A portable oxygen concentrator is a medical oxygen device used to treat respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis (CF). Unlike other oxygen machines like oxygen tanks or stationary oxygen concentrators, portable oxygen concentrators are designed to be lightweight, efficient, and provide the patient with as much freedom as possible while still ensuring their oxygen needs are met. If you’ve never purchased an oxygen machine before or you’re looking for an upgrade to your current device, you’re probably trying to find a good starting point.

Oxygen concentrators are fairly complex and as such, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration including oxygen output, battery life, weight, size, and design. While all of this information is out there on the web, you may find it challenging to consolidate your findings and make an educated decision about your oxygen needs. In the past, we’ve provided oxygen patients with a number of helpful resources such as this guide which covers the highest performing concentrators of 2021 or this post where we discuss the lightest portable oxygen concentrators of the year.

To provide you with even more resources for choosing a portable oxygen concentrator in 2021, we’ve created a comprehensive guide that covers the process of choosing a POC from start to finish. After reading this guide, you’ll know exactly what to look for in your new oxygen machine and after it arrives at your door, you’ll feel much more confident about the decision you’ve made. Keep reading to get started, and if you have any questions for us, be sure to fill out the contact form at the side of the page. A respiratory specialist will reach out to you shortly to answer any questions you may have.

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Why Use a Portable Oxygen Concentrator?

The first question you’re likely wondering about portable oxygen concentrators is, “why should I use one?” This is a valid question because there are many oxygen machines on the market such as oxygen tanks, portable oxygen cylinders, home oxygen concentrators, and more. Each of these has its pros and cons, but in general, portable oxygen concentrators will provide you with the greatest value and serve you best in the long term.

Several decades ago, you weren’t likely to find many options when it came to medical oxygen. Before the 1970s, oxygen patients had to rely on bulky, heavy, and dangerous oxygen tanks, some of which could weigh in excess of 100 lbs. At the turn of the century, home oxygen concentrators and portable oxygen concentrators became the dominant source of oxygen for many patients. Liquid oxygen cylinders also became popular because they could hold more oxygen than a compressed oxygen tank and they could be carried in most places.

Fast forward 20 years and you’ll find that POCs are the preferred choice for most oxygen patients. As they’ve become more powerful, lighter, and their battery life has increased, there are fewer and fewer reasons to purchase or rent an oxygen tank. Stationary oxygen concentrators still work great, but they usually cost as much as portable units meaning they’re almost entirely obsolete unless you can find a great deal on a used or refurbished one.

Pulse Flow vs. Continuous Flow

Now that you’ve established you need a portable oxygen concentrator in favor of other medical oxygen machines, it’s time to decide between pulse flow and continuous flow. A continuous flow oxygen concentrator is one that puts out a steady stream of oxygen like a water fountain. All oxygen tanks are continuous flow unless they have something called an oxygen conserver which attaches to the top of the unit. A pulse flow oxygen concentrator, on the other hand, has additional technology in it that detects your breathing and only puts out oxygen when you inhale.

Since pulse flow units don’t need to put out as much oxygen, manufacturers are able to make them much smaller and lighter. An average pulse flow portable oxygen concentrator will weigh around 5 to 6 pounds whereas the average continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator will weigh 10 pounds or more. Each type of concentrator has comparable oxygen output, but your doctor may advise that you use one in favor of another. It should also be noted that many continuous flow POCs like the Oxlife Independence allow you to switch between continuous flow and pulse flow. 

Ultimately, pulse flow will be the way to go for most oxygen patients. These POCs are light enough to carry on your shoulder, easy to use, and some can even provide up to 16 hours of battery life on one charge!

What Are the Best Portable Oxygen Concentrator Brands?

Brand is an incredibly important thing to consider when you first purchase a portable oxygen concentrator. For better or worse, we live in a time where eCommerce is king. What this means for the consumer is that it’s harder to simply walk into a store and test a product before you buy it. As a result, you need to have faith in the brands that you work with.

When it comes to portable oxygen concentrators, companies like Inogen, Respironics, AirSep, Caire Inc., ResMed, GCE, and SeQual Technologies are some of the most reputable oxygen manufacturers in the industry. If you encounter an oxygen retailer who offers products from a brand other than the ones listed above, you should thoroughly research them before buying a portable oxygen concentrator from them. 

It’s illegal to sell a medical oxygen device without first verifying oxygen use, so oxygen concentrators listed on sites like eBay or Amazon either aren’t approved for medical use or the vendor is breaking the law. Always purchase portable oxygen concentrators from verified POC distributors like LPT Medical. When you contact us, you will always be asked for proof of oxygen use, so it helps to have your doctor’s phone number handy so we can take care of this as quickly as possible.

Another important distinction to make is the difference between recreational and medical oxygen. Recreational oxygen is used for things like scuba diving, hiking, or other outdoor activities. Some people would claim that recreational oxygen use improves respiratory performance but others believe it’s a fad. Medical oxygen, on the other hand, usually has between 90% and 96% purity rating, much more than in recreational oxygen.

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Portable Oxygen Concentrator Specifications

No portable oxygen concentrator was created equal when it comes to specifications. Aside from choosing the right brand, you need to examine each spec to ensure that the POC you’re getting fits your needs and your lifestyle. Most oxygen retailers list product specs on their product page, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, try Googling the name of the oxygen concentrator followed by the word “manual.” In the results, you should see a PDF for the unit you’re interested in. Read through this to find information about its oxygen output, battery life, weight, and more. Alternatively, you can contact one of our respiratory specialists here at LPT Medical and we’ll answer any questions about your POC of choice.  

Oxygen Output

Hands down the most important aspect of your portable oxygen concentrator is its total (maximum) oxygen output. Unlike oxygen tanks that offer virtually any oxygen setting you want, pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators are limited by the size and efficiency of their compressor. There are pulse flow units on the market that range anywhere from 300 ml/min to 1,260 ml/min and they range anywhere from 2 to 6 different pulse flow settings. Most oxygen patients require at least 400 ml/min which is usually a setting of 2 or 3 on most POCs.

Before purchasing any portable oxygen concentrator it’s important to clearly understand your oxygen needs. Next time you go to the doctor or pulmonologist, ask him/her the following questions:

• How long do I need to use oxygen each day?
• Should I use my oxygen concentrator while sleeping?
• Should I use pulse flow or continuous flow oxygen?
• What are my oxygen needs? (milliliters per minute and liters per minute)

As you ask your doctor these questions, be sure to write them down along with your doctor’s personal phone number or the number of the doctor’s office. When you go to purchase a portable oxygen concentrator, you can simply provide your respiratory specialist with the number so they can verify your oxygen use.

