Many people with COPD or other respiratory diseases, are shocked when their doctors inform them that they need to start using supplemental oxygen, and this shock doesn’t go away every time they recommend you rely on supplemental oxygen more and more, until eventually you are using your oxygen device, 24/7.

The shocking part about this, is that, you may feel as if you are building a dependence on the oxygen. However this is not the case.

It is your supplemental oxygen therapy that is giving your blood, bones, and muscles the oxygen it needs to function properly. Without it, your body and organs would be craving oxygen it needs to survive.

Therefore, the tricky part about oxygen therapy is adjusting to it so that you can reap all of the benefits this respiratory therapy has to offer you!

Once you are willing to admit that your supplemental oxygen is saving your life and your livelihood, you can begin to enjoy all of the activities you once did, only now you are either rolling an oxygen tank behind you, or carrying a portable oxygen concentrator while you do so.

How To Get A Full Night's Sleep While Using Oxygen

Once of the best “activities” you likely enjoyed before you had COPD, was sleeping! And you might have noticed, depending on how severe your COPD is, that your complication breathing is affecting how well you sleep. Sleep problems originate in you from a variety of issues, one of which can be reduced oxygen saturation.

Low oxygen can contribute to sleep problems

Many people with COPD and pulmonary fibrosis have problems sleeping, which increases fatigue throughout the day and affects your quality of life.

If you have COPD you are particularly vulnerable to wake during the rapid eye movement, or REM, part of your sleep cycle. REM sleep is the most rejuvenating part of your sleep cycle, but it poses a problem for COPD patients because during REM sleep, your diaphragm controls your breathing, while the smaller accessory muscles are temporarily not functional.

This means that your blood oxygen levels may fall causing you to wake up, disrupting your very important REM sleep.

If this seems to be the case for you, you should ask your doctor about the possibility of using oxygen at night. This may help you to sleep better and improve how you feel in the morning.

If you already use oxygen while you sleep, you might have noticed that you breathe through your mouth, rather than your nose and through your cannulas. This means you still are not getting enough oxygen while you sleep.

Your doctor may diagnosis you with a sleeping disorder if you sleeping complications can be attributed to certain symptoms you experience. If so, your doctor will have you start using a standalone device that will help you get enough oxygen into your blood while you sleep.

CPAP and BiPAP machines for sleep apnea

A CPAP machine is a device that compresses ambient air to create pressure for therapeutic purposes normally for sleeping. It is usually used at home to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but it can also be used in emergency settings in a hospital by a respiratory therapist.

If you have OSA, the main problem is that your throat collapses while you are sleeping, causing you to snore. Even if snoring does not bother you, the repeated collapsing of your throat actually obstructs airflow into your lungs, which can eventually lead to dangerously low oxygen levels in the blood.

Therefore, using a CPAP machine helps keep you throat open allowing oxygen to flow freely even while you are sleeping. If you still have trouble maintaining a healthy oxygen level while you are sleeping, oxygen concentrators can be used with a CPAP device for these certain situations.

So, if you have a lung disease like pulmonary edema or COPD on top of OSA, it might be necessary to add in oxygen to the tubing of your CPAP machine. This will achieve both functions at the same time: increasing the amount of oxygen you receive with each inhalation and also generating enough pressure to keep your throat open.

The other sleeping device you might need to use if you have COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, pneumonia, or asthma is a BiPAP machine.

A BIPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) machine delivers air flow to your airway at a prescribed pressure similarly to a CPAP machine. However, the difference is that there are two pressures, one for your inhalation and one for your exhalation.The inhalation pressure is set higher to keep your airways open, whereas the exhalation pressure is set lower to assist in an easier more complete exhalation.

It is important to have a oxygen concentrator that is compatible with a CPAP or BiPAP machine, so that if you ever need to use both devices while you sleep you have that option.

Here are the BEST portable oxygen concentrators designed with a great night’s sleep in mind

It's no surprise that the best way to get the best night’s sleep when you also have to use oxygen, is having the best breathing equipment available!

Here are 5 of the best portable oxygen concentrators on the market that will help you get to sleep and stay asleep.

1. Inogen one G5 portable oxygen concentrator
2. Respironics SimplyGo portable oxygen concentrator
3. Oxlife Freedom portable oxygen concentrator
4. SeQual Eclipse 5 portable oxygen concentrator
5. Inogen One G3 portable oxygen concentrator

Inogen one G5 portable oxygen concentrator

With the Inogen One G5 you will be able to enjoy oxygen delivery benefits at night while you sleep thanks to the presence of Inogen’s intelligent Sleep Mode Technology.

Essentially what this means is that as your breathing rate becomes more shallow as you sleep, the Sleep Mode Technology will go to work by increasing each bolus dose of oxygen.

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Even if you are a mouth breather, the Sleep Mode Technology is able to detect shallow mouth breaths that are frequent when sleeping. This will then tell the Inogen One G5 to trigger a bolus dose based upon your specific fixed minute volume.

Now, most of our customers are able to use this technology to sleep with the Inogen One G5, however, we highly recommend you first speak with your doctor before using this while sleeping.

Respironics SimplyGo portable oxygen concentrator

The Respironics SimplyGo portable oxygen concentrator is arguably the best oxygen device for 24/7 use, because it is equipped with both pulse flow and continuous flow settings. Having a portable oxygen concentrator that is designed to run 24/7 has major advantages when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep.

The Respironics SimplyGo is CPAP/BiPAP compatible and it is equipped with both pulse flow and continuous flow oxygen delivery modes to cover you 24/7. It offers pulse flow settings 1-6 and continuous flow settings 0.5-2.0 LPM.

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

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

Oxlife Freedom portable oxygen concentrator

The Oxlife Freedom portable oxygen concentrator was designed to be your 24 hour a day oxygen solution. During the day it’s long battery life and quick recharge time will allow you to spend a busy day running errands or have a fun day with family and friends, or a night out on the town.

When it’s time to sleep the quiet operation of the Oxlife Freedom won’t disturb your rest or your companion’s. The intelligent delivery system ensures that you stay properly saturated throughout the night. The machine senses as breathing gets shallower or slower and will adjust dosage for proper titration.

SeQual Eclipse 5 portable oxygen concentrator

The SeQual Eclipse 5 portable oxygen concentrator offers both continuous and pulse flow settings. It will go up to a setting of 9 on pulse and it will go from 0.5-3.0 LPM on continuous flow.

It can be used 24/7 365 days a year and it is CPAP/BiPAP compatible so you can use it while you sleep if you need to.

Inogen One G3 portable oxygen concentrator

The Inogen One G3 portable oxygen concentrator, weighs 4.8 pounds and offers up to 8 hours of battery life, the Inogen One G3 has been one of the most popular portable oxygen concentrators on the market for over two years!

We could talk about this unit’s small, lightweight, and durable design, however, it also gives patients 24 hours a day 7 days a week of reliable oxygen delivery.

Despite the fact that the Inogen One G3 is a pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator, the majority of oxygen patients can still use this machine for nighttime oxygen delivery! Just like the Inogen One G2, the G3, it is equipped with Intelligent Delivery Technology.

Inogen’s Intelligent Delivery Technology ensures that your oxygen is delivered within the first 400 milliseconds after your concentrator detects your breath. This almost guarantees that you’re receiving the entire bolus dose of oxygen delivered by your G3.

Along with delivering oxygen within the first 400 milliseconds, the Intelligent Delivery Technology responds to your breath rate! This feature is what allows you to use your Inogen One G3 while you sleep even though it doesn’t offer a continuous flow.

When you are sleeping your breathing rate decreases. As the Intelligent Delivery Technology monitors your breath rate, it will automatically increase or decrease the amount of oxygen per bolus dose depending on the oxygen setting and your breath rate.

For example, if you are breathing at a rate of 10 breaths per minute the Inogen One G3 will double the amount of oxygen per bolus dose than if you were breathing at 20 breaths per minute. This is to ensure you are getting your required oxygen.

One of the big reasons pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators aren’t recommended to use at night while you sleep is that they don’t detect mouth breaths. The Inogen One G3, on the other hand, will be able to detect shallow mouth breaths! So as long as you don’t need a CPAP or BiPAP machine at night, the Inogen One G3 should work for your nighttime oxygen delivery system.

