Searching for ‘second breath’: Oxygen concentrator and why you need it with Covid-19

Source : 112 Ukraine

In fact, you could need it not only if you have caught coronavirus. Oxygen concentrators are an important part of treatment for a number of diseases. Against the background of the coronavirus pandemic, their “popularity” increased sharply due to necessity. We will tell you why so
21:35, 19 November 2020

Oxygen concentrator
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As of November 19, 23,600 beds in Ukraine are connected to an oxygen supply. Ukraine’s Health Minister Maksym Stepanov announced this.

Earlier, the Cabinet of Ministers allocated an additional 31.6 million dollars to provide oxygen to the beds. All this is happening against the background of numerous statements about the lack of oxygen in hospitals, as evidenced by many sick Ukrainians, and the Ministry of Health itself.

“There are some problems with the oxygen supply. In August, the minister instructed medical institutions to provide 80% of the beds with oxygen supply. Some medical institutions fulfilled the instructions, but some still have problems and there is a critical lack of oxygen for patients,” expert of Ministry of Health Serhiy Dubrov said.

At the same time, the volunteers are engaged in the purchase of oxygen concentrators. Meanwhile, on the Internet, you can already find hundreds of ads with them. Though, the prices for oxygen concentrators rose several times at once.

The fact is that oxygen concentrators are an important part of Covid-19 treatment in complex cases. And the patient‘s life often depends on their presence (absence).

What is an oxygen concentrator?

It is a special device that takes in oxygen from the air, sends it through the so-called molecular sieve. These are zeolite beads that can trap nitrogen molecules.

Important note: the air we breathe contains only 21% oxygen. A patient with Сovid-19 is treated with 95-97% oxygen concentrate.

How it is supplied: room air passes through a network of zeolite beads. It is inside the concentrator’s cylinders, so it traps nitrogen molecules and lets out oxygen molecules.

Oxygen is inhaled through a nasal cannula or mask.

In therapeutic departments and operating rooms, stationary devices with a capacity of 5 to 10 l / min are installed.

Advantages and risks

“In case of coronavirus, oxygen inhalations are useful primarily for patients with moderate hypoxemia,” Vesti agency cited Associate Professor of Anesthesiology of Shupyk National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education Maksym Pylypenko.

“Oxygen concentrators help in the early stages of the disease, when saturation, i.e. blood oxygen level, has just begun to decline. When the situation is very low and is, let’s say, 80%, it will help only in the hospital. But timely oxygen therapy will help you avoid such a state,” says Maryana Selyuk, a doctor-therapist of the highest category, Professor of Therapy of the Ukrainian Military Medical Academy.

In addition, oxygen inhalation reduces the frequency and depth of respiration and increases respiratory comfort. Work with concentrator forces the patient to adhere to bed rest.

The main risk is self-administration. This should be avoided. The use of an oxygen concentrator is desirable only under appropriate medical supervision. That is, the whole process must be controlled by physicians.

Otherwise, the device may not help but harm your health.

It is important!                                                     

If you have:

  • cardiovascular system diseases;
  • severe diabetes;
  • metabolic syndrome, with obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes;
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
  • sleep apnea syndrome;
  • Pickwick syndrome;

If you have had:

  • an ischemic stroke;
  • deep vein thrombosis of the extremities;
  • pulmonary embolism;
  • transient ischemic attacks,

Then it is inadvisable to buy an oxygen concentrator for home. In this case, it should be used only under the supervision of doctors in the hospital.

                                                           Types of oxygen concentrators                                                              

Medical oxygen concentrators are used in hospitals, intensive care units, clinics, ambulances, medical sanatoriums, etc. As a rule, they produce 5-10 liters of pure oxygen per minute.

Home oxygen concentrators are designed for home use. 1-5 l/min.

Universal oxygen concentrators are used in fitness clubs and beauty salons for oxygen therapy sessions; they normally generate 3-5 liters of oxygen per minute.


If you see the advertisement, you can find a lot of announcements about the sale/rental of oxygen concentrators. Prices start around 1,000 dollars. And, apparently, the prices are rising almost daily.

Система Orphus


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