Oxygen Smart

Oxygen therapy refers to the administration of supplemental oxygen to patients suffering with a chronic or acute situation.

A chronic condition happens and develops over a period of time. For example emphysema – part of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease set.  An acute condition makes a sudden appearance and then disappears – which means getting better or getting worse. Another example a sudden attack of asthma can be an acute attack.  On the other hand someone with asthma can have a chronic situation that becomes acute when it flares up.

Supplemental oxygen is administered in many emergency situations – and this can be in hospitals, ambulances or during resuscitation procedures.

When oxygen is given as part of the prescription for a chronic illness, this usually means COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).  COPD is a term that refers to both emphysema and chronic bronchitis.  This is an illness that affects many thousands of people – many of whom haven’t yet been diagnosed – and the numbers are increasing as populations grow older.

(Baby boomers are in the segment of the population that is most at risk).

Many times  long term oxygen therapy is prescribed (and as “many” does not mean “always” the prescriptions will depend on the extent of the lung damage as well as other factors particular to the patient – which is one reason why no one should self diagnose or self prescribe) as lung damage is irreversible.

So what does Oxygen Therapy mean?
Basically it is the administration of extra oxygen to a patient so that the oxygen saturation levels of the individual are maintained.  The normal oxygen saturation is between 94-98%, while in COPD patients this will vary to approximately 88-92%.

How is Oxygen delivered?
A flow of 100% oxygen is delivered through a “cannula” (a plastic tube that fits gently into the nostrils) at predetermined intervals, and flow rates; or for some cases an oxygen mask is used.

How is the Oxygen kept for delivery?
There are three different types of oxygen delivery and storage systems.  You can find home units and their portable equivalents.

1. Oxygen Cylinders, which hold compressed oxygen in gas form.
2. Liquid Oxygen Tanks, which store liquid oxygen – in a smaller compartment the liquid is allowed to revert to gas and is subsequently delivered to the patient through a cannula.
3. Oxygen Concentrators.  These are machines that are powered by electricity an extract oxygen form the surrounding air.  The oxygen is then delivered in pure form to the patient.  As the surrounding air holds 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen (and 1% approximately of other gases), the oxygen is separated and therefore concentrated prior to delivery.

POC’s (portable oxygen concentrators) were introduced around 2002 and have become a major player in the oxygen therapy area.  These are machines – and they include larger models as a home based stationary unit, or smaller portable ones, that do not store oxygen but recycle it instead.  They are powered by electricity and what they do is extract oxygen form the air around and then deliver it at higher concentrations.

As they were specifically designed for oxygen therapy patients who lead active lives, portable oxygen concentrators are benefiting thousands – making it easier to move about, to plug wherever there is an outlet, with the use of rechargeable batteries. As you don’t have to refill anything and as long as you have access to electricity, they just go on and on and on.

What Are Portable Oxygen Concentrators?

They are smaller units that are easier to carry while still providing the same service as larger units. As they are powered by electricity they are designed to receive energy through electric outlets and many also have a battery  set up. Many people have found them much more convenient to use (and carry) and the end result is that they have increased the range of their activities.
As mentioned above, they extract oxygen, “concentrating” it for delivery, from the surrounding air.

The atmosphere is made up of gases, of which 19 to 21% is oxygen, 1-2% other gases and the bulk is made up of nitrogen. Some studies indicate that earth’s atmosphere 200 years ago had an concentration of about 36%. There is a reduction of 0.8% approximately every 15 years according to some measurements, due to pollution and the destruction of forests. In some places oxygen is found at a concentration of 8% – depending on the pollution levels and/or altitude.

Portable concentrators provide pure oxygen which in turn is regulated with the flow rate and at the desired psi level. You can carry them quite easily either on its in handle, in an accessory bag or pull long in a small cart with telescoping handles and wheels.

The Most Important Benefit Of A Portable Oxygen Concentrator Unit

Mobility, mobility, mobility.

Activity, activity, activity.

You can lead a much more active life than with the other oxygen delivery systems.

And this is a major benefit. POC’s have extended the range of things people can do. This includes work activities, social activities, ordinary day to day activities and sports. The list of things people with oxygen therapy are doing is large and getting larger.

Being mobile – being able to move around freely, to participate in many more activities.  This can be as simple as going to a friend’s house to play cards; traveling to the shopping mall, to another city, another state, another country – the list is endless. In May this year the approval of some portable oxygen concentrators by the FAA for all airlines that use US airspace, came into effect.

The benefit of being able to pursue, safely, many more activities, derives into one much greater. The recovery of freedom.  Freedom to move and the rush that come from feeling and knowing this freedom is yours.

Many people who today use POC’s have found that they are doing things they thought were impossible and as they experiment with this new found freedom, their creativity and positive attitude to life is expanding. The positive attitude strengthens the immune system, which in turn makes for better health.