When you find out you need medical oxygen to treat a condition, you might feel like you’ve lost your freedom. You’ll no longer be able to participate in many activities without needing oxygen, and you’ll need to haul around a bulky tank of air everywhere you go. While that might have been true a decade or two ago, there’s another option now. They’re called oxygen concentrators, and they can give patients who need medical oxygen a newfound freedom. Here’s how an oxygen concentrator in Santa Fe could change your life for the better.
No Tank
The biggest improvement between traditional medical oxygen in a tank and a portable oxygen concentrator is that the tank is no longer needed. Oxygen concentrators use the air around you to provide you with the oxygen you need. How? The process is a bit complicated, but here’s a simplified, four-step version of the process:
The removal of the tank makes a world of difference for two primary reasons, which we’ll outline in the next two sections.
No Oxygen Refills
One benefit of removing the tank from your oxygen therapy equation is that you no longer need to worry about refilling your oxygen tanks. Many patients on medical oxygen worry what will happen if they’re unable to find a new oxygen tank when they need one; this is especially worrisome in emergency situations, when typical medical supply services may shut down. If you live somewhere prone to natural disasters, for example, a hurricane, tornado, or wildfire could cut you off from access to replacement tanks.
This is not a concern for a portable oxygen concentrator. Because they pull air from your atmosphere, they can continue to supply you with pure oxygen for as long as they have a battery charge. Quality portable oxygen concentrators have batteries that can operate for 10 hours or more on a single charge. They also charge with a simple cord that you plug into an outlet, so as long as you have access to a functional electrical outlet, you can charge your oxygen concentrator anywhere, and never worry about running out of oxygen again.
No Bulky Cart
Of course, without the tank to haul around, you no longer have to worry about dragging a bulky cart behind you everywhere you go. Portable oxygen concentrators, as the name implies, are designed to go with you anywhere you would normally go. Want to go shopping with your daughter? You can carry it around just like a purse. Want to go on a nature walk with your grandkids? Put it in a hiking backpack and carry it on your back. Anywhere that you’re mobile enough to go, a portable oxygen concentrator can go with you—and you never have to worry about running over anybody’s toes with your oxygen cart.
No More Oxygen Rationing
Have you ever avoided certain activities because you know they’ll require you to use your oxygen supply? If so, you’re not alone. The problem with tanks is that it costs money to refill them every time. If you’re on a tight budget, you might ration your oxygen supply by avoiding strenuous activities that would require you to use your oxygen more. But because oxygen concentrators use the air around you to provide you with medical-grade oxygen, you never have to do this again. They’re designed for 24/7 use, so you can live your life to its fullest without worrying about the cost of oxygen tank refills.
Where Can You Find One?
Portable oxygen concentrators have become much more common in the last several years, and you can now get them from most medical supply stores. We carry these devices here, at Elixair as well. If you have questions about the types of portable oxygen concentrators we sell, contact us to speak to one of our team members. We can answer your questions about various models of oxygen concentrators, how to file a claim for an oxygen concentrator with your insurance provider, and other important questions that you may have.
Requiring oxygen shouldn’t limit your freedom. Switching from an oxygen tank to a portable oxygen concentrator in Santa Fe Springs can help you get your freedom back, and give you a new lease on life.