Another thing to note about maximum oxygen output is that you want to have room to move up. COPD is a progressive disease meaning it gets worse as time goes on. So, for example, if your doctor says you need 400 ml/min of oxygen, it would be wise to invest in a concentrator that’s capable of putting out 600 or 700 ml/min of oxygen — the same applies to continuous flow concentrators.

Battery Life

For the majority of oxygen patients, battery life is the second most important aspect of a portable oxygen concentrator. After all, a POC that can only run for an hour without needing to be charged doesn’t really offer much portability at all, and at the end of the day, you may feel that you have less freedom than you did with your oxygen tank.

Most portable oxygen concentrators use what’s called lithium-ion batteries. These types of batteries have been used primarily in electronic devices like cell phones, laptops, and tablets since the 1990s. The reason they’re so popular is because they’re eco-friendly, lightweight, and most importantly, powerful. Since portable oxygen concentrators have both electrical and mechanical components, it’s important that the batteries are as efficient as possible in order to keep people out and about longer.

Portable oxygen concentrators vary widely in terms of battery life. POCs like the Caire Freestyle Comfort and Inogen One G5 offer upwards of 13 hours of battery life on one charge, however, ultra-lightweight POCs like the AirSep Focus only hold a couple of hours of battery life on one charge. Continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators also tend to provide less battery life because they put out more oxygen than pulse flow units do.

If you don’t mind sacrificing some weight for extra battery life, you may want to invest in portable oxygen concentrator accessories like the G5 backpack. Rather than having to carry your extra batteries in your hand or a separate bag, this will enable you to carry everything in one place. Once you’re ready to swap out your batteries, you’ll have everything in the same place, ready to go.

Weight

As we get older, our ability to carry heavy things diminishes. What’s more, many people, young and old suffer from back pain, so carrying around a 10-pound oxygen tank is simply not an option for many people. With that being said, you may be surprised to know that there are portable oxygen concentrators as light as 1.75 pounds! What this means is that even people with scoliosis or other conditions that affect the back and shoulders can still experience the freedom of having oxygen on the go. 

Another reason to invest in a light portable oxygen concentrator is that you’ll be able to carry more personal belongings. Whether you simply want to get out and go for a walk or you’re planning a trip or vacation, it’s always nice to be able to carry personal items like your cell phone, wallet, keys, or a camera. Unfortunately, anything over 6 pounds or so will likely cause you some struggle. What’s more, continuous flow POCs are typically over 10 pounds and need to be rolled behind you using a cart, so these will be off-limits to you if you do a lot of traveling.

Size

In this day and age, most people expect their electronic devices to be small and easy to carry. As computers get smaller, we’re able to have more power in the palm of our hands than ever before — this is no different when it comes to portable oxygen concentrators.

Before the 1970s compressed oxygen tanks were the only means of oxygen delivery. These tanks were not only bulky and oversized, but they had an awkward shape to them that made them difficult or impossible to transport. As the need for portable oxygen arose, people began to realize that a different type of oxygen delivery would be needed. Oxygen concentrators became popular around this time because they have an infinite source of oxygen as long as there’s a battery for it to run on. As batteries improved, oxygen concentrators improved with them.

The two smallest portable oxygen concentrators currently on the market are the Inogen One G4 and the AirSep Focus, both of which are small enough to fit in a purse! While we don’t recommend purchasing a POC solely based on its size, the benefits of small portable oxygen concentrators are undeniable. You’ll be able to hold the device at your side more easily, store it in tight areas, and take it into crowded areas such as public transportation without bumping into people. 

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Sound Level

Typically, one of the first questions people have when transitioning from oxygen tanks is “do portable oxygen concentrators make noise?” The answer to that question is “yes.” However, chances are, they make a lot less noise than you think they do. In general, oxygen concentrators range in noise emission from around 37 decibels (dBA) to around 50 dBA, but most pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators are around 40 dBA or below. To put this into perspective, this is about the noise level of a quiet conversation or whisper even.

In the grand scheme of things, using a portable oxygen concentrator will afford you the same freedom as an oxygen tank. You’ll still be able to go to church, a quiet library, or see a movie without disturbing anyone. However, it’s important to note that many POCs have something called audible alerts. These are beeps and other sound effects that notify you when your oxygen machine is low on battery or it’s in need of some other type of maintenance. It’s a good idea to turn these notifications off before you go anywhere in order to avoid any disturbances. If you don’t know how to do this, be sure to consult your user manual or speak with a respiratory specialist.

Warranty

A warranty is a written agreement that the oxygen manufacturer will repair or replace an oxygen unit within a given amount of time. Many electronic devices have warranties available for them and they’re a great way to protect your purchase in the event that you drop it or something malfunctions unexpectedly. Due to the reliability of modern portable oxygen concentrators, most reputable brands like Inogen, AirSep, Caire, and GCE will offer a free 3-year warranty that comes with the purchase of the device. Most of them will allow you to extend to a 4- or 5-year warranty for a set charge.

It’s not common for manufacturers to give out free warranties on their devices, especially one as long as 3 years. If they ever have to replace the machine entirely, they may be doing it at a loss, so the fact that they give such a great warranty is a sign that the oxygen device is extremely reliable and the manufacturers themselves have a lot of confidence in it. However, no matter if your POC malfunctions on its own or you dropped it, you’ll rest easy knowing you have that safety blanket.

FAA Approval

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees all safety regulations pertaining to in-flight oxygen use. In the past, there was no such thing as an “FAA Approved oxygen device” because oxygen tanks were too bulky and dangerous to use on a plane. However, since the early 2000s, the majority of portable oxygen concentrators have been approved for in-flight use. What’s more, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) ruled that on flights of more than 19 seats, air carriers must allow those with disabilities to use FAA approved portable oxygen concentrators.

When it comes to flying comfortably and with ease, pulse flow portable oxygen concentrators are the way to go. As opposed to continuous flow units that can weigh upwards of 20 pounds, pulse flow devices can easily be moved around or stored under the seat for takeoff and landing. If you need to get up during the flight to go to the bathroom, you’ll be able to walk down the aisle without bumping into anyone. Although most continuous flow POCs are FAA approved, you’ll have a much harder time trying to travel with one especially when it comes to flying.

Additional Features

At this point, you’re probably wondering “what else could portable oxygen concentrators possibly offer?” Fortunately, several oxygen manufacturers have gone above and beyond when it comes to providing you with the best device for managing your condition. The Inogen One G5 is one example with its new Inogen Connect application. When you download it onto your smartphone or tablet, you can connect it to your Inogen One G5 via Bluetooth and see up-to-date information about its battery life, column status, and much more.

