connected to your oxygen device and using the therapy as instructed by your doctor will help to prevent breathlessness and reduce stress on your lungs.

Oxygen therapy relieves serious COPD symptoms and can help you get back to a normal and healthy daily routine in other important facets of your life.

Avoid Exposure to Lung Irritants

You can start by cleaning your home and ridding your living space of irritates such as kerosene heaters. If you can, dust often and vacuum carpets daily. Dust and dust mites will cause irritation in anyone’s lung but it is extremely harmful if you have COPD.

When you are cleaning surfaces avoid harsh chemical cleaning products and opt for natural disinfectant and cleaning products such as lemon water, vinegar, baking soda.

You should also keep the humidity at a manageable level. You can do this by always turning on a fan or ventilation system while you shower and taking less hot showers. 

Do not smoke, and try to avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking is one of the worst habits you can continue to entertain after being diagnosed with COPD. Smoke is one of the most invasive and harmful irritates you can breath into your lungs, and you will inevitably experience more serious flare ups if you continue to smoke.

Air pollution is another irritate that can impact your lungs and cause flare ups. While the state of outdoor air quality is largely out of your control, you can invest in an air filtration system for inside your home. If you monitor the outdoor air quality daily you can be aware of when it is safe and when you should avoid going outdoors.

Avoid Getting Skick

As you are probably aware of, it is best to avoid large crowds during cold and flu season to prevent getting sick. It is especially important now, during the global pandemic with the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19 still posing a serious threat to our population as a whole, and it is increasingly worrisome for respiratory and autoimmune patients.

Air Pollution, occupational dust, chemical fumes, cigarette smoking as well as second hand smoking can irritate the lungs. Long-term exposure to such lung irritants can lead to inflammation and the development of lung problems in some people.

One of the lung problems that you may acquire over time from the exposure is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is a progressive disease that cannot be cured and makes breathing very difficult for people who have it. This is as a result of the narrowing of the airways caused by inflammation and blockage making it difficult for air to flow freely into and out of the lungs.

It is estimated that a whopping 65 million people around the world have COPD according to the World Health Organization. Many more are believed to have the disease without their knowledge.

Even though COPD cannot be cured, there are a good number of treatments and management techniques that are available such as corticosteroids, bronchodilators and pulmonary rehab among many others. Most of the people diagnosed with COPD can live a productive long life after diagnosis.

The most commonly prescribed drugs for COPD are inhaled corticosteroids, this is because steroids help reduce the inflammation in the lungs which is a chief contributor to the progression of COPD. When corticosteroids are paired with bronchodilator medication which helps to open up the airways, most patients experience relief from some of their worst symptoms.

An active area of research has been to find better ways to control the inflammation that underlies the development of COPD. It was reported by Medline Plus, a publication of the National Institutes of Medicine that antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage.

The body usually obtains antioxidants naturally from the food that you consume, some companies are however selling dietary supplements with the aim to increase what you derive from your diet.

In theory, if you are able to control or reverse the inflammation associated with COPD, the symptoms of this disease may be reduced and the functioning of the lungs could potentially become better. A study conducted in 2015 by the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease explained that, “dietary antioxidants mainly vitamins C and E, are responsible for antioxidant defenses in the lungs.” A potential antioxidant effect with hydrogen has also been found by researchers.

A 2011 study in the journal Current Pharmaceutical Design found that, “hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe constituting nearly 75 percent of the universe’s mass; however, hydrogen is absent on the Earth in its monoatomic form and is present in water and organic or inorganic compounds. Hydrogen gas, with the molecular formula H₂, is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and highly combustible diatomic gas. The Earth’s atmosphere contains less than one part per million of hydrogen gas.”

It is not a new idea that hydrogen can reduce inflammation. A study done in 1975 in the journal Science first proposed its use as a cancer treatment, and ever since that time, a modicum of studies have applied the principles of hydrogen as an antioxidant to a scope of chronic diseases that are associated with inflammation, including emphysema and diabetes. Dr. Philip Diaz, a pulmonary specialist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio said, “But there’s limited data even in animals.”

