Mind Visualization

Although the percentage of smokers is gradually going down, there are still many millions smoking daily and every day new smokers join these ranks – and one of the results of this is that many of them will end up with breathing problems.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is many time the end result. All smokers run this risk and in fact 20% of them will develop COPD. And of all COPD sufferers, 90% of them did smoke in the past. When you translate these percentages into real figures the results number in the millions – and yet there are new smokers all the time.

One of the effects of having these diseases is needing to receive additional oxygen – and many times this is a continuous, all day long, need.

Smokers have damaged do have damage in their lungs but when the do stop, at least it doesn’t get worse.

Oxygen therapy, which implies receiving supplemental oxygen, has been shown to extend life expectancy as well as making the patient less dependant on others. Thanks to this therapy patients are no longer lost in a maze of clinics, but can now keep on practicing most normal activities. Both of these issues are vitally important. On the one hand all mammals, and this means us, need oxygen as the most basic survival requirement. On the other hand the need for an active lifestyle cannot be stressed enough. It is important not only for the psychological point of view where it provides at least a minimum of purpose, but also from the physical health aspect. Immobility is not a healthy option.

Having said all that, there are two points that must be made.

The first is preventive measures. We as a society are much more aware of the dangers of smoking and the legislation and conviction are reduced numbers of smokers, or at least smoking opportunities. This still means that many millions will require oxygen therapy in the future – but at least it’s not as any as could be. (The social costs can only be measured in billions of dollars).

The other point is that everyone expects an active life and this should also be combined with quality of life. If you are bound to a bed, whether in a home or a clinic, then for most people quality of life will be low. Oxygen therapy can now be delivered with more modern machines that allow most patients a certain level of activity – these machines include stationary and portable oxygen tanks.

Long-term oxygen therapy is no longer limited to the clinic or to the home. Mobile and portable units are available, are also covered by insurance and even some portable oxygen concentrators are allowed on board planes, as authorized by the FAA.

Various devices such as pulse of oximeters, that measure oxygen saturation, and oxygen flow regulators are part of standard equipment that long-term oxygen patients are using – and as a result they are increasing their potential levels of activity.

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