How Does an Oxygen Concentrator Work?

If you or a loved one is looking at buying an oxygen concentrator, you might understandably have some questions. 

In this article, we're going back to the basics to answer your questions about what a concentrator is, how it works, and who should use it.

Keep reading to learn more. 

What Is an Oxygen Concentrator? 

An O2 concentrator is a type of medical device that delivers oxygen to individuals with breathing-related ailments. Most commonly, concentrators are used at home and come in portable and stationary sizes. If the blood's oxygen levels are lower than usual, oxygen concentrators can deliver clean, more pure oxygen to bring those levels up. A concentrator delivers the oxygen from the concentrator directly to the individual user through a tube placed under the nose or a mask placed over the mouth and nose for easy breathing. 

It's also important to note that only a healthcare professional can prescribe the need for an oxygen concentrator. If you feel like you or a loved one could benefit from at-home oxygen therapy, contact your doctor for an evaluation. 

How Do Oxygen Concentrators Work? 

According to the Federal Food and Drug Association, "Oxygen concentrators take in air from the room and filter out nitrogen. The process provides the higher amounts of oxygen needed for oxygen therapy." There are a lot of steps that a concentrator goes through to deliver oxygen to the recipient, but here are the four most basic steps:

1. The concentrator takes in air from its surroundings
2. The recipient of the air will need to adjust settings for how much oxygen they require
3. The O2 concentrator will then remove nitrogen from the air by using a filter and sieve beds
4. The concentrator will then push the oxygen through a tube into the mask or nasal cannula for the individual to consume while he or she breathes as usual.

Who Should Use an Oxygen Concentrator? 

Many conditions may require an O2 concentrator to help in breathing and bring up the blood's oxygen levels. The American Lung Association says the following conditions may require oxygen therapy either temporarily or long-term:

•  A serious asthma attack
• Pneumonia
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Sleep Apnea 

Buy Your Oxygen Concentrator from O2 Assist 

If you and your healthcare provider have decided you're ready for at-home oxygen treatment, then look no further than O2 Assist for the best oxygen concentrator options. We believe that no matter where you are, you should be able to experience the benefits of clean and pure oxygen; that's why we ship all of our products throughout the United States. 

O2 Assist is also known for our outstanding customer service. When you purchase one of our concentrators, you'll also get a personal oxygen specialist to guide you throughout your oxygen therapy journey and answer any questions for you, day or night. Even before you purchase your O2 concentrator, you can quickly get in touch with us using your 24-hour online chat or contact us over the phone.