“There’s some literature and a theoretical concept that [hydrogen] might have an antioxidant effect depending on how it is delivered. But at this point it would be very premature” for patients to be receiving hydrogen as a component of their COPD treatment protocol, he says.

Despite the warning from Dr. Diaz and most other doctors that the evidence hydrogen can be used to treat COPD is not enough, some patients are using hydrogen peroxide as a so-called ‘natural’ treatment for COPD by experimenting on themselves.

A number of COPD discussion forums found online include threads about how individuals have tried to treat themselves by adding hydrogen peroxide into their nebulizers and through looking for hydrogen peroxide injections from alternative healers. However, by doing this they could face devastating consequences.

A “60 Minutes” report from CBS in 2005 investigated the use of intravenous hydrogen peroxide in the death of a woman that was undergoing treatment for multiple sclerosis and made a discovery that no reputable medical organization would recommend the use of this treatment for any disease and that its use may have led to the death of this woman.

“The National Multiple Sclerosis Society calls intravenous hydrogen peroxide ‘unproven’ and ‘potentially dangerous.’ The American Cancer Society warns ‘there is no evidence that it has value as a treatment for cancer or other diseases,’’’ the 60 minutes report noted. David Sampson, director of media relations for the American Cancer Society, says that the 2005 warning is “still accurate”. We’re not aware of any evidence that H2O2 [hydrogen peroxide] is useful as a treatment for cancer.

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Some studies however suggest that there could still be some potential in the use of dissolved or inhaled hydrogen as a treatment for diseases that cause inflammation in the future. The interest in this possibility has also risen as a result of increasing incidences of COPD worldwide.

A study conducted in 2017 in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease investigated the role hydrogen plays in smoking-induced cases of COPD in rats. “It is still uncertain whether hydrogen has effects on COPD,” the authors wrote, “or whether different concentrations of hydrogen could have different effects on COPD.” They set out to examine these views and found that there was a connection between the administration of hydrogen and the progression of smoking-induced COPD in rats.

They noted that the rats that had been administered with hydrogen lost less weight than those that hadn’t been given any hydrogen. The rats that had been administered with hydrogen also experienced reduced inflammation in the lungs, improved lung function, positive changes to the lung structure and heart tissue and restoration of balance in enzymes that support cellular health. The study also suggested that the results were better when a higher dose of hydrogen was administered.

Although the results from this study seem to be promising, it is important to note that this was a single study and it was not conducted in humans. Before your doctor even begins to prescribe hydrogen as a therapy for COPD, it would need to be repeated many more times to help paint a clearer picture of its position in the treatment of COPD. Diaz says, “that animal observation hasn’t been translated to humans and people shouldn’t extrapolate that hydrogen testing in animals. It may not be the same in humans. Basically, there’s not a lot of good evidence in people that this would work.” According to him, a lot more testing would be required for any future use of hydrogen therapy.

Meanwhile, you should follow the orders that you doctor has given you and take the medicine prescribed to you as directed. Be sure to check with your doctor should you want to take up any other alternative treatments such as acupuncture or any other conventional approach.

A good way to provide your body with lots of inflammation-fighting antioxidants without the risk of uncertain therapy is through eating a diet that is rich in fresh vegetables and fruit. Dark leafy greens, berries and other brightly colored produce tend to be rich in antioxidants. You should go ahead and add these to your next meal for a safe and natural nutritional boost.

If there’s one thing that we’ve learned from the past couple of months, it’s that self-isolation is never as easy as it seems. While we all acknowledge the importance of maintaining proper social distancing in order to “flatten the curve” and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, we also need to take the time to consider the negative effects of spending so much time alone.

Someone with a very active lifestyle may enjoy the self-quarantine because it gives them time to wind down and collect their thoughts. But for others, such as those with COPD or other chronic conditions, the quarantine can be a nightmare. Rather than being able to get outside and exercise their freedom, these people are being left at home to cope with their disease alone.

