You might be surprised to learn that the food you eat influences more than your digestive system, and your diet actually has a big impact on other systems in your body. The food you eat can fuel your muscles, strengthen your bones, clear your mind, and even help you breathe better, if you are eating the right foods.

You need a variety of foods with different nutrients to get all of the needs your body requires, and no single food will supply you with everything— which is why a healthy diet is one with plenty of variety.

If you have a respiratory disease, breathing complications are obviously one of the main symptoms that that you have to struggle with daily. Options to combat breathlessness are medications like bronchodilators in the form of inhalers, and utilizing oxygen therapy in the form of a portable oxygen concentrator. However, simple daily tasks should also be noted as some of the most important ways to treat and manage your respiratory disease, and this includes changing your diet.

If you have a respiratory disease, you can eat a specific diet that will actually help you to breathe easier, and will contribute to relieving your respiratory systems and help to ease the experience with pains or implications your disease may be posing on you.

You and your healthcare team should devise a meal plan, just for you, based on your symptoms and personal nutrient deficiencies. You can also start to meet with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) that will help you figure out the best foods for you. You can find a RDN who specializes in diets for respiratory illnesses by asking your doctor to recommend you to one or visiting the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics online and doing your own research.

So while your diet plan will be specific to you and your needs, changing your diet and eating healthy can be very challenging especially if you don’t normally pay much attention to your diet. Therefore, you can take some advice in this article that will help you develop healthier eating habits.

Maintaining a healthy weight

You should start to weigh yourself regularly, and monitor whether you are gaining or losing weight after setting up your diet plan. If you continue to lose or gain weight while following your recommended diet, talk to your doctor and RDN and make sure this is normal, and if you should be maintaining a steady weight, become informed on how to make changes in your diet. There are several health complications that can result from being underweight or overweight.

Maintaining a healthy weight is so important because if you are well-nourished you will be able to handle infections should you be exposed to a virus or bacteria. When people with a respiratory disease get an infection, it can become serious quickly and result in hospitalization either due to exacerbated symptoms or other complications. Should you catch a common cold or flu and illness does occur, having a well-nourished diet can help you fight off the infection, respond better to treatment, and have less severe symptoms.

Food and your respiratory system

Your metabolism will change the food in your body into energy that your muscles use. Your lungs are a muscle too that need fuel to operate correctly, and if you have a respiratory disease, like COPD for instance, your lungs are already compromised in doing their job. Therefore, the proper mix of nutrients in your diet can help you breathe easier.

Carbohydrates

If you have a respiratory disease, eating a diet with fewer carbohydrates and more fat will help you breathe easier.

Specifically choosing complex carbohydrates, such as whole-grain bread and pasta, fresh fruits and vegetables and limiting simple carbohydrates, like table sugar, candy, cake and regular soft drinks.

Fiber

Eating 20 to 30 grams of fiber each day, from items such as bread, pasta, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables.

Protein

Eat a good source of protein at least twice a day to help maintain strong respiratory muscles. Good choices include eggs, cheese, meat, fish, poultry, nuts and dried beans or peas.

Mono-saturated fats

Choose mono- and poly-unsaturated fats, which do not contain cholesterol. These are fats that come from plant sources, such as canola, safflower and corn oils.

Foods to avoid

2. Acidic foods and drinks. Eating acidic food and drinks like coffee creates heartburn and people with lung disease may find that acid reflux increases their lung disease symptoms. limit acidic foods and drinks like citrus, fruit juice, tomato sauce, coffee and spicy foods in order to reduce acid reflux symptoms, and therefore, lung disease symptoms.

3. Carbonated beverages. Unsurprisingly, carbonated beverages are filled with sugar, empty calories and lots of carbonation. Therefore, they contribute to weight gain and increased bloating. The increased gas and bloating are two factors you want to avoid if you have a lung disease. Bloating and weight gain can put more pressure on your already weakened lungs. Avoid carbonated beverages such as sodas, beer, sparkling wine or sparkling cider also contribute to dehydration. So, when you’re thirsty, hydrate with water.

4. Cold cuts. A study from European Respiratory Journal suggests that added nitrates from food like cold cuts increase the risk for COPD related hospital readmissions. Limit your cured meats such as bacon, cold cuts, ham and hotdogs because all of which contain additives called nitrates.

