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CPAP and Cold Season - What You Need to Know
wp:paragraph Cold season presents challenges for CPAP users. Here are some useful steps to help you to prevent a cold, and manage well with CPAP if you do get sick. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Preventive Steps Before You Get Sick /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Standard health practices such as proper hand washing will greatly reduce the chances of getting a cold. A proper sleeping routine will help as well. Keeping your mask properly clean will also reduce the possibility of catching a cold. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Steps to Take If You Already Have a Cold /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph What can you do if you’re already sick? If you’ve already contracted a cold, it now becomes especially imperative to keep your CPAP machine clean. Take extra care to keep your CPAP, humidifier chamber, tubing, and mask as sanitary as possible. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you use either a nasal pillow or a nasal mask, it may be wise to consider switching to a full mask while you’re sick. This is because a nasal congestion can make breathing though the nose a challenge. Having a full mask as a backup will allow you to breathe through both the mouth and nose. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Another helpful tip is to use a heated humidifier to help break down mucus and congestion. Many CPAP systems already includes an integrated humidifier. If humidifier is included, it is important that you regularly clean and replace the water chamber. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When illness strikes, you should make sure you consult with your doctors who will offer further assistance on best practices. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
Learn more about CPAP and Cold Season - What You Need to KnowWhy 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 more about Why do I Need to Replace my CPAP mask?Your New Life With CPAP
wp:paragraph Picture this: Always feeling tired regardless of how long you sleep. Constant irritability. Difficulty focusing. Never feeling quite your best self. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Now picture this: Feeling refreshed. Bright eyed and bushy tailed. Having energy and getting things done. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph In both of these pictures, the person has sleep apnea. But can you spot the difference? It’s having a CPAP machine to treat that sleep apnea. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Sleep apnea is a condition where your airways become momentarily interrupted while you sleep. This causes you to wake up so briefly that you may not be aware of it – but your body is. Because this can happen several times every hour, you will notice the effects of sleep apnea during your waking hours. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph A CPAP machine offers you a new life. The machine sends a gentle stream of pressure through your airways to keep them open while you sleep. The frequent interruptions are stopped and you get the benefits. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Before you purchase a CPAP you will need an appointment with a sleep specialist. You may need to spend an overnight at a sleep clinic. But what is one night over a future of better sleeps? And once you start using CPAP it may take some time to get used to the machine but there are many options and you will find the model with the right fit and accessories to maximize your comfort. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph What kind of future do you envision? One with constant daily fatigue, or one with renewed vitality? Make an appointment with your doctor today and get back to your old self sooner than later /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
Learn more about Your New Life With CPAPOSA 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 more about OSA and Your Blood PressureYour 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 more about Your Mood and Your SleepOSA 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 more about OSA and Heart DiseaseCPAP 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
Learn more about CPAP Tips for FallBack to School Sleep Tips
It's that time of year that students dread - or love - the most - back to school. With the teachers, homework, and assignments, the ability to be well rested can be difficult. But regardless of your school schedule, getting a good night's rest is important to your studies and your health - and it doesn't have to be hard either. Put these tips into your - or your child's - night time cheat sheet: Transition: Moving suddenly from an easy schedule to a more regimented one can be jarring. So make it easy on yourself! Over the course of one or two weeks, gradually start adjusting your bedtime and waking time to one that mimics your school schedule. Take out the technology: Games, texting, and social media. These are great distractions from both studying and sleeping. But to get a better sleep during the school year, leave the devices outside of the bedroom to avoid the beeps and the desire to check who is online. Know your body: Are you yawning? Feeling sleepy? It doesn't take a scientist to figure out the issue - you're tired! If your body is telling you that it wants sleep, then listen to it. You will feel better for it. Work before play: Back to school means homework and assignments. Try to get as much homework done as possible early on. That leaves more time to relax afterwards, which makes it easier to fall asleep. Nice and new: If your sheets and pillows are old, consider replacing them for a cozier snooze. Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now!
Learn more about Back to School Sleep TipsStarting Out With OSA and CPAP
wp:paragraph Being diagnosed with a sleep disorder can be difficult to digest. It is something that can be hard to accept and even more so when the prescribed solution is to wear a CPAP device. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Getting used to a device that you must sleep with every night can be difficult for some and many new CPAP users could benefit from some tips to ease the experience of starting out. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Here are some of the top tips for CPAP users: /wp:paragraph wp:list Start wearing the mask during the day while watching television. It's a simple and effective way to ease into it so that it's not so foreign when it's time to sleep. Make adjustments to the straps to help make wearing the mask more comfortable. There are also specialty pillows that device wearers can try to increase comfort levels while sleeping. One of the most common reasons the device is difficult to adjust to is because the mask is ill-fitting. Make sure that the mask is specially suited to your unique features. Everyday, even during naps, use the device. This will help increase the comfort levels as it becomes apart of individual daily routines. /wp:list wp:paragraph Increasing the effectiveness of the CPAP device can only be done when it is used regularly and properly. However, getting used to a sleep aid can make sleep feel foreign. By utilizing these tips, there will be increased effectiveness and comfort levels to make the process more agreeable. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
Learn more about Starting Out With OSA and CPAP