Another example is the CAIREView™ Telehealth Technology which comes equipped with each Freestyle Comfort POC device. Telehealth technology is defined as a device that enables patients to receive health-related services through a digital medium. CAIREView keeps track of important information on your machine like oxygen usage, flow setting, as well as device integrity and relays this information to the oxygen manufacturer so they can ensure you’re using the machine properly. What’s more, they can even troubleshoot minor issues remotely so you don’t have to send it in to have it repaired. 

Conclusion 

Choosing a portable oxygen concentrator isn’t always easy especially if you’ve never bought one before. Above all else, you need to make sure that your POC meets your oxygen needs, is light enough to carry, and provides you with a long battery life. Pulse flow POCs tend to meet these standards more easily because they are more technologically advanced than their continuous flow counterparts.

Secondly, you should take other factors into consideration such as sound level, warranty, FAA approval, and additional features. This will allow you to pinpoint a POC that matches your lifestyle that you will enjoy for years to come. If you have any questions about anything you read here, you can feel free to reach out to one of our respiratory specialists who will ensure you get the POC you want and need. Fill out the contact form at the side of the page to get started.

In the 21st century, we are highly dependent on energy sources like natural gas and electricity. We use fuel to power our cars, cook and heat our homes, and we use electricity to charge our phones, computers, and more. But what happens when we lose access to these resources due to a natural disaster or some other problem? In some situations, this can be a minor nuisance; but in others, it could be life-threatening.

Fortunately, hospitals and other medical facilities have back-up generators that allow them to use life-saving medical equipment even in the event of a power outage. But what about individuals living at home who are reliant on electronic devices? What safety measures are in place to ensure these people are able to use the medical devices they need to stay healthy?

The truth is that there aren’t many safety nets in place to help people experiencing power outages, so this is why it’s always important to be prepared, especially if you depend on electricity to power your medical equipment. In this post, we are going to highlight all the steps you should take to be prepared for a power outage if you have COPD or any other chronic respiratory disease.

What Causes Power Outages?

Before we can discuss the different ways to plan for power outages, it’s important to understand what actually causes them. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average household experienced one outage in 2016, accounting for 112 minutes of lost power. Although this is the average, this does not mean that power outages cannot last longer. Depending on what causes the power outage, they could last anywhere between several days and several weeks. So you should always plan for the worst-case scenario.

According to Constellation, the most common cause of power outages are severe weather and natural disasters. High winds, snowstorms, and thunderstorms can all knock power lines over causing entire neighborhoods to lose power. Extreme temperatures can also lead to power outages if it results in people overusing their air conditioners or heaters. There are so many different variables that come into play, so it’s best to always be prepared for an outage, regardless of the time of year and what the weather is like.

Install an Emergency Power System

The first thing you should do to prepare for power outages is to have an emergency power system in your home. There are many different options for powering your home in the event of an emergency, so you will have to do a lot of research to determine which one will best meet your needs. However, a good place to start is by contacting your utility company. Some utility companies provide backup generators for people with medical conditions free-of-charge. Others may add an additional fee to your monthly utility bills. Below are some of the most widely used emergency power supplies:

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Home Backup Generators

A home backup generator, also known as a standby generator, is a permanent power generator that is installed outside of your home. These generators resemble air conditioning units and they run off of your existing natural gas or LP fuel supply. While home backup generators are the most costly option for backup power, they are also the most convenient and reliable. These units are designed to turn on automatically when a power outage is detected, so you won’t have to go outside to turn it on. Since these generators are permanent, they will give your home’s value a nice boost if you ever decide to sell it. As you can imagine, home backup generators are extremely advanced, so you will need to hire a professional to install one for you.

Portable Generators

A portable generator, also known as a recreational generator, is a type of generator that’s commonly used for camping and other outdoor activities. However, they can also be a good way to power your home during a power outage. Unfortunately, these devices don’t start automatically when your power goes out, so you’ll have to go through the hassle of setting it up when your power goes out. What’s more, these units use fossil fuels which can exacerbate your respiratory symptoms, so be sure to never use one inside of your home. The benefit of portable generators is that they are much more affordable than home generators. 

Solar Generators

Just like the name suggests, solar generators are powered by the sun. The only scenario where you should purchase a solar generator is if you live in an area that is very sunny to ensure that your generator is fully charged when you need it most. Since these generators don’t burn any fuel, they won’t exacerbate your lung symptoms and they aren’t noisy. Solar generators are fairly expensive but they are worth the price for many people.

Install a Medical Alert System

An emergency alert system is a device designed to alert medical professionals if you experience a medical emergency like a COPD exacerbation or a fall. Each medical alert system comes with a pendant that you wear around your neck and a receiver that plugs into the wall. In the event of an emergency, press the button on the pendant and an ambulance will be dispatched to your home. 

What many people don’t know is that many medical alert systems have backup batteries that will kick in if there is a power outage. Generally speaking, most backup batteries will last a day or two, but you should speak with the company that manufactures it to learn the full details. Medical alert systems are an invaluable tool to have when the power goes out so be sure to get one installed as soon as possible.

Another way to prevent falls when the power goes out is to have a flashlight on hand. Chances are, even if you have a generator in your home, you’re going to want to conserve energy by keeping as many lights off as possible. A flashlight will help you navigate your home safely while doing so.

Keep Backup Batteries or Oxygen Tanks

COPD patients have a variety of options at their disposal when it comes to medical oxygen. Some of the most popular options include oxygen tanks, liquid oxygen tanks, and oxygen concentrators. The one you choose as your “backup” oxygen supply in the event of a power outage will depend on what your needs are.

The most notable benefit of having backup oxygen tanks is that they don’t require electricity in order to operate. Oxygen tanks have compressed oxygen inside them, so all you need to do is connect your nasal cannula and you’ll have access to medical-grade oxygen. However, the downsides of oxygen tanks are that they are very heavy and bulky so you won’t be able to get around your home while you’re using one.

Liquid oxygen tanks work a little differently than normal oxygen tanks. Rather than storing the oxygen as a gas, these tanks store oxygen as a liquid. Since gas is expanded, storing it as a liquid allows you to carry more of it with the same size and weight tank. This will allow you more freedom in the event of a power outage. However, there is one glaring flaw with liquid oxygen tanks which makes them impossible to recommend for this situation. Oxygen needs to be stored at very low temperatures in order to stay as a liquid, so over time liquid oxygen will begin to evaporate, According to the Lung Institute, liquid oxygen will evaporate in a week or two depending on the type of tank you have.  

Last but certainly not least there are oxygen concentrators. Unlike the previous two oxygen devices, concentrators are electronic devices. They work by drawing in ambient air and putting out medical-grade oxygen. It may seem silly to use an electronic oxygen device during a power outage, but you may be surprised to find that they are actually the best backup oxygen device for this situation. Portable oxygen concentrators run off detachable batteries that can be stored for emergencies. 