5. Cruciferous vegetables. Vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, radishes and cauliflower, are filled with nutrients and fiber, but if they give you extra gas, try limiting them, and substituting other veggies into your diet when you can. Gas and bloating are uncomfortable for people with respiratory disease because these symptoms can make breathing difficult.

6. Dairy products. While milk is filled with calcium, for people with lung disease, dairy products can worsen symptoms because it contains casomorphin which has been known to increase mucus in your intestines. People with lung disease often experience an increased production of mucus in their airways already, and clearing the mucus is an important aspect of managing the disease.

7. Excessive Salt A salt-heavy diet can be a problem for people with lung disease. Salt retains water, and having too much water in your system can cause breathing problems. Try using herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of your food rather than salt.

8. Fried Foods. Fried foods can cause bloating and discomfort which pushes on your diaphragm, making it difficult and uncomfortable to breathe. Eating a lot of fried food will lead to weight gain, which will add increased pressure on your lungs.

Some of these foods listed in this section are guilty pleasures, and every once a while it can be ok, even if you have a lung disease. However, if any of these foods are a part of your daily diet, it might be time to make a serious change and cut these foods out of your diet.

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This is not easy, foods that are high in sugar and fat can be addicting, and no one ever said sticking to a well balanced diet was easy.

Here are some tips for changing your diet

While we have explained some basic nutrition guidelines for people with respiratory disease, we also know how challenging it can be to avoid certain foods as well as consistently adding certain foods into your daily meals.

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We created a list of tips and some useful suggestions that will make changing your diet, and maintaining a health weight more attainable.

1. Rest just before eating if eating makes you short of breath or tired
2. Instead of eating three large meals a day, it may be helpful to aim to eat four to six smaller meals. This should reduce stomach fullness and associated pressure on the lungs.
3. Eat your main meal earlier: You may find that you have more energy throughout the day if you eat your main meal earlier in the day.
4. Avoid foods that cause gas or bloating, this makes breathing more difficult, these include onions, cauliflower, broccoli, melons, peas, corn, cucumbers, cabbage, brussels sprouts, turnips, raw apples, and beans (except green beans). Fried and greasy foods can also cause gas or bloating.
5. Eat more small meals a day around 4-6 compared to 3 big meals. This allows your diaphragm to move frequently and freely and helps your lungs fill with air and empty out more easily without a completing full stomach
6. If drinking liquids with meals makes you feel too full to eat, limit liquids with meals and instead drink liquids after meals
7. Ask you doctor or nutritionist about adding a nutritional supplement at night time to avoid feeling full during the day
8. Ask your doctor or nutritionist about drinking a high-protein, high-energy drink that can help boost nutrition if you are unable to tolerate high volumes of food
9. Choose foods that are easy to prepare, try using a crock pot that cooks your food for you over a period of time
10. Eat in a relaxed enviorment
11. Eat socially with friends and family
12. Take your breathing medications and/or clear your airways about 1 hour before eating
13. Sit up straight while you are eating to relieve pressure on your lungs
14. If you use supplemental oxygen, use it while you are eating. Eating and digestion require energy, which causes your body to use more oxygen
15. Eat and chew slowly so you are less likely to become short of breath. Try putting your spoon or fork down between bites to slow your eating speed and don’t get out of breath

Setting goals and tracking your diet

Setting goals is a great way to get started on a new eating plan. One way you can do this is by tracking your progress, and developing goals based on what you have accomplished already. You can also develop goals based on what your and your nutritionist and/or doctor decide would be the best for you.

You can set a variety of goals pertaining to your diet and weight and it's a great way to stay in check with what matters to you and getting healthier so you are better capable of managing your COPD.

Some goals you might try to set are:

• Gaining or losing 5 pounds depending on your current weight
• Adding more protein into your meals, and limiting your simple carbohydrates intake to once per week
• Cooking more healthy foods rather than ordering take out
• Buy a cookbook filled with healthy meals and trying a new recipe once per week

Once you have developed a few goals, the next step is to make an action plan, you can do this by asking yourself, “What steps do I need to accomplish to reach my goal?’” Then you can determine which step you will take first, and when.

