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7 Reasons to Stick With CPAP
wp:paragraph If you suffer from sleep apnea, then your doctor probably prescribed the use of a CPAP machine as part of your treatment. But with the mask, tubes, and machine itself, you may be tempted to forego this part of your treatment. However, using your CPAP machine can really make a difference. Here are the top 7 reasons to stick with it: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} Better sleep for you: This may seem obvious, but it's true - using your CPAP machine will definitely give you a better quality sleep. Better sleep for you partner: Untreated sleep apnea not only affects you, but your partner as well. Using your CPAP machine can reduce snoring, which your partner will appreciate. Look better. What happens when you are well-rested? You start to look well-rested, less haggard, and have a healthier glow. Have more energy: When you get poor sleeps, you have less energy. Using your CPAP machine daily will help you regain your previous energy levels. Greater focus: When you are constantly tired, how well can you focus on daily tasks? Probably not very well. Stick with your machine to see improvement in your ability to focus and stay focused. Improved overall health. Sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues such as heart attacks and stroke. Your machine can help minimize those issues. Ability to travel: Snoring and exhaustion don't seem like a great combination for travel. But with a travel-size CPAP machine, you can add travel and adventure back into your life. /wp:list wp:paragraph Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
Learn moreCPAP and Beauty Sleep
wp:paragraph We've all heard about getting our beauty rest. But it isn't just a fun phrase. Getting adequate sleep helps us not just feel more alert and be more focused, but it does something else - it makes us look better too. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Sure, we have also heard that beauty is only skin deep. However, if you have sleep apnea, or just trouble sleeping in general, then think about how poor sleeps, every single night, can affect both the way you look and feel. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When you don't get quality sleep, you may start to look drawn and pale. Over time, your face may start to look haggard. You most likely will get dark circles under your eyes. And that is just the start. Poor sleeps will also affect your energy levels, and that will show in the way you walk, your posture, and overall body language. What's more, when you don't look your best, you don't feel great about yourself either. It becomes a nasty cycle. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph So, if you have sleep apnea, what can you do to look and feel your best? First, use your CPAP machine every night. This machine keeps your airways open while you sleep so that you can sleep without interruptions. Next, eat a well-balanced diet and get regular exercise. This keeps your body operating optimally. Finally, if you have questions about sleep apnea or your health in general, make an appointment with your doctor. Being healthy keeps you looking healthy. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
Learn moreCPAP Humidity in Cooler Weather
wp:paragraph Cool weather can mean different things to different people. Skiing, sledding, and cozy sweaters. Icy roads and shovelling snow. Cold dry air. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph As you turn up the heat during the winter, the moisture in the air decreases. If you have sleep apnea, then this means less moisture in your CPAP machine. Drier air through your machine can lead to dry nasal passages, swelling, and congestion. And that means discomfort. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph However, you do not have to suffer through it. Humidification for your CPAP machine can make all the difference. There are three types of CPAP humidification to choose from. These are: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} Cool pass-over: This let the air flow pass over cool water. The air picks up the water vapour from the water and into your CPAP tube. Heated pass-over: This is like the cool pass-over, except that the water is heated. The heated water allows for more moisture to be added to the air flow, and can offer more comfort during the winter months. Waterless humidification: Instead of having air pass over water, waterless humidification takes the moisture from your breathing to add moisture to the air flow. /wp:list wp:paragraph Regardless of which CPAP machine or humidification system you choose, adding more moisture to your CPAP machine during the dry winter months will surely add comfort and improve your overall CPAP experience. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
Learn moreHow to Choose the Best CPAP Mask for You
wp:paragraph Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea? If so, then one part of your treatment will likely involve a CPAP machine. Your machine comes with multiple parts, one of which is the mask. Your CPAP mask helps sends gentle pressure through your airways to keep them open while you sleep. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph But not all masks are the same. With their style, fit, price, and accessories, finding the right mask can seem a bit daunting. However, here are a few guidelines to follow to make the process easier: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} Select a style of mask that meets your needs: Depending on how you breathe while you sleep, you can choose a mask that fits over your nose, your mouth, or both. You can opt for a brace to reduce the mask's pressure on your face. You can also get cushions to make the mask sit more comfortably. Get the correct size: Masks can come in a variety of sizes and widths. You need to find one that fits comfortably over your face, but without being so loose that the mask shifts or air leaks. Consider your lifestyle: Do you wear a ponytail? Do you like to read before bed with your glasses on? Consider what shape and style of mask will best fit into your life. You've got to be able to wear it comfortably every night. Remember, there are many options out there. Don't give up! It may take time to find your favourite style of CPAP mask. The important thing to keep in mind is that by persevering and finding the most comfortable mask, you are investing in a lifetime of snore-free health! /wp:list wp:paragraph Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
Learn moreWhy do I Need to Replace my CPAP mask?
