What Is Oxygen Therapy and Why You Need It
In today’s world, where respiratory conditions are increasingly common, oxygen therapy plays a vital role in maintaining quality of life. Whether you're living with chronic respiratory diseases or recovering from illness, supplemental oxygen is more than just a treatment—it's a lifeline. In the Philippines, access to reliable oxygen therapy is growing as awareness of health care and respiratory health becomes a national priority.
Let’s explore what oxygen therapy is, why you might need it, and how modern devices like the VARON oxygen concentrator are revolutionizing respiratory care.
Understanding Oxygen Therapy
Oxygen therapy is a healthcare treatment that delivers extra oxygen to individuals who have trouble breathing or who do not get enough oxygen naturally. It is commonly prescribed for conditions that affect respiratory health, such as:
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
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Asthma
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Pulmonary fibrosis
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Sleep apnea
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Pneumonia or COVID-19 recovery
When your body doesn't receive enough oxygen, your organs, especially your brain and heart, are at risk. Oxygen therapy improves oxygen saturation levels, enhances energy, reduces fatigue, and supports overall health care outcomes.
Why Is Oxygen Therapy Important for Respiratory Health?
Many patients in the Philippines are unaware they need oxygen therapy until their symptoms worsen. Here are common signs that you may benefit from oxygen therapy:
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Shortness of breath even during mild activity
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Chronic fatigue
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Bluish discoloration of lips or fingernails
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Chest tightness or confusion
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Recurrent respiratory infections
If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, it's essential to consult a health care professional for a proper diagnosis. Pulse oximetry or arterial blood gas tests are used to measure oxygen levels in your blood and determine whether oxygen therapy is necessary.
Who Needs Oxygen Therapy?
Oxygen therapy is typically prescribed after a thorough assessment by a health care provider. Common signs that someone might benefit include:
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Low blood oxygen levels (SpO₂ < 90%)
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Frequent breathlessness
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Bluish lips or fingertips
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Confusion or lethargy
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Poor sleep due to oxygen desaturation
Patients recovering from surgery, COVID-19, or other acute respiratory infections may also need short-term therapy to restore respiratory health.
Types of Oxygen Therapy
Depending on your needs and diagnosis, a health care professional may recommend:
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Continuous Flow Therapy: Provides a constant stream of oxygen, ideal for patients with chronic low oxygen levels.
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Pulse Dose Therapy: Delivers oxygen only when the user inhales, conserving oxygen and extending battery life.
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Portable Oxygen Therapy: Perfect for active individuals who need oxygen support on the go.
Devices like the VARON oxygen concentrator offer both continuous and pulse flow settings to match different user needs, making them a flexible and reliable solution for everyday oxygen support.
How Does an Oxygen Concentrator Work?
Understanding how an oxygen concentrator works is essential for anyone considering oxygen therapy as part of their respiratory health care. For individuals with compromised respiratory health, maintaining a healthy oxygen level in the blood is critical. While ambient air contains about 78% nitrogen and only 21% oxygen, this ratio may not be enough for those with chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD, asthma, or pneumonia.
This is where VARON portable oxygen concentrators step in—delivering purified oxygen using advanced technology to improve your oxygen intake and overall wellness.
Oxygen Therapy with Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA)
VARON's small, portable oxygen concentrators rely on Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology to isolate and deliver medical-grade oxygen. Here’s how the process works in five simple steps:
Step 1: Intake and Filtration
The concentrator draws in ambient air from the surroundings. This air is immediately passed through a dust filter to remove particles, allergens, and impurities, ensuring only clean air is used in the process.
Step 2: Compression
A built-in compressor increases the air pressure. By making the air denser, it becomes easier to separate nitrogen from oxygen molecules, allowing the concentrator to function more efficiently even in varied environmental conditions.
Step 3: Selective Adsorption
The compressed air moves through zeolite beds—materials that act like molecular sieves. Zeolite selectively captures nitrogen molecules while allowing oxygen to flow through freely, significantly increasing the oxygen level in the processed air.
Step 4: Pressure Swing and Regeneration
While one zeolite bed is adsorbing nitrogen, the other is being regenerated. This happens by reducing the pressure, which releases the trapped nitrogen back into the air. This alternating process ensures continuous and stable oxygen flow.
Step 5: Oxygen Collection and Delivery
The final product—oxygen with a concentration of 90% to 95%—is collected in an internal reservoir and delivered directly to the user via a nasal cannula or face mask. This oxygen-enriched air improves respiratory health by helping users maintain proper blood oxygen saturation.
Additional Components of VARON Oxygen Concentrators
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Cooling System: Portable concentrators generate heat during extended use. VARON’s units are equipped with a cooling system to ensure device longevity and safety.
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Nasal Cannula: A soft, lightweight tube that fits comfortably into the nostrils, delivering steady oxygen flow to maximize oxygen absorption without discomfort.
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Rechargeable Power Supply: Ideal for individuals in the Philippines who may need a reliable backup during power interruptions or for travel across regions.
Oxygen Therapy & Lifestyle: Take Back Control
One of the biggest benefits of home-based oxygen therapy is independence. With a portable VARON oxygen concentrator, you can:
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Travel more confidently
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Sleep better at night
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Regain stamina for everyday tasks
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Reduce hospital visits
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Support long-term respiratory health
These devices empower individuals to be active participants in their own health care, rather than being tied to clinical settings.
Oxygen Therapy and Health Care in the Philippines
Access to quality health care in the Philippines is expanding, especially in the field of home-based respiratory solutions. With rising awareness about respiratory health, more families are now turning to modern tools like the VARON oxygen concentrator to support recovery and manage chronic conditions from the comfort of home.
Health experts and respiratory therapists across the country are increasingly recommending portable oxygen concentrators for patients who want independence, mobility, and safety—all essential components of modern health care.
Consult Your Health Care Provider First
Before starting oxygen therapy, it's essential to speak with a health care professional who can assess your oxygen levels, review your symptoms, and recommend the appropriate flow settings and device type. With the right equipment and guidance, oxygen therapy becomes a safe, effective tool for improving both short-term comfort and long-term respiratory health.
Final Thoughts: Oxygen Therapy Is More Than a Treatment—It’s a Lifeline
Oxygen therapy is one of the most valuable tools in modern health care, especially for individuals living with lung conditions. With the help of innovative solutions like the VARON oxygen concentrator, you can manage symptoms, improve energy, and maintain your freedom—all while protecting your respiratory health.
Ready to Breathe Easier?
Explore VARON’s full range of portable and home oxygen concentrators today and take a confident step toward better health care and lasting respiratory health.
