Oxygen is one of the most abundant gases in the atmosphere making up around 21 percent of the air that we breathe. All organisms need oxygen to survive because it plays a pivotal role in a process called cellular respiration. During this process, glucose from the food that we eat reacts with oxygen to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy carrier in living organisms.

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, or any other debilitating lung condition, you likely depend on a strict treatment regime that encompasses all facets of your life. Typical treatment plans usually involve an improved diet high in protein and fiber, an exercise routine that improves lung strength and endurance, and most importantly oxygen therapy which helps stabilize your lung condition and ensure blood oxygen levels are normal.

Around 70 million people in the United States suffer from some form of sleep disorder such as narcolepsy, insomnia, or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). These conditions can appear anytime during our lives and they have a significant impact on our general health and well-being.

If you’ve been prescribed supplemental oxygen, you’ve likely taken some time to research what options are available to you in the way of oxygen machines. On one hand, you could go with a standard oxygen tank which is heavy, bulky, and difficult to move around. Or on the other, you could go with a portable oxygen concentrator which is light and easy to maneuver.

Most chronic respiratory conditions are considered “debilitating.” What this means is that they have a tendency to make the patient weak and physically incapable of certain tasks like rigorous exercise. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one such condition because it prevents carbon dioxide-rich air from escaping the lungs upon expiration. This results in frequent breathlessness, chest pain, fatigue, and more.

If you’re a respiratory patient with a condition such as COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or cystic fibrosis, you’ve likely accepted change as a normal part of your life. Being able to implement treatments into your life such as pulmonary rehabilitation, supplemental oxygen therapy, and an improved diet routine is never easy, but it is essential if you want to feel better and improve your long-term prognosis.

The clear and simple answer is that there is currently no cure for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). That being said, there is evidence that shows early diagnosis, combined with disease management programs, can reduce the impact of COPD and slow the disease from progressing into a more severe state.

If you are struggling with accomplishing activities you used to do with ease by becoming short of breath, experiencing chest tightness or low energy, or getting frequent respiratory infections, being diagnosed with COPD can be a blessing in disguise.

Think about your daily routine, it likely involves a number of different activities that range from resting, to moving around and doing chores, exercising, reading, and of course sleeping. If you are using oxygen therapy at home your oxygen flow requirements may vary from the morning to afternoon, from day to day, depending on the season. Even if you need oxygen all day and all night the rate at which you need oxygen may not be consistent.

If you have more severe symptoms associated with COPD or you have overlapping conditions that restrict the proper amount of oxygen getting through your lungs, you likely need a continuous supply of oxygen flow. This means that you need oxygen delivery from your oxygen concentrators to be constantly flowing, even if you are not taking a breath.

As humans, one of the most important things we value is our freedom. Whether we’re young or old; poor or rich; sick or healthy, we can’t put a price on our ability to get out and enjoy life on our own terms. But if you’re someone who suffers from a debilitating condition like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), you might think that your freedom is a thing of the past — fortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

It's hard to imagine the feeling of being breathless until you’ve experienced it yourself. Your lungs gasping for breath, and unable to prepare proper blood oxygen levels is not only uncomfortable, but unbearable and terrifying.