medical oxygen

Planning a trip with oxygen

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planning a trip abroad

Medical oxygen is an essential element in the treatment of various respiratory conditions. If you are someone who requires oxygen therapy, you may be wondering if it is possible to travel with your medical oxygen equipment. The good news is that with some planning and preparation, it is possible to travel with medical oxygen and still enjoy your trip.

First, it is important to consult with your doctor before planning your trip. Your doctor can advise you on the best ways to manage your oxygen therapy while traveling and can also provide you with a letter that explains your medical condition and the need for oxygen therapy.

Next, you will need to contact your airline and inform them that you will be traveling with medical oxygen. Airlines have specific policies and procedures in place for passengers who require oxygen therapy, and it is important to follow these guidelines to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

When packing for your trip, be sure to include all necessary oxygen equipment, such as a portable oxygen concentrator (POC), extra batteries, and any accessories. It is also a good idea to pack a backup oxygen tank in case of an emergency.

During the flight, it is important to use your oxygen equipment as directed by your doctor and to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You should also be aware of any changes in altitude, as this can affect your oxygen therapy.

Finally, when you arrive at your destination, it is important to have a plan in place for obtaining additional oxygen if needed. Your doctor can provide you with a list of local medical supply companies that can provide oxygen equipment and supplies.

In conclusion, traveling with medical oxygen is possible with the right planning and preparation. By consulting with your doctor, following airline guidelines, packing the necessary equipment, and staying vigilant during your trip, you can enjoy your travels while still managing your medical condition.

Celebrating 30 years of OxygenWorldwide

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Celebrating over 30 years of medical oxygen arrangements

OxygenWorldwide is now 30 years old and we are celebrating to say a huge thank you to all our customers, colleagues and network of people and organisations we have worked with over the years.

Now more than ever it is important to maintain our team of multilingual staff, 24/7 care and keep people who respiratory illnesses moving, seeing the world and able to make the most of life.

Please do get in touch with us here or simply leave a comment below.

Thank you!

When was oxygen considered medicine?

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Oxygen is now a common and essential use in medicine today but it has not always been considered medicine. It was not until 1885 when Dr George
Holtzapple documented using oxygen with a patient who had pneumonia.

What is medical oxygen used for?
Medical oxygen is used for resuscitation, life support and anaesthesia. Medical oxygen is also used for respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, COPD and Covid.

Where can you have medical oxygen?
Medical oxygen is usually used mainly within a hospital or medical facility but you can also have medical oxygen on a plane, boat with use of portable oxygen cylinders and machines. Medical oxygen concentrators can also be used at home for patients who need oxygen most of the day and overnight.

For more information feel free to speak with our team at OxygenWorldwide

What is a HOOF?

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A HOOF stands for Home Oxygen Order Form. This paperwork is needed in order for medical professional to give consent for medical oxygen for a patient alongside the consent form. This document is essential for oxygen suppliers such as OxygenWorldwide to order your required oxygen needed for your trip.

By law, patient’s consent is needed to transfer personal information to a recommended supplier and for supply to be sourced and ordered. If no consent, the order will be rejected.

For more information speak with your GP or outpatient clinic in order to obtain the correct information, requirements and give your consent when ordering home oxygen.

Feeling tired with COPD?

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lady looking out to sea

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can leave you feeling tired and sluggish but how to help combat this feeling so you can plan ahead for everything no matter what condition you have.

Here our 4 tips to remember:

  1. Remember that you may need supplemental oxygen to help you breathe, especially when you go on vacation
  2. Especially during winter you may be low on Vitamin D so make sure you take this supplement when days are short and mornings are dark
  3. Remember to REST. When walking or doing activities plan in some rest breaks and do not try to over exert yourself too much, you will simply become very tired or wear yourself out for the rest of the day
  4. Exercise such as walking or cycling is a good form of cardio than can be done most days for about 30 minutes

Travel tips for Christmas trips

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travel tips

Traveling can be stressful let alone during the festive season when many are going home for the holidays, visiting friends and family and meeting up with loved ones for Christmas. This can provide another layer of anxiety for those using medical oxygen and could deter anyone from even thinking about travel. Here are a few tips so you can set off on your travels and not miss out plus feel more relaxed as with anything planning and being prepared is the best tip especially if you have portable oxygen to take with you and also if you are going away for a longer period than normal.