Here is an example of how to set and make a plan for accomplishing goals:

Tracking your health is a great way to monitor what you're eating and how the foods you eat influences your mood, symptoms, and energy. You can make a list of the meals you ate and next to each meal take a few notes about how you felt afterwards.

You can keep track of what food makes you feel bloated so you know to avoid that in the future, and keep track of the foods you enjoy that give you energy throughout the day.

We call this a respiratory health diary, and this tactic is very helpful for people with respiratory diseases, but anybody can benefit from tracking their health.

A health diary can help you with just about any aspect of how to manage your disease, including monitoring symptoms, keeping your prescriptions in line, and making healthy changes like reaching a healthy weight.

If you have a respiratory illness, your ability to set goals and reach them can have a huge impact on your quality of life and the course of your disease. Having a dedicated health tracking system to help you manage your well-being with aspects like diet, exercise, and disease management has a huge impact on your health and well-being and your quality of life over-all.

Overview

Having a respiratory illness is not easy, nor is changing your diet. But the truth is, even if you have the best portable oxygen concentrator in the world, the Caire Freestyle Comfort is not going to do all of the work you need to do in order to get your respiratory disease under control.

While having the right oxygen equipment is important and taking your medication is imperative, eating right is also essential in creating a high quality of life.

Eating right contributes to your mood and mental state, it gives you energy to exercise, and helps you to feel less bloated thereby making it easier for you to breathe. That being said, actually sticking to a diet that is right for you is easier said than done, but we hope one of the strategy and tactics we listed in this article can contribute to helping you get on a diet plan and stick to it!

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is oxygen therapy?

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

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

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

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

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

Do's and Don'ts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do not smoke

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

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

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

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

Do ask a lot of questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don’t be careless with storing and transporting your oxygen

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

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

If you are worried about breaking your portable oxygen device, you might want to consider a device like the SeQual Eclipse 5 which is one of the most, if not the most, popular continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market. That is largely due to its long-standing track record for being durable and reliable as it was intentionally created for the US Military. The hard-bodied shell of the Eclipse 5 is extremely protective. It will keep your concentrator protected from everyday wear and tear, accidental bumps and bruises, and if you have pets or grandkids in the house it will be able to withstand their crazy antics.

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

Don’t run low on oxygen

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

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

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

Do’s and don’ts for using liquid oxygen

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

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

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

Do’s and don’ts for using oxygen concentrators

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

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

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

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

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

Overview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Importance of Respiratory Health

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

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

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

How The Lungs Work

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

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

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

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

The Different Types of Respiratory Disease

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

Diseases Affecting the Airways

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

Asthma

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

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

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

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

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

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

Acute Bronchitis

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

Cystic Fibrosis

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

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

Diseases Affecting the Air Sacs (Alveoli)

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

Pulmonary Edema

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

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

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

Pneumonia

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

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

Tuberculosis

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

Lung Cancer

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

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

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

Diseases Affecting the Interstitium

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

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

Diseases Affecting Blood Vessels

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

Pulmonary Hypertension

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

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

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

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

Diseases Affecting the Pleura

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

Pleural Effusion

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

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

Pneumothorax

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

Mesothelioma

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

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

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Diseases Affecting the Chest Wall

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

Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

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

Neuromuscular Disorders

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

Diagnostic Tests for Lung Conditions

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

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

Spirometry

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

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

Chest X-Rays

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

Blood Gas Tests 

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

Chest CT Scan

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

Bronchoscopy With Biopsy

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

Electrocardiography (EKG)

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

How To Maintain Healthy Lungs

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

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

Avoid Airborne Pollutants

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

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

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

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

In this post we are going to cover:

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

Health Insurance 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cost of a Portable Oxygen Concentrator vs. Oxygen Tanks 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Benefits of Owning a POC 

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

Weighing your Options... Literally 

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

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

Travel with your Respironics SimplyGo 

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

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

Powered by a Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery 

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

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

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

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

Designed for 24/7 Use 

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

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

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

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

Independence 

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

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

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

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

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

Overview 

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

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

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, or any other debilitating lung condition, you likely depend on a strict treatment regime that encompasses all facets of your life. Typical treatment plans usually involve an improved diet high in protein and fiber, an exercise routine that improves lung strength and endurance, and most importantly oxygen therapy which helps stabilize your lung condition and ensure blood oxygen levels are normal.

