What Pro2 is Up2

There are some things oxygen patients may want to consider as nicer weather approaches. Read below for tips and suggestions.

1) If you are making plans to travel, feel free to call us to discuss your needs. Make sure to do this at least two weeks in advance so we can work with you to secure any arrangements that need to be made at your destination. Many airlines now require a form letter to be filled out by your physician. You can find this letter on the airline's website. It is very important to complete this paperwork as you may be turned away at the boarding gate without it.

2) Pro2 has a fleet of portable oxygen concentrators that are approved by the FAA. With a little planning before your trip, you can have a great vacation without the need to take your large concentrator with you. Call us to discuss your needs.

3) If your portable oxygen cylinders are a burden to carry, you may want to call so we may assess your needs. You may qualify for a much lighter system that will make your spring, summer, and fall much more enjoyable. I’m sure you have seen the advertisements on TV for lightweight portable concentrators. Please feel free to call us to see what is appropriate for you.

4) As you head out and about this spring, please be sure that if you use portable oxygen cylinders you keep some extra washers in your glove compartment or purse. This will save the day if you experience trouble while on the road. Also, if you are unsure of you delivery day, please call us so we may review that information with you.

5) Please remember that your oxygen concentrator does generate heat. You may want to consider moving it into a spare room and running the tubing under a door. This will enable you to open a window in that spare room to exhaust the extra heat. All winter the heat generated by the concentrator is useful in keeping the home warm, but you may want to consider a change during warm weather.

6) Some concentrators have a filter in the back. Please check if your machine does, and if so, wash this filter with warm water (NO SOAP). Filters accumulate dirt and dust, especially with the windows open.

Enjoy the warmer weather, and if there is something we can do for you please call us at 716-667-9600.

Staying healthy is more important now than ever before for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory illnesses. We all have heard we should wash our hands often, care for our teeth and gums, and avoid germs and germ-filled areas.

But there are more ways to stay healthy you may not have considered. Try these tips to improve your health this winter:

- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and juice. Consult with your physician to determine your optimum intake. Drinking before your evening meal should minimize interruptions during the night.
- Add humidity to the air with a humidifying device. Be sure to keep it clean and germ-free. Clean regularly to ensure optimum performance.
- Cold air hurts. When outside, breathe through your nose (this will help add humidity to the air). Wrap a scarf around your face before you go outside. Also, when you first step outside, stop and take a few short breaths before proceeding. This will help your body become adjusted and may save you from a coughing spell.
- Avoid colds and people with them as their germs are airborne. If they must be near you, ask them to wear a surgical face mask. Avoid using their plate or utensils.
- Keep your nose clean. Blow your nose as often as is necessary using fresh, disposable tissues so you may rid of them after.
- Stay active. Exercise is important year-round. If the weather is too poor to exercise outside, try walking around the house and climbing stairs. Consider investing in a piece of home exercise equipment to keep your regimen going during the winter months. [Be sure to consult with your physician prior to starting any new exercise program.]
- Avoid dust. If you have central heating, replace your air filters before turning your system on for the season. Dust frequently with a dusting agent that traps the dust on the cloth. Wash or dry-clean drapes and curtains. Vacuum or dust behind radiators and be sure to change your vacuum cleaner bags and filters regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight. During winter months, aim to stay at or a little below your ideal weight. Eating and digesting food can be exhausting, so consider eating 5-6 small meals a day instead of 3 larger ones.
- Consider a flu shot in the fall, before flu season begins. Ask your physician about getting the flu vaccine. Be sure to rest in the days leading up to obtaining the vaccine.
- Avoid smokers. Smoke from someone else's cigarette can be as irritating and harmful to you as if you were smoking. Ask your friends not to smoke, or to smoke away from out (outside or in another room).

Source: Autumn and Winter Advice for Respiratory Patients. COPD Support. Retrieved February 15, 2013 from http://www.copdsupport.ie/copd-support-group/autumn-and-winter-advice.

