health warning in UK for air pollution
The government has issued health warnings due to high levels of air pollution spreading across England this week.
The pollution is a mix of local and European emissions and dust from the Sahara desert, and is affecting parts of southern England, the Midlands and East Anglia.
The elderly and those with lung or heart disease are urged to avoid strenuous exercise outside.
British Lung Foundation honorary medical adviser Dr Keith Prowse spoke today about the implications of high levels of pollution for people with lung disease.
“Air pollution can have the greatest impact on people with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, worsening symptoms such as coughing and breathlessness. The dust from the Sahara that we are seeing at the moment are worsening many local air pollution levels.
“When levels of air pollution are high, people with these conditions, or anyone else who finds themselves coughing or wheezing in times of high pollution, should avoid strenuous exercise outdoors and are better off trying to exercise away from pollution hotspots, such as busy roads or during rush hour.
“People who use a reliever inhaler should make sure that they carry it with them. If they feel that their conditions are worsening then they should contact their GPs.”
This is supposed to only last a few days but was high risk for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
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Do you have or need a portable oxygen concentrator
Q: Why do people on oxygen therapy prefer to travel with a Portable Oxygen Concentrator?
Because, unlike traditional or outdated systems, the Portable Oxygen Therapy Concentrator is specifically designed for the active oxygen user, is welcomed by most commercial airlines (FAA approved), and virtually eliminates all the cost, worry, and hassle of traveling with oxygen. With a Portable Oxygen Concentrator you are no longer held back by the time and distance limitations of your current oxygen therapy. Now, whether you are traveling locally or nationally, you'll enjoy the freedom and convenience of unlimited oxygen anywhere - especially on planes, cruises or in the car.
Q: Which commercial airlines allow the Portable Oxygen Concentrators on board?
The FAA has approved the following Open-Aire Portable Oxygen Concentrators for use on all commercial flights: the Inova Labs LifeChoice Activox, the Invacare XPO2, the Respironics EverGo, the Respironics SimplyGo, and the O2 Concepts OxLife Independence.
Q: Can I bring the Oxygen Concentrator on a cruise?
Most cruise lines will accept passengers who require oxygen with advance notice of at least 10 days and you must arrange for your own oxygen equipment.
Q: Can I use a Portable Oxygen Concentrator while I sleep?
Most patients are able to, but you may want to speak to your doctor and let him/her determine whether or not a Portable Oxygen Concentrator is appropriate for you while you sleep. An overnight pulse oximetry test may be necessary to measure your oxygen saturation level while using a Portable Oxygen Concentrator at night.
Q: How long can a Portable Oxygen Concentrator operate on battery power?
It is important to remember that battery life varies from unit to unit and depends on the patients' liter flow setting. For example, the Respironics EverGo can last up to 8 hours on a set of fully charged batteries on a LPM setting of 2. A Respiratory Consultant can help determine what your own usage time will be based on model and LPM settings.
Q: How do I know which Portable Oxygen Concentrator is right for me?
Ultimately it is a decision for you and your doctor to make. However, please speak with one of our Respiratory Consultants first and they will explain the particular benefits of each unit and help you take the first step to deciding which will be clinically efficient and fit your lifestyle.
Q: Does the unit make its own oxygen?
Yes. So long as the unit has access to its battery power or an external power source, the unit can make unlimited oxygen.
Q: Where are you located?
OxygenWorldwide operates internationally and has experts and advisors who speak many different European languages. Please do look at www.oxygenworldwide.com or contact us today for more information at info@oxygenworldwide.com
Introduction to the IPCRG's Research Strategy
The IPCRG has been consulting experts in primary care, respiratory research, our members and associate members to develop a comprehensive research strategy that we believe is required in primary care respiratory medicine. To be selected, issues have to be of global importance and not just nationally relevant. This provides a framework for the development of our own research programme and should provide guidance to potential researchers and research funders planning to study priority research areas in primary care respiratory medicine.
Our priorities are to conduct research of real practical value to primary care practitioners, policy makers and patients in both developed and developing countries. We expect our research to be conducted by researchers and practitioners with significant experience of primary care and other community settings. We anticipate that our wide international network, and the enthusiasm of our members for such an initiative, will enable studies to be undertaken rapidly, cost effectively and with a high level of applicability.