wp:paragraph Your CPAP machine consists of multiple parts, one being the mask. You may hear from other CPAP users that at some point, you will need to get a new mask. This may leave you to wonder: why do I need to buy a new mask? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Like any item that you use daily, your mask will wear out. This can happen for different reasons. First, the constant wearing and removing will gradually stretch the mask, eventually making it fit too loosely. This affects how much air you get while using your CPAP machine. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Your natural oils and facial products that you use also affect the life of the mask. These can break down the materials in the mask, again causing it to wear out and lose its ability to seal onto your skin. You can remove a lot of these oils and products from the mask by cleaning it. However, how often and how well you clean your mask will dictate how long your mask will stay in good condition. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Finally, daily handling of your mask can cause your mask to break down faster. Little tears and small holes will leave you mask in less than optimal condition. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Keep in mind that your mask was not built to last forever. Even with excellent care and handling, it is normal for your mask to wear out over time. Updates in mask technology can ensure that you get better CPAP therapy all the time. When the time is right, remember that a new mask equals better health. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
Learn moreOSA and Your Blood Pressure
wp:paragraph High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious medical condition. Combining high blood pressure with sleep apnea is even more serious. The reason for this lies in how Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) effects you. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph As you sleep, your airways become obstructed. This causes you to wake up, albeit briefly, multiple times each hour. Over time, this can effect your overall health, including the health of your blood vessels leading to an increase in blood pressure. If you already suffer from hypertension, then having sleep apnea will only make it worse, and having sleep apnea increases your risk of developing high blood pressure /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Controlling both your blood pressure and your sleep apnea are necessary for your health. Treating your sleep apnea with CPAP under medical supervision may actually help you to become less dependent on medications. It's worth bringing up with your doctor! /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph In addition to CPAP, consider lifestyle factors that you can control. Make sure you get in adequate exercise. This helps control your weight, which in turn can help reduce blood pressure. Next, you should take a look at your diet - what do you eat and drink? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you are concerned about how your sleep may be affecting your blood pressure, contact a sleep specialist. She may recommend a CPAP machine as treatment. This device sends a gentle pressure of air through your airways to keep them open while you sleep. This has the added bonus of reducing hypertension caused by sleep apnea. Treat your sleep apnea, and treat your hypertension. It's a win-win! /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
Learn moreYour Mood and Your Sleep
wp:paragraph A good quality sleep has a multitude of benefits: better focus, lower blood pressure, and greater overall energy. But what happens when you don't get sufficient sleep or a quality one? You suffer - both physically and mentally. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you suffer from sleep apnea, then you are well aware of the effects that consistently poor sleeps can have on your mental health. Irritability, anxiety, and depression are all mood issues that can arise from or be exacerbated when suffering from sleep apnea. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The question is: what can you do about this? Here are some basic steps: /wp:paragraph wp:list Schedule an appointment with your doctor. They will ask questions and determine the best course of action. If they suspect you suffer from sleep apnea, then you may need to see a sleep specialist. Your sleep specialist may recommend a CPAP machine. This device helps keep your airways open while you sleep. helping to ensure uninterrupted and better sleeps every night. See a mental health professional. Knowing how much your sleep apnea affected your mood disorder will provide a better starting point for treating your mood disorder. /wp:list wp:paragraph Keep in mind that depression and anxiety may not be related to sleep apnea, and may need their own specific treatment. However, treating both your physical and mental health issues will only have positive effects in the short and long term. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
Learn moreOSA and Heart Disease
wp:paragraph Getting a good night's sleep is vital for feeling rested and alert. So what happens when you frequently have poor sleep? Not only do you feel irritable and unable to focus, it can also affect the health of your heart. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It's true. Consistently poor sleeps can lead to extra strain on your heart by narrowing your blood vessels and stiffening th walls of your arteries. These are some factors in the risks for heart disease. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph While there are many reasons why you can suffer from poor quality sleeps, one of those reasons may be Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is a condition that causes you to stop breathing multiple times throughout the night. What's worse is that you may not even be aware of these frequent interruptions, although you may be aware of its effects. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph To address your OSA and OSA-related heart risk, you should make an appointment with a sleep specialist. They can guide you towards health-related changes that can help treat your OSA. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The specialist may recommend a CPAP machine. It helps your airways stay open while you sleep to ensure you don't have frequent interruptions. Your CPAP machine plays a vital role in ensuring great sleeps and better heart health. The road to living better starts now! /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
Learn moreCPAP Tips for Fall
wp:paragraph When the heat of summer finally subsides and the cool, crisp nights of autumn arrive, nothing seems sweeter than a cozy sleep. Unless you have sleep apnea. While the summer heat certainly presents problems for sleeping, the autumn has its own unique issues. Here are some tips to help you get the sleep you need: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} Open up: Your air conditioner may have had a workout during the summer, but with fall's arrival, open up your windows. Fresh air will encourage sleep. Fall cleaning: Your air conditioner helped create a cooler environment, but may have encouraged the buildup of dust and other particles. Make sure you give your whole home, including your CPAP machine, a good cleaning. Get outside: There may be less daylight during the fall, but that's no excuse to stay indoors. Being outside and getting exercise will help you fall asleep more easily. Cut back on caffeine: Although it gives you a delicious morning jolt, don't consume more caffeine than usual. That will hinder your ability to get to sleep. Enjoy your coffee, but also opt for water, healthy juices, or herbal tea. Get your 5 to 9: Fruits and veggies, that is. This may seem like an odd tip for helping your sleep, but it pertains to your health. The healthier you are, the easier it is to fall asleep and stay asleep. You don't have to worry about stomach aches, indigestion, or other issues that can make you feel sluggish and unable to sleep. /wp:list wp:paragraph Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
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