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illustration of a man seated using a oxygen concentrator and hand with index finger inserted into a pulse oximeter

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To survive, we want oxygen likely from our lungs to the cells in our entire body. Often the amount of oxygen in our blood can drop down below usual degrees. Bronchial asthma, lung cancer, long-term obstructive pulmonary condition (COPD), the flu, and COVID-19 are some of the well being issues that might lead to oxygen degrees to drop. When the degrees are far too lower, we might want to consider added oxygen, regarded as oxygen therapy.

Just one way to get added oxygen into the entire body is by making use of an oxygen concentrator. Oxygen concentrators are professional medical equipment demanded to be sold and utilised only with a prescription.

You should not to use an oxygen concentrator at property except if it has been prescribed by a well being treatment provider. Supplying on your own oxygen with no speaking to a health practitioner initial might do additional harm than excellent. You might close up using far too a lot or far too minimal oxygen. Determining to use an oxygen concentrator with no a prescription can direct to severe well being complications these as oxygen toxicity triggered by getting far too a lot oxygen. It can also direct to a delay in getting remedy for severe circumstances like COVID-19.

Even though oxygen can make up about 21 percent of the air around us, respiratory superior concentrations of oxygen might harm your lungs. On the other hand, not having adequate oxygen into the blood, a affliction identified as hypoxia, could harm the coronary heart, mind, and other organs.

Locate out if you genuinely want oxygen therapy by examining with your well being treatment provider. If you do, your well being treatment provider can figure out how a lot oxygen you should consider and for how prolonged.

What do I want to know about oxygen concentrators?

Oxygen concentrators consider in air from the home and filter out nitrogen. The method delivers the greater quantities of oxygen needed for oxygen therapy.

Concentrators might be large and stationary or small and transportable. Concentrators are different than tanks or other containers providing oxygen for the reason that they use electrical pumps to concentrate the continuous source of oxygen that will come from the bordering air.

You might have found oxygen concentrators for sale on the net with no a prescription. At this time, the Fda has not authorised or cleared any oxygen concentrators to be sold or utilised with no a prescription.

When making use of an oxygen concentrator:

  • Do not use the concentrator, or any oxygen products, in the vicinity of an open flame or when smoking
  • Put the concentrator in an open house to lessen chances of unit failure from overheating
  • Do not block any vents on the concentrator considering the fact that it might impression unit overall performance
  • Periodically check your unit for any alarms to make positive you are having adequate oxygen.

If you are prescribed an oxygen concentrator for long-term well being complications and have adjustments in your respiratory or oxygen degrees, or have signs of COVID-19, call your well being treatment provider. Do not make adjustments to the oxygen degrees on your very own.

How are my oxygen degrees monitored?

Oxygen degrees are monitored with a small unit identified as a pulse oximeter, or pulse ox.

Pulse oximeters are positioned on a finger, toe or brow and use beams of mild to indirectly measure the degree of oxygen in the blood.

What do I want to know about pulse oximeters?

As with any unit, there is always a hazard of an inaccurate looking through. If you are making use of a pulse oximeter to keep an eye on your oxygen degrees and are concerned about the looking through, get hold of a well being treatment provider. And do not count only on a pulse oximeter. It is crucial to hold monitor of your signs, or how you experience. Get in touch with a health practitioner if your signs are severe or get even worse.

When making use of a pulse oximeter:

  • Sit however and do not go the portion of your entire body in which the pulse oximeter is
  • Do not use the unit on your arms when your arms are cold
  • Eliminate all fingernail polish if making use of the unit on your arms.

If you seasoned a dilemma or harm that you believe might be linked to a pulse oximeter or oxygen concentrator, you can voluntarily report it by way of the FDA’s MedWatch plan.