Respiratory Equipment

💡TL;DR: Most COPD devices do one of three jobs: open airways, move mucus, or add oxygen. Inhalers are fastest when your technique is solid; nebulizers are slower but easier to breathe from during flares. If testing shows low oxygen, prescribed oxygen therapy keeps levels safe and can improve survival

💡TL;DR: Always keep your nebulizer, medications, and power in your carry-on so treatment stays with you during delays or lost bags. Medical liquids are exempt from the 3.4 oz (100 mL) rule when declared, per TSA, so bring what you need in reasonable quantities. Pack a compact battery-powered

💡TL;DR: Long-term oxygen therapy is prescribed when resting oxygen is low (SpO₂ ≤ 88% or PaO₂ ≤ 55 mmHg). Using oxygen for 15+ hours/day improves survival and stamina in people with proven hypoxemia. Clinicians usually aim for 88–92% SpO₂ to balance oxygen needs and CO₂ risk. Most people qualify

💡TL;DR: Hospital nebulizers are supervised, high‑output systems for severe flare‑ups; home nebulizers are compact devices for routine control and early symptoms. Home treatments typically take 5-15 minutes per dose, while hospitals can give back-to-back or continuous treatments with oxygen and monitoring. Home units are quieter and portable

💡TL;DR: Most people with COPD benefit from a HEPA air purifier that removes fine particles like smoke, dust, and pollen. A HEPA air purifier can help reduce COPD triggers, but it will not cure COPD or replace your prescribed treatments. Choose True HEPA, ozone-safe (CARB-listed), and a CADR sized

💡TL;DR: Hospital-grade nebulizers produce a fine, consistent mist (~3–5 microns) and finish most treatments in about 5–10 minutes. Modern mesh and compressor units for home can match clinic performance when used correctly, and many are FDA-cleared medical devices. Expect quieter operation and durable, cleanable parts that keep

💡TL;DR: Do not nebulize distilled water. It is not guaranteed sterile and its very low salt content can irritate your airways. Use sterile 0.9% saline or prescribed medications in unit-dose vials; use 3% to 7% hypertonic saline only if your clinician prescribes it. For cleaning, you may rinse

💡TL;DR: ALS gradually weakens the breathing muscles, so most people start with noninvasive ventilation (a BiPAP mask) when symptoms appear. A tracheostomy with a ventilator can extend life by a median of about 21 months after surgery, but it usually means 24/7 dependence on the machine and caregivers

💡TL;DR: Incentive spirometers are devices you slowly inhale through to exercise and reopen your lungs, while peak flow meters are devices you blow into to measure how fast air leaves your lungs. Use a peak flow meter mainly for day-to-day asthma or lung function monitoring, and an incentive spirometer