A. Yes, it is generally safe to use a bubble humidifier bottle with an oxygen concentrator if it is prescribed by your physician. Oxygen is a dry gas, and adding humidity helps prevent dryness and irritation in the nasal passages, throat, and lungs. The humidifier bottle attaches to the concentrator and adds moisture to the oxygen before it reaches you. Always use distilled water to prevent mineral buildup and bacterial growth, and be sure not to overfill the bottle—follow the minimum and maximum fill lines.

A. Pulse flow, also called pulse dose oxygen, delivers oxygen intermittently with each breath and is triggered by the user’s inhalation through the nose. If you are talking too much, it may not trigger the pulse of oxygen, so it’s important to breathe through your nose to activate the pulse dose. Continuous flow oxygen, on the other hand, provides a steady, uninterrupted stream of oxygen at a set liter-per-minute rate, regardless of your breathing pattern.

Pulse dose is compatible with portable oxygen concentrators, which are lightweight, mobile, and offer longer battery life. Continuous flow is typically used for patients who need a constant, higher oxygen level, usually supplied by a stationary concentrator or a regulator on a tank. In short, pulse dose delivers oxygen only when you inhale, making it efficient and portable, while continuous flow provides a constant stream for patients with higher or continuous oxygen needs.