The scope includes prevention, diagnosis and management across the common respiratory conditions managed in primary care: asthma, allergic rhinitis, COPD, and infectious disease; and the most important cross-cutting intervention: smoking cessation. We have a particular interest in exploring and researching practical approaches to patient-centred care. Click here to see our prioritised research needs statements.
Inevitably, our views may change over time as new evidence is published. Therefore we have chosen to publish this statement on our website so that it can be updated and respond to new information. If you wish to contribute to the agenda please complete the proforma here.
If you wish to discuss a research proposal please contact us via the online proforma here.
To view current information relating to the research of the IPCRG, you can download a copy of a presentation given at our most recent Scientific Meeting in Uppsala in May 2013.
reference: http://www.theipcrg.org/display/RES/Research+Home
Another client thank you!
We have a house at Portugal and found your service browsing the internet. We would like to thank you for arranging the liquid oxygen plus the portable which my husband needed recently so that we still can enjoy our house together which we bought many years ago. Thank you OxygenWorldwide' Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson
Not sleeping can affect your health
Sleep apnea can worsen blood sugar control in people with Type 2 diabetes by disrupting the deepest stage of sleep, a new study suggests. The findings provide another good reason for people with sleep apnea to wear a CPAP mask that helps assure uninterrupted breathing, the standard treatment for the condition, throughout the night.
It is well known that sleep apnea, which causes breathing pauses and dangerous drops in oxygen during sleep, sharply raises the risk of Type 2 diabetes. More severe cases of sleep apnea are generally associated with poorer blood sugar control in diabetics.
While breathing pauses can occur throughout the night in apnea patients, the new study, published in Diabetes Care, found that episodes that occurred during the rapid eye movement, or REM, phase of sleep had the most detrimental effects on long-term blood sugar control.
Most REM sleep occurs in the early morning hours before waking. But research shows that many patients remove their CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, mask in the middle of the night because it can feel uncomfortable, said Dr. Babak Mokhlesi, an author of the new study and the director of the sleep disorders center at the University of Chicago.
As a result, their apnea is more likely to go untreated during REM sleep, a time that may be particularly important for anyone with diabetes, Dr. Mokhlesi said.
reference to Anahad O'Connor, New York Times, 2014
Thinking of buying a portable oxygen concentrator?
Over the last few months we have been inundated with patients and family members wanting to purchase one and the internet can be so overwhelming plus with this health purchase you want to be certain the purchase is safe, certified and will last.
There are so many portable concentrators on the market to date, and not every unit will suite each individual patients needs so we have listed our top suitable products.
If you are thinking of purchasing a portable oxygen concentrator make sure you call OxygenWorldwide first, our specialist team are available 24/7 to answer any questions or queries that you may have or view our products here.
20 years of experience!
Seeing and breathing clearly
Oxygen therapy eyeglasses are designed for those individuals that require supplemental oxygen. Glasses allows you to "ditch" your nasal cannula, improve your quality of life, and feel better about yourself, while assuring that you are receiving the oxygen prescribed by your doctor. These attractive eyeglass frames not only hold your prescription lenses, they also deliver the oxygen you need in a way that others will hardly notice.
Oxygen glasses use a special tubing that is nearly invisible. This tubing attaches to your eyeglass frames at the ends of the side pieces. The oxygen travels through the frames to the bridge. At the bridge, it flows through inconspicuous nasal prongs into your nasal cavity. The nasal prongs sit back against your face along the sides of your nose.
COPD patients using oxygen glasses look better and more normal than patients using traditional nasal cannula. This boosts patients' self esteem. Patients with oxygen glasses use their oxygen more consistently and have more active social lives. Oxygen glasses reduce the stigma associated with oxygen use. Oxygen glasses do not require tubing over the ears or across the face. This reduces skin irritation and sores. Traditional oxygen tubing gets very cold in winter weather. Oxygen glasses make it more pleasant to go out in colder temperatures.
There are many companies that sell and market these products, take a look and you may be able to improve your breathing and see more clearly.
Traveling with medical oxygen? Make sure you take a look at OxygenWorldwide.
Having oxygen on holiday
How can I take oxygen away on holiday?