One concern many people have with these lifestyle changes is that they make you increasingly dependent on medical devices like your oxygen concentrator, nebulizer, or inhaler. If these devices stop working suddenly, you may be stuck in a situation where you’re unable to get the medication you need. This issue only gets worse as your disease progresses because your doctor may require you to use oxygen for longer periods of time each day.

Fortunately, we live in a time of innovation and the medical devices we have access to today are far more reliable than in the past. Portable oxygen concentrators, for example, are battery-operated oxygen machines that are praised for their reliability and long lifespan. Rather than going out of your house each day worrying that you may lose access to your oxygen supply, portable oxygen concentrators allow you to focus on things that are important to you in your day-to-day life.

If security is important to you, stick around because we’re going to take a look at the most reliable portable oxygen concentrators in 2021. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or you’ve owned a POC in the past, you’re sure to find something on this list that suits your lifestyle. If you have any questions, be sure to leave them in the comment section below or reach out to us to speak with a respiratory specialist.

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Why Choose a Portable Oxygen Concentrator?

You may be thinking to yourself, “what’s so special about portable oxygen concentrators?” After all, there are plenty of other options available like oxygen tanks, liquid oxygen tanks, and stationary oxygen concentrators. And while these oxygen devices have served their purpose for many decades, they simply can’t compete with the state-of-the-art design of modern portable oxygen machines.

The truth is that oxygen tanks and stationary concentrators have overstayed their welcome in many ways. Oxygen manufacturers have shifted their focus to battery-powered portable oxygen delivery systems because they provide their customers with more freedom and convenience in their daily lives. Rather than being confined to your home with a heavy and bulky oxygen tank, POCs allow you the freedom to live life on your own terms.

At this point in time, portable oxygen concentrators are the only oxygen delivery devices that are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for in-flight use due to safety concerns. What this means is that if you choose to use an oxygen tank or liquid oxygen tank, you’re largely forfeiting your ability to travel long-distance. On top of this, other modes of transportation like driving, walking, or taking the bus will be much more difficult and stressful. 

The Caire FreeStyle Comfort

If reliability is important to you, there is no better portable oxygen concentrator out there than the Caire FreeStyle Comfort. In fact, this is one of the only concentrators currently in use by military personnel meaning it’s a trusted product even under the most strenuous of circumstances. The Caire FreeStyle Comfort also sees use in a variety of other industries including space exploration laboratories, hospitals, and in-home use. 

While Caire Inc. may not be a household name in the oxygen industry, you may recognize their products under the name AirSep, Helios, and SeQual. The Companion 5, for example, is one of their top stationary oxygen concentrator designs offering economic in-home oxygen delivery and easy-to-use controls. They’ve also produced continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators like the SeQual Eclipse 5 which offers up to 3 liters per minute (LPM) of oxygen and 9 pulse flow settings.   

One of the most unique things about the Caire FreeStyle Comfort is its mobile application, CAIREView Telehealth Technology. This app can be downloaded on any phone, tablet, or computer and connect to your Caire FreeStyle Comfort via Bluetooth. It has two primary benefits. First and foremost, it enables you to track all your oxygen usage through a simple-to-use dashboard. It will provide you with information such as hours of use, flow settings used, and alerts.

Secondly, this application allows for periodic monitoring to ensure that patients comply with their oxygen treatment plan. Clinicians will be able to view up-to-date data about your oxygen usage and assist remotely by monitoring your device settings. This feature significantly increases the reliability of your device, because in the rare chance that it stops working or you stop receiving the oxygen you need, your doctor will know about it immediately and he/she will notify you. 

Caire FreeStyle Comfort Specs 

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The Inogen One G5

Inogen is one of the top pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator manufacturers in the industry. While Inogen has only been around since 2001, they made a name for themselves very quickly. While they started off with stationary oxygen concentrators, they made their way into portable oxygen concentrators with the Inogen One G1. There are currently five generations of Inogen POCs, and their latest, the Inogen One G5, is one of the most advanced on the market.

On most fronts, the G5 is pretty neck-in-neck with the Caire FreeStyle Comfort. They both offer 6 pulse flow settings, they’re both around 5 pounds, and they’re about the same size. However, the Inogen One G5 has a great reputation for having an extremely low failure rate and a long lifespan between 5 and 7 years.

