Health-Fitness

     This is the oxygen concentrator I bought

I get headaches fairly mainly due to having allergies.  In the past I have heard about the immediate effects of concentrated oxygen on headaches and want to try it as a remedy.  This is where I will keep notes on my research.

1. First step is to just try some oxygen when I have a headache: http://www.o2zonearomatherapy.com/contact.php
2. If #1 is promising I'll try to get an oxygen concentrator:   http://www.specialtymedicalsupply.com/cart.php
3. I will study the effects of the oxygen on attention span while programming.
4. Effect on sleep

 Reference material

How an oxygen concentrator works  –  uses zeolite and is nonhazardous. Produces about 90% oxygen.

Replacement Filters

Disc = final bacteria filter

Canister = Intake Filter

Black Foam = box intake filter – reusable

Can get these filters here:

• http://store.breatheritesupplies.com/servlet/Categories
• http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=1504300
• http://www.glennmedical.com/glennmedicalsystemsinc/id16.html

Craigslist

• unit details: http://www.home-med-equip.com/oxygen-concentrator/irc5xl.html

 Results

• Definitely gets rid of headaches
• helped with neck stiffness caused by tension headache
• resting heart rate = 42. Normally without concentrated oxygen 50 is my resting rate.
• My daily runs are easier and faster.  Blood pressure seems better.
• Memory tests are proving out that memory function is more rapid
• Much better attention span while coding.  Much less likely to distract into an internet browsing frenzy avoiding work
• In the past while staying in Phoenix I have found that I wake up with a headache 50% of the time.  I have had the concentrator 2 weeks now and no headaches
• Lessons my allergy problems in general.  Cuticles about my fingernails are in much better condition as they are much less irritated.

Assorted Notes:

• This is a definite add to your collection of useful household devices.
• Do not smoke while using.  Pure oxygen can make the usually flame resistant materials burn bright and fast.  I found out while testing with a pipe.  The flame lept from the pipe to the exit holes of the plastic tubing which then proceded to burn like rocket fuel.
• Add a peppermint tea bag to the water bottle because it smells like heaven
• Some people are using these machines to make small welding torches with this supplying the oxygen. No need to get oxygen bottles!

My Darth Vader black helmet is on the way!  Get one.  Join the power of the darkside.

Assorted Follow Up

About 3 months after buying this oxygen concentrator I started eating alot of beans because they are good and they are cheap.  I stopped eating wheat products strictly by accident.  Imagine my surprise when the psoriasis on my hands cleared up.  My lung tightness and frequent headaches that this machine had helped with went away completely. I am now on a gluten free diet and feeling very good.  You can read about my discovery of gluten's very bad effects on me here.

I run everyday lately because I wanted to lose some weight and lower my blood pressure.  The easiest way to keep blood pressure down and make the run more easy is to drink 1/3 of a cup of red wine before my jog. Here is the sequence:

• drink 1/3 cup of wine to thin blood and dialate capillairys about 45 minutes before running
• Continuously drink water during the subsequent 45 minutes. This also thins blood. 
• Run 2.5 miles
• do the run in the mid to late afternoon.  I do not wait till evening or I will have trouble sleeping
• The wine will help you your muscles be more loose from the beginning. Warm up time shortened.
• If you want to goose things up a bit you can start your day drinking water then 1/2 cup of coffee – only a little as coffee drys you out pretty badly – green tea is better.

Now you may think this is just another dumb health tip but its not.  There is something in the red wine that makes you lose fat much MUCH more effectively.  I have tried loosing weight running 6 miles without the wine and lose very little and very slowly.  Whereas when I use the wine its much easier.

I am 47 years old and was seeing 130 / 80 blood pressure with resting heart rate of 60 beats per minute before starting running again.  This is not a good set of numbers for me.  After 2 months of wine and training its 120 / 53 with 47 beats per minute.

The last time I did this was when I was 38.  I was combining it with lifting weights and it was highly effective.  The photo below is from 1999 when I was 38.   I do not know what is in red wine that makes it so effective in increasing health and fitness but whatever it is it works for me.   I wish I would have known about this from day 1 of life as I believe it probably extends life just as some scientific reports are finding.  It may be as little as helping people just stay fit. 

Red wine definitely slightly supresses my appetite.