These batteries are also very small and only weigh about a pound so you can store as many as you’d like. One important thing to note is that batteries should be used from time to time in order to help them keep their charge. Be sure to swap out the batteries occasionally so that each one is being used. Let’s take a look at some of the best portable oxygen concentrators to have during a power outage. 

Best Oxygen Concentrators for a Power Outage

The Caire FreeStyle Comfort

The FreeStyle Comfort is currently one of the most popular portable oxygen generators on the market. It’s a pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator meaning it has built-in technology that tracks your breathing and only delivers oxygen when you inhale through the nasal cannula. What this means is that it’s able to conserve electricity while still giving you the oxygen you need to stay healthy. With the larger 16-cell battery, the FreeStyle Comfort can run for up to 16 hours on one charge.

The FreeStyle Comfort is one of only a few portable oxygen concentrators that weigh at or under 5 pounds. Additionally, it’s one of the most compact concentrators so you can carry it around on your shoulder with ease. In the event of a power outage, the FreeStyle Comfort will provide you with plenty of battery life, ease-of-use, and mobility. It has a maximum oxygen output of 1,050 milliliters per minute (ml/min).

The Inogen One G5

The Inogen G5 is another pulse dose portable oxygen concentrator under 5 pounds. With the 8-cell battery, the G5 weighs only 4.7 and has a battery duration of 6 ½ hours. The battery life can be doubled with the 16-cell battery affording you up to 13 hours of battery life on one charge. Just like with the FreeStyle Comfort, the batteries are very small and lightweight so you can store as many as you think you’ll need to make it through a power outage.

One of the great things about the Inogen G5 is the number of accessories there are for it. The G5 external battery charger is very useful if you’re planning for a power outage because it allows you to charge one battery separate from the G5 unit itself. In other words, it allows you to charge your batteries more quickly so that you can always be prepared. Another great accessory to have during a power outage is the DC charging cable. This is a type of cable that allows you to charge your G5 in the car via a cigarette outlet. Keep a DC charging cable in your car so that you’re always prepared if you need to leave the house in a hurry. The best part about this is that you can use your device while it’s charging meaning there will never be an interruption in your oxygen treatment.

The Respironics SimplyGo

The last portable oxygen concentrator we’d like to recommend for power outages is the Respironics SimplyGo. Certain patients are prescribed continuous flow oxygen which is where oxygen is administered irrespective of the user’s breathing rate. When this is the case, the SimplyGo is the lightest and most reliable unit available to you. The SimplyGo has a maximum flow rate of 2 liters per minute (LPM) at it weighs only 10 pounds which is significantly lighter than most continuous flow POCs on the market. Unfortunately, the SimplyGo offers significantly less battery life than the aforementioned POCs, so you may need to keep even more batteries charged.

Create a List of Contacts

Having a convenient list of contacts you can call during a power outage is very important. You don’t want to be searching the internet using what little electricity you have to find out the number of your utility company or your neighbor’s phone number. Take some time right now to write down your contacts so that you don’t have to do it when an emergency occurs. 

Firstly, you should write down the numbers of a couple of friends or family members who could come pick you up if your power is out. Secondly, you should have your doctor or pulmonologist’s number as well as the closest medical oxygen company. If you happen to run out of oxygen for one reason or another you can reach out to them and have them deliver some oxygen tanks. Lastly, don’t forget to write down the number of your utility company. Be sure to call them immediately when the power goes out so that you can plan accordingly.  

Keep Non-Perishable Food in Your Home

One of the most notorious issues with power outages is that all of the food in your fridge will begin to spoil. This can be absolutely devastating if you like to keep your fridge well-stocked with lots of food and beverages. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of buying healthy non-perishable food at the grocery store that can hold you over if you experience a power outage. Apples are a great source of energy and they will stay fresh for up to a week while sitting on the counter. However, be sure to ask your doctor about non-perishable foods that are healthy for COPD patients.

Speak With Your Doctor

Last but certainly not least, you can and should speak with your doctor about managing your COPD during a power outage. Your doctor might have some helpful information or resources for you to refer to. Most likely, he/she will tell you the minimum flow rate you’re allowed to use on your oxygen tank or concentrator in order to maintain your blood oxygen levels. Also, be sure to ask your doctor if it’s okay to cease your pulmonary rehabilitation routine while the power is out so that you can conserve your oxygen supply.

Conclusion

While it’s rare to experience a power outage that lasts more than a couple of hours, it’s crucial that you are prepared for the worst-case scenario. Studies have shown that power outages are associated with a greater risk of exacerbation and hospitalization in COPD patients. Ensuring that you always have access to a dependable medical oxygen supply will help you to stabilize your respiratory condition.

What’s more, you should work together with your doctor to create a power outage action plan. You may be able to reduce your oxygen flow rate in order to conserve your oxygen concentrator battery life during a prolonged power outage. And ideally, you’ll have some sort of backup generator that you can use to hold you over until the electricity returns to your home.

Here at LPT Medical, we can help you prepare for power outages by providing you with a durable and reliable portable oxygen concentrator like the Caire FreeStyle Comfort or the Inogen One G5. While we can’t guarantee that your battery will last the duration of the outage, we can help you find the best concentrator for your needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us either by email or by phone.

Oxygen concentrators are one of the most reliable and effective treatments for COPD, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis and a host of other medical conditions. But like any other machine on the market, oxygen concentrators and portable oxygen concentrators can malfunction. The great news is that there is a host of helpful information out there to get your device working for you again.

If you try fixing your own device to no avail, you can always ask a loved one for a helping hand. There are also online forums where you can speak with other people undergoing oxygen therapy or you can always consult the user manual for detailed information on your product.

However, it can still be confusing trying to keep up with all the changes going on in the oxygen therapy field so we’re going to do our best to provide you with a comprehensive guide on fixing some of the most common malfunctions with modern oxygen concentrators.

If you purchase a new device or a new concentrator releases, be sure to check back here as we’ll update it with the most current and relevant information you need to know.

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Common Oxygen Concentrator Errors

Probably the most important thing to note when troubleshooting an oxygen concentrator is that it’s not the same as an oxygen tank. Whereas oxygen tanks are purely mechanical, an oxygen concentrator has electrical components that need to work in order for oxygen to come out of the device. 

What this means is that if your device suddenly stops working, it could be due to a temporary glitch in the system that can be fixed easily and without a significant amount of technical knowledge of the device. Let’s take a look at some of the most common errors and how to fix them easily.

