Portable Oxygen Concentrators – Popular And Effective

For people suffering from COPD and need additional oxygen things have changed for the better since the arrival of portable oxygen concentrators. COPD patients who are prescribed with oxygen therapy used to have one of two options to receive their much needed air. Either through oxygen delivered from a tank or from a cylinder. Over the last decade or so, portable oxygen concentrators have arrived on the scene and this has meant a much more versatile delivery of oxygen and thus increased mobility.

These machines have become popular since day one and therefore competition between manufacturers has resulted in good news for patients. Newer, user friendly portable concentrators are constantly appearing on the market – and this has meant patients can now practice many more activities with less limitations.

Portable oxygen is available in oxygen tanks that are lighter and easier to carry, with more precise flow meters and conserving devices (where instead of a continuous oxygen flow, you can have it regulated as you breath in) this means longer lasting oxygen – and the most popular option today, portable oxygen concentrators, that have all this and just about an unlimited supply of oxygen. A portable oxygen concentrator is a machine that separates oxygen from the surrounding air and then supplies it to the patient. A portable one means you can carry it with you – and here the benefits are easily recognized. The normal make up of ambient air holds 21% oxygen (at high altitudes or with high levels of pollution this changes reducing the amount o oxygen available). A portable oxygen concentrator (in fact all oxygen concentrators) gets hold of this oxygen, concentrating it, and then delivers it to the patient. They need an electric current to run and this can be simply by plugging into a socket (even in a vehicle) or with rechargeable batteries – and the ones that are being used last longer and if you add to that one or two back ups you have the benefit of very extended periods of oxygen supply.

More Information On Portable Oxygen Concentrators

These units, both stationary and portable, do make a noise as the motor is working and though it can annoy, most people find that soon they will not notice, unless the noise stops – but that is good as it becomes a warning sign. With tanks and cylinders that just hiss between deliveries, if for any reason the supply is interrupted, it can take a while before you notice. Just like the other machines they will have adjustable flow settings.
When traveling, by car, or any other type of vehicle (perhaps even walking) make sure your battery is charged and that you are carrying a spare. Another suggestion is to fall into the habit of having a checklist of the things you must have before going out as well as using it.

Perhaps the greatest difference between concentrators and oxygen tanks or cylinders (note that tanks store liquid oxygen and cylinders oxygen as a gas0 is the storage aspect. Concentrators extract and deliver, they transform. Tanks and cylinders store and delivery and are therefore dependent on how much oxygen can be stored. When they run down they have to be filled up again. Concentrators will continue to extract and deliver.

Travel on public transport has now less limitations as portable oxygen concentrator models are now recognized as quality and safe oxygen delivery systems. The FAA has authorized the use of certain models on all US flights. Mobility for oxygen dependent patients is now easier.