Similar to the Caire FreeStyle Comfort, the G5 is accompanied by a mobile application called Inogen Connect. This app was introduced with the Inogen One G4 and allows you to manage your flow rate and device settings remotely. This is great if you carry your POC on your back and don’t want to take it out all the time to adjust your oxygen settings. 

Inogen One G5 Specs

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The Inogen One G3

Although the Inogen One G3 released all the way back in 2012, that hasn’t set it back when it comes to being a dependable portable oxygen concentrator. While the G3 certainly has a little less oxygen output than the Inogen One G5 or the Caire FreeStyle Comfort, it makes up for it with an array of useful accessories that help you customize your oxygen therapy.

One of the most unique accessories for the Inogen One G3 is the GO2 Carryall. This product is designed to look like any ordinary purse or handbag but it holds your G3 snuggly and securely inside. It also comes with both a hand strap and a shoulder strap so you can choose exactly how you want to carry your portable oxygen concentrator.

One thing you’ll notice right away about the GO2 Carryalls is that they’re way more fashionable than any other POC carrying case you’ve seen in the past. They come in either black or brown to match your wardrobe and they’re made of genuine leather so that no one would ever suspect there’s a portable oxygen machine inside. There’s also plenty of room for personal belongings like your car keys, a wallet, or your G3 user manual.

While fashion is important for many people, the most important thing about the GO2 Carryalls is that they protect your Inogen One G3. When your G3 is inside one of these bags, you can rest assured that it will be protected from things like scratches, dents, and even minor water damage. Although the GO2 Carryalls are water-resistant, they are not fully waterproof, so you’ll want to find some cover if you’re getting rained on.

All-in-all, the GO2 Carryalls make the G3 one of the most reliable oxygen concentrators on the market. These bags have a mesh material on the side where the intake vents are located so that your device never overheats or stops working. It also enables you to carry your Inogen One G3 conveniently at your side so that you can keep track of it. However, if the GO2 Carryalls don’t appeal to you, you’ll be happy to know that there are three other carrying options: the G3 custom carrying case, the G3 backpack, and the G3 rolling backpack.   

Inogen One G3 Specs

The Respironics SimplyGo

All of the aforementioned machines have been pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators. What this means is that they closely monitor your breathing rate and deliver oxygen only at the peak of your inhalation. The Respironics SimplyGo differs from these in the fact that it also has a continuous flow setting. In other words, it can deliver oxygen indiscriminate from your breathing rate. The Respironics SimplyGo can deliver up to 2 LPM of continuous flow oxygen.

One of the most important things to note about the Respironics SimplyGo is that it is the lightest continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator on the market. Whereas most continuous flow units need to be wheeled around on a carrying cart, the SimplyGo is light enough to carry on your shoulder or your back. This may not seem like a big deal, but for someone who’s been prescribed continuous oxygen, it can be a life-changer.

If you’ve been an oxygen patient for some time, you know that having to wheel around your oxygen concentrator can be a huge pain. Not only do you have to make sure that it’s not bumping into anyone but there’s always a chance of your oxygen tubing getting caught on something and damaging your unit. Walking in a busy area is difficult and it can distract you from what you’re trying to do.

Using the convenient carrying case, you can ensure that you always have a reliable source of oxygen wherever you go. The Respironics SImplyGo was designed for people with the highest oxygen demands so it can run 24/7 without running into any problems. Since it’s a continuous flow POC, it’s perfectly compatible with CPAP, BiPAP, or APAP machines. In other words, it’s one of the most reliable portable oxygen concentrators for people who have both COPD and sleep apnea.

Respironics SimplyGo Specs

Tips for Extending the Life of Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Conclusion

Dependability is one of the most important attributes of portable oxygen concentrators. If you’re looking for a POC, it means you want to be able to get out of the house and enjoy your freedom, so your device needs to be able to match your lifestyle. While there are plenty of great oxygen concentrators out there, the ones above will offer you the reliability you need to live life on your own terms.

If you’re still struggling to find the right portable oxygen concentrator for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to our respiratory specialists here at LPT Medical. We’ll walk you through all your options ensuring that both your oxygen needs are met and you have a unit that will give you the freedom you need to go about your daily life.