No Breath Error

If you’re using a full battery but end up getting a “no breath” error on your oxygen concentrator control panel, there are several things that may be causing this. The “no breath” error typically occurs when your device hasn’t detected a breath for a certain period of time, so if you’ve been using it, you should check to make sure there are no kinks in the cannula tubing and that the cannula is connected to the concentrator.

This error may also result if your cannula isn’t positioned properly in your nose. Although you can position the nasal cannula prongs up or down in the nose, they should be facing down in order to have the best results and to ensure that oxygen is sent directly into the nasal canal.

Oxygen Error

Since oxygen concentrators don’t have an oxygen tank on them, they draw ambient air and turn it into pure oxygen. This happens in a five step process:

1. Taking in ambient air
2. Compressing the oxygen
3. Removing oxygen from the air
4. Adjusting the flow rate
5. Delivering purified air

If your device runs into an issue with any step in this process, you may be given an oxygen error indicating that oxygen output is low or isn’t working as it should. Although this could be a complex issue with the device, you should try turning it off and on again to see if the error message goes away.

Battery Won’t Charge

If your battery won’t hold a charge or your oxygen concentrator won’t turn on, you should make sure the power cable is plugged in correctly. If it is, you should use another electrical device to try the outlet and make sure it’s working. And if it does, there may be a problem with your charging cable or the battery in your device. You can also try taking the battery pack off of your concentrator and putting it back on and checking to ensure it isn’t loose.

 

Oxygen Purity Error

Another important function of your oxygen concentrator is to purify the air that you breathe through your cannula. Breathing clean air is crucial to preventing COPD exacerbations but if your device becomes clogged with airborne particles or the sieve bed quits working, you may get a purity error. Sieve beds generally last a year or so but, amount of use, proper storage and humidity present can reduce its life expectancy. 

 

System Too Hot or Cold

Like all electronic devices, oxygen concentrators need to be kept at a reasonable temperature in order to prevent overheating or becoming too cold for use. If not, you may get an error on your control panel or an audible notification or the device may simply shut off. Make sure that all air intakes and outputs are free of obstruction and try switching out your battery if one gets too hot. 

Troubleshooting Checklist

Before you contact your equipment provider, there are a few things you can try, no matter what error or symptom you’re experiencing. Follow this checklist to see if it fixes your device.

 

Perform a hard reset

Turn the oxygen concentrator off and unplug it from the wall. Remove the battery pack and leave it for 30 minutes. After the allotted time, plug it back into the wall, turn it on, and put the battery pack in after 10 minutes.

• Check all vents and your cannula to ensure they aren’t obstructed
• Ensure your battery isn’t loose or try replacing it with a backup
• Check for physical damage on the system or the battery
• Research any error message in your device manual
• Take note of the error code and frequency of the issue you’re experiencing

If you should need to contact the equipment provider for assistance, the error code or symbol will help them identify what is causing the issue. 

 

General Operating Guidelines

In order to prevent errors in the future, you should follow your oxygen concentrator’s best practices. Although every oxygen concentrator or portable oxygen concentrator is different, there are some general rules of thumb that you should follow. Be sure to consult your user manual for more specific information about maintaining your device and contact your equipment provider if you have any further questions.

 

Storing Your Concentrator

Oxygen concentrators should be stored in an environment that is not too cold, too hot, or too humid. Concentrators that are stored in these environments for a prolonged period of time may experience damage to their internal components and may not work. 

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Don’t Smoke Around It

It’s generally safe to assume that any airborne pollutants will be bad for your oxygen concentrator and this is especially true when it comes to smoking. If smoke enters the vents on the device it could damage internal components and cause your sieve beds to wear down more quickly. If you’re setting the device on the floor, make sure it’s in a clean area without a lot of dust or dirt.

 

 

Troubleshoot Before Leaving Your Home

If you have a portable oxygen concentrator, it’s generally best to troubleshoot any issues before leaving the home. Although your device may still be working after an error message appears, it may stop working when you’re out and about and need it most. 

 

Replace Your Filter

Some concentrators have a gross particle filter that catches a lot of airborne particles like dust and dirt. It’s important that you replace this filter after a year or so in order to prevent breathing in impure air and keep your device running smoothly. You should also clean it every month with a gentle household detergent and water.

Replace Your Nasal Cannula

After a month or two of use, your cannula may become worn, kinked, and otherwise inefficient. Not only can a worn cannula lead to errors on your oxygen concentrator but you may not be receiving as much oxygen that you should if there is a leak or the tube is bent. You should inspect and clean your nasal cannula tubing regularly to prevent this. 

 

 

Fully Charge and Deplete Your Batteries

Your oxygen concentrator batteries will last longer if you charge them up fully and then deplete them fully at least once a month. Just like with your phone or laptop, you should try to avoid charging your oxygen concentrator batteries multiple times a day. And if you have an extra battery pack, be sure to swap it out with your main one every once in a while so it gets some use.

 

Ask For Help

Above all, you should never wait to get your questions answered about your oxygen concentrator. Although they’re usually very reliable, getting your device fixed sooner rather than later will ensure it lasts as long as possible. Keep your equipment suppliers phone number on hand to ensure you always have someone to go to if your device isn’t working.

 

Conclusion

Home and portable oxygen concentrators have come a long way in a short time. While this means you have access to a high-tech oxygen therapy device wherever you need it, you may find it difficult to get the information you need to maintain your device and fix errors. 

 

If the issue you’re experiencing wasn’t discussed here be sure to consult your device manual or contact your equipment provider. If you have a caregiver, he/she will help you maintain and clean your oxygen concentrator and troubleshoot any errors. Online COPD forums are also a great place to speak with other people who may be experiencing the same issues with their device.

According to a company press release, officials with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved Trelegy Ellipta, a once-daily, triple therapy, fluticasone furoate/umeclidinum/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) for the long-term maintenance treatment of patients diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

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It is the first product to have been approved in the United States that has a combination of three active molecules in a single-dose inhaler, and to be taken once every day for the treatment of COPD including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The press announcement came from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Innoviva Inc. saying that the drugs will be available to patients soon.

The triple therapy manufactured by GSK is approved for COPD patients on a fixed-dose combination of fluticasone furoate and vilanterol for airflow obstruction. It is also approved for patients that are already taking umeclidinum and a fixed-dose combination of vilanterol and fluticasone furoate. GSK and Innoviva noted that it was not indicated for treatment of asthma or the relief of acute bronchospasm.

Trelegy Ellipta consists of a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and a long-acting beta2 adrenergic agonist (LABA) to be delivered orally, once-daily, through GSK’s Ellipta dry powder inhaler. The strength which has been approved is FF/UMEC/VI 100/62.5/25 mcg.

GSK estimates that approximately one quarter of patients diagnosed with COPD already use the three drugs in Trelegy Ellipta individually to treat COPD and hopes that this product will prove to be an attractive and simpler alternative regimen for such patients.