5 habits to practice for better sleep

On top of having the best breathing equipment, it is also important to practice these lifestyle tips that will help you get to sleep faster and staying asleep throughout the night

1. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise in during the day

Exercising during the day will not only improve sleep quality but also sleep duration at night. Exercise is one of the best ways to treat your COPD or other respiratory problems because it straightens your lungs and they are able to function better during the day and night.

As few as ten minutes of aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling or taking a tai chi class, can dramatically improve your sleep quality.

The best way to see results fast, is to exercise on a regular basis.

2. Avoid carbonated beverages late at night.

Soda and caffeinated beverages before bed are obviously not going to help you get to sleep faster, but what you might have not known is that carbonated drinks in general are not good for sleep.

By drinking carbonated beverages, your body will produce gas that pushes on your diaphragm, making breathing more difficult.

For that reason, it’s a good idea to avoid carbonated beverages before bed. This includes sparkling water for hydration or a glass of ginger ale to help settle your stomach.

3. Establish a sleeping routine

Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day. This means weekends, too! If you need a nap in the middle of the day, you can also add this into your sleep schedule.

Try your best to be strict about this! When your body has a sleep cycle to rely on, you can more naturally achieve sleep, even if you are sleeping with an oxygen concentrator during the night.

4. Designate your sleeping spot

As part of establishing a sleeping routine, you can also add certain bedtime activities into your schedule so that you body can adjust to when it is time to fall asleep. For example, you can start reading before bed and once this is a regular thing, your body and mind will calm realizing it is time to sleep.

It’s important that you designate your bed – and bedroom – for sleep. Do not spend time working or being actively awake in your bed.

5. Practice techniques for clearing your airways before bed

Techniques for airway clearance are something you can practice throughout the day, especially after meals; however, this is especially useful for getting a good night’s sleep. Airways clearing techniques may help you more naturally maintain oxygen levels throughout the night, whether or not you are sleeping with an oxygen concentrator.

One technique is controlled coughing for COPD.

Sleeping and COPD 

There are a lot of daily struggles that come with having a disease like COPD and this disease is not going away. 

The best way for you to live with COPD, is to manage and treat it with care and attention. This process starts and ends with sleeping! The more sleep you get, the better you feel and the more energy you have to exercise, eat healthy, and reach out to loved ones. 

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One of the biggest mistakes you can make with COPD, is living with restless nights because of how easily you can solve this problem. If the issue is lack of oxygen, you should reach out to us at LPT Medical so that we can help you find the best oxygen concentrator at the best possible price that will fit your oxygen requirements and get you the sleep you need to operate productively during the day. 

You can start by calling us at 1-800-946-1201 and speaking with one of our respiratory specialists. 

If you already have an oxygen concentrator, and you still have trouble sleeping, try adjusting to a strict sleep scheduled and working out at least 10 minutes a day. 

A combination of the right sleeping equipment, oxygen therapy, and daily habits will help you get to sleep you need. You will notice after a few weeks with sufficient sleep, your mood, and overall wellbeing will improve!

Managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can feel like a balancing act a lot of the time. On one hand, you want to do everything you can to reduce the symptoms and prevent the progression of your disease. However, on the other hand, you don’t want to use any treatments that could cause serious side-effects. It’s not always easy to find a balance between these two things and create a routine that works for you.

This has never been more true than with home remedies. Simply put, a home remedy is an easy and accessible treatment option for an ailment that you can do at home. Home remedies are not prescribed by a doctor and they typically have more anecdotal evidence to prove their efficacy than hard scientific fact. What’s more, home remedies aren’t always focused on treating a specific disease like COPD. Instead, they could be focused on improving your health in general which, in turn, could help you treat your COPD.

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Rather than taking a risk with home remedies you may find on social media or elsewhere on the internet, we’re going to outline some COPD home remedies that are proven to be safe and effective. Just remember that home remedies should never be put before the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor including but not limited to supplemental oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and an improved diet. As always, if you have any questions about what you read here, don’t hesitate to leave a comment and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements are commonly misunderstood in today’s world. Many people are under the impression that dietary supplements can replace a healthy diet and others are convinced that dietary supplements do nothing at all. However, the truth is somewhere between these two points of view. Supplements can potentially enhance your diet, but there are also a few things you need to be aware of in order to use them safely.

Dietary supplements are not considered “medication” by any means. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies them as a “food product.” The good news is that this means they are widely available and you won’t need a prescription in order to buy them. But the bad news is that supplements are not regulated the same way as medication. It also means you’ll have to do your due diligence and research supplements, as well as the company selling them before you make any commitments.

Vitamin D Supplements

It’s a well-known fact that many people develop vitamin D deficiency after contracting COPD. According to the National Emphysema Foundation, over half of all COPD patients develop vitamin D deficiency because they consume fewer foods that are high in vitamin D and they are less likely to spend time outside in the sunlight which is a major source of vitamin D for many healthy people.

The main problem associated with vitamin D deficiency is osteoporosis, a condition where the bones become weak and brittle. Vitamin D plays an important role in the absorption of calcium which gives the bones their structure and strength. Vitamin D also plays an important role in the growth and function of muscles which is also very important for COPD patients.

Ginseng

Ginseng has a long history of use in Chinese medicine. It’s an herb that’s believed to improve pulmonary function as well as respiratory endurance. It’s known for both its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as well as being able to regulate blood sugar levels. While the benefits of ginseng look promising, it’s important to discuss with your doctor before using it because it’s known to interfere with certain COPD medications.

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)

This is an antioxidant supplement that’s shown potential when it comes to thinning mucus, reducing phlegm, and clearing the airways. Like ginseng, NAC is a widely available supplement that can be bought without a prescription. However, it is also known to interfere with certain medications, so it’s important to consult with your doctor before using it to treat your COPD.  

Smoking Cessation

The vast majority of people who have COPD have smoked in the past and about 38 percent of current COPD patients are also smokers. Many people believe that, since they’ve already contracted COPD, there is no reason to put in the effort to quit smoking. But this could not be farther from the truth. The main reason to quit smoking is to slow the progression of COPD, but there are a whole host of other reasons as well.

Smoking increases your risk of conditions like heart disease, heart attack, diabetes, and more. What’s more, current evidence suggests that smoking is associated with increased severity of disease and a higher likelihood of death in COVID-19 patients. Smokers are known for having impaired immune systems which could also put you at a higher risk of contracting respiratory infections.

While there are many prescription medications you can use to quit smoking such as Chantix or Zyban, there are also many natural methods for quitting smoking. One thing you should know about smoking and other types of addictions is that you need it in order to feel normal. If you’re deprived of it for too long, you will likely start to experience feelings of withdrawal. When this happens, you’ll experience intense cravings, along with headaches and a change of mood. This is when you’re most likely to fall back into your smoking habits.

In order to avoid these intense feelings, you may have to slowly wean yourself off cigarettes or use a common technique like nicotine replacement therapy. Unfortunately, many smokers feel like they’re up against impossible odds when it comes to smoking cessation. Maybe you’ve seen others around you fail at losing cigarettes or you just don’t feel like you have it in you. But the truth is, it takes many attempts to quit smoking. This study suggests that it could take anywhere between 8 and 14 attempts to drop a smoking habit for good. 

Cleaning Your Home

For most people, cleaning the house is a chore. But for someone with COPD, it can be a lifesaver. There are two reasons you should clean your home on a daily basis: first and foremost, it helps to eliminate airborne allergens and bacteria from your home, and secondly, cleaning is a therapeutic activity that helps you feel accomplished and whole. When your living environment becomes messy or dirty, you’re far more likely to experience issues like anxiety and depression.

Before you start cleaning, you need to make sure you’re using safe cleaning products that don’t contain dangerous chemicals that could exacerbate your respiratory problems. Unfortunately, the cleaning product industry is rife with hazardous chemicals that, if inhaled, can lead to coughing, wheezing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and even permanent lung damage. In COPD patients, inhaled chemicals can even cause severe exacerbations.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are some of the most common hazardous materials you should keep an eye out for. Some common personal and home care items that include VOCs are:

• Disinfectants and cleaners
• Pesticides
• Air fresheners
• Deodorant and cosmetics
• And fuel

Other hazardous things in cleaning products include bleach, ammonia, ethylene glycol, monobutyl acetate, sodium hypochlorite, and trisodium phosphate. If at all possible, you should entirely avoid using cleaning products with these chemicals in them. However, if you absolutely have to use them, you should ensure that the room is well-ventilated, you should always wear a mask, and avoid getting the cleaning product on your hands or near your eyes or mouth. Refer to the Cleveland Clinic for more information on cleaning safely if you have COPD. 

Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises may seem silly to someone who has never tried them. However, the more you look into them, the more you begin to realize the bad breathing habits people develop over the course of their life. As a society, we spend more time sitting and remaining sedentary than ever before. This has caused many people to develop a shallow, ineffective breathing method that can be dangerous for someone with COPD or other respiratory conditions.

Breathing exercises are very easy to practice in the comfort of your own home and they are the perfect thing to incorporate into your daily routine. Not only will breathing exercises help you correct bad breathing habits, but they will also teach you how to reduce and manage anxiety more effectively.

One of the worst habits for COPD patients to develop is chest breathing. This type of breathing is focused on using the chest muscles in order to expand the lungs which can be exhausting with inflamed and obstructed lungs. Chest breathing should be replaced with diaphragmatic deep breathing which is focused on using the diaphragm, the thin sheet of muscle above the stomach to expand the lungs.

Anxiety Management

Cleaning regularly and practicing breathing techniques are both great ways to reduce anxiety, but they aren’t the only ones. The tricky thing about anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders is that they can be triggered by just about anything. Some people may experience anxiety about their health whereas other people may experience anxiety for reasons that are purely biological.

The first step to preventing anxiety is to simply follow your treatment plan as closely as possible. Your treatment plan is designed with your long-term well-being in mind and that includes your mental health. Things like exercise and a healthy diet will help with full-body wellness and they’re always the first things you should commit to if you want to feel happier and more motivated. If you’ve tried all of this and you’re still experiencing anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the best alternative. 

Weight Management

COPD is commonly linked with weight loss. Due to the increased energy that it takes to breathe with COPD, a changing immune system, and other factors like a loss of appetite, many COPD patients find themselves losing an unhealthy amount of weight. Oftentimes, this weight can be muscle mass rather than fat which is the most dangerous part about it. Your body needs muscle strength in order to breathe and get around more efficiently, so it’s very important to keep a healthy weight with COPD. 

Weight management is something that can be done at home. Your doctor has likely set you up with a new diet plan that includes high protein, fiber, and healthy fats. You should follow this plan as closely as possible. What’s more, you should eat regularly throughout the day instead of eating one or two big meals each day. This will prevent you from feeling exhausted or bloated after eating and keep your energy levels stable throughout the day.

The second thing you should be aware of is your exercise routine. Pulmonary rehabilitation isn’t just designed to keep your lungs strong, it’s also important for helping you manage your weight by keeping fat off and muscle on. Like your diet, the most critical thing with pulmonary rehab is consistency so try to incorporate fitness into your daily routine.

Healthy Sleep Habits

Your sleep/wake cycle doesn’t just affect your alertness throughout the day, it also affects your energy levels and your ability to take on the challenges that COPD presents. For example, someone with a healthy sleep schedule will have a better mental attitude and a better willingness to make lifestyle changes that will positively impact their respiratory health. A poor sleep schedule can also contribute to anxiety which can further exacerbate COPD.

The key to a healthy sleep schedule is consistency. Adults should be getting between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night and your sleep schedule shouldn’t vary night-to-night. Try to get to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Doctors also recommend avoiding naps throughout the day, getting plenty of exercise, and avoiding using electronics before you go to bed.

If you’re concerned that you’re losing sleep at night due to low oxygen levels, you may want to speak with your doctor about using supplemental oxygen therapy while you sleep. You are likely already on some form of oxygen therapy, but using an oxygen concentrator while you sleep will ensure that your blood oxygen levels remain stable throughout the night. Portable oxygen concentrators like the Caire FreeStyle Comfort or the Inogen One G5 are great options because they’re small, quiet, and can be plugged into any wall outlet meaning they’ll never turn off on you in the middle of the night. 

If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and need to use a CPAP or BiPAP machine while you sleep, you will need to use a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator like the Respironics SimplyGo. This concentrator is designed to put out a constant stream of oxygen, so if your breathing is interrupted for any reason while you sleep, you can rest assured that you’ll still be receiving medical-grade oxygen.   

Conclusion

When it comes to treating COPD, you need a comprehensive approach that takes into consideration all facets of your life from your sleep schedule to your mental well-being. Home remedies are a great way to make you more conscious about how your lifestyle is affecting your health and what steps you can take to reverse these issues.

At the same time, however, you need to be careful about what home remedies you use. Some people will make unfounded claims about dietary supplements or other remedies which can actually make your symptoms worse. This is why you should always consult your doctor before using a new product or making drastic changes to your lifestyle.

Above all, you should be focusing on the treatment plan that you’ve created with your doctor. Doing so will help you alleviate breathlessness, chest pain, and coughing associated with COPD and you can expect to see a better prognosis for your disease.

Continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators offer the oxygen patient a constant flow of oxygen. Many oxygen patients require continuous flow only during certain activities like while they exercise or when they sleep, while others need their oxygen continuously flowing at all times of the day and night. 

Your oxygen prescription will be unique to you and you should do your best to adhere to the recommendation set up by your healthcare team. We also recommend working with an oxygen equipment company that is a licensed distributor of name brand products.

Oxygen patients should also be wary of the medical supply company your doctor office refers you to, because this is not always the company that wants to work with you to find the right device for you. Some people will order their oxygen device from sites like Amazon because they are cheaper, but what they do not realize is these machines are faulty and not only do they break easily, you will not get the medical grade oxygen you body needs. 

When you work with an experienced respiratory specialist, they will ask you a series of questions, these questions will help them determine whether or not a portable oxygen concentrator will cover all of your oxygen requirements within your supplemental oxygen prescription. Your specialist should also be curious about your lifestyle and your wants and concerns as an oxygen patient, in order to best match you with the oxygen device that is going to be suited to your lifestyle.  

When you work with LPT Medical, we require a doctor's prescription before anything else. This way we can be sure that your device will be compatible with your oxygen requirements.

This protocol also ethically binds us to the agreement that we will not sell medical grade oxygen to respiratory patients who do not qualify for it. Secondly, we want to know about you, what are your hobbies, do you like to travel, what are your respiratory goals? This way we can match you with a device that will help you reach your goals rather than hold you back. 

Once we have established your oxygen requirements, we will take you through the different specifications of our devices and the pros and cons of each portable oxygen concentrator, and from there, you will feel confident choosing a device.

In this blog, we will discuss your options as a continuous flow oxygen patient. If you gave LPT Medical a call today at 1(800) 946-1201, and you were a continuous flow oxygen patient we would go through these options for you: 

• Respironics SimplyGo 
• Oxlife Independence Portable Oxygen Concentrator
• SeQual Eclipse 5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator

In this article we do not discuss any of our portable oxygen concentrators costs because our prices are lower than the manufacturer's prices, therefore we are obligated not to advertise our low prices online. To learn about how we can help make your oxygen equipment more affordable, please call us today at 1(800)-946-1201 to learn about your options. 

Respironics SimplyGo 

Let us start with the smallest and lightest weight continuous and pulse flow oxygen device on the market! 

The Respironics SimplyGo is a pulse flow and continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator that only weighs 10 pounds. 10 pounds is about as heavy as a gallon of milk, and this is still considered heavy for many oxygen patients. That is why the Respironics Simply Go comes with a wheeled cart and an over the shoulder carrying case, so you have multiple options to carry the device depending on what you are doing. 

Activities you can Accomplish with the Respironics SimplyGo

If you are an active person, you can get a lot more done with the SimplyGo than you would lugging around a bulky liquid or gas oxygen tank. This is because the SimplyGo was designed to be portable, so it has a compact and simple design that makes wheeling it behind you a breeze.

You can go for long walks because the battery life of the Respironics SimplyGo can last for up to up to 2.9 hours with a single battery. With the SimplyGo you have the option to use the external battery module, allowing your device to operate while using two batteries, this gives you even longer to be out and about with your oxygen device while traveling, during road trips, and extended trips away from your home!

The wide range of flow settings on the SimplyGo gives you the freedom and independence to manage your condition confidently on your own. You will never have to wait around for an oxygen delivery service to bring you new oxygen tanks, instead you can dial in your pulse flow settings of 1-6 and your continuous flow settings 0.5-2.0 LPM to match your oxygen prescription. 