The good news is that there are ways to remedy this. With modern technology and some creativity, it is possible to regain some of the privileges we once had without having to venture out into the world. In this post, we’re going to take a look at 7 different COPD-friendly activities to occupy your thoughts until the COVID-19 situation blows over.

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The Importance of Staying Busy

Many people looked forward to the quarantine initially, believing it would give them an excuse to stay in their pajamas all-day or get caught up on their favorite show. But reality hit these people hard once they found out that it’s not so easy to make it through the day with a lack of things to occupy their thoughts.

Unfortunately, self-isolation isn’t a new concept by any means; people have suffered from loneliness and social isolation for decades, and it’s taken a significant toll on peoples’ general happiness and well-being. According to a study published in the Oxford Academic Journal, 24 percent of older adults (65+ years) were considered “socially isolated.” Ultimately, this puts people at a higher risk of experiencing loneliness and other related conditions like anxiety and depression.

While hobbies and other day-to-day activities won’t completely eliminate loneliness, they will help to occupy your thoughts in your downtime. You might still have friends, family members, or caretakers who still come to visit you even during quarantine which can help combat some of the loneliness you may experience.

Another reason hobbies are so important is that they take your mind off your disease. If you maintain a sedentary lifestyle for too long, you’ll start to focus more on the negative outcomes of your disease. Eventually, this can lead to a vicious feedback cycle that causes you to over-exaggerate the severity of your condition. Not only could this take a toll on your mental health, but it could cause you to make irrational decisions that you wouldn’t otherwise make.

Last but certainly not least, hobbies help you to grow as a person. No matter your age or health condition, hobbies can provide you with an outlet to express your interests and learn. What’s more, it will give you more to talk about once you’re finally able to start reconnecting with people after the situation with the coronavirus starts to slow down.

Create a List of Priorities

One thing you should do before learning about COPD-friendly activities is to start working on a priority list. For many people, being at home more often can throw off your sense of direction and even cause you to lose sight of priorities that you used to keep.

Many people have trouble maintaining a healthy sleep schedule. If you’re inside more often or you’re not exercising as frequently, your circadian rhythm could be completely thrown out of whack making it increasingly difficult to follow the sleep schedule that you used to.

If you’re concerned about this, try prioritizing hobbies that get you moving and allow you to get a healthy amount of sunlight each day. In turn, you’ll experience less restless nights and you’ll be able to stay focused on things that you’re trying to accomplish. As you read through the following list, take note of things that are important to you and structure your hobbies accordingly.

1.) Reading

Reading is quite possibly one of the most important things you can do while in quarantine. It’s one of the best ways to pass the time, foster creativity, and learn about something new. According to researchers, reading regularly can even increase survival rates among adults and the elderly.

Possibly the greatest benefit of reading a physical book is that it gets people away from their screens. For the past several decades, many people have set aside physical media in favor of more convenient digital options either via their smartphone, computer, tablet, or an e-book device like the Kindle.

But regardless of the popularity of e-books and audiobooks, physical books still remain the most popular choice for most readers. Simply put, people feel more satisfied with reading a real book because it feels more authentic and relaxing, especially when you don’t have to deal with things like computer glitches or malfunctions. 

According to a study published by BMC, time spent using digital devices is associated with sleep disturbances and a higher risk factor for mental health conditions. What’s more, people who used mobile devices saw even worse outcomes. In other words, reading a book on your phone or Kindle could be even worse for your health than reading one on the computer.

Fortunately, physical books provide you with all the benefits of reading without the added risks of using a digital device. According to a study done by the University of Sussex, reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68 percent! Considering that stress is estimated to contribute to up to 60 percent of all disease, this is an extremely important factor to consider when starting a new quarantine hobby.

If you’re someone who prefers reading online articles over novels, consider printing them before reading them. This way you can find someplace comfortable to read it and avoid spending too much time on your computer.

