CPAP Education

Perhaps you have heard about concern over the safety of the substance Bisphenol A (BPA). Are you concerned about whether it is in your medical equipment? Maybe you have noticed the plethora of products lining aisles of grocery and department stores that boast of their brand being “BPA Free.” Rest assured that, although BPA is present in many of the products we use on a daily basis, you needn’t worry when it comes to your CPAP supplies.

If you’ve just been diagnosed with sleep apnea then you may be wondering how long you’ll need to do CPAP therapy for. Will you be completely cured in a week or are you going to be dozing off to the soft whirring of your CPAP machine for the rest of your life? Like any complicated question, the answer depends on you and your unique health situation.

Many of you have heard about sleep apnea and CPAP machines, whether it is from loved ones, friends or even news stories. One common thing you will find about CPAP therapy is that there are many different myths that have developed over the years. Some myths may be true and others do not have a leg to stand on.

The CPAP machine makes it possible for those with sleep apnea and other serious respiratory challenges to finally get a good night’s rest. There are some essential CPAP machine features that make the device more comfortable to use. This is your guide to what these pieces are and how they can work in your favor.

The CPAP mask is one of the most important parts of the CPAP machine as a whole. It is considered the interface between the sleep apnea patient and the machine which helps that patient breathe properly. Choosing the right mask is vital to improving the CPAP experience, as well as getting the most out of sleep apnea therapy. What happens if the mask is comfortable for a while, but you wake up with red marks on your face? This is a common occurrence that has a couple of main causes and is easy to remedy.

Anyone who has used a CPAP machine long enough to go through a seasonal change is fully aware that the weather has a direct effect on the temperature and humidity. When the weather changes from warmer to colder, the humidity may be low, but in the tubing of your CPAP machine it is high, especially if you use a heated humidifier with your CPAP machine.

Sleep apnea is something we have all heard of but many think that it isn’t a big deal and that there aren’t any consequences to leaving it untreated. Many of you will remember American college and professional football player Reggie White. His sudden death in 2004 was not the direct effect of sleep apnea, but his sleep apnea adversely affected other illnesses he had and was a large contributor to his death.

Adhering to CPAP therapy can be challenging at first, but once a patient has the hang of it, the benefits are not only very obvious, but long lasting with continued therapy. As with any other important decision making process, it helps to have a list of pros and cons and what to expect when you start CPAP Therapy. So what is it that patients tend to dislike (and like) so much about CPAP therapy?

If you have been on CPAP treatment for a year or more you have probably started wondering 'how often should you be tested for sleep apnea?'  Because we are all different, there isn’t a set answer but there are signs to look out for that will help indicate when it is time for you to do a new sleep study.  For many patients, it will depend on your doctor’s preferences as to when you should retest.  Some physicians may require an annual test, and others may prefer a test every five years.

Are you dragging yourself through your day by chugging caffeinated beverage after caffeinated beverage or driving with the radio blaring to keep you from nodding off? Does your work day seem longer today than it did yesterday? Are you finding it harder and harder to make it through the work week?