Helpful Information and Stories About Oxygen Therapy

The Details of Medical Oxygen Therapy

People can use oxygen therapy from lower dose, or non-medical grade oxygen concentrators, if they want to improve their health with extra oxygen. Those who need medical grade oxygen because of a medical issue that has been diagnosed by a pulmonary specialist, will of course, need to use a higher dose of oxygen. Medical grade oxygen must always be treated like any other kind of prescribed medication.

If you’re having an increased difficulty breathing for longer than a month at a time, you might want to see your doctor to see what’s going on. You might have a medical condition that needs to be treated with medications, including oxygen therapy.

You will need to be properly tested and diagnosed by a pulmonary specialist, to get a prescription for oxygen therapy. When you have a prescription, you can then purchase a medical grade oxygen concentrator, like the ones we sell here at American Medical.

August 8, 2014April 7, 2021 Scott Ridl

Chronic Pain and COPD – The Causes and the Solutions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can affect every part of your life, not just how you breathe. Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema fall under the umbrella term of COPD, but they’re characterized by the damage dealt to your lungs. If your lungs have been damaged, it means you’re unable to bring in enough oxygen into your body.

Our bodies are so dependent on oxygen, that when a little is missing over a period of time, everything starts to suffer. Your doctor might prescribe the use of oxygen therapy to make up for lungs’ inability to bring in enough oxygen to fuel your body. Aside from getting enough oxygen, you can have another problem that is much different, but still connected to your COPD – chronic pain.

July 22, 2014April 8, 2021 Scott Ridl

Portable Oxygen Concentrator Use for People with Diabetes

Once your body becomes resistant to insulin, or is unable to produce insulin, causing your blood sugar level to spike, you become susceptible to another set of medical issues. You might start to lose your eyesight, and you can start to develop sores on your feet. These sores are caused by tissue damage, and can even lead to the need for amputation.

You might already have diabetes that you’ve had since you were young. Type 1 diabetes often shows up when you’re very young, but it more rare than Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes will usually develop after the age of 40, and will usually progress, unless major life style changes are made. There’s a chance you can make sure it doesn’t progress as quickly if you start eating healthier.

July 13, 2014April 8, 2021 Scott Ridl

Oxygen Therapy and Staying Safe – Safety Measures for Oxygen Users

An oxygen concentrator is an electronic, and as with all electronics, you have to practice a few simple safety measures while using it. The fact that it puts out a very pure form of oxygen also makes it a special case, and more volatile than other medical machines. It’s still a very safe piece of medical equipment to use, and our portable oxygen concentrators are even safe to use on airplanes, as approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.

You’ll stay safe if you just follow a few simple safety guidelines while using your oxygen concentrator. You can find even more safety instructions in the owners manual of your oxygen concentrator.

Staying away from heat and flames is the most important thing you can do to stay safe while using an oxygen concentrator. Oxygen itself won’t explode or combust when coming in contact with flames. It’s a non-flammable gas, and won’t go up in flames like gasoline fumes. However, a high purity of oxygen feeds a flame quicker than regular air, and you know how quickly a flame can ignite just in the air in a room.

July 8, 2014April 8, 2021 Scott Ridl

How Your Oxygen Needs Can Change Over Time

Your doctor prescribed to you, oxygen therapy because your lungs aren’t able to bring in enough oxygen for the rest of your body. The flow settings of your oxygen concentrator were prescribed to you, because of your individual oxygen needs. Your doctor was able to make a decision based on a few specific tests that were ran on your lungs and your blood.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a progressive disease, meaning it will get worse over time. There are things you can do to help slow the progression of the disease, but it will gradually get worse over time. It’s possible to significantly slow it down so that your quality of life won’t go down dramatically over the years.

July 7, 2014April 8, 2021 Scott Ridl

Information on EWOT for Exercising with Oxygen Therapy

Many people have been prescribed using oxygen therapy while they exercise, because they aren’t bringing in enough oxygen while performing strenuous physical activities. Not getting enough oxygen while exercising can be very dangerous and become life threatening very quickly. The more you move, the more oxygen your body is using up. If you’re not bringing in enough oxygen to meet those needs, you will be in a lot of trouble.

Some people who don’t need oxygen therapy and haven’t been prescribed oxygen therapy by their doctors, are using oxygen while they exercise, simply because it’s what is best for your body. Exercising with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT) involves a non medical grade oxygen concentrator that they breathe from, while riding a stationary bike, or jogging on a treadmill or while using an elliptical.

June 12, 2014July 25, 2023 Scott Ridl

Portable Oxygen Concentrators As Seen on TV

Even though you won’t see any infomercials selling portable oxygen concentrators, you might see some them advertised on TV. You will always need a prescription before you can buy a portable oxygen concentrator. Oxygen for medical purposes is considered a drug, and it could be dangerous if misused without guidance from a doctor.

A prescription is always necessary before you can buy a portable oxygen concentrator from American Medical, or from anywhere else that sells them. You should never try to skip a step and buy from a seller that doesn’t require a prescription, since these sellers are not legitimate and are probably selling old or unsafe models.

May 11, 2014April 7, 2021 Scott Ridl

A Spring Camping Trip – How One Oxygen Therapy User Does It

Spring has sprung, and many people are emerging from their homes for some much needed fresh air and some time in the great outdoors. One such especially adventurous person is Tad G., who is also an oxygen therapy patient. Tad doesn’t let his need for oxygen therapy interfere with what he loves to do most – go camping out in the woods as often as possible.

“I love feeling connected with nature, and disconnect from technology and the rest of the world. I like to do it as primitive and rough as possible. I want to feel like I’m basically surviving on my wits. It makes me feel very alive and gives me the energy and happiness to go on with life, if that makes sense. In other words, if I couldn’t do this, I wouldn’t be a happy camper!”

April 4, 2014April 7, 2021 Scott Ridl

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.

February 24, 2014April 7, 2021 Scott Ridl

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.

February 24, 2014April 7, 2021 Scott Ridl

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