2.) Games and Puzzles

If you want something that will keep your mind busy but aren’t much of a reader, puzzles and games are a great option too. According to Cognitive Vitality, crossword puzzles and other activities help to build cognitive reserve. This, in turn, allows someone to maintain normal cognition avoiding common conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Like reading, puzzles and games can be done without the use of a digital device. Many crossword puzzles and similar games can be found in the back of magazines and you can even find entire books full of different types of games at your local book store or grocery store. This is enough to keep most people entertained for weeks or months on end.

Another great benefit of crossword puzzles is that they can help you maintain your vocabulary. There are crossword puzzles out there for just about any subject you can think. What’s more, studies have shown that the best way to memorize vocabulary is to write it down, especially when it’s written in context like with crossword puzzles.

As a COPD patient, it’s important to keep your mind sharp and reduce anxiety and stress as much as possible. People who take their mental health seriously are able to more easily follow through with their treatment routine including maintaining an exercise routine, healthy diet, and medications.

3.) Practice or Listen to Music

The concept of music as a form of healing therapy has existed for centuries, however, it didn’t become a formal profession until the 1900s. Today, music therapy is used in both formal and informal settings in order to aid in treating mental health, cognitive, emotional, social, and even physical issues. While some people may question the efficacy of music therapy, it’s a type of treatment that has a long history of research backing it up.

Another misconception about music therapy is that you need a professional in order to benefit from it. This couldn’t be farther from the truth as many people use music as a form of self-care to remedy stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental conditions. And the great news is that it’s very easy to get started. All you need is a music program such as iTunes or Spotify and speakers or a pair of earbuds.

Harvard Health sites a number of studies showing the positive effects of music on health. For COPD patients, stress reduction, mood improvement, and increased movement are among the most important. One study they mention tested the stress-reducing effects of music on patients before and after surgery. It concluded that patients who listened to music were less likely to need calming medication than those who didn’t.

Another study from 2011 found that music therapy can aid in preventing falls for people over the age of 65. Falling is a serious problem for seniors because as we age, our motor skills and function diminishes significantly. This problem is amplified in COPD patients who suffer from difficulty breathing and frequent exacerbations. This study concluded that walking and performing other tasks in time with music can limit falls by 54 percent.

The last study that Harvard Health sites has to do with the effects of music on mood. A 2006 study found that adults with chronic pain, such as symptoms from COPD and other lung diseases, experienced a reduction in disability, depression, and pain. Additionally, a 2009 meta-analysis discovered that music can reduce the effects of sleep disorders and promote quality sleep. 

The important thing to draw from these studies is that you don’t need to work with a music therapist in order to benefit from the healing effects of music. Simply putting together a playlist of relaxing or uplifting music and listening to it for an hour or two a day can have substantial therapeutic benefits.

If you’re looking to engage more with the music, you can even try picking up a COPD-friendly instrument. Believe it or not, there are a lot of instruments that are great for COPD patients. For example, the harmonica is often recommended by medical professionals because it can help improve your lung capacity. The harmonica differs from other wind instruments like the trumpet, clarinet, or flute because it doesn’t require a great deal of air support. Another benefit is that it doesn’t weigh very much so you can easily carry it around with you wherever you go.

A couple of years ago, we wrote a great article that goes into detail about using music therapy to treat COPD. Feel free to check it out if you’re interested in learning more.

4.) Practice Tai Chi

When you think of “martial arts” you probably think of fighting methods such as judo, karate, or kendo. However, martial arts deals with a lot more than combat; it also has to do with mastering the mind and body. For someone with COPD, martial arts prove especially useful in learning to control breathing, master your motor functions, and gain more control over your thoughts and feelings.

Tai Chi is a martial arts discipline that originated in ancient China. It’s often referred to as “meditation in motion” because it applies some of the same principles as traditional meditation but adds additional components such as basic motor functions, balance, and breathing. Tai Chi is beneficial for all ages, but it’s especially embraced by older generations. 

