Home Oxygen Concentrators
For a long time, patients who needed oxygen therapy needed to use compressed oxygen tanks for their daily therapy. However, with the immobility and the risk of fire hazards that they posed, the gas cylinders were soon replaced by oxygen concentrator. An oxygen concentrator provides oxygen therapy to patients in need of more oxygen than the atmosphere can provide. They are some of the best options for patients who have respiratory problems. Among the options that patients with respiratory problems have include compressed oxygen tanks. Oxygen therapy is needed for the maintenance of health by providing the users with enough oxygen for optimum functioning of their bodies. Some of the advantages that come with using concentrators will be shown in this article.
Patients who will need a lot of oxygen in their bodies include those who are suffering from lung conditions which obstruct the supply of oxygen into their bodies and muscles. The lack of oxygen in the body can lead to diseases of the central nervous system among others. Most of these people are weak since their lungs are not able to work to full capacity. This is always very bad for the health of the person. Their muscles will not function to optimum capacity and with their lungs not able to stretch out, they will always be breathless.
How oxygen concentrators function
The most present gas in the atmosphere is nitrogen, which is about 78%. Oxygen, the gas needed for life occupies about 20%. The work of concentrators is to improve the percentage of oxygen for those who need oxygen therapy. Those who need high levels of this gas will have the air the breath adjusted to about 45%. Oxygen concentrators use special filters that improve the percentage of oxygen in the gas. This will provide those patients in need of oxygen with a higher concentration so they do not have to lose their breaths trying to supply their bodies with oxygen.
Advantages of home oxygen concentrators
Those who do not move around as much can use home oxygen concentrators. Some of the most popular and recent designs will increase the amount of oxygen supply in your body and improve your health. Those who are suffering from any debilitating pulmonary disease can have an improved lifestyle with the home oxygen concentrators. These designs are mostly used in hospitals and old age care homes for patients with pulmonary illnesses.
Some of the designs of home oxygen concentrators are movable. They have wheels that you can move around with when you want to move from one room of the house to the other. The difference between this and the older models is that a patient would have had to be stationary; to be in one place all the time when he wants some oxygen therapy. The fact that you can get your therapy in any room of the house is liberating to patients.
Specific designs, e.g. those that are made by electronic giants like Phillips come with warranties. This is one of the considerations you must have in mind when you are looking for a home oxygen concentrator. Having a warranty of at least five years means that you will not have to worry about it breaking down or anything. The money you spend on your device will have been worth it when you spend it wisely on a device with a warranty.
Home oxygen concentrators are quiet, so you will not have to disturb anyone in the house. There will be no activity that will be distracted by the quiet humming of your home oxygen concentrator. This is a far cry from what it used to be, and an improvement in the lives of the people who use these devices.
Oxygen concentrators for home use can provide different rates of oxygen at the same time. In other words, you can regulate the amount of oxygen you need at any one time. When you want a lot of oxygen supply, you can increase it. When you are going to sleep and in need of less oxygen, you can adjust it accordingly.
With the oxygen concentrators for home use, you do not have to worry about the weight of the device, since you will not have to carry it around. Lighter home oxygen concentrators are known to be more expensive and heavier ones are cheaper. From the experience of many users, heavier ones are much more compact and less likely to fall down and break. Whatever your preferences are, the weight of the home oxygen concentrators should never be an issue that should bother you.
Considerations when buying home oxygen concentrators
First of all, you need to think about the price tag and how much you are prepared to spend. This will pretty much determine for you the designs and brands to concentrate on. As has been stated above, look for a device that is compact and easy to move around, so that you can get your therapy in any part of the house you desire. The brand does matter; ensure that the brand you are buying the oxygen concentrator from is well known and trusted. Read all reviews on the device before committing yourself to buying it. When it comes to the power, it is always good to expand your options. While it is good to have those that are battery powered, it is also good to have the electricity powered devices for your need.
List of home oxygen concentrators
- Invacare Perfecto2 Home Oxygen Concentrator
- Respironics EverFlo Q Home Oxygen Machine
- Respironics M10 Home Oxygen
- SeQual Integra High Flow Oxygen Concentrator
