Oxygen Concentrator In Canada

An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that is used to give you extra oxygen. If you have a health condition, it may be prescribed by a doctor. Common health conditions that can require the support of oxygen concentrators would be:

• asthma
• the flu
• lung cancer
• COPD
• COVID-19

There are stationary and portable oxygen concentrators.

In this article, we will discuss the differences between stationary and portable oxygen concentrators, a few top brands, and we will also talk about CPAP masks, which a lot of people consider similar to an oxygen concentrator. We will find out whether they really are similar, and if so, how similar they are to each other.

How Does An Oxygen Concentrator Work?

Oxygen concentrators create pure oxygen by taking it from the surrounding air. The purity of the air that is provided by the concentrator is between 87 % – 93% of pure oxygen. In oxygen concentrators, these are delivered in two ways: either through a continuous flow (where air is provided in a continuous stream manner), or in small and measured amounts (this is called a pulse flow).

Some top brands of oxygen concentrators include:

1. Philips
2. Inogen
3. CAIRE Inc.  

Philips Oxygen Concentrators

Philips offers an oxygen concentrator called Everflo Oxygen System. It allows for home oxygen therapy. They also have a portable oxygen concentrator called the Respironics SimplyGo portable oxygen concentrator.

Inogen Oxygen Concentrators

Inogen also offers both portable oxygen concentrators and home oxygen therapy. Their Oxygen Concentrators are named as G4 and G5 Systems.

CAIRE Inc. Oxygen Concentrators

CAIRE Inc. offers portable oxygen concentrators and oxygen therapy systems at home. Some examples of Caire portable oxygen concentrators are CAIRE Freestyle Comfort, and CAIRE SeQuel Eclipse 5. CAIRE Inc. is an oxygen concentrator supplier to hospitals, the military, and other commercial areas. CAIRE Inc. also offers nitrogen generators.

Home Vs. Portable Oxygen Concentrator

A portable oxygen concentrator provides oxygen therapy on the go, while a home system would limit the oxygen therapy to one location. Since the portable oxygen concentrator is used on the go, these are usually much lighter, while the at-home options are heavier.

An oxygen concentrator can really help with an active lifestyle by providing the required oxygen treatment one would need.

Do You Need A Prescription For Oxygen Concentrator In Canada?

An Oxygen Concentrator is prescription only, and not everyone can get one, just for the sake of trying to get more oxygen. For example, an athlete cannot just go to the store and buy one just to increase their oxygen capacity.

What Are CPAP Masks?

Furthermore, there is also the option of CPAP masks. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP Masks are helpful for those who suffer from sleep apnea. Those with sleep apnea struggle to get air and often wake up in the middle of the night. It can also be a danger to their life since their breath is obstructed. These masks are specifically used to give oxygen therapy to those who suffer from this condition.

Difference Between Oxygen Concentrators And CPAP Masks?

An oxygen concentrator works similarly to a CPAP mask, but it is a lot more elaborately designed.

A lot of COPD patients are actually paired with Oxygen Concentrators while asleep or awake, if the needs of the patient are more severe.

Oxygen Concentrators are a lot bulkier than CPAP masks too, because of the features that are within them. They require an onboard compressor, many filters, and more complicated electronics that ensure reliability.

Once airway obstruction is solved after using CPAP therapy, a user’s lungs might be able to reach acceptable levels of blood oxygen content with only outside air. If this happens, supplemental oxygen will not be needed, so they wouldn’t need an oxygen concentrator on top of their CPAP mask.

Supplemental oxygen will only be needed if the user has a respiratory condition, such as COPD or emphysema. The user would not be able to reach sufficient oxygen levels from outside air, and therefore would need additional help.

Diagnosing the condition of your reduced oxygen levels is important through a medical professional. Once you do this, you can select the right kind of machine for you, whether that’s a portable oxygen concentrator, one at home, or if you have Sleep Apnea and need the therapy from CPAP masks.