If you’re a respiratory patient with a condition such as COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or cystic fibrosis, you’ve likely accepted change as a normal part of your life. Being able to implement treatments into your life such as pulmonary rehabilitation, supplemental oxygen therapy, and an improved diet routine is never easy, but it is essential if you want to feel better and improve your long-term prognosis.

But it’s important to remember that COPD treatment rarely remains stagnant. There will likely be a time — whether it’s several weeks, months, or years down the line — when you’ll need to make adjustments to your routine. This could be due to your doctor discovering more information about your condition or it could be caused by a serious event such as a COPD exacerbation.

Either way, you’re going to need to be adaptable in the way that you approach your condition. For example, if your doctor prescribes you 4 hours of supplemental oxygen a day, you might be tempted to get a cheap oxygen device that will simply “get the job done.” However, since COPD is a progressive disease, it’s safe to assume that you will eventually be prescribed more oxygen use by your doctor. When this happens, you’ll be stuck in a difficult situation where you need to sell your old oxygen device and get a new one that better suits your long-term needs.

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This is why we recommend small lightweight portable oxygen concentrators to the vast majority of people who need oxygen. Even if you don’t think you’ll be getting out of the house every day, portable oxygen allows you to have much more freedom within your own home. What’s more, our respiratory specialists will be able to get you the best deal possible on them. So give us a call or fill out the form at the side of the page to get your free oxygen concentrator guide.

In the meantime, we’re going to be taking a look at the smallest portable oxygen concentrators of 2021. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions.

Why is it Important to Have a Small Portable Oxygen Concentrator?

The term “portable oxygen” implies that the machine is lightweight, durable, easy to use, and most importantly — small. Just like how you judge the portability of your phone by how well it fits in your pocket, concentrators can be judged by how easily they can be carried on your shoulder. The smaller the concentrator, the easier it will be to carry it under your shoulder without interrupting your walking.

Another major benefit of small portable oxygen concentrators is that they’re much easier to store. If you ever need to put your concentrator in storage, you can rest assured you’ll find a place for it. Also, since you don’t have to transport small portable oxygen concentrators on the ground, you won’t have to worry about not being able to put it on a table where it could spread germs. This is especially important during this time when people are trying to avoid the novel coronavirus.

There are three different types of oxygen concentrators: home oxygen concentrators, continuous flow oxygen concentrators, and pulse dose oxygen concentrators. The latter two are the only ones that can be labeled “portable” because they can actually deliver oxygen while you’re moving. Home oxygen concentrators, however, need to be connected to a wall outlet in order to put out oxygen.

The AirSep Focus 

The AirSep Focus not only holds the title for the lightest portable oxygen concentrator but it holds the title for the smallest portable oxygen concentrator as well. Weighing in at only 1.75 pounds and with dimensions of 6.4” H x 2.5” D x 4.8” W, the AirSep Focus is truly a mini portable oxygen concentrator. In fact, this device is so small that you can even wear it on your belt!

However, there are some obvious downsides to investing in the AirSep Focus. First and foremost, it only has 2 pulse flow settings with a total oxygen output of 330 milliliters per minute (ml/min). Unfortunately, this is not enough for most oxygen patients, so that will completely rule out this option even if you do like the idea of having an ultra-lightweight portable oxygen concentrator.

Another downside to the AirSep Focus is battery life. Battery life is what enables you to get out for longer without having to run home and charge your device, and the AirSep Focus only offers 1.5 hours per charge with the standard battery and 3.5 hours per charge with the 8-cell battery. However, the purchase of an AirSep Focus comes with two micro-batteries, so you’ll get 3 hours of battery life right out of the box.

Since AirSep wanted to make the Focus as simple and small as possible, you won’t be able to adjust the flow rate or audible output settings. In fact, unlike most other portable oxygen concentrators, the Focus doesn’t even have an interface with controls on it. Simply turn the device on and you’ll start receiving oxygen. This makes for a very “bare-bones” experience that’s perfect for someone who isn’t looking for something too fancy.

