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All About CPAP Humidifers
wp:paragraph Oh winter! The snow may look pretty but the cold weather is not so fun to deal with. As Canadians, it’s no secret that cold weather comes with dry skin. And when you use a CPAP machine at night, the flow of air through your airway can dry out and irritate your nasal passages. This can cause nosebleeds, nasal congestion and could even make your airway swell up to the point where the therapy will not work properly. So how do we solve this problem? /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":3604,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph The good news is that many CPAP machines today come with a built-in humidifier. This adds moisture to the air of your CPAP therapy in order to reduce your symptoms of congestion so you can breathe better at night. What you should know, is that CPAP humidifiers come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are directly attached to the machine, and some attach itself to the hose of the mask. Some machines have heated humidifiers and others only produce air flow at room temperature. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Here are a few tips for finding, and using a humidifier that works with your mask, and your lifestyle: /wp:paragraph wp:list Don’t think of it as an added on luxury to your CPAP machine. Keeping moisture in the air that you breathe is a necessity, regardless of the climate outside. Do you get a lot of nosebleeds when you use your CPAP machine? In that case, without a humidifier, it’s actually doing you more harm than good. Be sure to clean your CPAP machine and all the parts with it on a regular basis (at least a few times per week). This will help the therapy to work better. You should also remember to empty out the water chamber on a daily basis Be sure to ask your doctor if you need help deciding what is right for you. They may have a recommendation that fits your condition and you lifestyle best. /wp:list wp:paragraph Shop now and save up to 50% off our entire inventory! /wp:paragraph
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OSA and CSA: do you know the difference?
wp:paragraph We all know by now that the general definition of sleep apnea is when you stop breathing while you sleep. But did you know that sleep apnea actually comes in two different forms? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The two main types of sleep apnea are called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). While they are both forms of sleep apnea, the cause for the pause in breathing is actually different, and they each have different characteristics associated with them. /wp:paragraph wp:list Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the most common form of sleep apnea, occurs when your airway gets blocked, either completely or partially, causing you to stop breathing. When breathing resumes, there is often a loud gasp or snort, which can interfere with a deep sleep. It is often overweight, middle-aged men who get sleep apnea, especially this type. The CPAP machine, in addition to other lifestyle changes, is the best form of treatment for OSA. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) occurs when your brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. This is different from OSA as there is not a blockage in the airway, but a neurological issue that causes you to stop breathing in your sleep. CSA is often brought on by other medical conditions and it is less common than OSA. /wp:list wp:paragraph The main difference is that with OSA, the effort is made to try and inhale as you stop breathing, yet no air can get into the lungs. With CSA, no effort is made at all by the body to restart your breathing. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Experts also acknowledge that it is not uncommon to have both forms of sleep apnea. So this is why it is important to seek help from your doctor if you think you have either form of sleep apnea. /wp:paragraph
Learn moreHistory of CPAP
wp:paragraph Can you believe that the CPAP machine is 34 years old? When you look at the original, it’s probably hard to believe that technology has come such a long way. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Let’s go all the way back to 1970. Around that time, sleep was not as commonly studied medically as it is today, despite being one of the most important human functions. What we know today as sleep apnea, was known at the time as Pickwickian syndrome (named after a character from Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers who is obese and tends to fall asleep standing up). The only known symptoms for that condition at that time was snoring, and chocking and gasping in your sleep. This was all a big mystery in the medical profession, and not much was known about it. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":3584,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph If you had sleep apnea at this period of time, your only hope was for a tracheotomy. In other words, doctors would cut a hole in your trachea and insert a breathing tube to help you sleep better at night. Sounds painful, right? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This would all soon change, thanks to an Australian doctor named Colin Sullivan. He had spent many years studying sleep medicine in depth and essentially, changing the way that we look at sleep problems. In 1980, he invented a machine that would end up saving many lives from sleep apnea. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This was called the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (or CPAP for short). It is a machine and mask that is worn by people with sleep apnea to help them breathe at night. He invented it by connecting a number of different hoses to a vacuum cleaner and glued it to the snout of a dog. When he saw his first human patient, a construction worker with severe OSA, the results of the mask spoke for itself as the man said he hadn’t felt so well rested in ages. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Although it took some time to be accepted in the medical market, the CPAP machine has come a long way, and still continues to save the lives of many people who suffer from sleep apnea. If you are a proud user of this device, you have an Aussie doctor and a vacuum cleaner to thank. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Shop at Papsmart.com - The #1 Online CPAP Store. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph http://www.resmed.com/ch/assets/documents/resmedica/resmedica14.pdf /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph http://www.cpap.com/blog/the-history-of-cpap-therapy/ /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph http://www.easybreathe.com/blog/cpap-history-aussie-doctor-vacuum-cleaner/ /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Image source: http://www.wikihow.com/Perform-a-Tracheotomy /wp:paragraph
Learn moreIntroducing the Z1: A new travel CPAP unit that will actually wow you.
