Portable oxygen concentrators are life-saving devices that are used by patients suffering from emphysema or COPD. People suffering from pulmonary hypertension and pleural effusions also use oxygen concentrators. It provides oxygen therapy to a patient in high doses compared to what they would receive in ambient air. It is an alternative for compressed oxygen.

Here are some things to know about this equipment.

How does it work?
On average, room air contains 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. With an oxygen concentrator, the nitrogen from the air is trapped and removed through two sieve beds. This way, the concentrated level of oxygen in the air can go up to 95%. A doctor will diagnose and determine the amount of oxygen one needs as per their condition. The affected person can then rent or buy an oxygen concentrator with the prescription given.

Uses and side-effects of oxygen concentrators
Oxygen concentrators are necessary to sustain the life of many patients suffering from various diseases. Some of these are:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

If one is suffering from COPD, the lungs can get seriously damaged. This can hinder their ability to absorb enough oxygen. Around 16 million people worldwide suffer from this condition. Oxygen concentrators help one breathe better during this time.

• Sleep apnea

This a serious medical condition wherein a person’s ability to breathe is affected when they are sleeping. Physical exercise, weight loss, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are some ways to take care of people with sleep apnea; oxygen concentrators also help make the situation better.

• Cystic fibrosis

This is a rare condition that affects the cells in the body that produce fluids like digestive juices, mucus, and sweat. This condition is hereditary and life-threatening. The fluids change to become stickier and thicker, drastically affecting the digestive system and lungs. Oxygen concentrators take care of a part of the issue by helping one breathe better even with lung damage.

Two best oxygen concentrators
Several companies have managed to create oxygen concentrators that cater to different needs. Two of the best concentrators include:

• Invacare Perfecto2 V 5-Liter Oxygen Concentrator

It is a quiet and easy-to-use oxygen concentrator that uses a pressure monitor to maintain the right flow of oxygen. One can easily use the controls, and the device only weighs around 39 pounds. A reset button is provided, so there is no need to call in service every time there is an issue. The accuracy for the delivery of oxygen is 0.5-5 LPM, and the oxygen concentration ranges between 87 and 95.6% due to the presence of three filters in the equipment. It can even operate at an altitude of up to 8,000 feet. The device provides light and sound feedback to indicate any malfunctions. The Invacare® SensO2® Oxygen Sensor reduces unscheduled maintenance and a limited three-year warranty.

• Inogen At Home Stationary Oxygen Concentrator
  This Inogen stationary oxygen concentrator is one energy-efficient medical equipment that is light-weight, weighing an average of 18 pounds. So, one can easily use it while doing various activities in the house. The operation is quiet at 40dBA. The operating controls are simple, and one can easily maintain the machine by cleaning the particle filter and the hard-body surface. The replacement of the cannula should be done periodically. These devices are generally needed throughout the day, so Inogen is cost-effective as it uses less energy. It offers compressed oxygen for 20,000 at its highest setting of “5.” The equipment comes with a warranty of three years.