What Is The Importance Of An Oxygen Concentrator In The Treatment Of COVID-19?

COVID-19 has rampantly spread across all the countries worldwide. Most people have fallen prey to this deadly virus. With the continual increase in infected patients, experts consider that this virus has surpassed the community spread phase.

What does the community spread phase mean? It refers to the specific stage post which one cannot control the virus easily. According to medical professionals, it has officially been one of the most deadly viruses of all time in layman’s terms. Research is still going on to discover and prepare another set of vaccines that can help generate the immunoglobulin to fight this disease.

But, what still seems like a never-ending task for many people who survived this deadly virus is receiving proper oxygen. Cases show that even after one has successfully fought the battle with the COVID virus, they still suffer from oxygen deficiency. No wonder there is always an increased demand for the oxygen concentrator on rent in the market.

Before diving into the importance, working principle, and using this concentrator, one needs to know how it came into play. During the first wave of COVID hit, people already started suffering from oxygen deficiency in their cells.

But it got worse with the second wave. So, along with other essential medical equipment and machines, this concentrator became a necessary part of the COVID survival regime. It happens as COVID cases saw a surge in respiratory disorders, and it continues to grow till today if the patients do not take proper care of their health.

So, medical representatives are forever asking their patients to switch to a healthy lifestyle to combat the after-effects of this deadly virus. But unfortunately, if not properly cared for, people are still getting diagnosed with COVID multiple times even after taking the double dosage vaccination shots.

With the third wave incoming, especially in countries like India, the UK, the USA, and more, one can expect to see more respiratory cases. So, there will be a higher demand for oxygen concentrators, ventilators, etc.

What Are These Oxygen Concentrators?

oxygen concentrators are the medical devices that concentrate the oxygen from any gas supply. They do so using selective removal of nitrogen gas to supply proper oxygen-enriched product gas stream. These devices are ideal for delivering pure oxygen to patients suffering from breathing disorders. In addition, these are highly portable and cost-effective. Therefore, one can use an oxygen concentrator for hospital and home uses.

To survive, you need a steady supply of oxygen. Unfortunately, due to any breathing conditions, the patients cannot draw pure oxygen into their lungs that can purify the blood and supply energy to the cells for multiple biological processes.

Even in COVID patients, one of the primary and deadly conditions that can be fatal is breathing trouble. COVID virus is capable of causing a severe respiratory condition in the patients causing the abnormal function of the lungs.

As a result, the oxygen level drops to a dangerous level causing immediate deaths. So doctors are keen on using the concentrators to supply proper oxygen to the COVID survivors even with mild symptoms. Even during the second wave, these concentrators enhanced the oxygen levels to a clinically acceptable level.

How To Measure Oxygen Levels In Blood?

One can successfully measure the amount of oxygen by oxygen saturation, also known as SpO2. It is the measurement of the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin amount in the blood. A healthy lung will generally show a 95% – 100% arterial oxygen saturation value.

According to the WHO training manual, if your oxygen saturation is 94% or lower, you need medical treatment immediately. If the value goes down 90%, it is termed a clinical emergency, and you will need an oxygen concentrator immediately.

How do you determine the value for COVID-infected patients? Well, according to the latest guidance, and as per the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, if your oxygen level drops to 93% or lower, you need hospital admission.

If it goes below 90%, you need to be in the ICU. But, with the third wave, there is hope that medical professionals can provide excellent assistance in overcoming this respiratory condition. The entire scenario is still under control with the availability of oxygen concentrators in the market.

How Do These Oxygen Concentrators Function?

The atmospheric air has roughly21% oxygen and78% nitrogen. The oxygen concentrators are the devices that can precisely perform what it claims to be, which means increasing the gas concentration in the air. It does so by filtering out and removing the nitrogen in the air.

Therefore, these oxygen concentrators function similarly to the traditional oxygen cylinders. With the availability of cannula, nasal tubes, or oxygen masks, patients can draw oxygen safely and thereby increase the oxygen concentration in the lungs.

But the concentrators are slightly different from the old oxygen supplying tanks. In the case of the oxygen cylinder, a refill is necessary while the oxygen concentrator on rent can work 24*7.

Who Can Use These Oxygen Concentrators?

Patients need to know that not everyone is eligible to use the oxygen concentrators when the oxygen level falls below the acceptable reading. It is especially true during this pandemic condition, where there is a continual requirement of these concentrators for the COVID patients.

So, doctors urge people to know more about these concentrators before randomly using them for personal purposes. During COVID emergencies, around 5 liters per minute is required to get an appropriate supply of oxygen in the lungs.

Given that scenario, people need to be more responsible about randomly using such a device that isn’t readily available. Also, it is helpful for the patients experiencing post-COVID difficulties.

Why Use These Oxygen Concentrators?

Breathlessness seems to be a significant issue with the COVID survivors. Whether you are in the ICU or just tested negative after quarantine, you can still experience shortness of breath due to the after-effects of the virus. According to the doctors, oxygen concentrators can be helpful in such conditions where the person needs a continual supply of oxygen.

These concentrators are highly affordable and portable. Therefore, even if the patient is resting in his home, he can still use it without any complications. So, the oxygen concentrator on rent is ideal for both hospital and home uses.

Oxygen Concentrators: Best Device To Treat COVID-19

These oxygen concentrators are the best devices in case of COVID emergencies. However, as it provides a steady oxygen flow, it is advisable to use it under strict medical guidance.

Also, while buying such a concentrator, always be clear about your requirements and purchase the ones that offer electricity supply ranging from 100-600W. Remember that it dispenses oxygen till you manually shut it down. Therefore, remember to be careful while using the device.

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