A positive opinion recommending the marketing authorization for the medication as a maintenance treatment in appropriate adults with COPD in its moderate to severe stages was issued by the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CMPH) on the 15^th of September, 2017.

The CEO of Innoviva Inc., Mike Aguair, said, “This approval represents a significant therapeutic convenience for those appropriate patients already on Breo Ellipta, that require additional bronchodilation or for those patients already on a combination of Breo Ellipta and Incruse Ellipta. Trelegy Ellipta is the latest development in our collaboration with GSK and is testament to our ongoing efforts to advance respiratory medicine.”

Eric Dube, SVP & Head, GSK Global Franchise, said, “COPD is a progressive disease that can worsen over time and represents a significant burden to patients and healthcare systems. The approval of Trelegy Ellipta, and the addition of a once-daily single inhaler triple therapy to our portfolio of respiratory medicines, is an important milestone for the GSK that builds on our long term heritage in this area.”

There has been submission of regulatory applications which are being assessed in a number of other countries including Canada, Australia and the European Union. Trelegy Ellipta will be available very soon in the United States; it is however not licensed as a single inhaler triple therapy anywhere else apart from the United States.

What is COPD?

COPD is a chronic condition in which there is slow, progressive obstruction of airflow into or out of the lungs. It is mainly characterized by shortness of breath. It includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis which can also occur at the same time. It is believed to affect close to 384 million people in the whole world and about 30 million people in the United States alone.

It is a progressive disease which means that it gets worse over time. Life can become very difficult when you are living with COPD due to the worsening of your symptoms and lack of ability to breathe normally. This can devastate your life making simple day to day tasks such as walking up a flight of stairs to your house a daunting task. It ends up affecting your life quality because there are some activities that you may not be able to carry out over time.

Exposure to lung irritants for a long period of time damages your lungs and your airways and may cause COPD. Air pollution, presence of dust in your environment, cigarette smoke as well as second-hand smoking, and chemical fumes can all be contributors to COPD. Most of the people diagnosed with COPD are at least 40 years old when they symptoms start to show.

Symptoms may include having a chronic cough, production of a lot more mucus than usual, having a blue color on your nail beds and lips and wheezing among many others. Seek medical attention should you experience any of these to be checked for COPD.

Important Safety Information for Trelegy Ellipta

The following is based on the highlights section of the United States Prescribing Information for Trelegy Ellipta:

• It is contraindicated in patients with severe hypersensitivity to milk proteins or any of its ingredients.
  
  
• Its safety and efficacy in patients with asthma has not been established. It is not indicated for the treatment of asthma.
  
  
• Because of risk of overdose, it should not be used in combination with other medicines containing LABA.
  
  
• It should not be initiated in patients experiencing episodes of acutely deteriorating COPD. Do not use to treat acute symptoms.
  
  
• Candida albicans infection of the pharynx and the mouth has occurred in patients treated with fluticasone furoate which is one of the three components contained in Trelegy Ellipta. Patients should be monitored periodically and advised to rinse their mouth with water without swallowing after inhalation to reduce risk.
  
  
• Patients that use corticosteroids are at risk of potentially worsening of infections that they have. For example existing tuberculosis and bacterial, fungal or viral infections and should be used with caution in patients that have such infections.
  
  
• Increased risk of pneumonia in COPD patients taking Trelegy Ellipta. Patients taking it should be monitored for signs and symptoms of pneumonia.
  
  
• Trelegy Ellipta should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders because of beta-adrenergic stimulation.
  
  
• Hypercortism and adrenal suppression may occur with very high dosages. They may also occur at the regular dosage with susceptible individuals. Appropriate therapy should be considered if such changes occur.

The most common adverse reactions reported for Trelegy Ellipta (incidences less than or equal to 1 percent) are; dysgeusia, cough, headache, gastroenteritis, back pains, diarrhea and oropharyngeal pain.

Researchers have found that there is a treatment in existence which could help patients with a particular kind of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This antibody treatment is said to reduce the rate of flare-ups by close to 20 percent in patients with a sub group of treatment-resistant COPD, according to the results of two large international trials presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress in Milan, Italy and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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“The goal of precision medicine is to give the patient the right treatment,” said lead author Frank Sciurba, the director of the Center for COPD and Emphysema and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Pulmonary Function Exercise Physiology Laboratory, and a visiting professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine at the university’s School of Medicine. “These findings are the first example of a precision therapy that is uniquely effective in a sub group of patients with treatment-resistant COPD.”

COPD is a progressive lung disease that causes breathlessness as a result of airway obstruction and chronic inflammation that is believed to affect 30 million Americans. More than 12 million Americans are believed to have undiagnosed COPD and have no idea that they do. COPD is the third leading cause of death in America claiming approximately 120,000 lives every year.

There are a number of signs you can look out for should you suspect that you have COPD and these include; having a chronic cough, production of a lot of mucus, blueness of your fingernail beds and lips, fatigue, lack of energy and chest tightness among a number of other signs. Should you experience any of these signs while going about your day to day activities, you are advised to visit your health provider so that they can perform a spirometry test to check whether you do have COPD.

“There is significant variation between patients in the cells and other proteins responsible for lung inflammation, so there are actually many different subtypes of COPD”, Sciurba said.

One subgroup called eosinophilic predominant COPD is present in as many as 40 percent of patients and is characterized by elevated levels of a type of white blood cells known as eosinophils, he said.

The new study reports the outcomes of two Phase III clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of mepolizumab, an antibody treatments that brings down the number of eosinophils in the blood, in moderate to severe treatment-resistant eosinophilic COPD by blocking the pro-inflammatory results of interleukin-5. Despite a year of standard treatment known as “triple inhaled therapy” which includes the use of bronchodilators and glucocorticoids, patients included in the trials were still experiencing flare-ups.

Sciurba said that these patients already have been given every treatment that they have to offer them and are still having flare-ups that significantly interfere with their quality of life and can lead to deterioration in lung function and higher mortality. He added that they hoped to be able to offer them an option.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have already approved mepolizumab to help reduce symptom flare-ups and improve life quality in eosinophilic asthma.

The first trial which was conducted from the year 2014 to the year 2017 was conducted at 117 sites in 15 countries and was termed METREX. It involved a total number of 837 patients diagnosed with COPD, who were stratified by blood eosinophil counts and randomized to receive either placebo or 100 milligrams of mepolizumab which was delivered under the skin on a monthly basis for a year.

