Has your doctor recently told you that you need supplemental oxygen while at home? Do you have respiratory issues or some other medical condition that's restricting your ability to breathe? Getting supplemental oxygen will likely help you feel more energized and focused. Depending on your medical condition, the supplemental oxygen may also save your life. Your doctor may have given you the option of either using a tank or a concentrator. While tanks have long been the most common choice, concentrators have become more common in recent years. Here are four reasons why you may want to use a concentrator instead of a tank:
Dependability. One of the issues with an oxygen tank is that it will run out of oxygen and have to be refilled regularly. If your tank runs out and you don't get it refilled in time, you could have to go without enough oxygen until the tank does get refilled. That could create a dangerous and unhealthy situation.
With concentrators, there's no need to schedule a refill. The concentrator works much like an air conditioner. It pulls from the surrounding air and then compresses that air into breathable oxygen before delivering the oxygen through your breathing tube. That means that as long as there is surrounding air to pull, your concentrator will always be able to deliver oxygen.
Safety. It's sometimes possible for tanks to leak oxygen into the surrounding air. That can make for a dangerous and highly flammable situation. If there's a smoker in the house or an open flame on a stove or in a fireplace nearby, that oxygen could ignite and cause a fire in your home.
With a concentrator, you don't have that problem. The concentrator only pulls and compresses air as needed, so there's no excess oxygen available to leak. You can have your concentrator around flames without the fear of igniting a fire.
Convenience. Tanks are usually pretty bulky. Many people need a cart to move them around and getting them in and out of a vehicle can sometimes be difficult. Concentrators, on the other hand, are usually fairly small and light. In fact, some are designed to look like a small purse or, for men, a small over-the-shoulder business bag. You simply wear it over your should and carry it anywhere you need to go. Most people are able to move them without a need for a cart or other assistance.
Long-term cost. A concentrator may cost more upfront than a tank. However, with a concentrator, there's no need for regular refills. Even though you'll pay more upfront, you'll save money on the lack of refills for the concentrator. The longer you have the concentrator, the more attractive its cost will be relative to a ventilator.
For more information, talk to your doctor and a representative from a medical supply company like Corner Home Medical. They can help you decide which device is right for you.