One of the great things about tai chi is that it can be done just about anywhere. If you’re confined to your home, all you need to do is clear some space in the living room or family room. It’s also a good idea to practice Tai Chi on the carpet because hardwood floors and stone floors can be slippery. You can even go outside and practice in your front or back yard, just make sure you’re maintaining good social distancing from your neighbors.

This study published in the Chest Journal examined the efficacy of Tai Chi in treating COPD. It found that, after twelve weeks, Tai Chi can be just as effective as pulmonary rehabilitation at improving muscle strength and reducing COPD symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue. These particular participants used a form of Tai Chi known as the 24-form Yang, however, other forms of Tai Chi are proven to be effective as well.

You may be wondering, “how can I start Tai Chi?” While it’s normally advised that you join a Tai Chi group where you can learn from a professional trainer what to do, current circumstances do not permit this. Instead, it’s recommended that you use online training videos which will teach you the basics. The United States Tai Chi Community is also a great place to connect with other people and ask any questions that you may have about this martial art.

We wrote a great article about using Tai Chi to improve your COPD symptoms. You can find it here if you’re interested.

5.) Journaling and Scrapbooking

What better way to spend the quarantine than getting caught up on your journaling and scrapbooking? Admittedly, these hobbies aren’t for everyone. Some people like to document everything they do while other people prefer to tell their stories through spoken words rather than written words or pictures. But as the saying goes — you never know until you try it.

One thing about journaling and scrapbooking is that they take a lot of time, so if you’re interested in the idea, there’s really no better time to get involved than right now. They also have a lot of therapeutic effects that many people will find well worth pursuing even people who don’t typically enjoy writing or arts and crafts. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, journaling is an effective means of reducing stress, coping with depression, and managing anxiety. 

Another reason to invest time in journaling and scrapbooking is that it can be a creative outlet. As a COPD patient, it’s easy to get caught up in your daily routine of pulmonary rehabilitation, diet management, and breathing exercises. However, this doesn’t really provide you with a good opportunity to express your creativity and create something that you can be proud of. Journaling and scrapbooking can be very rewarding because there’s no right or wrong way to do them.

Lastly, these two activities give you the opportunity to provide something special for your family’s future generations. For example, if you create a scrapbook, it’s something that you can hand down to your children and they can pass down to their children when they’re old enough. This is the perfect way to create a lasting memory of your life experiences. 

6.) Cooking

Cooking is another great way to pass the time while in quarantine. Whether you’ve spent your whole life cooking or you’re a beginner, there’s never been a better time to start. The benefit of cooking your own food is that it’s a great form of moderate exercise that will keep you on your feet and improve your COPD symptoms.

Another benefit of cooking is that you will know exactly what’s in your food. If you buy prepackaged food from the grocery store or eat out often, it’s hard to tell exactly what nutrients you’re putting in your body. Oftentimes, people are too afraid to turn over the packaging and read the long list of ingredients that they’re consuming, so it’s best to just avoid this altogether.

One thing to take note of while you’re cooking is to always put your safety first. Certain foods may produce a lot of fumes or smoke when you cook them and overcooking food can lead to the same results. This could lead to a flare-up in your respiratory symptoms or worse, a COPD exacerbation that could put you in the hospital. Take note of this before you start and recruit the help of a loved one if you don’t feel comfortable.

For more helpful information on cooking with COPD, check out this post.

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7.) Become a COPD Advocate

While there are certainly a lot of downsides to technology, one of the greatest benefits is that it enables people to stay connected anywhere they are in the world. While most people are staying inside their homes for the foreseeable future, we don’t have to worry about decades of COPD advocacy going to waste because a lot of this work can continue through the internet.

Now more than ever it’s imperative that COPD patients let people know the importance of COPD research, treatment, and funding. In crucial times like these, politicians and community leaders are working to determine the best place to allocate resources to help the greatest number of people. Since COPD is a leading chronic illness in the United States and COPD patients are at such a high risk of serious COVID-19 symptoms, our voices deserve to be heard.