The patients with high eosinophil counts that were receiving doses of mepolizumab had a statistically significant 18 percent lower rate of moderate or severe flare-ups (1.4 per year compared to 1.7 per year) than those that were in the group receiving doses of placebo. The exacerbation rate of the patients with low eosinophil counts treated with the biologic did not differ from the placebo. The time to the first exacerbation also was lower with placebo than mepolizumab, but only in the group with the high eosinophil count.

In a second trial that was done concurrently, the team made an assessment of the effect of a higher dose of mepolizumab in 675 patients with elevated eosinophil levels. This second trial was termed METREO. Patients were selected at random in the trial to receive 100 to 300 milligrams of mepolizumab or placebo with the same schedule and delivery method as that of METREX.

Similar to the first trial, METREX, the findings of the second trial showed that the rate of the flare-ups was reduced by 20 percent in the group with a high eosinophil count after 100 milligrams of mepolizumab. The METREO outcome narrowly missed statistical significance. There was however no advantage showed of the 300 milligram dose over the lower dose.

Through analyzing data from both the METREO and METREX trials, it was found that as baseline blood eosinophil counts increased, it also had the same effect on mepolizumab’s reduction in the annual exacerbation rate. Sciurba said that these findings indicated that patients with a higher initial eosinophil count benefited more than those with lower eosinophil counts. There was no difference in the safety profile between placebo and mepolizumab in either trial.

“In addition to providing a new treatment option for patients with treatment-resistant moderate to severe COPD, the results are also important because they identify a potential biomarker for the disease and demonstrate that eosinophilic inflammation plays a role in flare-ups in COPD,” Sciurba said.

The division chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Dr. Rama K. Mallampalli said, “The findings in these trials exemplify what we hope to achieve not only in COPD but across all lung diseases with regards to a precision approach to treatment.”

GlaxoSmithKline, a British pharmaceutical company established in 2000 through the merging of two companies, Glaxo Wellcome and Smithkline Beecham provided the funding for both the first and the second trials that were conducted. They plan to seek approval from the FDA for the use of mepolizumab in eosinophilic COPD.

If you have COPD, the first sign that something was not right was likely feeling shortness of breath, to the point that you wanted to see your doctor about it. It also could have been that incessant cough throughout the day and night.

It's easy to blame a cough on allergies or a common cold, but if it persists and becomes a regular thing, you should see your doctor to discuss the possibility of having COPD or another lung ailment. The sooner you find out if it is COPD causing your symptoms the sooner you will be able to treat the chronic illness, thereby slowing down the progression of your COPD.

The first thing that you need to understand is that coughing may seem like a symptom you want to relieve, but in the case of COPD, it actually serves a function.

Continue reading to understand how COPD and coughing are related, what you can do to ease a cough, and when to seek medical attention.

How are COPD and coughing related

If you have COPD you probably experience a persistent cough. This symptom is related to a condition of COPD called chronic bronchitis, which means that your airways are constantly irritated. This irritation is often caused by smoking or second-hand smoke, but it can also be caused by other irritants and biological factors, such as pollution or genetics.

The irritation in your airways causes two problems that prevent enough air from passing through to the lungs:

• The lining of your airways become swollen
• There is too much mucus produced by your lungs

People with chronic bronchitis can have a persistent cough because it is important to regularly clear their swollen airways of this excess mucus, which can sometimes be difficult and require extra attention and treatments, of which, we will discuss in more detail in the What you can do to ease a cough associated with COPD section of this article.

So, coughing caused by COPD is often productive and it is a natural function of your body that plays an important role in your breathing system. Coughing helps to move extra mucus out from your lungs. Coughing is also a reaction that can help remove certain irritants you may inhale into your lungs, like dust, pollution, and other common allergens.

When your cough produces mucus, which is also called sputum or phlegm, that means your body is working correctly to clear the excess mucus up through your swollen airways and into your throat and out of your mouth.

It is normal for the mucus to be clear or white, yellow, or green in color but if the mucus is very mucky, it may be a sign of a respiratory infection. We will go over this in more detail in the When you should see a doctor section

What you can do to ease a cough associated with COPD

To determine whether or not your cough needs to be treated with medication or other remedies, depends on the type of cough you are experiencing and whether or not your cough is actually helping to clear your lungs and airways.

You should consult with your doctor to determine the type of cough you are experiencing and how to deal with it going forward.

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As we discussed in the section above, airway clearing coughs serves a meaningful purpose by clearing out mucus from your airways. In this case, it is best for you to continue coughing in order to avoid mucus building up in your lungs.

That being said, there are certain medications you can take as well as techniques you can learn how to perform in order to couch more effectively.

COPD and coughing medications

If your cough is due to very thick mucus, first you should try to drink more fluids. This can help make your mucus thinner and easier to clear. If this does not work well enough, then there are medicines called “expectorants” that can help make the mucus easier to cough up.

If your coughing becomes painful or difficult to control. In those cases, your doctor might recommend cough suppressants that keeps your body from coughing. These suppressants might also be used for coughs that do not produce mucus, like a dry smoker’s cough.

If you have COPD, coughing can also cause a “bronchospasm” or “spasm.” This happens when your muscles around your airways suddenly tense up causing your airways to become very narrow, This makes it even hard to breathe. To reduce coughing that causes spasms, healthcare providers might prescribe special types of inhaled medications called “bronchodilators” or inhaled steroids.

If you are not interested in getting on medication for you coughing, there are also three airways clearing techniques you can do to clear your lungs

Airway clearing techniques for COPD

One of the most effective ways to clear your airways is to use the effective, or controlled, cough technique. This cough comes from deep within your lungs and has just enough force to loosen and carry mucus through your airways without causing them to narrow or collapse. By utilizing the controlled coughing practice, you will save energy and therefore, oxygen.

• Controlled coughing: A type of cough that comes from deep in your lungs. It loosens mucus and moves it though your airways
• Postural drainage: You lie down in different positions to help drain mucus from your lungs
• Chest percussion: You lightly tap your chest and back. The tapping loosens the mucus in your lungs

To cough effectively:

1. Sit on a chair or on the edge of your bed, with both feet on the floor. Lean slightly forward. Relax
2. Fold your arms across your abdomen and breathe in slowly through your nose. (The power of the cough comes from moving air.)
3. To exhale: lean forward, pressing your arms against your abdomen. Cough 2-3* times through a slightly open mouth. Coughs should be short and sharp. The first cough loosens the mucus and moves it through the airways. The second and third cough enables you to cough the mucus up and out.
4. Breathe in again by "sniffing" slowly and gently through your nose. This gentle breath helps prevent mucus from moving back down your airways
5. Rest
6. Perform again if needed

Here is a link to postural drainage and chest percussion treatment and how to perform these mucus clearing techniques.

