Oxygen Concentrators and Emphysema
Emphysema, also called pulmonary emphysema is a chronic condition characterized by widespread harm to the alveoli, the little air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide happens. Lungs influenced by emphysema demonstrate loss of alveolar dividers and demolition of alveolar vessels. The air ends up caught into the alveoli because of alveoli harm, causing more harm by growing and causing bursts in the alveoli.
Roughly fifteen percent of cigarette smokers develop progressive pulmonary emphysema, and by and large start inside the fourth or fifth decade of smoking. The reason that emphysema appears in some smokers yet not in others is not fully understood. One factor that predisposes some people to emphysema is lack of sufficient alpha-1 antitrypsin, a catalyst that can protect the lungs from damage caused by tobacco smoke.
Smokers who inherit an abnormal gene for alpha-1 antitrypsin from both parents can often develop a more severe case of emphysema, especially in the lower lungs, that can begin before the age of 40. Nonsmokers who have the enzyme deficiency are for the most part unaffected.
Is an Oxygen Concentrator right for you?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a pulmonary condition such as Emphysema, your doctor will most likely do an arterial blood gas (ABG) test. If your blood oxygen reading is low, you’ll in all probability be prescribed oxygen therapy. Your specialist will survey your own situation to decide how much oxygen treatment you need, and he or she will write a prescription. You would use this to buy an oxygen concentrator.
Most current oxygen concentrators provide ample oxygen for patients needing oxygen therapy. Some have higher flow rates than others. Whatever your doctor suggests will determine your needs and safety. Your doctor might suggest a particular brand of a portable oxygen concentrator that she or he feels is best for your particular lifestyle.
For example, your doctor might suggest that you continue getting as much physical activity as you can, while being safe. This is how a good portable oxygen concentrator can be of great use. Especially those with a good oxygen conservation feature. These make certain that even when your breath rate goes up, you will still get a good amount of oxygen.
Many current portable oxygen concentrators have this feature. They sense subtle air pressure changes in your breath rate, then provides the right amount of oxygen you need at the precise time that you need it, at the beginning of an inhale. Features like this are quite important for a patient dealing with emphysema, or any other pulmonary condition.
Having a Portable oxygen concentrator can make exercise much better than if you were always at home. You can walk around the block or perhaps ride a bike. All the while being assured that you’re receiving adequate amounts of oxygen.