Advice for Using Portable Oxygen Concentrators for Emphysema

Advice for Using Portable Oxygen Concentrators for Emphysema

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Oxygen therapy is one of the types of medications used to treat the chronic lung disease, emphysema. Emphysema doesn’t always require oxygen therapy as a treatment – this depends on your lung function and how low your blood oxygen level is. If it’s below the accepted levels, you’ll need to be able to breathe in higher concentrations of oxygen, because your lungs cannot bring in what your body needs, on their own.

What does it mean when one has emphysema? Emphysema is when some of the tiny air sacks in the lungs are too damaged to function or function properly. Their function is a significant one – they are the gateways between the lungs and the bloodstream.

The oxygen you breathe in is transferred through the air sacks, called alveoli, to your blood, which is then taken to all the parts of your body. Your blood also carries carbon dioxide out of your body, from your blood to your lungs, which is exhaled as waste. When your alveoli are too damaged to function properly enough, you can’t get enough oxygen to your blood, and it’s much harder to release the carbon dioxide.

If an arterial blood gas (ABG) test is done, and your blood oxygen is too low, you’ll most likely be prescribed the use of oxygen therapy. Your doctor will assess your diagnosis to determine how much oxygen therapy you need, and he or she will write a prescription. You would use this prescription to purchase an oxygen concentrator.

As long as a portable concentrator meets your dosage requirements, it will be safe for you to use that portable concentrator. Your doctor will also most likely help you decide on a portable oxygen concentrator that will meet your oxygen needs, and your lifestyle needs.

For example, your doctor might refer you to a pulmonary therapy specialist. To continue with getting moderate physical activity that is recommended by your doctor, you will need a portable oxygen concentrator that has a good oxygen conservation feature. This will make sure that even as your breath rate goes up, you will still receive the same amount of oxygen, at the same time during your breath cycle.

Many of the newer portable oxygen concentrators have this technology. It senses the subtle change in air pressure of your breath and releases the amount you need at the exact moment that you need it when you’re right about to inhale. Very important for someone with emphysema, or any other severe stage of chronic lung disease.

Portable oxygen concentrators also make it possible for you to exercise much more natural than if you were stuck at home. You can ride a bike through the park, or take a walk around the block, knowing that your body is still receiving the same amount of oxygen that you need. Just be sure to charge up the battery before you leave, to make sure you’re covered when you’ll be out!

Information on this page is for reference and educational purposes only. For more information about emphysema, talk to your doctor or primary care provider.

Page last updated: October 5, 2018

Sources:

  • Center to Advance Palliative Care. http://www.getpalliativecare.org
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    Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

    Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

2 thoughts on “Advice for Using Portable Oxygen Concentrators for Emphysema

  1. I just wanted to thank you for going over some tips for using a portable oxygen concentrator. It’s good to know that you need to make sure that the concentrator meet your dosage requirements. It definitely sounds beneficial to make sure that you understand your dosage or even research some different concentrators so that you know more about what to look for.

    • We are glad you found it informative, Taylor. Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions for future blog posts!

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