Exercise 

With these strong pulse flow settings and the ability to reach 2.0 LPM on continuous oxygen flow, you will be able to start exercising or continuing to exercise daily. Exercise for respiratory patients is crucial. Exercise helps to slow down the deterioration in your lungs if you have a chronic respiratory disease, and daily exercise can help to strengthen your muscles and your lungs thereby  improving your overall quality of life.  

Travel 

If you enjoy traveling, whether it is by air plane, car, RV, or even boat, your Respironics SimplyGo will help you get to your destination worry free. All of our portable oxygen concentrators are FAA approved, and taking them with you on a plane is simple and manageable. 

The Respironics SimplyGo is a compact device, its’ dimensions are 10” H x 6” D x 11.5” W, so it can easily fit under the seat space in front of you during your flight in the car during a road trip. 

If you travel long distances, you might be worried about the battery life of your device. 

If this is the case for you, you can always purchase the Respironics External Battery Charger which gives you the ability to recharge your batteries without plugging your concentrator into the AC or DC power cables the device comes with. It’s a single-bay charger and recharges one battery at a time. It’s equipped with a 110v power cord allowing you to plug it into any 110v wall outlet.

The external battery charger also has the ability to recalibrate your batteries! If you ever feel like your batteries aren’t holding a charge like they used to, simply recalibrate them on your charger.

You can also get the external battery module, this is a device that connects to your Respironics SimplyGo allowing you to attach a second battery. Essentially, you are able to double the battery life of your Respironics SimplyGo, affording you more time with oxygen before you have to charge the device again. 

If you are traveling by plane a lot, it would be wise to look into the airline’s plug in capabilities, because there are a lot of planes that offer AC charging docks, in which case you could charge the batteries, use your oxygen device, and flight across the country at the same time. 

Oxlife Independence Portable Oxygen Concentrator

O2-Concepts is probably a name you haven’t heard much about in the oxygen industry, but the Oxlife Independence portable oxygen concentrator by O2-Concepts is right up there on the list of the best continuous portable oxygen concentrators. It’s a sleek looking unit that is extremely durable and offers a number of different features that work to make your life easier! 

Whether you’re looking for a concentrator to travel with or you want something for everyday use, the Oxlife Independence is capable of supplying you with oxygen 24/7.

Cutting-Edge Technology 

The Oxlife Independence is the world’s first “smart” portable oxygen concentrator. It is equipped with DNA technology which is powered by the Verizon network. DNA technology takes the Oxlife and puts it in its own class of concentrators.

With DNA technology, your Oxlife Independence will monitor your usage and corresponding environmental conditions to adapt and proactively support your needs. It tracks vital data like hours used, breathing rate, ambulation, and more!

Life PT Medical and O2-Concepts will be able to remotely monitor your concentrator and your machine will notify us if there is anything wrong with the unit. And should the unfortunate event happen where someone steals your concentrator or it somehow gets lost, DNA technology lets us find it’s most recent location!

Reliable and Durable to Withstand the Trials and Tribulations of Time 

The Oxlife Independence is durable, but it is also user friendly. The hard-bodied shell protects your Oxlife from everyday wear and tear and accidental bumps, 

The most unique feature on the Oxlife Independence is the integrated travel cart. Most continuous flow portables have to be secured to a cart before use. The Oxlife’s integrated cart provides you with seamless transitions from storing to using your concentrator. The folding handle allows you to have your Oxlife ready to store or ready to use in seconds.

The large wheels make it easy to maneuver in large crowds, around your house, and while you’re exercising. They make it so you won’t have to worry about going up curbs/stairs or avoiding puddles outside. And they are replaceable in case anything happens to them!

Built to Last 

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The Oxlife has a built in compressor rated to last up to 20,000 hours! You will be able to depend on the device 24/7 without a problem, even if you use a CPAP or BiPAP device while you sleep. It offers both pulse flow and continuous flow delivery modes so if your oxygen prescription changes over time, your device can be adjusted to cover your needs rather than needing to buy a new one. 

On pulse flow it goes from 1-6 and on continuous flow it goes from 0.5-3.0 LPM so the device is powerful enough to cover most oxygen patients with some wiggle room to crank up the flow in the case of an emergency or other instances when you need a higher than normal flow. 

Great Battery Life

Battery life is one of the most important features in a portable oxygen concentrator and when you are looking into buying a portable oxygen concentrator, looking for a device with efficient flow to battery life ratio is essential. The Oxlife Independence has the ability to operate using one or two batteries, and it gets great battery life for a continuous flow machine.

With one battery you will get up to 1.25 hours of battery life on a setting of 2 LPM and up to 3.00 hours of battery life on a pulse setting of 2.

With two batteries you will get up to 2.5 hours of battery life on a setting of 2 LPM and up to 5.75 hours of battery life on a pulse setting of 2.

This goes to show how much you can accomplish with a Oxlife Independence by your side!

SeQual Eclipse 5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator

The SeQual Eclipse 5 is the 4th generation model in SeQual’s extremely popular Eclipse line of concentrators. In fact, the Eclipse 5 is one of the best selling and most reliable continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market. It offers the highest oxygen output on the market, gets good battery life, and it was also designed for the US Military.

Most Powerful Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator 

The SeQual Eclipse 5 has the highest oxygen output on the market. It offers pulse flow settings 1-9 and continuous flow settings 0.5-3.0 LPM. With such a wide range of oxygen settings, the Eclipse 5 can accommodate most oxygen patients and it will be able to adjust to your needs when needed!

Along with offering pulse flow settings 1-9, the Eclipse 5 is equipped with Auto-Sat technology. Most portables that offer pulse flow can only provide a fixed amount of oxygen per minute based on your breathing rate.

With Auto-Sat technology, you don’t have to worry about that. Whether you are walking upstairs, exercising, or simply having a bad breathing day your SeQual Eclipse 5 will monitor your breath rate and give you a consistent bolus dose every time it detects a breath.

That’s not the only way the Eclipse 5 guarantees that you get your required oxygen though…

When you are using pulse flow and your Eclipse 5 doesn’t detect a breath, you will still get your oxygen! So if you dozed off watching a movie, flying on an airplane, or riding in the car and your Eclipse 5 doesn’t detect a breath, it will automatically switch over to continuous flow to keep providing you with oxygen.

Durable and Reliable 

The SeQual Eclipse 5 is one of the most, if not the most, popular continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market. That is largely due to its long-standing track record for being durable; it was designed for the US Military, that should tell you something.

The hard-bodied shell of the Eclipse 5 is extremely protective. It can withstand bumps and bruises with any damage, so it will last a lifetime. 

One of the best things about the Eclipse 5 is that it requires very little maintenance from you to keep it running. All you need to do is clean out your oxygen filter once every week or two in order to make sure your are getting purified oxygen depending on how often you use your Eclipse. 

Portable and Easy to Travel With 

Despite the SeQual Eclipse weighing upwards of 18 pounds, it is simple and easy to take with you wherever you go. 

It comes with a wheeled travel cart with smooth wheels that makes pulling your concentrator behind you seem effortless.

The oversized wheels, elevated platform, and telescopic handle make going up curbs and stairs a breeze.The design also protects your concentrator from water when you have to go over puddles or when it’s snowing.

The telescopic handle lets you adjust the travel cart to the height that is most comfortable for you! And if you ever need to store your concentrator the handle slides all the way down and locks. So if you’re traveling you can keep your SeQual on the travel cart and it will still fit underneath the seat in front of you!

Depending on the setting of your oxygen flow, the SeQual Equinox can last anywhere from 1.3 hours to 5.9, so the battery life allows you to be about and about longer without having to worry about charging your device. 

When you do need to charge your Equinox, it is super simple, and you have multiple options, so no matter where you are, as long as there is a DC or and AC outlet, you will have the tools to charge the device, and you can always continue to use the device while it is charging, 

A Simple Comparison 

As you can see, there are a few key differences between the SimplyGo, Oxilife, and the Eclipse. For one the SimplyGo weights much less than the Oxlife or the Eclipse. The battery life of the Eclipse and the Oxlife is greater than that of the SimplyGo. 

All of the devices are reliable and durable, but the Eclipse is known for its low maintenance requirements.

You can travel by plane, car, boat, or foot with any of these devices, but the Respironics SimplyGo is the most compact and lightest to carry around with you. However, all three are small enough to fit under the seat in front of you while you travel on an airplane. The Equinox has a telescopic handle that makes traveling a breeze.  