There are so many ways to get involved like the COPD Foundation, The American Lung Association, and a variety of other COPD organizations. You can even join COPD Facebook groups or start your own blog in order to tell your own story of living and coping with COPD. You can rest assured that if your thoughts are being heard, you’re contributing to the community as a whole. 

If you’d like to learn more about becoming a COPD advocate, read our post on staying active in the COPD community while at home.

Conclusion

The coronavirus has taken a serious toll on the country. COPD patients need to take care to follow all safety regulations set forth by the World Health Organization (WHO) and shelter in place as much as possible in order to avoid getting sick. While you’re likely already missing going out and exploring the world or visiting friends, there are plenty of things you can be doing in the meantime to keep yourself occupied and healthy.

Try some of the hobbies above and let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. If you’re in the market for a portable oxygen concentrator like the Inogen One G5, don’t hesitate to fill out the contact form at the side of the page and one of our respiratory specialists will reach out to you to answer any questions you may have. 

Here at LPT Medical, we’ve always taken pride in offering respiratory patients the resources they need to make educated decisions about their condition. With all the misinformation that’s out there on the web, it’s been our top priority to provide detailed, transparent, and factual information about issues that affect you the most such as oxygen therapy, diet, and exercise. 

Rather than discussing untested alternative therapies or drastic lifestyle changes, we focus on practical solutions that are backed by decades of scientific studies. We also like to stress the importance of having open lines of communication with your doctor and pulmonologist, because ultimately, he/she understands the complexities of the disease you face better than anyone.

Given the current circumstances regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we understand if you’re skeptical of any information that you read on the internet. In times like these, people often rush to disseminate information without taking the time to first verify its validity. To counter this, we’re going to stick to a topic that we know and love — portable oxygen concentrators.

If you’re stuck at home due to the coronavirus lockdowns, you may be wondering what use you’d have with a “portable” oxygen concentrator. After all, these oxygen machines were designed for people who want to get out of their house and get moving. But this doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t a great option for people with a sedentary lifestyle as well. Read on to learn more and be sure to fill out the contact form at the side of the page if you want to speak with a respiratory specialist.

What is a Portable Oxygen Concentrator?

An oxygen concentrator is a device that takes ambient air, removes nitrogen, argon, and other impurities, and puts out high-grade medical oxygen. Until recently, all oxygen concentrators were immobile and they had to be plugged into an electrical outlet in order to operate. This wasn’t ideal, because many oxygen patients felt restricted in what they could do and accomplish in their day-to-day life.

In the early 2000s, oxygen concentrators began to be replaced by lightweight portable oxygen concentrators. Rather than running off of a wall outlet, these new oxygen machines had batteries that could be charged and replaced, making it easier than ever for oxygen patients to get out of the house with the comfort of having access to high-grade medical oxygen wherever they went. While these new oxygen generators had many benefits over their counterparts, home oxygen concentrators remain popular to this day.

There are two different types of portable oxygen concentrators on the market: continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators and pulse dose (pulse flow) portable oxygen concentrators. A pulse dose unit conserves power by only administering oxygen when the user inhales and a continuous flow unit puts out a constant stream of oxygen. Because they have to filter more air, continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators tend to be a lot larger and bulkier. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons portable oxygen concentrators are often the best option for in-home oxygen therapy.

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1.) You Can Navigate Your Home More Easily

Although portable oxygen concentrators are designed for people who want to get out of the house, people often forget that they’re also a great option for anyone who wants to navigate their home more easily as well. From doing chores to cooking dinner and performing your daily pulmonary exercise routine, it’s imperative that COPD patients stay as active as possible.

First and foremost, portable oxygen concentrators are the lightest oxygen devices on the market. Pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators usually weigh under 6 pounds which is light enough to sling over your shoulder and carry with you wherever you go without suffering back pain or fatigue. The Inogen One G5, for example, weighs in at just 4.7 pounds and it still has a higher oxygen output than most POCs on the market. 