Cats are one of Americans' favorite pets! They are well-suited for apartment dwellers or those with limited access to the outdoors. Cats don’t necessarily have to go outside to use the bathroom either; most indoor cats use a litter box.

It can be easy to identify the ammonia smell from cat urine- even when you've been careful to keep the litter box clean. While the amount of ammonia in an average litter box poses no health hazard, allowing litter boxes to go uncleaned may threaten cat owners' well being. The elderly, children, and people with a compromised respiratory system due to diseases such as COPD or asthma are especially susceptible.

When urine accumulates in the litter box (or anywhere in the house), ammonia fumes will build up. Ammonia is a toxic gas and inhalation of its fumes can lead to a number of respiratory issues. The fumes irritate the lining of the respiratory system which can lead to coughing, increased sputum, and difficulty breathing. People who are exposed for short periods usually experience minor symptoms such as mild headaches, lightheadedness, and nausea. Exposure for longer periods can cause more severe symptoms such as respiratory distress, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Over an extended period of time, individuals may experience an increase in respiratory infections and even damage their lung tissue.

So remember- always keep your cat’s litter box clean! For extra protection you may want to use gloves to protect your skin, goggles to protect your eyes, and a mask to avoid inhalation when cleaning the litter box.


Source: Make Sure Your Furry Friends Don't Make You Sick! January 2013. The Pulmonary Press.

Your dependency on supplemental oxygen doesn't need to prevent you from traveling and enjoying your life! In 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a final rule requiring all commercial airlines to accept patients traveling with portable oxygen concentrators (POCs). Traveling successfully with a POC begins during the planning stages of your trip. Please refer to the following helpful tips for oxygen users traveling by airplane:

- Before you make travel plans, check with your doctor to determine what extra precautions must be taken.
- Contact your home care provider several weeks before you plan to travel to make arrangements concerning oxygen supplies and equipment for you while traveling and at your destination.
- Be prepared to make several contacts with your travel agent and/or the airline. Each airline has specific rules and regulations. Some airlines may require specific forms of notification of oxygen service to be submitted to them prior to travel. In most cases, your physician will need to fill out and sign the forms.
- Request an aisle seat for ease of movement and for allowing more room to change your POC battery.
- Notify the airline of any other special needs prior to traveling. These needs may include wheelchairs, motorized cart, etc.
- Reconfirm your travel plans with the airline at least 72 hours in advance.
- Arrive at the airport well in advance to allow ample time for check-in and security. Going through security takes time as both the POC and extra battery will have to be checked and scanned.
- Take advantage of the option to pre-board.
- Stay charged up! When using a POC, estimate the battery discharge rate for the flight time and multiply that by at least 2 to accommodate flight delays and increased power utilization.

For more helpful airline travel tips, please click here to read Up, Up, and Away published in the May 2009 American Association of Respiratory Care Times.

Are you on the lookout for clean air?

If you're like most Americans, the air you breathe probably isn't something you give much thought to.

The American Lung Association released some interesting statistics based on their 2012 State of the Air report:

- Almost half of all Americans (41%) live in counties that have unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution
- Over 6 million people live in areas with unhealthy levels of year-round particle pollution
- One in six people live in areas with unhealthy levels of short-term particle pollution

What does this mean to you? Well, if you live in one of the affected areas, you may have experienced times when it was difficult to breathe. And if you suffer from asthma or COPD, breathing can be difficult enough without added pollutants.

Is there anything that can be done to help improve these statistics?

The American Lung Association recommends:

- Driving less: take advantage of public transportation, bike, or walk places since vehicle emissions account for a large part of air pollution
- Use less electricity: use energy efficient appliances and turn lights off when leaving the room since generating electricity is one of the biggest sources of air pollution
- Don't burn wood/trash: dispose of waste properly since burning releases many particles into the air; if you want to have a fire, use natural gas which has far fewer pollutants
- Send a message to local representatives: let your Congressmen, Assemblymen, Senators, Governors, and Mayors know that you support the Clean Air Act and want healthier, cleaner air to breathe

You can download the 2012 State of the Air report here to read their full findings.