How to Use Oxygen Concentrators

Oxygen concentrators can be life-extending machines for people with chronic breathing problems. They take in the regular air that most of us breathe and purify it, so that what the patient receives is almost pure oxygen. That, in turn, means the oxygen taken into the bloodstream and lungs contains none of the other gases that might interfere with good oxygen delivery. As a result, the heart doesn't have to work so hard to maintain the body.

Instructions

Obtaining an Oxygen Concentrator

• 1

  Educate yourself about both the negative effects of too little oxygen intake. These include exaggerated fatigue; inability to concentrate; improper digestion; lack of cell growth and tissue stimulation needed to recover from surgical procedures; poor metabolism and toxin retention.

• 2

  Recognize the positive effects of more oxygen intake. These include an ability to concentrate with focus and accomplish more physical activity; an enhanced ability to fight off infections; enhanced exercise and weight loss success; enhanced healing properties; faster metabolism; more restful sleep; stress relief and tissue swelling reduction.

• 3

  Make an appointment with a physician to see if an oxygen concentrator is called for with your medical concerns. Not every individual with a breathing problem requires oxygen therapy. Those who do will need a prescription from a doctor in order to make a machine purchase.

• 4

  Find out if insurance will cover the cost of the machine. If so, determine what--if any--restrictions apply. If not, find another way to pay for the machine. Your doctor may be helpful in finding funding sources if required.

• 5

  Research the various oxygen concentrators available. Work with an expert in the field to determine which model is best suited to your needs.

• 6

  Attend a training session on the use of your specific oxygen concentrator. Some companies will have someone come to your home to train you. Others provide a training course for you to attend. Still others simply provide a training manual for you to study before beginning your oxygen therapy.

Using an Oxygen Concentrator

• 7

  Make certain the oxygen concentrator is properly set-up by an expert, a service that should provided as part of the purchase price. Avoid setting the machine up yourself without proper training because of the danger factors involved with this type of equipment.

• 8

  Turn the machine on and adjust the oxygen flow as prescribed by your doctor. Put on the nasal cannula, fitting it so the prongs are properly placed inside the nose and the cannula fits comfortably against the face and neck. Use the concentrator for the amount of time and number of treatments prescribed. Do not readjust the airflow of the machine unless instructed to do so by your physician.

• 9

  Turn the machine off when each treatment is complete. Take off the nasal cannula. Disinfect it with alcohol and place it in the machine's slot until time for the next treatment.

• 10

  Discontinue treatment, turn off and unplug the machine if any type of problem occurs. Contact the machine's manufacturer or retailer for instructions or to arrange a service call as needed. Do not reconnect the machine until advised to do so.

• 11

  Clean and disinfect the parts of your oxygen concentrator periodically following the instructions provided by the machine's manufacturer or the retailer from which it was purchased. Replace the nasal cannula periodically (two to three times a month).

• 12

  Follow the traveling instructions provided by your machine's manufacturer or retailer when it is necessary to take the machine out of the home. Most of these sources will provide individual instructions for travel by airplane, car, foot or train. Each may be slightly different, so follow those that are applicable to your mode of transportation.