AirSep Focus Specs 

The Inogen One G4

In a way, Inogen is like the Apple of oxygen concentrator manufacturers. While they haven’t produced medical equipment for as long as other companies like Caire Inc. or ResMed, their consistent drive to improve the freedom and independence of oxygen patients everywhere has put them at the forefront of the oxygen industry since the early 2000s.

The Inogen One G4 was released all the way back in May of 2016, but it’s still one of the most popular portable oxygen concentrators on the market. It weighs in at only 2.8 pounds and it has dimensions of 7.2” H x 5.91” L x 2.68” W, so it’s the smallest and lightest portable oxygen concentrator behind the AirSep Focus.

While the Inogen One G4 is not small enough to clip to your belt like the AirSep Focus, it is small enough to fit in a purse or handbag. However, we don’t recommend doing this because it could damage the machine and prevent it from processing oxygen correctly. Fortunately, the G4 comes with a convenient carrying case and adjustable strap so that you can sling it over your shoulder.

The only real limitation the G4 is that it doesn’t go beyond 630 ml/min of oxygen output or a pulse flow setting of 3. This is almost twice as much as the AirSep Focus, however, it still may not be enough for many oxygen patients. Before investing in the G4, make sure that your doctor approves of it first so that you don’t end up with an oxygen machine that doesn’t meet your needs.

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Inogen One G4 Specs

The Inogen One G5

As we said, Inogen does not take their work lightly, and this is no different when it comes to their latest portable oxygen device — the Inogen One G5. Releasing in the summer of 2019, the G5 immediately seized the title of “the most powerful pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator” with 1,050 ml/min of oxygen output. As of right now, the only other oxygen machine to match that is the Caire FreeStyle Comfort which was released earlier this year.

All things considered, the Inogen One G5 is one of the best portable oxygen concentrators for people with high oxygen demands. It offers an outstanding battery life allowing you to get out of the house and stay out for longer, it’s under 5 pounds, and it’s compact and durable. Since it’s so new, you can expect it to be fully supported by Inogen and oxygen retailers for many years to come.

There are a number of accessories sold separately from the G5 that can help you make the most of it. For example, the 16-cell battery will effectively double your battery life, allowing you to stay out and about for up to 13 hours on a flow setting of 1! The G5 external battery charger is also a great option for people who are on the go and want to be able to charge batteries more quickly. Normally, batteries need to be connected to the unit in order to charge, but this device will enable you to charge one separately.

Inogen One G5 Specs

The Respironics SimplyGo

It’s not very often that we would mention a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator on a list of “the smallest portable oxygen concentrators,” however, the Respironics SimplyGo is the one exception. Continuous flow machines tend to be much heavier and larger than pulse dose units because they have to put out a much larger volume of oxygen than their counterparts.

Unfortunately, not all patients are able to use a pulse dose machine, either because it doesn’t provide them with enough oxygen, or their doctor specifically advises them to use continuous flow. The Respironics SimplyGo is 10” H x 6” D x 11.5” W and weighs in at only 10 pounds making it both the lightest and smallest continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator on the market. While the SimplyGo can be carried using a shoulder strap, if you have chronic back pain or some other disability, it’s recommended that you use the rolling cart. Fortunately, this accessory comes with the device, so you won’t need to make any additional purchases in order to experience the freedom that you deserve!

If that was not enough, you’ll be happy to know that the Respironics SimplyGo also comes with a pulse flow option. There are 5 different settings with a maximum oxygen output of 2,000 ml/min and the standard continuous flow option will afford you between 0.5 and 2.0 liters per minute (LPM) of oxygen. Keep in mind that your battery will last longer on one charge when you’re using the pulse dose setting as opposed to the continuous flow setting.

Respironics SimplyGo Specs

Three Steps to Choosing a Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Still don’t know which oxygen concentrator is right for you? While there are many great devices to choose from, it’s important to find one that suits your wants and needs. Follow the steps below to get started.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for portable oxygen concentrators for sale, don’t hesitate to reach out to our respiratory specialists here at LPT Medical. There are many factors to consider when buying a new portable oxygen unit, but we’ll simplify it by walking you through each step of the process. All you need to know is what amount of oxygen you need. If you don’t have a prescription or proof of oxygen use, simply provide us with a doctor’s number and we’ll handle that all for you! 

If you’re ready to get started, give us a call at 1-888-416-3855.