Natural home remedies for helping reduce COPD induced coughing

Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil contains a natural compound called eucalyptol. Eucalyptol may have the following benefits for people with COPD and may ease uncomfortable coughing symptoms:

1. antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
2. opens up the airways in the lungs
3. reduces mucus production
4. helps clear mucus from the lungs
5. prevents flare-ups in moderate to severe COPD

One way you can use eucalyptus oil is by adding 12 drops of eucalyptus oil to 150 milliliters of boiling water and inhaling up to three times per day.

This will not work for everyone, and if you experience any side effect of the oil, stop using it immediately.

Quit Smoking to reduce dry coughing

Smoking is the leading cause of COPD in the United States and is responsible for around 90 percent of COPD-related deaths.

Tobacco smoke is known to irritate your airways and your lungs. Smoke causes inflammation and obstruction within your airways causing them to narrow, and making it very difficult for air to pass in and out.

If you smoke, the most important step to reduce COPD related symptoms and slowing down the progression of your COPD is to stop smoking. Quitting will put an end to “smoker’s cough,” the dry, hacking cough common among people who smoke.

A deep, productive cough that clears the airways of mucus may replace this dry cough also benefiting you and your breathing.

When you should seek medical attention

Call your doctor within 24 hours if you notice:

• You’re out of breath or coughing more than usual
• Being out of breath affects your daily routine
• You’re coughing up more gunk that normal
• The mucus you are coughing up is dark yellow, dark green, or rust-colored
• You have a fever over 101 F
• You feel dizzy or lightheaded

If you begin to experience any of these symptoms it could mean that you have a respiratory infection or your COPD is getting worse.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you’re still out of breath after using the medicines your doctor has prescribed for your COPD.

Other symptoms associated with COPD 

One of the other many symptoms of COPD we mentioned very briefly in this article was shortness of breath. When you have COPD your lungs are no longer able to process oxygen like they once did. This is partly due to the irritation in your airways that also causes coughing. 

Both chronic bronchitis and emphysema can cause shortness of breath. This symptom is also called “breathlessness” or “dyspnea".

If you airways are swollen and filled with mucus, not only does this initiated a coughing reaction, but it also inhibits oxygen from flowing through your lungs and into your blood stream and organs. 

Not only is this feeling extremely uncomfortable, it is also life threatening, and if it goes untreated for a long period of time, you will inevitably be taking years off of your life.

Here are positive changes you can make to improve breathing with COPD:

Learn pursed-lip breathing This is a breathing exercise designed for people with COPD: Purse your lips and blow as much air out as you can before taking a deep breath in through your pursed lips again. Then slow down your breath so that you’re using as much of your lungs as you can. This technique slows your breathing rate and helps to keep your airways open which can also help to reduced coughing episodes.

Drink plenty of water because water helps thin out mucus so you can clear it better. Some people with COPD have conditions that could be made worse by extra fluid, however some people with COPD may be very dehydrated.Speak with your doctor to find out how much water you can safely drink. 

Get informed and continue learning about COPD and how your lungs function. This can help you better understand and manage your condition. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs often offer this type of education.

Exercising regularly can make a big difference in your breathing capabilities and COPD symptoms. A lot of people with COPD get more and more out of breath as their disease progresses, but it’s not due of their lung function — it's because they’re not conditioning enough. Most doctors recommend walking for people with COPD since it’s moderate in intensity and easily accessible.

Know and avoid your triggers. If you have COPD and allergies, take steps to avoid anything you’re allergic to. This may mean putting dust covers on your pillows and mattress or keeping your pets out of the bedroom. High-efficiency particulate air filters can remove dust and other irritants from the air in your home. You may also consider a humidifier if dry air triggers your symptoms.

Get your rest Many people with COPD have an underlying sleep disorder, like sleep apnea, that makes it difficult to get good sleep. When you sleep better, you’ll feel better and breathe better, so if you are not able to fall asleep, or have trouble staying asleep, speak with your doctor to understand the root of this issue so you can solve it. 

Stay on a healthy diet full of nutrient-dense foods is needed with COPD to maintain strength and fight off infections. Eating healthy can help you lose weight and breathe easier. If you’re underweight, ask your doctor about the best foods to eat and if nutritional supplements are right for you.

Take your medication COPD medications can help manage symptoms, including shortness of breath so be sure you’re taking the right medications and get evaluated to make sure your lung function is as good as it can be

If you have severely low oxygen levels this is called hypoxemia, your doctor will likely prescribe you medical-grade oxygen, for home oxygen therapy. Long-term oxygen therapy has many benefits if it is used correctly and It can even help you live longer.

• Confusion
• A sense of euphoria
• Restlessness
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Dizziness, lightheadedness and/or fainting spells
• Lack of coordination
• Rapid heart rate
• Elevated blood pressure
• Visual disturbances
• A bluish tint to the lips, earlobes, and/or nail beds (cyanosis)

Hypoxemia is the main reason that people with COPD and other lung diseases are prescribed supplemental oxygen. There are a few forms of home oxygen therapy: You can opt for liquid oxygen tanks, gas cylinder tanks, or the most popular, convenient, and cheapest option a portable oxygen concentrator.

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If you are a good candidate for long-term oxygen therapy, this is a blessing in disguise. While it might seem as if you lung function is declining, once you are able to utilize oxygen, your quality of life will improve drastically. When you have adjusted to the oxygen therapy, you will begin to slow the progression of you COPD as well! 

Once you find the right POC for you, your bones and muscles will feel stronger and energized, you will have improved exercise tolerance, your mood and stamina will boost,  your quality of sleep may improve, and so much more. 

If you feel like you have experienced any of the symptoms of hypoxemia, and are curious how to find the best portable oxygen concentrator to fit you oxygen requirements, fill out the blue box to the right, it is our official guide to portable oxygen concentrators. 

Cough with a Purpose

Remember, COPD-related lung damage can’t be reversed, but it can be controlled if treated properly.

We hope you and your caregivers understand more about COPD and coughing, and how avoiding coughing is not always the best option.

Now that you understand that your cough can in fact be beneficial for your health while treating COPD, we hope that you can use the information in this article to cough effectively and efficiently. These coughing techniques, mixed with medication and other home remedies should reduce the dry uncomfortable smokers cough, and influence you to cough with a purpose.

Even though this can be a pain, always feel free to excuse yourself during social gatherings, and other outings to clear mucus from your lungs and airways. This will allow you to go longer without coughing and spend more quality time with the ones you love while enjoying the things you like to do.

The more you practice these coughing techniques the more efficient you will become at clearing your airways, and therefore breathing!

If you have any questions please leave a comment on this blog below, and always feel free to share our blog with your friends and family. By explaining how beneficial your cough is for managing your COPD, they will better understand and be willing to help and encourage coughing rather than trying to help you avoid it.