The Oxlife has DNA technology that can track certain health related information, so this device is great for people who are interested in keeping track of their breathing stats. 

It can be overwhelming to look over all of this information and then have to decide on the device you want, which is why we have respiratory specialists waiting for your call. Give us a call if you have any questions or concerns, or simply leave a comment on this blog if you have any questions. 

The novel coronavirus has completely reshaped the way that we view sanitation. Over the past year, organizations and individuals alike have taken steps to control the spread of disease, and the population as a whole has become more aware of the impact of infectious disease. Another thing that people have become more aware of is the impact of chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis. Studies have shown us that these people are “high risk” when it comes to infectious disease, so we need to take steps to protect their health.

Unfortunately, simply telling someone to “clean more often” or “clean more thoroughly” is bad advice. These statements fail to acknowledge that cleaning products themselves can actually put our health at risk. Many household cleaning products are filled with toxic chemicals that can irritate the eyes, skin, and throat. And in the worst cases, they can even contribute to COPD symptoms by exacerbating chest pain, difficulty breathing, and chronic coughing.

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In this post, we’re going to provide you with a comprehensive list of steps for cleaning your home as a COPD patient. We’ll give you advice on choosing cleaning products, how often you should clean, and other things you should take into consideration. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment. And if you find this information helpful, don’t hesitate to share it to help us get the word out about safe cleaning habits.

How to Choose Cleaning Products With COPD

The first step in cleaning your home is to choose the cleaning products that you will use. While this may sound like the easiest step, it’s actually the hardest. Cleaning products are rife with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. Many VOCs are artificial meaning they’re man-made, and they contain chemicals such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), trichloroethylene, oxygenates, and other industrial solvents. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), concentrations of VOCs are up to ten times higher indoors than they are outdoors. This is largely due to the fact that VOCs are found in many household cleaning products and many homes are not ventilated well enough to rid them of harmful chemicals. But VOCs aren’t the only harmful ingredients found in home cleaning supplies. Many of them also contain carcinogens, chemicals that are known to cause cancer.

As a COPD patient, your goal should be to eliminate all hazardous cleaning products from your home. However, it’s especially important to avoid cleaning products that can exacerbate your respiratory symptoms. Products like air fresheners are particularly harmful to COPD patients because aerosol droplets can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time, meaning they can be inhaled. Generally speaking, “scented” cleaning products should be avoided at all costs. While we may enjoy a fresh smell and equate it with a clean home, most of these products contain harmful chemicals.

Before heading out to the store, create a list of ingredients that you should avoid. The ingredients below are commonly used in cleaning products and should be avoided:

• Perchloroethylene (PERC)
• Formaldehyde
• 2-Butoxyethanol
• Ammonia
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Chlorine

Some common cleaning products you should avoid include:

• Bleach
• Spray cleaners
• Fragrance sprays
• Carpet fresheners
• Fabric softeners
• Varnishes
• Drain cleaners
  

Another thing to note is that you should be wary of anything labeled “green,” “organic,” or “eco-friendly.” Just because something is “organic” does not necessarily mean that it is healthy or safe. However, you may see products labeled as “safer choice.” These cleaning products are actually regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and they’re aimed at reducing, eliminating, or preventing pollution at its source. In many cases, these cleaning products can be a safer alternative for COPD patients but many of them still contain chemicals.

How to Make Safe Cleaning Products at Home

Believe it or not, homemade cleaning products can be extremely effective and they can also be much safer to use than store-bought items. When you make your own cleaners, you’ll know exactly what’s in them and you won’t have to worry about reading through and researching a long list of ingredients.

According to Healthline, some of the safest and most effective ingredients you can use to make homemade cleaning products include white vinegar, lemon juice, methylated spirits (denatured alcohol, and baking soda. Unlike the harsh chemicals found in store-bought products, COPD patients typically don’t have any reactions when exposed to these ingredients.

If you want to clean your floor or countertops, combine boiling water with either lemon juice, white vinegar, or methylated spirits. This will make a great degreaser and prove much more effective than a wet rag. If you want to clean a mirror, vinegar and water is a great combination. For removing stains, soda water is your best bet.

Keep Your Home Well Ventilated

Ventilation is imperative when it comes to keeping your home clean. Simply put, ventilation refers to the healthy exchange of air between the inside of your home and outdoors. This prevents harmful chemicals, moisture, and other allergens from concentrating in your home and posing a serious health risk. One of the best ways to ventilate your home is to simply crack a window when you’re cleaning.

If you’re worried about allergens making it into your home through the window, you can install a screen. While this won’t block out all allergens, it will prevent some of the larger particles from entering your home. Another thing you can do is change up the air filters on your HVAC system. The air filter or “particle filter” is designed to remove allergens from the air as it’s circulated throughout your home. However, over time, these filters can become very dirty. Not only will this start spiking your utility bills, but it won’t filter airborne pollutants correctly.

Choose the Right Tool for the Job

Aside from choosing the right cleaning products, you also need to choose the right tools for cleaning your home. COPD is a debilitating condition so you may need to find creative ways of doing things that won’t add any unnecessary strain on your lungs and the rest of your body. For example, if you need to clean in a hard-to-reach area, be sure to use a cleaning device with an extendable handle. This way, you won’t have to strain yourself or risk falling just to clean your home.

If you’ve been prescribed long-term supplemental oxygen therapy, another thing that can help is a portable oxygen concentrator. If you already use a stationary oxygen concentrator or oxygen tank for your oxygen needs, a portable oxygen concentrator will provide you with much more freedom to navigate your home with ease. Rather than having to be plugged into a wall outlet, POCs operate off of powerful lithium-ion batteries so you won’t be relegated to one room of the house.

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Portable oxygen concentrators like the Caire FreeStyle Comfort and Inogen One G5 are very lightweight and compact, so you can carry them around all day without feeling exhausted or out of breath. The FreeStyle Comfort even has an ergonomic curve design that will prevent the unit from sliding around at your side while you’re cleaning the house. Once you’re ready for a break from cleaning, simply plug your device into the wall and by the time you’re ready to go again, you’ll have a full battery.

If you’re someone who needs more oxygen to keep you going, the Respironics SimplyGo may be the portable oxygen concentrator for you. This is a continuous flow unit meaning it puts out a constant stream of oxygen rather than “boluses” of oxygen like the FreeStyle Comfort and the Inogen G5. While the Respironics SimplyGo is a bit heavier than these two, it will provide you with more options including the ability to use your POC with your CPAP or BiPAP machine while you sleep.

Don’t Forget to Declutter Your Home

While you’re up and about cleaning your home, it’s also a good idea to spend some time decluttering your home. “Decluttering” simply means reorganizing or getting rid of some of your belongings in order to make your home more comfortable and easy to navigate. This is very important if you’re a COPD patient because having to navigate a messy home can be very challenging and dangerous.

We briefly discussed decluttering in our post about COPD and balance issues, but the basic idea is that you want to create a living space that’s accommodating of your lung condition. First and foremost, you should remove any belongings from the floor that could be a tripping hazard such as clothing, cables, and even furniture. Taking the time to move these things out of the way of where you walk in your home can go a long way toward making your home safer and more accommodating for you and your guests. 

If you want to go the extra mile, you might want to consider installing a medical alert system in your home. This consists of a receiver that’s plugged into the wall and a small button that can be worn around your neck. If you take a fall or experience a COPD exacerbation in your home, simply press the button and medical personnel will immediately be sent to your home. These are a must-have for any COPD patient, especially if you don’t have friends or caretakers who visit your home regularly.

Get Outside When You Can

According to the EPA, indoor air pollution can be 2 to 5 times greater than outdoor air pollution. The reason for this is because indoor air pollutants are concentrated in a small area whereas outdoor air pollution can dissipate. While you can and should take the time to clean your home, you should be going outside as much as possible to get some fresh air.

AirNow.gov has a great air pollution map that will give you a good idea of how clean the air is in your area. Simply visit their site and type in your ZIP code. You’ll be given a number anywhere between 0 and 500 with 0 being the least polluted and 500 being the most polluted. It’s recommended that COPD patients avoid going outside if the air quality index (AQI) is over 100. However, people with severe COPD may only want to go outside when it’s below 50 AQI.

