Today's diagnosis of COPD or emphysema doesn't mean you file the daily activities you previously enjoyed under "happy memories" and head for the couch.

On the contrary, with portable oxygen therapy and 10 easy-to-remember safety measures, you can continue to live a full and active life, doing the day-to-day chores, errands and visiting you enjoyed before your diagnosis.

Technology has come a long way when it comes to medical equipment, especially the improvements in oxygen therapy.

Users are no longer required to sit under an oxygen tent or be bedbound: the miniaturization of components in the medical industry has led to smaller, lighter-weight devices that process room air into concentrated oxygen.

And they can do the same with filtered outside air so patients can do things considered unrealistic 40 years ago, such as take a cruise to Alaska or just drive down to the store for groceries.

These amazing machines are sturdy and built to last, but they do have their limits when it comes to the elements, care and handling. Learn how you can take care of your unit so it can take care of you.

Oxygen therapy is a vital treatment for patients with respiratory ailments and lung diseases.

However, there are several misconceptions regarding oxygen therapy of which all patients and caregivers should be aware of.

For those who have been diagnosed as needing oxygen therapy for COPD, CPAP treatment of severe sleep apnea, emphysema, and other respiratory diseases, the oxygen concentrator is one of the most important devices.

It's the patient's lifeline both at home and on the go as it provides an enhanced quality of life.

Patients live longer. Exercise is often easier because oxygen reaches the muscles better. Oxygen also helps reverse the long-term effects of its deficiency on the heart.

It's also known to reduce sleep disruption, improve concentration, mood, and memory levels.

Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) are a new and innovative method for supplying oxygen while allowing users more freedom.

As manufacturers are always looking for ways to make their concentrators more effective and portable, oxygen patients tend to do the same thing.

Like yourself, fellow oxygen patients are always looking for ways to get more out of their portable oxygen concentrator.

Take a look at our list below to see how you can get more out of your portable oxygen concentrator.

Portable oxygen therapy has come a long way since it's inception. In the past the only option patients had for their portable oxygen was metal oxygen tanks.

With advances in technology came liquid oxygen and then portable oxygen concentrators. It wasn't until a few years ago that portable oxygen concentrators started becoming somewhat mainstream.

The situation with portable oxygen concentrators is very similar to that of the cell phone or computer when they first came out.

At first only a few people had them and eventually they became a household item.

Many doctors and oxygen patients alike are stuck believing oxygen tanks and portable oxygen concentrators are equal.

This is far from the truth. Here are just 5 things that portable oxygen concentrators can do that oxygen tanks simply cannot.

The standard portable oxygen concentrator package comes with all of the accessories patients need to operate their concentrator on a daily basis.

Things like accessory bags, batteries, power supplies, carrying cases, and travel carts (when necessary) are considered parts of the standard package.

There may be some accessories that have multiple features or uses.

Ever since O2-Concepts released the Oxlife Independence portable oxygen concentrator it has become one of the most popular continuous flow portable oxygen machines on the market.

The versatile concentrator is FAA approved and offers both continuous and pulse flow modes. In the past, the Oxlife Independence came with a 3 year limited warranty.

O2-Concepts has announced, effective immediately, all brand new Oxlife Independence portable oxygen concentrators will come with a 5 year warranty!

This warranty extension is for new purchases only. O2-Concepts is not extending the warranty on concentrators purchased prior to their announcement.

Purchasing a portable or home oxygen concentrator is an investment. They cost anywhere from several hundred dollars up to a few thousand dollars depending on the make and model.

Not only are you investing money into an oxygen concentrator, you are investing your money into a medical device that can improve your quality of life.

Whether your concentrator was less expensive or more expensive, taking care of it should be a top priority for you or your caregiver.

Take a look at our guide to maintaining your portable and home oxygen concentrators.

We have been watching the progress of the SeQual eQuinox portable oxygen concentrator for quite sometime.

In October of 2012, the eQuniox gained FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval and earlier this month it gained FAA (Federal Aviation Association) approval.

Although we do not have an exact release date, we are anticipating the SeQual eQuinox to be released late March or early April of this year.

This concentrator is going to be the ideal continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator for oxygen patients requiring a continuous flow.