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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 going from our lungs to the cells in our body. In some cases the total of oxygen in our blood can tumble beneath ordinary stages. Bronchial asthma, lung most cancers, long-term obstructive pulmonary sickness (COPD), the flu, and COVID-19 are some of the wellness concerns that may possibly lead to oxygen stages to fall. When the stages are too minimal, we may possibly want to consider added oxygen, recognized as oxygen treatment.

One particular way to get added oxygen into the body is by applying an oxygen concentrator. Oxygen concentrators are health-related equipment demanded to be sold and made use of only with a prescription.

You really should not to use an oxygen concentrator at property except it has been prescribed by a wellness care company. Offering yourself oxygen with no talking to a physician initial may possibly do a lot more hurt than very good. You may possibly conclude up having too significantly or too minor oxygen. Deciding to use an oxygen concentrator with no a prescription can direct to really serious wellness complications these kinds of as oxygen toxicity prompted by receiving too significantly oxygen. It can also direct to a delay in receiving treatment for really serious problems like COVID-19.

Even even though oxygen will make up about 21 percent of the air about us, respiration superior concentrations of oxygen may possibly harm your lungs. On the other hand, not having adequate oxygen into the blood, a ailment termed hypoxia, could harm the coronary heart, brain, and other organs.

Uncover out if you definitely want oxygen treatment by checking with your wellness care company. If you do, your wellness care company can determine how significantly oxygen you really should consider and for how prolonged.

What do I want to know about oxygen concentrators?

Oxygen concentrators consider in air from the space and filter out nitrogen. The approach presents the better amounts of oxygen wanted for oxygen treatment.

Concentrators may possibly be large and stationary or smaller and portable. Concentrators are various than tanks or other containers supplying oxygen due to the fact they use electrical pumps to concentrate the continuous supply of oxygen that will come from the bordering air.

You may possibly have witnessed oxygen concentrators for sale on line with no a prescription. At this time, the Food and drug administration has not permitted or cleared any oxygen concentrators to be sold or made use of with no a prescription.

When applying an oxygen concentrator:

  • Do not use the concentrator, or any oxygen solution, in close proximity to an open up flame or whilst using tobacco
  • Place the concentrator in an open up space to cut down possibilities of system failure from overheating
  • Do not block any vents on the concentrator considering the fact that it may possibly impression system overall performance
  • Periodically test your system for any alarms to make certain you are having adequate oxygen.

If you are prescribed an oxygen concentrator for long-term wellness complications and have changes in your respiration or oxygen stages, or have signs and symptoms of COVID-19, contact your wellness care company. Do not make changes to the oxygen stages on your possess.

How are my oxygen stages monitored?

Oxygen stages are monitored with a smaller system termed a pulse oximeter, or pulse ox.

Pulse oximeters are positioned on a finger, toe or brow and use beams of light-weight to indirectly measure the stage of oxygen in the blood.

What do I want to know about pulse oximeters?

As with any system, there is often a possibility of an inaccurate reading through. If you are applying a pulse oximeter to keep an eye on your oxygen stages and are concerned about the reading through, make contact with a wellness care company. And do not depend only on a pulse oximeter. It is critical to continue to keep observe of your signs and symptoms, or how you sense. Speak to a physician if your signs and symptoms are really serious or get even worse.

When applying a pulse oximeter:

  • Sit nonetheless and do not go the part of your body exactly where the pulse oximeter is
  • Do not use the system on your palms when your palms are chilly
  • Take away all fingernail polish if applying the system on your palms.

If you seasoned a dilemma or personal injury that you imagine may possibly be relevant to a pulse oximeter or oxygen concentrator, you can voluntarily report it by way of the FDA’s MedWatch plan.