While the AQI is a good indication of the air quality in your area, it’s not 100% accurate. If you live in a very urban area with a lot of traffic, the air quality may be lower than what the website tells you. As such, it’s important to use your best judgment before going outside. Try going out when traffic has settled down and try to stay away from the roads as much as possible.

The temperature is another important factor to consider before going outside. Extreme conditions of any kind can lead to exacerbation of COPD. Low temperatures can be particularly difficult for COPD patients because inhaling cold air can thicken your mucus making it more difficult to breathe. Hot temperatures can cause you to feel exhausted more quickly and also exacerbate respiratory problems.

Schedule a Home Inspection

If you want to take the extra step towards making your home as accommodating as possible for your COPD, you should consider scheduling a home inspection. This is when a professional safety inspector walks through your home and performs a variety of tests designed to determine the safety of your home. While you may think of a home inspector as someone who examines the structural integrity of a home, they also play an important role in determining its cleanliness as well.

One important thing your home inspector will do is evaluate your HVAC system. This includes things like your heater, air conditioner, air ducts, and air filters. He/she will check to ensure that there are no leaks and that your system is circulating clean air throughout your home. The inspector will also look for water damage or plumbing leaks throughout the home that could lead to the growth of mold. Several types of mold, like black mold, can be very hazardous to your health. Black mold poisoning is associated with a chronic cough, fatigue, and irritation in the throat and eyes. 

Home inspectors won’t fix these issues within your home. Rather, they provide you with a list of potential problems in your home and advise you on what to do or who to call to get the issues resolved. However, hiring a home inspector is still a very important step because you may be exposed to harmful airborne irritants unknowingly. Many people live with health issues for years only to find out they had a mold or HVAC problem that they were unaware of.

Recruit Help With Cleaning

There’s no doubt about it, cleaning can be exhausting. If you feel like you have a lot to clean and not a lot of time to do it, you may want to start outsourcing work to friends, family, or even a caretaker. While physical exercise is a must for any COPD patient, too much exercise or overexertion can lead to a flare-up in your symptoms, most notably chest pain, breathlessness, and fatigue.  

There’s no shame in asking for help with cleaning your home, especially when your well-being is at stake. However, if you decide to recruit help from a friend or family member be sure to let them know about your safe cleaning routine. Let them know that you’re concerned about the chemicals in common store-bought cleaning products and show them how to make the homemade cleaning products we discussed earlier in this post. 

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Conclusion

Maintaining a healthy living environment is one of the most important things you can do as a COPD patient. Poor air quality in your home will not only irritate your skin and eyes, but it can damage your lungs and lead to flare-ups in your respiratory symptoms. COPD patients who do not breathe clean air are more likely to experience exacerbations that can lead to hospitalization.

Unfortunately, simply cleaning more often or more thoroughly is not the solution. You need to be careful about what cleaning products you’re using and how they affect the quality of air within your home. You should also take additional steps like ensuring your home is well-ventilated and that you’re keeping dust and mold in check.

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it so you can refer back to it in the future. And if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below

For many Americans, about 30 million to be more specific, a portion of them rely on supplemental oxygen to breath. Supplemental oxygen is essential for individuals who are not getting enough oxygen, in which case all of their organs in their body can be impacted, especially the brain, heart and kidneys. Wearing supplemental oxygen keeps people's organs healthy.

Supplemental oxygen can also help relieve your symptoms. You may feel relief from shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness and depression. After long term oxygen use you may become more alert, sleep better and have an overall better mood. You may be able to do more activities such as traveling, more intense exercises, and social gatherings.

If you are one of the many people that uses supplemental oxygen, it's important that you know you are not alone. And you should also educate yourself on the most effective form of oxygen therapy available so that you can reap these benefits of supplemental oxygen.

The Benefits of your Oxygen Device Being Powered by Batteries Rather than Refillable Oxygen Tanks

A POC offers users a variety of comforts including, financial savings, the lightweight and sleek design, and an infinite amount of oxygen.

You’ll find the many comforts that come with a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) do not come with an oxygen tank. A POC runs on batteries and takes in surrounding air and concentrates the air into medical-grade oxygen, whereas oxygen tanks have a finite amount of oxygen, will run out, and need to be refilled multiple times per week.

Think about the batteries of your cell phone, you can charge the batteries of your phone while you are not using the device, or you can be using the device near an outlet, and be charging your phone while you are using it. The same goes for your POC.

Because your POC runs on batteries, you are able to be more independent. There is no delivery person or oxygen refill company that you rely on to deliver you oxygen tanks weekly just so that you can simply breath.

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Instead you rely solely on your POC and its battery life. Now we are going to go over 5 models of POCs and talk about the difference in battery life, and what this means for you.

5 POCs with the longest lasting battery life

One of the most important features you should look for in a portable oxygen concentrator is the battery life because more battery life equals more freedom and independence. The longer you can spend worry-free receiving your oxygen the better, whether it is strapped to your back in a backpack or settled in the curve of your hip strapped around your shoulder.

The Caire Freestyle Comfort and battery life

The CAIRE Freestyle Comfort is the latest pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator by CAIRE Inc. This new oxygen device offers a lightweight and ergonomic design, it only weighs 5 pounds. It is comfortable and easy to carry whether you’re just going for a walk in the park, or taking a long trip across the world.

On the lowest flow setting with the 16-cell battery, you’ll experience an astounding 16 hours of battery life. That’s 3 more hours than top-of-its-class portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G5. What this means is that you’ll be able to stay out and about for longer without having to come back home to recharge your unit.

Like with Inogen oxygen concentrators, you’ll be able to charge your Freestyle Comfort through either an AC or a DC outlet, meaning you’re at home or in your car.

You have two options for which battery you want to come with the Caire Freestyle Comfort, the best option for you is based on how long you intend to be without power along with the flow setting your doctor recommends you breathing on.

Here is a table that will show you how long at each flow setting the 8-cell and the 16-cell batteries last when using the Caire Freestyle Comfort POC:

The 8-cell battery and the 16-cell battery are both great options, one thing to notice is that the 8-cell battery has a recharge time of about 3.5 hours, and the 16-cell battery has a recharge time of about 6 hours. So even though the 16-cell battery will last you well over half of the day, it does take slightly longer to charge to full capacity.

The Inogen One G5 and battery life

When it comes to portable oxygen concentrators, many people’s oxygen demands cannot be satisfied due to the lack of pulse flow settings and so they are left basically stationary, using their cumbersome oxygen tanks or home oxygen concentrators.

The Inogen One G5 Is the perfect oxygen device for you if you need something that is lightweight yet powerful. The One G5 only weighs 4.7 pounds, but it also offers pulse dose setting 1-6.

The One G5 is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, And similarly to the Caire Freestyle comfort, you have two options to choose form for your batteries while using the Inogen One G5: A single battery or a double battery.

Each option, single or double battery, offers benefits for the One G5 user, and whichever you pick will be based of your lifestyle preferences and oxygen needs.

Here is a table displaying the flow setting along with the associated battery life of the single and double battery while using the Inogen One G5:

If you spend a lot of time on the go, or you are required to use a high pulse dose setting for much of the day, and don't want to worry about your G5 Oxygen Concentrator device running out of life, the G5 Double Battery can offer you that assurance.

Just like your G5 Single Battery unit, you'll be able to charge the G5 Double Battery while it's attached to the G5 device or with the external battery charger. And if you like to keep your G5 in the G5 Backpack, the extra battery life does not add a lot of bulk or weight.

Inogen One G3 Portable Oxygen Concentrator and battery life

Inogen is one of the most recognizable brands in the oxygen industry and this is why have included two of their most notable POCs in the same article. The Inogen One G3 weighs 4.8 pounds and offers up to 8 hours of battery life, the Inogen One G3 has been one of the most popular portable oxygen concentrators on the market for a very long time.

More battery life equals more freedom and independence and with the Inogen One G3, you have 2 different battery options to choose from, the 8-Cell Battery and the 16-Cell Battery

The 8-Cell battery keeps your Inogen One G3 at 4.8 pounds and supplies you with up to 4 hours of battery life. It’s perfect for quick errands, doing things around your house, gardening, or exercising.

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The 16-Cell battery adds almost a pound of weight to your Inogen One G3, but it still weighs less than 6 pounds, and it supplies you with double the battery life. When you think about it, adding an extra pound of weight to get up to 4.5 additional hours of battery life is a pretty good deal!

