Oxygen Concentrators Treating COPD

Click Here for Recommended Oxygen Concentrator Suppliers
According to TheMedSupplyGuide.com

Author: Dr. Craig Donnelly - OxygenConcentrators.org

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a collective term that refers to a category of lung disease which obstructs the airflow in and out of the lungs and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. COPD leads to permanent lung damage that makes it virtually impossible for an individual to breathe. Though COPD develops gradually and, it may be years before a symptom occurs, once acquired the damage to the lungs cannot be reversed. COPD is incurable but there are treatment plans available to help COPD patients feel better and to slow down its progression.

COPD mainly consists of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation of the lung’s airways, which reoccurs on a consistent basis. On the other hand, emphysema is a disease that damages the lung’s air sacs and in effect, prevents the body from acquiring the oxygen it needs.

Smoking is a common cause of COPD. But there are other factors that can irritate the lungs that can also contribute to the development of COPD such as; prolonged exposure to heavy air pollution, chemical fumes and secondhand tobacco smoke. In rare cases genetics can also be the cause of COPD development.

There is no better way to prevent COPD from occurring in your body than by quitting smoking. Even if you stop smoking for years you may still be prone to COPD. But once acquired, there’s nothing more you can do but to minimize the damages by enrolling in a medical treatment plan.

There are various treatments available for COPD patients one of which is oxygen therapy. This treatment increases the rate of patient survival especially for those that suffer from severe COPD.

An oxygen concentrator is a medical device which is used to treat COPD. This type of equipment provides purified oxygen to a patient at a much higher concentration compared to the level of oxygen that is available through normal breathing. An oxygen concentrator is an electric medical device which works by taking atmospheric air and filtering it to produce purified oxygen. Atmospheric air consists of 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen and trace amounts of other gases. An oxygen concentrator is comprised of filters and compressors that separate the nitrogen and other trace gasses from the oxygen. After passing regular air through this series of filters and compressors, the nitrogen and other elements are separated from the oxygen and then released back into the atmosphere. What is left is purified oxygen that is then delivered to the patient by means of a plastic tube called a nasal cannula.

COPD patients need cleaner and purer air to breathe but today’s world environment does not offer them this luxury. Outdoor air pollution, as well as indoor air quality problems contribute to poor ambient air quality. Breathing this poor quality of air can certainly lead to the exacerbation of COPD symptoms. The most severe symptom of COPD is shortness of breath. Oxygen therapy via an oxygen concentrator is extremely effective in helping to minimize breathing problems. For COPD patients, especially those diagnosed with severe COPD, an increased level of oxygen in the bloodstream is vital to the individual’s survival. Oxygen interacts with proteins, sugars and carbohydrates at the microscopic level in our bodies to produce the biochemical reactions that allow our bodies to produce the energy we need for our bodies to function properly.

An oxygen concentrator is the most efficient and convenient source of oxygen which can be used for oxygen treatment. It delivers purified oxygen to a COPD patient without the need for an oxygen delivery service. Oxygen concentrators are safer to use compared to high pressure oxygen tanks or liquid oxygen vessels that store large amounts of oxygen in a flammable and dangerous form. Safety, convenience and efficiency make oxygen concentrators the most desirable choice for oxygen therapy treatment.

About the author: Dr. Craig Donnelly rates and reviews home oxygen therapy equipment such as the Inogen One portable oxygen concentrator and the Sequal Eclipse portable oxygen concentrator.

About the Author: Dr. Craig Donnelly rates and reviews home oxygen therapy equipment such as the Inogen One portable oxygen concentrator and the Sequal Eclipse portable oxygen concentrator.

Medical Supplies Main