Uses Of Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Portable oxygen like simplygo, eaypulse, Airsep Freestyle are used by people when they're not getting enough oxygen into their lungs due to illness or other health reasons. The oxygen that comes from an oxygen tank is concentrated and will help increase oxygen levels in the blood quickly and effectively. The amount of oxygen used, and the frequency of usage, should be determined by your physician.

Oxygen is used as a medical treatment in both chronic and acute cases, and can be used in hospital, pre-hospital or entirely out of hospital, dependant on the needs of the patient and their medical professionals' opinions.


Use in chronic conditions
A common use of supplementary oxygen is in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),the occurrence of chronic bronchitis or emphysema, a common long term effect of smoking, who may require additional oxygen to breathe either during a temporary worsening of their condition, or throughout the day and night. It is indicated in COPD patients with PaO2 ≤ 55mmHg or SaO2 ≤ 88% and has been shown to increase lifespan.

Oxygen is often prescribed for people with breathlessness, in the setting of end-stage cardiac or respiratory failure, advanced cancer or neurodegenerative disease, despite having relatively normal blood oxygen levels. A 2010 trial of 239 subjects found no significant difference in reducing breathlessness between oxygen and air delivered in the same way.

Use in acute conditions
Oxygen is widely used in emergency medicine, both in hospital and by emergency medical services or advanced first aiders.

In the pre-hospital environment, high flow oxygen is definitively indicated for use in resuscitation, major trauma, anaphylaxis, major haemorrhage, shock, active convulsions and hypothermia.

It may also be indicated for any other patient where their injury or illness has caused hypoxaemia, although in this case oxygen flow should be moderated to achieve target oxygen saturation levels, based on pulse oximetry (with a target level of 94–98% in most patients, or 88–92% in COPD patients).

For personal use, high concentration oxygen is used as home therapy to abort cluster headache attacks, due to its vaso-constrictive effects.


Many patients require only a supplementary level of oxygen in the room air they are breathing, rather than pure or near pure oxygen,[9] and this can be delivered through a number of devices dependant on the situation, flow required and in some instances patient preference.

A nasal cannula (NC) is a thin tube with two small nozzles that protrude into the patient's nostrils. It can only comfortably provide oxygen at low flow rates, 2–6 litres per minute (LPM), delivering a concentration of 24–40%.

There are also a number of face mask options, such as the simple face mask, often used at between 6 and 12 LPM, with a concentration of oxygen to the patient of between 28% and 50%. This is closely related to the more controlled air-entrainment masks, also known as Venturi masks, which can accurately deliver a predetermined oxygen concentration to the trachea up to 40%.

In some instances, a partial rebreathing mask can be used, which is based on a simple mask, but featuring a reservoir bag, which increases the provided oxygen rate to 40–70% oxygen at 5 to 15 LPM.

Non-rebreather masks draw oxygen from an attached reservoir bags, with one-way valves that direct exhaled air out of the mask. When properly fitted and used at flow rates of 10-15 LPM or higher, they deliver close to 100% oxygen. This type of mask is indicated for acute medical emergencies.

The Danger of Oxygen Use with Sleep Apnea and COPD

There are situations where the use of oxygen to treat sleep apnea may actually be dangerous. When chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as emphysema, occurs alone, oxygen has been shown to be beneficial. However, when it occurs with obstructive sleep apnea, a different picture emerges.

In this so-called "overlap syndrome," the use of nocturnal oxygen without relief of the airway obstruction can cause worsened breathing overnight. This may result in complaints such as morning headache or confusion. Therefore, it is important that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) be used to treat the obstruction, with supplemental oxygen infused into the system as needed to confer the other benefits.

Therefore, it is important that individuals with COPD undergo a sleep study if there is suspicion of sleep apnea contributing to their complaints. And clearly, oxygen alone is not an adequate treatment for those suspected of having sleep apnea.

Watch And Learn How To Use A Nebulizer In Seven Easy Steps.

If you are treating your patient with a nebulizers you must know how to use properly to achieve the proper benefits of its purpose. Knowing how to use a nebulizer is an important aspect of COPD treatment. This illustrated, step-by-step guide shows you how to use a nebulizer in 7 easy steps.

Step 1. Nebulizers are easy to use and work by delivering a fine mist of spray which penetrates deeply into your lungs.

Step 2. Assemble the nebulizer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure to securely connect the hose to an air compressor.

Step 3. Carefully fill the medicine cup with your prescription. If your medicine comes in a pre-measured plastic ampule, twist off the top and pour it into the cup. There are two types of COPD medications commonly used in a nebulizer, bronchodilators and glucocorticoids.

Step 4. Attach the hose and mouthpiece to the medicine cup. Or, if you choose to use a mask, attach the hose and mask to the medicine cup.

Step 5. Place the mouthpiece into your mouth and secure your lips around it. Breathe in and out slowly through your mouth, without removing your mouth from the mouthpiece. This should be done continuously until the medicine is gone, about 15 to 20 minutes. If you have problems breathing through your nose, you may wear a noseclip.

Step 6. Some people prefer using a face mask for nebulizer treatments and that's okay, because a face mask is just as effective in delivering COPD medications.

Step 7. After each use, rinse your mouthpiece and medicine cup with warm water and let air dry. You should also rinse your mouth to remove any left-over residue.