The 16-Cell battery is ideal for things like traveling, long trips away from your house, and using as a backup power source in case of a power outage.

Here is a chart showing you the expected battery life for every setting on your Inogen One G3:

Charging your Inogen One G3 is possible virtually anywhere you go! You will get the AC power supply to use at home and the DC power supply to use in your car on the go! The G3 also has an optional external battery charger available, so if you have two batteries you can charge one while you are using the One G3 and switch them out to stay mobile even longer.

Respironics SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator battery life

The Respironics SimplyGo POC is the first continuous flow portable under 15 Pounds weighing in at a mere 10 pounds .The SimplyGo is one of the smallest and lightest continuous flow portables available and you will be able to bring it with you wherever you go with no problem finding a place to store it.

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

The Respironics SimplyGo is CPAP/BiPAP compatible and it is equipped with both pulse flow and continuous flow oxygen delivery modes to cover you 24/7. It offers pulse flow settings 1-6 and continuous flow settings 0.5-2.0 LPM.

You can operate your Respironics SimplyGo using one or two batteries by 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!

Here is a table showing you the SimplyGo’s expected battery life:

Recharging your Respironics SimplyGo batteries is convenient and easy! You have three options to choose from:

1. AC Power Supply - The AC power supply is ideal for home use or to power your concentrator in your hotel room/cruise ship room. It is equipped with a 110v power cord and you can use your SimplyGo on every oxygen setting while it is plugged in. In fact, the AC power supply essentially turns your SimplyGo into a home oxygen concentrator. As long as your SimplyGo is plugged into the AC power supply it will give you an endless supply of oxygen!
   
2. DC Power Supply - The DC power supply gives you the ability to power your SimplyGo and recharge your batteries in the car or on the go! It is equipped with a 12v power cord allowing you to plug it into the 12v outlet or cigarette lighter in your car, truck, boat, or RV. Unlike some of the other continuous flow portables on the market, your Respironics SimplyGo will be able to operate on every oxygen setting while you are recharging your batteries with the DC power supply. Just remember to turn your vehicle on before you plug your SimplyGo into the DC power supply. This will prevent you from blowing a fuse or draining your vehicle’s battery
   
3. External battery charger - The optional external battery charger gives you the ability to recharge your batteries without plugging your concentrator into the AC or DC power supplies. It’s a single-bay charger and recharges one battery at a time. It’s equipped with a 110v power cord allowing you to plug it into any 110v wall outlet. The external battery charger also has the ability to recalibrate your batteries! If you ever feel like your batteries aren’t holding a charge like they used to, simply recalibrate them on your charger.

SeQual Eclipse 5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator battery life

the SeQual Eclipse 5 is one of the best selling and most reliable continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market. It offers the highest oxygen output and on top of that it gets good battery life. It was also designed for the US Military, so it evidently reliable and durable.

The Eclipse 5 weighs 18.4 pounds with the battery installed, yet it is still very easy to travel with and perfect for everyday use. It comes with a wheeled travel cart that makes pulling your concentrator behind you seem effortless.

The travel cart is equipped with oversized wheels, an elevated platform, and a telescopic handle. The durable wheels and elevated platform make going up curbs and stairs a breeze. They also help protect your concentrator from water when you have to go over puddles or when it’s snowing.

The Eclipse 5 has the highest oxygen output out of any POC available right now. It offers pulse flow settings 1-9 and continuous flow settings 0.5-3.0 LPM. With such a wide range of oxygen settings, the Eclipse 5 can accommodate most oxygen patients and it will be able to adjust to your needs when needed!

Similarly to all of the POCs listed above, the Eclipse 5 has three different charging options available:

1. AC Power Supply - The AC power supply is a necessity for everyday use and traveling. It’s the easiest and most common charging option

2. DC Power Supply - The DC power supply is perfect for charging and powering your concentrator on the go. With continuous flow portables, battery life is precious and the DC power supply can help you preserve your battery life for when it really matters.
The DC power supply is equipped with a 12v power cord allowing you to plug it into the cigarette lighter or 12v outlet in your vehicle. Because it is a continuous flow unit and requires a lot of power there are some charging limitations.

3. External Battery Charger - The external battery charger gives you the ability to recharge your batteries without connecting your Eclipse 5 to a power supply. So if you have multiple batteries or need to get ready for a trip, the external battery charger will make charging your batteries a simple and easy process.

Here is a table of the expected battery life for the SeQual Eclipse 5:

Tips to Improve the Battery Life of your POC

In order to help your portable oxygen concentrator’s battery work as efficiently as possible, you should know how to take good care for your batteries. By doing so you will preserve the longevity of your oxygen concentrator batteries, and spend less money and time getting a new one in the future.

Here are some tips to help you improve your battery life with proper storage and charging habits.

• Avoid charging the battery fully to 100% every single time you plug it in. Every once and a while it is fine to leave it charged to 100% but practice partially changing your POC batteries.
• Re-charge the batteries once they reach 50%
• Try to avoid letting the battery get very low and die. While this may happen every once and awhile, if you can plug the batteries in before they get low, it will relieve stress on the battery
• Always use the charging equipment and cords that come with or are a part of your POC package, and are ensured to charge your POC properly. Some knock of cords and charging packs can drain the battery and ultimately reduce your battery’s life
• Never charge the batteries in hot conditions, for example a car with no air-conditioning in the middle of summer
• Always store your batteries correctly, in the case or a safe place to avoid breaking or battering the battery
• Do not leave the batteries in severe temperatures, hot or cold, for too long
• Avoid storing you batteries for extended amounts of time while they are at a low charge or dead
• Store your batteries with about a 40% - 50% charge
• Always unplug the batteries before you store them

Overview 

Now that you have information regarding some of the most long-lasting POC batteries on the market: The Caire Freestyle Comfort, the Inogen One G5, the Inogen One G3, and the Respironics SimplyGo, you can now address what your priorities are moving forward.

There are so many options when it comes to choosing a POC, so throughout the purchasing processes remember that knowledge is power, and if you do your research, you will find the most reasonable machine for you.

At LPT Medical we are here to help you connect with the most reliable oxygen device from the most reputable brands and manufactures. It is our goal that you meet your oxygen requirements and it is our hope that you reach your goals. Give us a call today and speak with one of our experienced  respiratory specialists at 1-800-946-1201 to find out more about our POCs and the other oxygen accessories that we offer.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common lung conditions in the world. It’s known for developing slowly over the course of many years, leading to increased breathlessness, chest pain, coughing, and wheezing. As this incurable disease progresses, flare-ups and exacerbations become more common, so COPD patients need to pay especially close attention to the treatment plan created by their doctor. Since a core aspect of most treatment plans involves supplemental oxygen therapy, it’s also important for COPD patients to find an oxygen device that serves their long-term goals.

Unfortunately, the medical oxygen industry can be very confusing, especially for someone who’s never had to navigate it before. People who are buying oxygen for the first time often fall victim to false advertising, scams, or they simply end up purchasing an oxygen device that doesn’t meet their needs. As such, we strongly encourage oxygen patients to do their research and understand what oxygen devices there are before buying one. Here at LPT Medical, we take pride in providing oxygen patients with the resources they need in order to make educated decisions about their disease. 

In this post, we’re going to take a look at seven reasons someone who uses a liquid oxygen tank or someone who is considering purchasing a liquid oxygen tank may want to upgrade to a pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator: the Caire FreeStyle Comfort. This is one of many oxygen concentrators on the market, so be sure to speak with our respiratory specialists if you’d like to learn about other options. You can reach us at 1-800-946-1201 or you can email us at info@lptmedical.com.

What is a Liquid Oxygen Tank?

A liquid oxygen tank (also called a LOX unit) is a medical device that stores oxygen in a liquid form. They are often seen as an upgrade to compressed oxygen tanks because they are lighter, safer, and store more oxygen. What’s more, you can also purchase portable versions of these tanks, usually called “portable oxygen cylinders.” These tanks are light enough to carry on your shoulder as you walk and they provide you with many hours of oxygen.

While liquid oxygen tanks provide many benefits over compressed oxygen tanks, they still cause a lot of inconveniences for oxygen patients. One of the most glaring problems with liquid oxygen tanks is that, in order to store oxygen in a liquid form, it needs to be kept at very low temperatures (typically around -183°C or -297°F). While the tanks themselves are designed to maintain these temperatures, it’s inevitable that the tank will heat up causing the water to evaporate over time. In other words, you won’t be able to store a liquid oxygen tank for a significant amount of time without the oxygen dissipating.