On the other hand, people who use an oxygen tank or home oxygen concentrator find that there’s a lot to be desired. When it comes to compressed oxygen, the size of the unit directly correlates to the amount of oxygen you’ll have access to. This is because oxygen can only be compressed to a certain pound-force per square inch (psi) before it becomes too dangerous to use. Home oxygen concentrators will provide you with an infinite supply of oxygen, but they need to be plugged into an electrical outlet at all times, meaning they’re not ideal for someone who wants to navigate their home more easily.  

2.) They’re Safer Than Their Alternatives

Safety should be a top priority when handling oxygen. Although oxygen is an essential gas that we depend on every day for our survival, it also has a lot of risks associated with it when it’s not handled properly. Contrary to popular belief, oxygen is not a flammable gas, but it is what’s called an oxidizer. This means that anything that oxygen is exposed to, it becomes more flammable. In other words, a fire that’s exposed to high levels of oxygen will burn more easily than a fire that is not exposed to high levels of oxygen.

The problem with compressed oxygen, liquid oxygen, and home oxygen concentrators is that they all use continuous flow oxygen delivery. If you happen to drop your nasal cannula and leave it there, you could be putting yourself and loved ones in danger. However, the pulse dose technology that’s used in many portable oxygen concentrators cuts off the oxygen supply if no breath is detected. While this is implemented in order to save battery life, it also acts as a safety mechanism.

With everything that’s going on in the world right now, it’s imperative that you feel safe within your own home. You likely already spend a lot of time disinfecting your home and following all other coronavirus prevention protocol, so having a safe oxygen concentrator will give you one less thing to worry about during these uncertain times. 

3.) They’re More Affordable Than Their Alternatives

Unfortunately, many people will invest in a home oxygen concentrator or oxygen tank with the assumption that it’s the cheapest option available to them. But when you take into consideration both upfront and long-term costs, you’ll find that portable oxygen concentrators can be as cost-effective if not more so than their counterparts.

Oxygen tanks are appealing to many oxygen users because of their low upfront cost. You can purchase an oxygen tank for several hundred dollars, but this doesn’t take into account the costs that will be incurred over the next several months and years. If you want to refill your own oxygen tanks, you’ll need to buy what’s called a “home fill station.” These will run you several thousand dollars, not to mention they take up a lot of space. Alternatively, if you choose to have a professional refill your oxygen tanks, you’ll likely incur hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in service costs.

When you purchase a portable oxygen concentrator, you’ll eliminate the majority of these long-term costs. These machines are designed to be energy efficient and they’re made of durable components that will last for years to come without needing to be replaced. In fact, most POCs on the market are designed to last 5 years or more. In the event that you receive a defective unit, you’ll be happy to know that most POCs come with a 3-year warranty which can often be extended to 5-year or even a lifetime warranty.

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4.) They Offer More Choices for Patients

Life is all about choices, and the more choices we have, the more freedom we have. Unfortunately, home oxygen concentrators and oxygen tanks don’t offer much in the way of options. While you will be able to choose between different brands, there isn’t a large degree of difference between the actual units themselves aside from quality and size.

Portable oxygen concentrators, on the other hand, offer plenty of options you can choose from, allowing you to pick something that matches your lifestyle. For example, you could purchase a POC like the Caire FreeStyle Comfort which provides you with an outstanding 1,050 ml/min of oxygen or if you want your POC to be as light as possible, you can buy the AirSep Focus which weighs in at only 1.75 pounds! 

Another freedom you’ll enjoy with portable oxygen concentrators is the wide range of accessories that’s available for them. Most POCs are released with accessories such as carrying bags, backpacks, rolling carts, battery packs, and external battery charges, all of which enable you to customize and improve your oxygen experience.

