Your oxygen concentrator is an important part of your daily life. It keeps you healthy and allows you to do everything that you want to do. That means when something goes wrong with your concentrator, it can affect your entire life. Some problems you can fix yourself, like cleaning out a filter, but some require professional help. Keep reading to learn 4 signs you should get your oxygen concentrator serviced.
You Feel Sick
If your oxygen concentrator is working properly and you’ve adjusted to oxygen therapy, then you should barely notice using it. However, if something is wrong with your concentrator, you may not be getting the right amount of oxygen and so may start feeling sick. Look for symptoms such as headaches, increased anxiety, drowsiness, confusion, blue lips or fingernails, and breathing pattern changes to let you know that you’re not getting the amount of oxygen your concentrator is supposed to be giving. Call your doctor to mitigate the symptoms and call your concentrator provider to get your concentrator fixed.
Increased Noise Production
All oxygen concentrators make noise. The normal noise range for oxygen concentrators is between 30 and 60 decibels, which is as quiet as a whisper or as loud as a normal conversation and anywhere in between. Most concentrators produce about 45 decibels of noise, which would sound like a quiet appliance such as a running dishwasher or refrigerator. If you notice that your concentrator is making more noise than normal, especially if it’s too loud to carry out a conversation, then something is wrong with your machine. Check to make sure that the filters aren’t blocked, since this is one of the most common issues that can cause increased noise production, and if that’s not the problem, then call to get your machine professionally serviced.
Alarms and Alerts
As technology gets better, so do oxygen concentrators. Many newer oxygen concentrators come equipped with alarms and other types of alerts to let you know when something is wrong with your machine. These alarms don’t always mean that you need professional maintenance, since some machines alert users of small issues such as changes in air quality. However, if your machine alerts you to something that you cannot fix, or the alarm doesn’t turn off after you’ve made the appropriate fix, then you may need professional maintenance.
Simple Fixes Don’t Work
The last sign that your oxygen concentrator needs professional maintenance is if simple fixes don’t work. For example, if your machine won’t turn on or turns off unexpectedly, then you need to check the power sources, fuses, cords, and make sure that the device isn’t overheated. If everything seems to be in working order and your machine still won’t work, then you’ll need to call a professional technician. Other problems that normally require simple fixes are dust or dirt clogging your machine’s exhaust and inadequate oxygen output. Checking the filters and pressure system should help you find the problem, but if the problem isn’t apparent or isn’t easily fixed, call a technician.
The 4 signs you should get your oxygen concentrator serviced are if you start feeling sick, your machine gets noisier, alarms or alerts go off, and simple fixes don’t work. If your machine needs service, call the provider of the machine or another professional technician who’s experienced with working on oxygen concentrators. If your old machine requires too much service and you’re looking for a new oxygen concentrator for home use, Bridge to Care is happy to help. We offer reliable and high-quality equipment for your oxygen therapy needs.