Your body's cells all require a steady flow of oxygen to function. Oxygen is inhaled through the air, enters the lungs, and travels through the bloodstream to your cells. However, the amount of oxygen your lungs can naturally take in can be compromised when you have COPD, COVID-19, emphysema, sleep apnea, or other breathing issues, which can be harmful to organ function. Organ damage can result from insufficient oxygen, which is why a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) can literally save lives.
Less fatigue, breathlessness, and improved sleep are just a few of the advantages of supplemental oxygen therapy that significantly improve your quality of life. POCs transform oxygen from surrounding air and are a type of oxygen therapy. A concentrated form of oxygen is given to the user through air filtering and compression.
You're not alone if you find it overwhelming to receive an oxygen therapy prescription, whether it's for short-term or long-term use. To maintain healthy organ function, an estimated 1.5 million Americans use supplemental oxygen therapy. Compared to compressed gas cylinders, a portable oxygen concentrator is more affordable and lacks refilled tanks. With a battery pack, a portable oxygen concentrator can be used "on the go," encouraging an active lifestyle.
Oxygen concentrators are primarily used to provide supplemental oxygen to individuals with respiratory conditions or disorders that result in low blood oxygen levels. Some common indications for using oxygen concentrators include:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): COPD encompasses conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which can cause difficulty breathing and low blood oxygen levels. Oxygen therapy helps relieve symptoms and improve quality of life for COPD patients.
Pulmonary Fibrosis: This is a progressive lung disease where the lung tissue becomes scarred and stiff, leading to breathing difficulties and reduced oxygen levels in the blood. Oxygen therapy can help alleviate symptoms and improve exercise tolerance.
Cystic Fibrosis: This genetic condition affects the lungs and other organs, leading to the production of thick mucus that can obstruct airways and impair lung function. Oxygen therapy may be necessary during periods of exacerbation or for long-term management.
Heart Failure: In cases of severe heart failure, the heart may not pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues, leading to low oxygen levels. Supplemental oxygen can help compensate for this deficiency and reduce symptoms such as shortness of breath.
Sleep Apnea: While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are the primary treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, oxygen therapy may be prescribed in conjunction with CPAP for individuals with severe nighttime hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels during sleep).
Pneumonia: During acute respiratory infections like pneumonia, oxygen therapy may be necessary to support breathing and maintain adequate oxygen levels in the blood until the infection resolves.
High Altitude Sickness: Oxygen concentrators can also be used to alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headache, fatigue, and shortness of breath, by providing supplemental oxygen at high altitudes where oxygen levels are lower.
These are just a few of the many indications for using oxygen concentrators. It's crucial for individuals with respiratory conditions to work closely with healthcare professionals to determine the appropriate oxygen therapy regimen based on their specific medical needs and conditions.
There are some top oxygen concentrators available in Canada based on various factors like user reviews, reliability, features, and availability:
Philips Respironics SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator: Known for its compact design, multiple oxygen delivery modes, and reliability, the SimplyGo is a popular choice for both home and portable oxygen therapy.
Inogen One G5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator: With its long battery life, lightweight design, and quiet operation, the Inogen One G5 is favored by many for its convenience and performance.
Invacare Platinum Mobile Oxygen Concentrator: This concentrator is praised for its ruggedness, making it suitable for active lifestyles. It offers continuous flow and pulse dose settings, along with a responsive control interface.
Drive DeVilbiss 10L Oxygen Concentrator: Ideal for home use, this concentrator offers high oxygen output levels and reliable performance. It's often chosen for its simplicity and effectiveness in delivering oxygen therapy.
AirSep FreeStyle 5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator: Designed for portability, the FreeStyle 5 offers both pulse dose and continuous flow settings, making it versatile for various oxygen therapy needs.
ResMed Mobi Portable Oxygen Concentrator: ResMed is renowned for its sleep and respiratory care products, and the Mobi is no exception. It's compact, easy to use, and offers advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity for remote monitoring.
The compact Freestyle Comfort Portable Oxygen Concentrator with UltraSense from CAIRE Medical connects wirelessly to your smartphone. Data can be viewed and tracked, and this POC's oxygen output can be automatically changed in real time. Its extremely sensitive breath detection system provides just the right amount of oxygen to suit your individual needs. It delivers up to 1,050 mL of oxygen per minute and has five settings.
The respiratory system changes as we age, which may make it more difficult for our lungs to function. Strength, posture, balance, and cognitive function can all be affected by aging. To help with portability, this POC weighs less than five pounds and has an ergonomic curved shape. This robust portable oxygen concentrator can be accessed easily without having to take it out of its carrying case thanks to the control panel's full-color display and convenient access. It has a 16-cell battery that can run the device for up to eight hours, or an 8-cell battery that lasts for four hours.
Features and Benefits
- Lightweight and ergonomically designed for comfortable portability
- Breath detection system to ensure sufficient oxygen delivery
- Smartphone app for tracking
- Extremely user-friendly with an easily accessible control panel
- Accessories include a carry bag, battery pack, AC/DC power supply and cords, and padded shoulder strap (optional backpack available)
Pros
Approved for air travel by the FAA
UltraSense technology measures breath and provides peace of mind for the appropriate level of oxygen therapy
Super lightweight and compact, making it very comfortable to travel with
Quiet operation
One of the longest-lasting battery charges
Cons
Takes a while to fully charge the battery
The largest battery pack doesn’t come standard and costs extra
In conclusion, portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) are invaluable tools for individuals with respiratory conditions such as COPD, emphysema, sleep apnea, and those recovering from COVID-19. These devices provide a steady supply of concentrated oxygen, improving quality of life by alleviating symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath. With their convenience, mobility, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional oxygen tanks, POCs enable users to lead more active and independent lifestyles. As technology continues to advance, POCs play a vital role in supporting overall health and well-being for millions of individuals worldwide.