5.) Many POCs Offer Telehealth Services

Telehealth is a fairly new concept, but it’s one that’s shaping the future of healthcare. In fact, in the wake of the novel coronavirus, the need for telehealth services has seen a sharp increase due to the fact that more people are staying home, and people with chronic conditions like COPD want to have access to health services without leaving the home. According to a survey by Black Book Market Research, 59 percent of respondents said they would be more likely to use telehealth services given the current circumstances; 33 percent even said they would leave their current physician for one who supports it.

It may surprise you to know that portable oxygen concentrators are paving the way for telehealth technology in many ways. The Caire FreeStyle Comfort, for example, comes equipped with a program called CAIREview™. Essentially, what this does is provides a cost-effective oxygen usage tracking solution for anyone who owns this travel oxygen concentrator. When you want to learn about your oxygen usage, simply download the app on a mobile phone, tablet, or computer. You can even have information sent directly to your pulmonologist.

Another example of telehealth services is the Inogen Connect app for the Inogen One G4 and Inogen One G5 portable oxygen concentrators. This application is similar to the CAIREview™ but it provides some additional functionality. For example, you’ll receive system updates for your G4 and G5 that can fix glitches in the system. You can also receive special discounts and coupons directly from Inogen. The best part of all is that it’s 100 percent free to download and use.

Last but certainly not least, we offer a free Thrive ePulmonary Advanced workshop FREE with the purchase of any portable oxygen concentrator. This is one of the most reputable and trusted online learning programs and you can experience its full benefits without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. The program includes the following:

• Step-by-step breathing exercises
• Online e-books and respiratory guides
• Access to private support groups
• Access to medical professionals including pulmonologists and respiratory therapists
• Learn skills to help slow the progression of your disease
  
  
  
  

There’s no understating the importance of telehealth services during uncertain times like these. By investing in a portable oxygen concentrator rather than another type of oxygen therapy, you’ll be more connected than ever before despite not being able to leave your home. As a COPD patient, you’ll be able to closely track your oxygen usage and have that information sent directly for your pulmonologist to interpret it.

6.) They’re Great for 24/7 Use

In certain situations, patients may be required to use supplemental oxygen while they sleep. This is more common in people with severe COPD or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where the airways are blocked off during sleep. When this happens, you will need a reliable source of medical oxygen that’s designed for 24/7 use. Most portable oxygen concentrators support nighttime use and POCs like the Inogen One G5 even have a special Sleep Mode Technology that will help deliver precise oxygen boluses while you sleep.

One thing to note about sleeping with oxygen is that pulse dose concentrators are NOT compatible with CPAP and BiPAP machines. The reason for this is because pulse dose concentrators need to be able to detect your breathing to a tee in order to deliver oxygen at the right time. Unfortunately, CPAP and BiPAP machines interfere with this process so you’ll need to use a continuous flow oxygen machine. Home oxygen concentrators and oxygen tanks will work well with your CPAP machine, but continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators will be the ideal choice.

7.) They’re the Best Long-Term Option 

Truthfully, the coronavirus lockdown isn’t something we’re going to have to deal with forever. In fact, many states are already talking about ways to reopen their economies and allow people to safely reintegrate into public areas. While it will likely be some time before COPD patients will want to get back out into the world, it’s in your best interest to be prepared for when it does happen.

One thing you’ll probably want to do once the time comes is to start traveling again and in which case, you’re going to want to have a portable oxygen concentrator rather than a bulky oxygen tank. POCs are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for in-flight use both inside and outside of the United States. They’re also approved by most cruise lines along with other types of transportation.

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Conclusion

The last couple of months have been very challenging for many people, especially those with chronic conditions that put them at a higher risk of experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms. Many COPD patients, in particular, are concerned about how they will continue to receive the medical help they need despite not being able to visit their doctor. Fortunately, things like telehealth services are available that can make this a little easier. 

When it comes to choosing a medical oxygen device, there are plenty of great options, but we strongly believe portable oxygen concentrators offer the greatest short- and long-term benefits without breaking the bank. If you’d like to learn more about the POCs we have to offer, please fill out the contact form at the side of the page and one of our respiratory specialists will reach out to you as soon as possible.