Can Oxygen Therapy Help With COPD or Emphysema?
What is COPD?
COPD is short for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in which airflow to the lungs is obstructed by chronic inflammation. The symptoms are characterised by shortness of breath, coughing, high levels of phlegm and wheezing. It is a dangerous condition which can lead to heart disease. Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis or chronic asthma are common conditions which contribute to COPD. The disease can be most detrimental to quality of life.
Could I have COPD?
COPD is often misdiagnosed so it is most important that you seek professional medical advice if you are suffering from some or all of the symptoms. It is usually associated with long term exposure to lung irritants such as tobacco smoke, air pollutants, chemical vapour or dust. Often smokers can alleviate the symptoms by giving up cigarettes.
Is There an Effective Treatment?
A person suffering from COPD should always follow the advice of their health professional and follow the prescribed treatment regime which may include pharmaceuticals such as steroids or antibiotics, usually delivered via an inhaling device. Your doctor may also suggest that you use supplementary oxygen either during the day, at night or both.
What Are The Benefits of Home Oxygen Therapy?
Up until the 1960s, delivering oxygen required hefty machinery that confined the patient to bed. However, developments in technology: first, the portable oxygen cylinder then the oxygen concentrator have allowed people suffering from low oxygen levels to breathe enriched oxygen at home, either 24 hours per day or just at night, depending on their doctor's recommendation. Several long term studies such as these1,2 which randomly assigned patients to either receive oxygen therapy or not found the following benefits for those who were treated:
- Reduced pulmonary hypertension
- Fewer hospital visits for COPD flare ups
- Improved fitness
- Reduced mortality. Yes! Those who received oxygen therapy lived longer on average than those who missed out.
As a result of these findings, home oxygen therapy is now routinely prescribed earlier in the progress of COPD, keeping the patient active and gifting them a better quality of life.
One Treatment, Two Solutions
Oxygen therapy is breathing air which is enriched with a higher level of oxygen than the surrounding atmosphere through a delivery device such as a nasal cannula. The oxygen supply can come from either bottled oxygen or from an oxygen concentrator such as the ones available at Natural Ozone, which use the surrounding air as a raw material, separating the oxygen from the other gasses and delivering to the user at a concentration of up to 96%.
Oxygen Bottles vs Oxygen Concentrator
Hiring oxygen bottles and managing refills can be costly and inconvenient, which this gave rise to the development of portable oxygen concentrators in the early 1970s. Prior to this period, home medical oxygen therapy required the use of heavy high pressure oxygen cylinders, which means frequent home visits by suppliers to replenish oxygen supplies. High pressure oxygen cylinders are dangerous goods which must be stored and handled with extreme care. Nowadays, people requiring oxygen at home can use a product like the OXY-96 Oxygen Concentrator to supply their own oxygen 24/7 at variable rates from over 90% purity, depending on the advice from their physician.
Why shop with Natural Ozone?
Here at Natural Ozone, we have been helping our clients achieve better wellness using oxygen and ozone therapy for more than a decade, so we know how confusing it can be to choose the right solution. Having tried and tested many different models of oxygen concentrator over the years, we have narrowed our range to the most reliable and cost-effective choice the OXY-96. For those with COPD related conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis or chronic asthma, you will love the ever popular OXY-96 model, take a look at its features!
Disclaimer: we have deep experience with oxygen products, but are not medical doctors. For a diagnosis, refer to your chosen health professional.
Introducing the OXY-96
Light and portable, the Natural Ozone OXY-96 oxygen concentrator is the perfect companion for those sleepless nights.
With whisper quiet operation and easy to use functionality, better health is only the touch of a button away! With whisper quiet operation and easy to use functionality, better health is only the touch of a button away!