The Importance of Breathing & Oxygen Tanks

Oxygen plays a vital role in our lives. The quality of the air and the strength of our breath can dramatically impact our health and well-being. Disease, environment, and genetics can all play impactful roles in the health of our lungs. According to the World Health Organization, ninety percent of people around the world breathe dirty, polluted air. About one in seven adults in the United States suffer from lung disorders. Lung diseases are considered one of the most prevalent and deadly medical conditions in the world. Sleep, digestion, stress, and immune response can all be greatly improved through proper breathing. The effects of improper breathing and not caring for your lungs can be catastrophic and often deadly. Lung and respiratory-related issues account for three of the ten leading causes of death around the world. Taking care of your lungs is one of the surest ways to ensure a long, happy, and healthy life.

One of the best ways to immediately improve one’s own breathing is by simply being conscious of it. Being aware of the depth and rhythm of your breath will show you where things can be mended. Some of the telltale signs of poor breathing include an increase in the breathing rate, shortness of breath, wheezing while breathing deeply, dizziness, chest pain, a persistent cough, and chest retractions. Identifying and correcting poor and irregular breathing habits can easily fix these problems and leave you energized and healthier. Taking a few deep breaths in and out through the nose can also be beneficial to managing stress and bringing your focus back to the present. Having excellent posture is a great way to increase the amount of oxygen that enters your lungs as well as the carbon dioxide that gets pushed out. Moreover, regularly expelling all the CO2 out of your lungs on each exhale is the best way to keep your lungs happy and healthy for years. Some remedies for repairing your lungs and correcting breathing include breathing exercises (diaphragmatic breathing and simple deep breathing), timing your breaths, staying well hydrated, physical activity (moderate to intense aerobic activities), and if symptoms are severe, pulmonary rehabilitation.

Although it is optimal to inhale the oxygen that is in your own environment, there are instances when supplemental oxygen is needed to ensure the health and safety of an individual. Oxygen tanks can be crucial to the lives of many. Things like pneumonia, COVID-19, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and even severe asthma attacks are all instances in which medical oxygen and oxygen therapy can be a crucial factor in the life or death of the individual affected. There are many individuals that may be subject to oxygen tanks and therapy for extended periods of time. Ensuring that the equipment they use is not only safe and effective but also relatively easy to use and operate is wildly important

There are also instances when oxygen tanks and breathing apparatuses need to be used outside of the medical context. These include but are not limited to welding and steelwork, deep-sea diving, and firefighting. Oxygen supplementation in these environments is critical to the efficiency and often survival of individuals as they perform their tasks and duties. Providing workers, especially those that engage in dangerous situations such as firefighters and deep-sea divers, with the proper equipment that is both safe and effective is imperative to their health and safety. These tanks are not only remedies for those that are sick, but also tools used to prevent potential damage and ensure safety.

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