Those step are just easy steps on using a nebulizers. Once you follow them carefully you will have a good positive outcome of treating your patient.

Source: COPD.About.com

The Healthy Diet for Obstructive Lung Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases in which there is an obstruction to the air flow. Since breathing requires more energy if you have COPD, you need more of energy boosting foods. Although you may need more calories than people without COPD, you also have to maintain a healthy body weight so that your heart and lungs do not have to work harder. Here are some foods that can help you make healthy choices.

Oatmeal

A bowl of oatmeal in hot milk can make a very good breakfast. It is low in saturated fat and very low in cholesterol and sodium. It is a good source of selenium that promotes elasticity of the lung tissue. It is also a very good source of dietary fiber; a cup of oatmeal supplies 8.2g of fiber. It is also rich in iron.

Whole Grains

Whole grain foods such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta and whole grain ready-to-eat cereals are a good source of calories and dietary fiber and highly benefit people with COPD. For example, a MORGEN study published in the journal Respiratory Research stated that intake of more than 180 g/day of fruits and more than 45 g/day of whole grains could independently lower COPD symptoms by 50 percent.

Citrus Fruits

Cantaloupe, strawberries and other fresh fruits that are high in vitamin C have been found to benefit COPD patients. Studies have shown that daily intake of vitamin C at levels slightly exceeding the Recommended Dietary Allowance of 60 mg/day among nonsmokers and 100 mg/day among smokers (smokers are highly susceptible to COPD, by the way) may have a protective effect. Further, consumption of fresh fruit by children has been related to a lower prevalence of asthma symptoms and better lung function.

Reduced-fat Cheese

Cheese is a good source of protein, zinc, calcium and phosphorus. Add it to your veggies or whole grains to increase the nutrient value and caloric value of your diet. On the downside, it is very high in sodium, for example, a cup of shredded cheese (113g) provides 1616mg or about 67 percent of the daily requirement of sodium.

Brazil Nuts and Sunflower Seeds

Studies have shown that people with COPD have lower levels of selenium in plasma. It is more evident in those with low levels of arterial oxygen pressure. The required daily allowance for selenium in general is 79 microgram. Brazil nuts (1917 microgram per 100g) and sunflower seeds (79 microgram per 100g) are very rich sources of selenium. In addition, they are also great sources of magnesium.

Fish

Fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, lake trout and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial to people with COPD since this condition is characterized by chronic inflammation. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have anti-inflammatory effects and nutritional support with an omega-3 rich diet is a safe and practical method for treating COPD, according to a Japanese study published in the journal Chest. Studies also suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may have a potentially protective effect against airway hyper-reactivity and decreasing lung function.

Peanut Butter

People with COPD use more energy (430 to 720 calories) while breathing than the average person. So, sometimes you may need to add calorie-rich foods to your diet to produce energy to prevent weakening of the diaphragm and other pulmonary muscles. One of the healthy ways to add calories is by consuming unsalted peanut butter. Two tablespoons of smooth, unsalted peanut butter contains 188 calories, 16g of total fat, zero cholesterol and very low sodium.

Milk and Dairy Products

Milk and dairy products are the main source of calcium. Calcium helps with lung function, muscle contraction and blood clotting. It also helps the immune system, makes the bones strong and prevents osteoporosis. Adults up to the age of 50 years should get 200 IU of calcium per day and those above 50 need 400 IU of calcium daily. Calcium normally acts along with magnesium and vitamin D, and milk is a good source of vitamin D and a passable source of magnesium as well.

Eggs and Poultry

Poultry and eggs are one of the best sources of protein and protein is very important if you have COPD. This is because protein produces antibodies that fight infection and low protein means the lungs will not be able to fight infections. Moreover, chicken and turkey are high in selenium and vitamin B6 both of which are beneficial to COPD patients. However, they are high in tryptophan as well, so, excess of poultry consumption could aggravate respiratory problems.

Lentil

Lentil is again a good source of plant protein, iron and phosphorus. It is also a very good source of dietary fiber, folate and manganese, all of which are beneficial for people with COPD. An added advantage is that this food is very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. A cup of unsalted cooked lentils (198g) provides 230 calories, 18g of protein and 16g of dietary fiber.

Vegetables

Colored vegetables such as red bell pepper, broccoli, yellow squash, and vegetables high in vitamin A such as sweet potato, carrot and pumpkin reduce COPD risk and breathlessness. Pumpkin also contains selenium, magnesium and vitamin C. An Australian study found that 'Among the nutrients contained in vegetables and fruits, vitamin A was particularly significant with an estimated 52 percent reduction in COPD risk at the highest level of intake'.

Diet tips for people with COPD

• Limit sodium intake to avoid water retention in the body.
• Avoid overeating or it might make breathing uncomfortable.
• Avoid foods that cause gas or bloating.
• Drink plenty of fluids but not if you have heart problems as well.
• Choose foods that are easy to chew.
• Avoid black coffee and tea.
• Limit alcohol since it may slow your breathing.
• Eat while sitting up.
• Always consult your doctor before changing or adding to your diet.

So those are helpful tips and diet foods you can use to maintain a healthy lungs and especially while your dealing with COPD diseases.

Source: MedIndia.net