You’ve obtained two decisions. We’re right here that can assist you decide the very best one.
In relation to the therapy of extreme chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) your doctor or pulmonologist could prescribe oxygen therapy—amongst different accessible types of therapy—as a approach to ease the signs of the illness—particularly shortness of breath.
The way in which wherein supplementary oxygen works is straightforward: it gives you a relentless stream of oxygen straight by way of the nostril to assist ease your respiration and oxygen consumption, no matter your respiratory problem.
For these of you affected by persistent lung illness, you possibly can certainly attest that an oxygen tank generally is a godsend, not to mention a necessity when going by way of a typical day with extreme lung illness.
Nevertheless, although the usual route of supply for oxygen remedy is thru using an oxygen tank, not too long ago there have been new developments within the type of oxygen concentrators.
What are these?
Good query, and together with your well being in thoughts, the Lung Institute is right here to breakdown Oxygen Tanks vs. Oxygen Concentrators.
The Medical Use of Oxygen (When and Why)
As we’ve said above, using oxygen within the therapy of COPD and different lung illnesses is usually prescribed when illness development is especially extreme.
And that is key, as a result of using oxygen remedy can truly be ineffective for these with delicate COPD.
Regarding the software and advantages of oxygen remedy, the argument is fairly easy: oxygen remedy gives you with oxygen.
Within the case of essentially the most dominant signs of COPD—shortness of breath, growing fatigue, coughing and sputum manufacturing—oxygen remedy serves as a direct technique of oxygen infusion which relieves many of those signs instantly.
Nevertheless, the issue of oxygen remedy is just not that it’s efficient—it’s—it’s the truth that it doesn’t present any actual long-term symptom aid.
Regardless of utilizing oxygen, your illness will proceed to progress unimpeded, so in fact, oxygen remedy should be mixed with one other therapy choice as a way to protect your high quality of life.
Oxygen Tanks vs Oxygen Concentrators
In evaluating oxygen tanks and oxygen concentrators it’s greatest to consider the 2 gadgets as unleaded gasoline and premium.
Within the case of using oxygen tanks, the tanks are comparatively cheap however are in the end cumbersome, as you will have to maintain 1-2 tanks on you always—significantly throughout lengthy or prolonged journeys.
As oxygen tanks are restricted by a finite capability (the scale of the tank) this may produce a difficulty of portability for many who use them.
Alternatively, when you had been to have a look at oxygen concentrators as premium gasoline, an related increased value is to be anticipated, nevertheless, in trade for this increased value the added advantages are clear.
The way in which wherein oxygen concentrators work is that they attract air from throughout you—they’re no greater than a lunchbox—and purify the air immediately and ship it to you thru your cannulas.
On this sense, there aren’t any tanks to trade. As soon as you buy the machine, that’s it. You’ve obtained a supply of recent oxygen for so long as you retain the machine.
Ideas for Utilizing Supplemental Oxygen
This isn’t a shock for these utilizing supplemental oxygen, however anybody else, dryness can be a problem.
Whether or not it’s in your throat, your nostril or your mouth, supplemental oxygen use is understood to trigger extreme dryness, irritated pores and skin and nostril bleeds. We’ll cope with nostril bleeds first.
Nostril Bleeds
As a result of the truth that the pores and skin on the within of your nostril is delicate, any bumps of the plastic cannula may cause pores and skin breaks. To keep away from this, hold the nostrils moist by utilizing a humidifier or a nasal spray.
Dry Mouth and Throat Irritation
Once more, supplemental oxygen can do a quantity on these delicate—and sometimes lubricated—areas. In treating them, any form of humidifier or liquid will assist in protecting these organs lubricated.
On your dry mouth, strive ingesting a heat lemon tea with honey. It will have the added impact of soothing a dry and scratchy throat.
Subsequent Steps
With out query, using an oxygen tank or oxygen concentrator is a superb step in taking management of your respiratory well being.
The following step is quitting smoking when you haven’t already. Though we at all times suggest quitting smoking first as a vital step to higher well being, the second is to deal with your common well being by way of easy weight loss program and train.
With these behavioral modifications, it’s potential to vastly have an effect on the pronouncement of signs inside these with emphysema, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.
Christine Kingsley, APRN is the Well being and Wellness Director on the Lung Institute the place she focuses on offering useful on-line sources for individuals in search of data on numerous lung illnesses, respiration workout routines, and wholesome way of life decisions. She advocates for holistic care that entails working together with your physician to discover all choices together with conventional and various care whereas specializing in weight loss program and train as proactive measures.