Oxygen supplies for holidays in the UK
First, you need to contact the place you are planning to stay to explain what your needs are and get permission for your oxygen or equipment to be delivered there. This is up to you to do. It's a good idea anyway if you have any sort of medical needs to make sure that the accommodation you choose is suitable. So the chances are, you will have already spoken to them and explained all this before you booked up.
If you are going to need a different type of oxygen supply, talk to your doctor or specialist nurse. You will need another prescription for the new oxygen supply. But they can't give you something different to what you normally have without a prescription.
There are places where you can't take liquid oxygen, such as the Isle of Wight or the Channel Islands. But your supply company will be able to explain this and what you need to do. They can also help explain what you need to do if you are going abroad.
If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland and want to holiday there, the local pharmacist in the area can arrange your usual supply of oxygen. You need to arrange this through your GP at least a couple of weeks before you go away.
Oxygen supplies for holidays abroad
Before you arrange your holiday your doctor will need to write a letter saying that you are fit to travel. You will need to carry this letter with you.
Getting to and from your holiday
Travelling by car
If you regularly travel by car you may not need to make special arrangements. But it is important to make sure that you are fully prepared, especially for a long journey. If you don’t normally travel by car you should check with your oxygen supplier about what you need, including any specialist equipment.
Travelling by ferry
Ferry companies vary in what they will help with. Contact them before you book to check exactly what they can do. Some are able to help with oxygen supply if they have enough notice. They may be able to get you on and off the ferry first, or have special parking places for people with disabilities.
Travelling by train
Plan your route in advance and contact the rail company you want to travel with. Let them know what you need and who will be travelling with you. They may then be able to offer help with your journey. This may vary between train operating companies.
Travelling by plane
Plane travel is more complicated and airline companies vary in what they can provide. You will need to contact the airline you want to travel with to check
- Their policy on taking oxygen on the plane including any costs
- Whether you need to complete a form or get a doctor’s certificate saying you are fit to fly
You may also need to ask them
- What support is available at the airport
- Who can help you with luggage and boarding the plane
- If they supply oxygen at the airport
The airline will need to know how much oxygen you usually need and whether you need it continuously or for short periods only. They’ll also want to know who will be travelling with you.
For more information please contact OxygenWorldwide team on info@oxygenworldwide.com
Playing with fire and oxygen
There are so many articles saying do not smoke when using medical oxygen and the below article shows exactly why experts advise you not to smoke:
Woman left fighting for life after sparking huge explosion by lighting a cigarette while wearing an oxygen mask
- The 47-year-old was lighting up at home at 7.30am in the morning
- The flame set light to oxygen coming from her medical mask
- She is in intensive care with facial burns after being taken to hospital
A woman is fighting for her life after she lit a cigarette while wearing an oxygen mask, sparking an explosion.
The incident happened as the unnamed 47-year-old attempted to light up at her home in Heywood, Manchester just after 7.30am on Friday morning.
As she brought the light to her cigarette it set fire to the oxygen emitting from the nearby medical equipment, causing the gas to explode in her face.
The blast left her with severe burns and started a fire in a first-floor bedroom of the terraced house in Cartridge Street, Greater Manchester.
Emergency services were called to the scene but the fire was out by the time they arrived.
The woman received treatment in the house and was taken to Fairfield Hospital in Bury. Doctors then opted to put the woman into an induced coma.
She remained in intensive care for treatment last night. Shocked neighbours woke to find several fire engines and police cars in their street following the accident.
Frances Tennant, 85, who lives opposite her, said: 'I do see her and her husband. They seem friendly. It's a bit of a shock that this has happened and I hope she's OK.
'I could see police cars on the corner and plenty of activity with the fire service and I wondered what was going on.'
Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: 'They seem like a nice family. My boyfriend knows them better than me but we often say hello.
'The fire engines woke me up this morning just before eight o'clock and I wondered what had happened.'
The family of the woman, who has not been named, declined to comment.
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article By AARON SHARP
PUBLISHED: 14:35, 7 December 2013
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2519834/Woman-left-fighting-life-sparking-huge-explosion-lighting-cigarette-wearing-oxygen-mask.html#ixzz2r5AmoP3e
