Everyone needs oxygen, but not everyone needs it bottled

In her experience with oxygen supply companies, Jennifer Wendell said she's come across some common misconceptions about oxygen use.

Some people have told her they don't want to get addicted to the oxygen their doctors have prescribed. They have expressed the fears that oxygen use causes pneumonia.

"It doesn't give you pneumonia," said Wendell. "And I always tell them they become addicted to oxygen as soon as they're born."

Jennifer and husband Marc Wendell, along with Chris and Karen Wendell, are owners of Premiere Oxygen, a new oxygen supply company and durable medical equipment in Minden.

Jennifer Wendell said fatigue and headaches in the morning might mean you're not getting enough oxygen but you have to be examined by a doctor to make that determination.

"We can't give out oxygen without a prescription," she said.

All referrals for supplemental oxygen come from doctors.

It is registered nurse Kathi Giurlani's job to make home visits to set up and explain to patients how to use the continuous positive airway pressure machine or the pulse oximetry sensor, methods used by doctors to determine the effectiveness or need for supplemental oxygen.

"A lot of times, oxygen-deprived people are misdiagnosed as dementia, but once they get oxygen, they get their mind back," said Jennifer Wendell.

Native Nevadan Marc Wendell has 20 years' experience in oxygen supply. He said he and his family decided to start their own business a year ago.

"We're a local family-owned business in Douglas County. The others are big corporations," said Marc Wendell. "We're allowed the freedom to take care of patients' needs quickly."

Premiere Oxygen carries oxygen tanks of various sizes: small backpack-sized tanks and tanks on wheels.

"We can make the small ones last as long as big ones. They're on-demand so they don't waste oxygen," said Marc Wendell.

The company provides a full line of respiratory products to take care of their patients.

Areas of service delivery areCarson Valley, Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Silver Springs, Yerington and Dayton.

Premiere Oxygen is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on-call 24 hours. For more information, call 267-2004.

What: Premiere Oxygen

Where: 2436 Precision Way, Suite A, Minden

When: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, On call 24 hours

Info: 267-2004