Alice has been a Registered Respiratory Therapist for 6 years and has spent that entire time serving our sleep and respiratory patients in Colorado. When she's not working, Alice loves to hang out with her family and dog, and read books.
Q. Sometimes I will get a low respiratory pressure alarm on my device. What am I supposed to do when I get this alarm?
A. Make sure that all of your tubing, filters, and your mask are connected properly, and re-start the therapy. Check your mask fitting as well, as mask leaks will also cause low pressure alarms. If you are still getting a low pressure alarm after these fixes, contact your local Apria to speak to a Respiratory Therapist.
Q. Is there a way that I can keep my oxygen levels normal? When I wake up and start moving around they drop.
A. Focus on breathing deeply, staying hydrated, and adjusting your walking pace to help avoid getting breathless. Try pursed-lip breathing techniques where you can. If your oxygen saturation levels continue to drop, you should consult your physician for further evaluation and assessment. Your oxygen liter flow prescription may need to be increased if you are requiring more supplemental oxygen to normalize oxygen saturation levels.
Q. I started using oxygen therapy and my mouth is really dry, what can I do?
A. This is a very common side effect. Drinking plenty of water, and using a humidifier in the room you spend the most time in can really make a difference. Nasal saline spray is something you can purchase over the counter that may also help. If you don’t have one already, I would suggest that you request a humidifier bottle to add to your concentrator as well, from your local Apria branch. If this issue continues, consult your doctor.
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