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Vacationing with CPAP - What You Need To Know
wp:paragraph When you go on vacation, what do you pack? Seasonal clothes, travel documents, extra cash, and your CPAP machine. Yes, that wasn’t a mistake. If you suffer from sleep apnea, then taking your CPAP machine with you on vacation is important. After all, don’t you want to be as alert and fresh on your vacation as you are when at home? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Travelling with your CPAP machine takes only a bit of simple planning. Here is what you need to know to make it pain-free go smoothly: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} Prescription: Not everyone has seen a CPAP machine. To avoid issues at security checkpoints, bring a copy of your prescription to indicate what the machine is and why you are bringing it with you. Air travel: If you are travelling by plane, contact your airline to see what their policies are regarding CPAP machines. You need to know if they allow them on flights. Ask for written approval from their medical services department and keep it with you at all times. If you have a longer or night flight, book your seat by a power source. Storage: Don’t pack your CPAP with your checked luggage. Not only could you need it during the flight, but it could get damaged or lost during transport. Always pack it in your carry-on. Power on: Do you know if your destination has the right plug-ins for your CPAP? Bring an extra cord plus an adapter to ensure that you can actually use your CPAP on the plane or at your lodging. Roughing it: Not every vacation is meant to have the creature comforts of home. If you are planning on camping or using an RV, you can choose to purchase a smaller, travel size CPAP machine. It works just as well and takes up less space. Pack extras: You may know where your CPAP vendor is in your town, but do you want to search for one while on vacation? To avoid this, pack extra supplies in case something fails or breaks. Be prepared so you can be prepared to relax! /wp:list wp:paragraph Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now! /wp:paragraph
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CPAP and Travel
wp:paragraph It may have seemed like a long time coming but summertime is finally around the corner! And you may have a lot of summer travel plans on your mind. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph As you prepare for your summer travels, one thing you’ll need to think about is how to deal with packing your CPAP machine when you go away, especially if you will be gone for a night or more. Keeping up with your CPAP therapy is very important, even when you are away from home and should not be neglected for even just one night. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph As much of a nuisance that this may sound like, travelling with a CPAP machine IS possible! Sleep technology has come a long way in recent years and you shouldn’t have to miss out on travelling just because you use a CPAP machine, so there are ways that you can take it with you. It involves preparing in advance and using some extra caution when you travel. Here are a few tips for travelling with a CPAP machine: /wp:paragraph wp:list If you are flying: always carry on your CPAP machine instead of leaving it in your checked baggage. You run the risk of it being damaged in transit and we all know it’ll be an expensive replacement at that, so it’s not worth the risk. If you plan on using your machine during your flight, be sure to check with your airline ahead of time about any restrictions that may be in place. Also be sure that there is a sufficient power outlet nearby or that your machine has enough battery life to last for the duration of the flight Always carry your CPAP prescription and paperwork with you, just in case you are ever questioned by a security officer or flight attendant, or if you run into some heath issues away from home. Better safe than sorry! Be sure to bring any spare batteries or plug adaptors that you may need for your machine. If you are camping, or going to a place with no electrical outlets, be sure to bring extra battery packs that are fully charged If you travel frequently, think about investing in a smaller, travel friendly CPAP machine. The Z1 travel machine is small, quiet and efficient. You can find it on sale at papsmart.com now, but only for a limited time! /wp:list wp:paragraph All in all, travelling with a CPAP machine just involves some careful preparation and a cautious eye on the road. Your doctor may also have some tips for travelling with your machine that may be helpful. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align":"center","id":3696,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom"} /wp:image
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Keeping up with your CPAP routine throughout the holidays
wp:paragraph It’s that time of the year again! For many of us, the Christmas holidays often involves spending time with loved ones, and yes, indulging in some stuff that you may not normally be into during the year. This includes alcohol, delicious food, lots of stress and many late nights. As fun (or not) as it may be, all of this can contribute to some terrible nights of sleeping, which can result in some grinchy-like behaviour in the morning. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph There may be a lot going on for you during the holidays, however you can still have a great time AND sleep well each night. Here are a few tips for staying into your normal sleep routines during the holiday season. /wp:paragraph wp:list Be careful with how much alcohol you drink: as nice as it may be to let loose at that office party or on Christmas Eve with the family, having too much to drink can lead to you having a terrible sleep. You may be falling asleep faster than normal, however your sleep apnea symptoms can get significantly worse from drinking. It is okay to indulge in some not so healthy foods, but don’t overdo it: it may be especially tempting to indulge on some sweets after dinner, but experts say that eating too much before bedtime can keep you awake at night, especially anything containing caffeine or sugar. That doesn’t mean that you can’t treat yourself at all, but know where to stop. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day: maybe you’re spending a few nights away from home, or maybe you have guests that have come to stay with you. But keeping up with your sleeping routines is very important to sleeping well. Late nights are okay, but try not to go to bed any later than an hour past your bedtime. Try not to stress yourself out: we all know that the holidays can be a stressful time, between last minute Christmas shopping, cooking for family gatherings and more. But did you know that stress is a huge contributing factor for poor sleep? Be sure to take time for yourself to de-stress, even if it means vegging on the couch and watching your favourite Christmas movie. Get some fresh air: whether the ground is white where you live, or whether there’s barely a snowflake on the ground, indulging in some natural daylight helps your circadian levels which in turn can help you to sleep better at night. Stay consistent with your CPAP machine each night: if you think that just one night without your CPAP machine will be nothing, think again. Your sleep apnea symptoms will worsen and you will be in for some sleepless nights. It’s really not worth it at this time of the year. /wp:list
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Using your CPAP Machine During Summer Holidays
wp:paragraph With all this nicer weather coming around, it’s probably no surprise that you are planning your summer vacation right now (if you haven’t already). Between work and family and more, life can be very stressful and your vacation may feel very well deserved! /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph What’s important to remember is that weather you are on vacation or not, it is very important for you to still make sleep a priority. It is just as important for you as eating and exercising. This is more the case if you wear a CPAP machine at night. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It’s no secret that it is easy to fall off your sleep routine when you are on vacation. Whether you are spending time at the cottage, going camping, travelling anywhere or even having a “stay-cation” at home, those late nights in the hot weather with your loved ones may have you thinking its okay to neglect your CPAP machine just for a short time. But neglecting your CPAP machine is not something that you should be thinking about, even if for just one night. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Here are some tips for sticking to your CPAP machine during the summer holidays /wp:paragraph wp:list If you are going away for a night or more, be sure to make arrangements to bring your CPAP machine (and all the parts) with you. There is a lot of portable CPAP technology out there to help ease the burden of bringing a large machine with you. Check out papsmart.com to see what is out there. Try to go to bed at the same time every night. Simply sticking to your normal bedtime routine will help you to stay on track with your CPAP therapy Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle: Stick to a healthy diet and get lots of exercise. Summer comes with a lot of delicious food and there’s nothing wrong with indulging a bit once in a while, but be sure to do so in moderation. And something as simple as going for a walk with family or going for a swim in the lake will help you to sleep better at night Don’t overdo it with the alcohol. You may be on vacation but drinking too much can wreak havoc on your CPAP therapy and have you feeling not so hot the next morning If you have one late night or slip-up with your bedtime routine, don’t fret! It happens to the best of us and you can always get back into the routine tomorrow /wp:list wp:paragraph So enjoy your summer vacation and the opportunity to sleep in. Getting a great sleep while you’re on vacation will help you enjoy the time off work even more! /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Shop now and save up to 50% off our entire inventory! /wp:paragraph
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