wp:paragraph As great as your CPAP machine may be for when you sleep, it’s no secret that most machines are rather large and not the best travel partners. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Pack your bags and get ready to get off the grid. The Z1 Unplugged is a brand-new, smaller CPAP machine that is smaller, quieter and comes with everything you need for a perfect night’s sleep. For those that love to travel, this is already approved for air travel and it not big or clunky in any way. Just bring along your CPAP mask to go with it and you’re all set to get away. It also has a backlit, LCD display so you can still see how you’re sleeping, even when it’s dark. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":3577,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph There are many features about this new machine that set it apart from other devices: /wp:paragraph wp:list It is very quiet: when in use, it makes only 26 decibles of sound, which makes it one of the quietest CPAP machines on the market Battery powered: the machine can operate for one full night without a cord, using a system called the PowerShell, which is an integrated battery that gives you a night of uninterrupted sleep. Extremely light: this is considered the lightest CPAP machine out there, weighing in at only 10 ounces. This makes it a fantastic machine for everyday use and is perfect for travelling. Data capable: the machine records all events and can track your sleep progress, even when you’re on the road. /wp:list wp:paragraph For more information about this machine and to purchase, visit PapSmart.com /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Order the Z1 Travel CPAP Machine NOW! /wp:paragraph
Learn moreWorking CPAP into your life: 10 tips to make it easier
wp:paragraph So you’ve just been diagnosed with sleep apnea and you have been told by your doctor that you have to use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine in order to treat this condition. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This will be a bit of a change for your lifestyle and for your bedtime routine. You may feel embarrassed to have to wear this around your partner and you may feel like you’re that awkward kid with the braces in grade 7. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":3571,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph However, the bottom line is this: the machine, as un-glamourous as it may be, could actually help in saving your life, and all in all, it will make your quality of life tremendously better. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Here are 10 tips to make the transition easier for integrating the CPAP machine into your sleep routine: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} Think of it as a gift to your partner, who wants to sleep next to a loud snorer? This will help the snoring significantly. Learn everything you can about the machine so that it seems less intimidating. Choose the mask that’s right for YOU. There are many different types out there; it’s just about finding the right one. Keep the parts of the machine clean so that it works properly. Think about connecting with other sleep apnea sufferers who, like you, have to a CPAP machine each night. See if your doctor knows of any support groups or ways to connect with people going through the same thing as you. Think about making other lifestyle changes to make this easier, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. While it likely won’t cure the sleep apnea, it will make it much easier to deal with. Practice good sleep hygiene: avoid caffeine or large meals before bedtime, stick to a regular routine every night, and use the bed only for sleeping. Try to use earplugs to mask the sound of the machine so the noise doesn’t bother you. Use a humidifier to decrease dryness and skin irritation. Focus on the positive outcome of using the CPAP machine, and avoid thinking about the negative parts that may be prominent at this time. With time, you will get used to this and this will help you in the long run. /wp:list wp:paragraph Shop at Papsmart.com - The #1 Online CPAP Store. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_apnea.htm /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/features/cpap-machine /wp:paragraph
Learn moreThe connection between Sleep and Testosterone
wp:paragraph Testosterone: also known as the “male hormone.” It is known for stimulating the production of male sexual characteristics and is essential for building muscle mass, strength and bone density. It is naturally produced in your body. Even women are said have a little bit of testosterone (although not nearly as much compared to our male counterparts). But with that said, what does it have to do with sleep? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph As hard as it may sound to believe, recent studies have revealed higher levels of testosterone result in a poor quality of sleep. In a study completed by The International Society of Endocrinology and the Endocrine Society, the subjects (mostly middle-aged men) underwent a series of tests and evaluations to compare their testosterone levels with the quality of sleep. Interestingly enough, it was revealed that approximately 2/3 of the participants had moderate to severe sleep apnea. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":3544,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph Many studies done in the past have also revealed that the less amount of sleep you get, the lower your testosterone levels are. Sounds conflicting, right? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph However, what we have to remember is that today’s increase of prescription hormones may have a lot to do with these new findings. Eve Van Cauter, PhD, is the director of the University of Chicago Sleep, Metabolism and Health Center. She conducted the study of sleep and testosterone and said that it is very likely that there is relevance in a possible increase in testosterone prescriptions for middle aged men. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph All in all, the connection between sleep and testosterone is a balancing act. Having too much or too little can result in a poor sleep quality. So think carefully and consult a doctor if you feel you have the need for prescription testosterone. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph So gentlemen, you’re no less of a man if you stick to a good sleep routine of 8 hours per night and if you leave the prescription hormones alone. Let your body do what it does naturally and you’ll be fine. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Our summer sale is on at Papsmart.com /wp:paragraph wp:core-embed/wordpress {"url":"http://www.sleepdt.com/connection-sleep-high-testosterone/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"sleep-diagnois-and-therapy","className":""} http://www.sleepdt.com/connection-sleep-high-testosterone/ /wp:core-embed/wordpress
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5 Tips for Travelling with CPAP
wp:paragraph There’s nothing more relaxing in life than getting away for the weekend. Living with CPAP should not stop you from enjoying your holiday time. Travel can easily be accomplished and there are many ways to make the travel experience as stress-free as possible. Here are 5 tips for travelling with a CPAP machine: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} Pack your CPAP very carefully and be sure that it will not get damaged in transit. Most CPAP units come with a travel case, which will be handy for carrying your CPAP mask, and accessories. Remember to empty the water from your humidifier before you pack. If you’re flying, be prepared to take your CPAP machine in your carry-on baggage. And yes you will have to take it through security, but no need to worry too much as security personnel have seen these machines many times before. It also wouldn’t hurt to check with your airline to see if they have any restrictions or policies related to portable medical devices. Do not place the CPAP machine in your checked bags. There is too much of a risk that it will get damaged and chances are your airline will probably not reimburse you for the cost. Besides, if your bag is lost in transit, you will lose your CPAP machine altogether. If you plan on using your CPAP for sleeping on an overnight flight (or on a train, bus or car ride) have a plan for battery life for the length of the flight, plus three extra hours to accommodate for any delays that may occur. Think about investing in a smaller CPAP unit that is specifically made for travel. Especially if you like to go away a lot, or if you frequently travel for work. It is worth the money in the end, not to mention the convenience. /wp:list wp:paragraph Learn More /wp:paragraph
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