What is the Caire FreeStyle Comfort?

An oxygen concentrator performs the same function as a liquid oxygen tank by providing the user with medical-grade oxygen. The difference between the two, however, is that oxygen concentrators are electronic devices that run off of batteries. Rather than storing oxygen inside the machine, concentrators take ambient air, remove unneeded gases like nitrogen and argon, then puts out medical-grade oxygen through the nasal cannula.

The Caire FreeStyle Comfort is a pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator meaning it carefully monitors your breathing and only puts out oxygen when you need it. In other words, it conserves energy so that you can go more places and do more things on one battery charge. Much like a liquid oxygen cylinder, the Caire FreeStyle Comfort is very lightweight and easy to carry on your shoulder.

Another thing to note about this portable oxygen concentrator is that it’s manufactured by one of the most trusted brands in the medical oxygen industry. Caire Inc. advertises its products under the names SeQual, AirSep, and Caire, and the FreeStyle Comfort is one of their most advanced oxygen machines yet. Thee Caire FreeStyle Comfort is widely considered to be one of the best portable oxygen concentrators ever made, but many people also believe the Inogen One G5 is the best. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the reasons you should upgrade your liquid oxygen cylinder.

Safety

Safety is incredibly important. The reason for using supplemental oxygen therapy in the first place is to maintain oxygen levels in the blood and prevent life-threatening conditions like right-sided heart failure; so, it goes without saying that you don’t want your supplemental oxygen device to add any unnecessary health risks. And despite the fact that liquid oxygen tanks are safer than compressed oxygen tanks, they are still more dangerous to use than a portable oxygen concentrator.

Liquid oxygen tanks are stored at a pressure of around 350 PSIG (pressure per square inch, gauge). While this is significantly less than the 2,000 psi that regular oxygen tanks are stored at, it can still be a safety concern. Liquid oxygen tanks have complex safety mechanisms in place that prevent pressure from building too high, but in reality, there is simply more that can go wrong with these units.

The great thing about portable oxygen concentrators like the Caire FreeStyle Comfort is that you never have to deal with a high-pressure device in the first place. Since oxygen concentrators take ambient air and immediately put it out of the nasal cannula, you never have to feel insecure about using supplemental oxygen. What’s more, if you happen to drop your nasal cannula the device will stop putting out oxygen until a breath is detected.

Convenience

Another point to note about traditional oxygen tanks and liquid oxygen tanks is that they’re extremely inconvenient to use. Because these tanks can’t be simply recharged like an oxygen concentrator, you have to have some way of refilling them. Whether that means having new tanks delivered by an oxygen company or having to refill them with a liquid oxygen reservoir, you’ll need to find something that works for you.

If you decide to have your tanks delivered or drive to an oxygen company to refill them, this could be a huge time sink for you and you may have trouble working your schedule around them. On the other hand, if you decide to purchase your own oxygen reservoir, you’ll only be able to refill your liquid oxygen tank in your home. On top of this, reservoirs tend to be very bulky, heavy, and difficult to move.

Since the Caire FreeStyle Comfort is charged through either a wall outlet or a car outlet, you’ll be able to take your portable oxygen concentrator just about anywhere with you. You’ll be able to charge your machine at your home, in hotels, airports, and in any vehicle that has a power outlet. And the best part of all is that you can use the machine while it’s charging, as long as it’s on a low flow setting.

Long-Distance Travel

In the past, beginning supplemental oxygen therapy meant giving up your freedom to travel long distances. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees safety regulations for commercial flights in the United States, and both traditional and liquid oxygen tanks are banned. What this means is that if you’re using one of these oxygen devices, you’ll be relegated to other slower forms of transportation. 

However, the Caire FreeStyle Comfort — like most portable oxygen concentrators — is approved by the FAA for in-flight use. All you need to do is call your airline 48 hours ahead of your flight and be prepared to bring at least 1.5 times the duration of your flight in battery life. Once that’s out of the way, you’ll be able to fly anywhere in the country without question. If you’re going out of the country, be sure to check in with the regulations in your destination country before leaving.

Reliability

It’s easy to get caught up in talking about all of the other factors of a portable oxygen machine and forget about one of the most important factors: reliability. Having reliable supplemental oxygen means being able to be out and about at the store, visiting a friend, or on vacation, without ever having to worry about receiving the oxygen you need to maintain your blood oxygen levels. You’ll be able to spend more time focusing on enjoying your day and accomplish your goals rather than worrying about whether or not your oxygen needs are being met.

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Like we mentioned earlier, liquid oxygen needs to be kept at very low temperatures in order to prevent it from turning into a gas. While liquid oxygen tanks are designed like a thermos to keep the internal temperature low, it’s inevitable that it will heat up over time, especially if you’re out in the hot sun. Over time, you will begin to lose oxygen from your liquid oxygen device even if you aren’t using it.

Portable oxygen concentrators like the Caire FreeStyle Comfort, on the other hand, are known for their reliability. In fact, back in August, we featured the FreeStyle Comfort as “the most reliable portable oxygen concentrator” ever produced. This is because it has the lowest failure rate of any POC on the market, meaning that, out of the box, it is less likely to have a defect than any other device like the Inogen One G5 or Respironics SimplyGo.

Another wonderful thing about the Caire FreeStyle Comfort — and portable oxygen concentrators in general — is that the vast majority of issues they have can be fixed on the fly. If you experience a glitch or the device isn’t working properly, a hard reset will typically fix the issue right away. We discuss how to perform a hard reset in this post, but if you have any problems either consult the user manual or reach out to our portable oxygen concentrator specialists at 1-(800) 946-1201.

Liquid oxygen tanks are very different from this. Since they aren’t electronic devices like POCs, you can’t simply restart them if they aren’t working properly. Liquid oxygen tanks are a very complex piece of equipment, and if you tamper with them you risk injuring yourself or further damaging the unit. In order to fix your problem, you’ll need to send it to an oxygen specialist and it could take days or weeks to get it back.

Cost

Liquid oxygen is considered to be the most expensive form of oxygen therapy. Some of the more popular portable liquid oxygen units like the HELiOS Plus will run you over a thousand dollars. And remember, you’ll also need to either have a home fill reservoir to fill your own portable units or you’ll have to go to an oxygen supplier regularly. These costs can add up really quickly and there’s a lot more that could go wrong.

On the other hand, the Caire FreeStyle Comfort requires no additional components aside from the battery. Since these batteries are rechargeable, you won’t have to keep investing in your oxygen therapy over time. Simply plug your device into any wall or car outlet and you can charge the battery all the way up.

Ease-of-Use

Most people are very surprised to find just how easy it is to use the Caire FreeStyle Comfort. All you need to know how to do to get started is how to turn on the device, charge it, and adjust the flow settings. Any additional information about notifications, alarms, or warnings can be found in the user manual. However, with a liquid oxygen tank, not only will you need to know how to operate the portable unit, but you’ll also need to know how to refill it using the reservoir. This can be very time consuming and most people admit that it’s a pretty convoluted process.

Additional Features

The final reason to upgrade from liquid oxygen to the Caire FreeStyle Comfort is because of all the additional features you’ll get with the latter. The FreeStyle Comfort has something called CAIREview which is a free oxygen tracking application made by SynsorMed. By connecting your phone or computer to your POC, you’ll be able to see up-to-date information about your oxygen usage. Liquid oxygen tanks don’t offer any features like this. 

Conclusion

Liquid oxygen tanks are a huge upgrade from traditional oxygen tanks. They’re lighter, smaller, safer, and hold a lot more oxygen. However, they offer few advantages over portable oxygen concentrators like the Caire FreeStyle Comfort. These oxygen machines enable you to have access to an infinite supply of oxygen no matter where you are in the world and they’re far more convenient and reliable than the alternative.

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Despite what you read here, we here at LPT Medical encourage oxygen patients to take their time when choosing a supplemental oxygen device. Also, it’s important to be open with your doctor and understand exactly what your oxygen requirements are. If you’d like to learn more about portable oxygen concentrators, don’t hesitate to reach out to our respiratory specialists. You can reach us at 1-800-946-1201 or you can email us at info@lptmedical.com.