Maintaining Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Maintaining Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Despite how dependable and sturdy they are, you have to remember that they are only electronics and need to be maintained from time to time, and protected the way you would protect a cell phone or a camcorder. You also have to make sure you keep it clean and in top working order, because you need it to keep you healthy. Maintaining the right amount of oxygen in your blood is extremely important, because every cell in your body needs oxygen.

Replacing Filters

Many concentrators have gross particle filters that need replaced every 2 years. Read your owners manual that came with your portable oxygen concentrator to see how often it will need changed, so you can purchase a new one and have it on hand when you are supposed to replace it. Some concentrators will have a light or alarm that goes off when it is time to change the filter. The gross particle filter is important because it filters the larger particles that are in the air that you don’t want to breathe in. You can replace this filter yourself, by following the directions in the owners manual.

Continue Reading

Scott Ridl

Oxygen Therapy and COPD in Women

Oxygen Therapy and COPD in Women

March is National Women’s History Month, and unfortunately in recent years, part of that history was added on to by the fact that women are now more likely to be diagnosed with COPD than men. COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is often why many people are prescribed oxygen therapy.

Why are more women than men being diagnosed with COPD and are ultimately prescribed oxygen therapy? There are a few possible answers to this question. A woman is often more likely to go to the doctor than a man. It’s a fact that many cases of COPD go undiagnosed for years before they become so bad that they end up in the hospital, and the disease becomes apparent. A woman is more likely to go to the doctor and describe their ailments, which usually leads to tests and diagnosis.

Continue Reading

Scott Ridl

Dealing with Allergies While Using Oxygen Therapy

Dealing with Allergies While Using Oxygen Therapy

Allergy season is just around the corner, and in some parts of the country it’s starting early. In North Texas, they’ve already started sneezing from the wind that blows the pollen from the cedar trees. Those in the South will always have to deal with an earlier allergy season than those in the Northern United States. However, even in the north, we will be experiencing tree pollen as early as late February. Many of us are effected by allergies, and if you are, they can be a huge pain.

If you have to use oxygen therapy on a daily basis, having allergies can seem even worse. No one wants to deal with nasal congestion, especially while you have to use a nasal cannula. If you know you are going to suffer from allergies soon, do yourself a favor and be prepared. Read ahead to find out what steps you should take to avoid allergy symptoms as much as possible.

Continue Reading

Scott Ridl

American Lung Association Hosts the 2014 Fight for Air Climb in Denver

2014 Fight for Air Climb for American Lung Association

According to the Lung.org website, The Fight for Air Fundraisers are really “a vertical road race”, where participants and teams can come together to raise money for the American Lung Association as well as meet another fitness goal.

Just as with many other fund raising events for a medical cause or organization, athelets have the opportunity to contribute and pay tribute to those who cannot breathe properly, those with chronic diseases such as COPD or asthma, those with lung cancer, and future generations to have better medical technology to treat lung ailments.

Continue Reading

Scott Ridl