Getting sufficient oxygen is crucial to living a long and healthy life, which is why millions of Americans are using supplemental oxygen to make that happen. Portable oxygen concentrators are a smart option for many oxygen users.
Who Needs Oxygen Therapy?
Oxygen therapy comes in handy when you’re unable to get enough oxygen naturally. Lung conditions can prevent the lungs from absorbing oxygen and make it difficult to breathe. If your oxygen level is less than 60 mmHg (millimeters of mercury), your doctor might prescribe oxygen therapy.
There are many conditions that could potentially require a patient to get on supplemental oxygen. Some of them include:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Pneumonia
- Cystic fibrosis
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma
- Heart failure
Symptoms of Low Oxygen
If you’re diagnosed with a respiratory condition, oxygen therapy might be required depending on the condition. It’s possible people might experience low oxygen before being given an official diagnosis. Some symptoms of low oxygen are:
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Restlessness
- Dizziness
- Rapid breathing and/or heartbeat
- Chest pain
- High blood pressure
There are many reasons why you could be experiencing low oxygen levels. There might not be enough oxygen in the air or there is an issue with your lung’s ability to inhale and send oxygen throughout the body. Another possibility would be an inability for the bloodstream to properly circulate to the lungs, collect oxygen, and send it around the body.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or your pre-existing condition is worsening, seek medical help immediately.
Benefits of Oxygen Therapy
Depending on your oxygen levels, your doctor might diagnose you with supplemental oxygen therapy. You may be required to use it constantly, or only during certain times such as sleeping or exercise. The purpose is to help improve your quality of life.
Aside from breathing better, there are other positives that can come from doing oxygen therapy. It can reduce symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and swollen ankles so you’ll be able to be more active in your daily life. It’s also possible that wearing supplemental oxygen for at least 15 hours daily could increase survival for some patients with certain conditions.
Sleep is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but certain chronic conditions like COPD could make it harder to get a good night’s sleep. Oxygen therapy could help you breathe better and lead to a less disruptive sleep pattern.
Another benefit of oxygen therapy is improved mental awareness. It’s important for your brain to get enough oxygen so you can function properly. With oxygen therapy, you can experience less irritability, confusion, or other mental fogginess.
Benefits of Portable Oxygen Tanks
A portable oxygen tank can help you breathe when your body isn’t able to do it on your own. Unlike a traditional oxygen tank, this portable version delivers an infinite amount of air that doesn’t require users to use replacement tanks. Instead, it filters the surrounding air and modifies it to deliver purified and concentrated oxygen to the user.
If your doctor prescribes oxygen therapy, there is good reason to opt for a portable oxygen concentrator. Here are three benefits they provide:
- Easy to Travel With: Since portable oxygen tanks don’t have the burden of carrying heavy and large compressed tanks, the device is a lot lighter and smaller. Plus, many of them are FAA-approved and safe to fly with while oxygen tanks are not permitted on flights.
- Easy to Use: Unlike regular oxygen tanks, users don’t have to worry about running out of oxygen and having to replace the tank. As long as the device is charged or connected to a power source, you will have an unlimited air supply for your body.
- There Are Accessories You Can Buy: To customize your portable oxygen concentrator experience, there are different accessories you can buy. This can include backpacks to carry your device with ease or extra batteries that will make sure you stay charged no matter how long you’re out of the house.
Can Medicare Pay For Portable Oxygen Tanks?
If you’re a Medicare subscriber, you could get help covering the cost of your portable oxygen tank. This item is considered durable medical equipment, which falls under Medicare Part B. This means Medicare will help pay for the rental of oxygen equipment and accessories if it’s prescribed by your doctor.
The following conditions must be met to qualify for Medicare coverage:
- Your doctor says you have a severe lung disease or you’re not getting enough oxygen
- Your health might improve with oxygen therapy
- Your arterial blood gas level falls within a certain range
- Other alternative measures have failed
Keep in mind Medicare doesn’t cover the entire cost. You will pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies. The rental may include necessary accessories such as tubing or a mouthpiece, oxygen contents, oxygen machine repairs, and even a humidifier when it’s used with your oxygen machine.
The rental is for 36 months and can be extended for up to a total of five years as long as there is a medical need for oxygen. You can learn more about Medicare and portable oxygen tanks online.
Finding Portable Oxygen Tanks
Oxygen therapy can improve the quality of life for people suffering from chronic conditions. Portable oxygen tanks in particular are a compact, user-friendly, and convenient type of device that can be used 24/7.
The cost of portable oxygen tanks can vary. Prices will depend on the battery life and whether it includes certain accessories. You may want to consider a used machine to save money as prices are often lower. If you need supplemental oxygen, the convenience and cost of a portable oxygen machine may be the right choice for you.