  1. Avoid travelling on busy days for example Christmas Eve or once most companies break up for the Christmas holidays.
  2. Always plan to have extra battery power in case of travel delays or disruptions beyond your control.
  3. Real Christmas trees are magical but for those with respiratory difficulties this can affect your breathing. Fake Christmas trees are much safer.
  4. The festive season brings out all the scents but also with this comes naked flames so avoid scented candles that may trigger problems and also walk passed those chestnuts on open fires or grills.
  5. If you are traveling via air or sea please do check with your transportation provider your needs and that you are all pre-booked for your requirements. It is always advised to check all requirements before travel to stop any confusion or problems when boarding.

Finally enjoy your holiday, the time of year and being with your loved ones. Christmas is a magical time and can be enjoyed by all. Simply plan and prepare for all situations. If you require medical oxygen abroad simply send your medical requirements to the team at OxygenWorldwide who can arrange everything for you. Having 24/7 contact especially during holidays is a must and the OxygenWorldwide team will be your support.

Is this your first winter with medical oxygen?

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Winter and tree with no leaves

For those who may be new to using medical oxygen as a supplement to breathing this may be your first winter. Winter is not as scary as most of us think, temperatures drop and breathing can become more difficult. Just remember that as long as you are aware you can still do everything you need to each day, You are not alone and winter just means you need to be a bit more careful on how it affects you. Many patients that suffer from respiratory conditions such as COPD, asthma or need to use oxygen after covid may be fearful of the temperature falling. All you need to be aware of is protecting your lungs during this season as you are exposed to the cold air.

3 tips on what to do during winter:

  1. Stay indoors a bit more during these months – for example exercise indoors more than in warmer months and make sure your home is well insulated
  2. Wrap up warm when going outside, wear extra layers or thermals to keep your body warmer
  3. Make sure your mouth and nose is covered, use breathable materials such as wool

If you are looking to travel during the winter months please do contact our team on what is required and also arrange all your medical oxygen needs. You can visit our website for further information or contact our team directly here.

How long do I need to be on oxygen after Covid?

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oxygen gauge

It is now very common to be sent home with the need of medical supplemental oxygen after contracting Covid-19. If severe the damage to lungs means many patients are having extreme difficulty breathing. One reports suggests; Average duration of supplemental oxygen therapy requirement among COVID-19 patients was 6 days and being 70 years and older and having shortness of breath were found to be associated with prolonged duration of supplemental oxygen therapy requirement. Although Covid-19 is very complicated and still exists.

Experts also say that oxygen therapy is also useful in cases where:

  • A patient is suffering from pneumonia/ acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • Dyspnea (severe shortness of breath)
  • Hypoxia (when there’s oxygen deprivation on the tissue level without the presence of other physical manifestations)

We all need oxygen to live so patients who start using oxygen due to a dip on o2 levels will continue until stabilisation. Medical oxygen is easy to have at home with portable oxygen concentrators and cylinders.

If you want to read more about medical oxygen visit @oxygenworldwide

Oxygen after Covid

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oxygen tank and mask

Covid can bring long-term breathing conditions to many patients even after recovery. Covid attacks and can weaken the lung tissue and cause damage. Medical oxygen may be needed in some cases whether in hospital or as after care in the home. Conditions such as pneumonia, sepsis and bronchitis can occur in severe cases.

Recovery is so important as the quicker doctors can help assist the right treatment for patients the more likely the lungs will have time to heal, but it does take time.

For the patients suffering from the long term effects of Covid – the team at OxygenWorldwide help keep you moving across the world. Arrangement of medical oxygen in many countries is key to travel, visit family and see the world. For more information please visit our website for full details.

Life saving oxygen therapy – how it began…

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oxygen therapy tank

A great advancement was at The Pneumatic Institution administered oxygen free of charge to ‘out-patients… in consumption, asthma, palsy, dropsy, obstinate venereal complaints, scrophula or King’s Evil and other diseases, which ordinary means have failed to remove’.

Many of this is still used today such as corrugated non-crushable breathing tubes, mouthpieces and the method for mass production of gases. The Institution then changed to a hospital in later years to help cope with typhis outback in 1800.

‘Most people report that Oxygen Water gives them extra energy and makes them more alert… the effects of inadequate oxygen in the blood are well known. Drinking oxygenated water gives you another path for bringing oxygen into your blood’.4

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Still today oxygen therapy and medical oxygen is still very much used and needed to many patients. This also covers most respiratory diseases plus anaesthesia and treatment of other illnesses. Most forget that it still needs to be prescribed carefully and levels have to be correct and accurate for the patient. We owe many physicians a huge thank you and accolade for their works including what happened in battlefields of first world war where oxygen was used to help soldiers.

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Grainge C. Breath of life: the evolution of oxygen therapy. J R Soc Med. 2004 Oct;97(10):489-93. doi: 10.1177/0141076809701011. PMID: 15459264; PMCID: PMC1079621.