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Back to School Sleep Tips
After the fun and relaxed pace of summer, easing back into the school year routine can be daunting. But starting and maintaining a heathy sleep schedule is crucial to your child’s ability to learn, engage, and grow. Here are five easy tips to help your child adjust to the right style of sleep needed for school: Before school begins, start getting your children used to the sleep schedule they will follow during the school year. Allow about two weeks, and work incrementally with an earlier bedtime and wake up time. Create a relaxing bedtime routine. This can mean a bath and bedtime stories for younger kids, or reading for older ones. Avoid strenuous, exciting, and loud activities, including television and video games. Avoid larger snacks and meals close to bedtime because digesting large amounts of food can be disruptive. If your child needs a snack, look to warm milk, plain yogurt topped with real fruit, or cheese and crackers. Build a relaxing bedroom. This promotes an easy and deep sleep. Try using blackout curtains, keeping the room cool, and removing as many distractions as possible that could encourage your child to stay awake instead of sleep. Do you know a great way to encourage healthy sleep patterns? By modelling them yourself! You can show your child how important a healthy sleep is by doing all of the things that you tell your child to do. What’s great is that you too will get better sleep. What’s not to like? Having to restart a schedule can signal the end of summertime fun, but it will make the transition to school easier. By following the simple tips above, you make this transition relatively seamless while ensuring your child gets the sleep they need in time for school. Explore All CPAP Products and Collections
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Mask Breakdown: Causes and Cures
When your CPAP mask fits just right, your experience - and your sleep – is better all around. But wearing a mask takes some getting used to, and as with many things, you may find some issues. Here are some common ones: My mask feels a bit uncomfortable. What can I do? There are a number of reasons why a mask may be uncomfortable. Your mask may not fit right, it could be the wrong size, or the type of mask may be wrong for you. Ask your vendor to try different masks to find one that sits more comfortably. Also remember to be patient – it may just take some time. My mask is leaking. How can I stop this? A leak usually means that there is a problem with the fit or the seal. Perhaps you put your mask together incorrectly - look through the instructions and try again. Your mask may not be the right size for you. Your vendor can help you find a better one. If your mask is older, you just may need to replace it as your mask can wear out after time. Don’t forget to wash your mask either – residue can build up, affecting the seals of your mask. Finally, ask your doctor to help you adjust the fit. Wow! This mask is really noisy! How can I make it quiet? A noisy mask often means that it isn’t sealed correctly or that it is leaking air. As above, make sure you clean your mask, have its fit adjusted, try a different one, and ask your doctor to adjust fittings. I have a fantastic beard – do I have to shave it off to wear my mask? Not necessarily. You will need to try a lot more masks to find one that can accommodate your facial hair. Trim your facial hair will also help. Help! My skin is getting really irritated from using my mask. A few reasons why this can happen include; Your headgear is too tight or too loose. Adjust its fit and try again. Your mask is the wrong size or style. Try some different ones to find a better fit. You need a new mask. A worn-out mask may not seal properly which can create skin irritations. Your mask needs to be cleaned. Residue buildup can affect your mask’s ability to create a proper seal. Shop Comfortable CPAP Masks
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Surviving CPAP and the Summer Heat
Warm weather, long days, and beautiful blue skies – the signs that summer is here. While many people are thrilled about the arrival of the season, when you have sleep apnea, summer can lead to long, sleepless nights. However, you can beat that summer heat even when you use a CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea. Here’s your quick survival guide: Darkness reigns: When the days are long, you may think it’s not yet time to go to sleep. By making your bedroom as dark as you can, you can increase the desire to sleep and keep cool your room too. Shower power: Try taking a shower before going to bed. Not only will you feel more comfortable for sleeping, you will also remove any pollen that can keep you up at night. Cool room: If you don’t have an air conditioner, you can still cool your room by placing shallow bowls or pans of cool water in front of a fan. This creates a refreshing cool mist. Less humidity: Humidity can really put a damper on a good night’s sleep. If you live in a locale that sees higher humidity levels, consider getting a dehumidifier. It does double duty – removes the humidity in the room and minimizes the buildup of mold spores. Clean time: Heat and humidity can lead to mold growth in the summer – even in your CPAP machine. Make sure you clean your machine on a regular basis and look for signs of growth. Same and steady: Do your best to keep to the same sleep schedule, both during the week and on weekends. Sunscreen: No one likes a sunburn, but just think how uncomfortable wearing a CPAP mask is while your face is tender! Use sunscreen, wear a wide brimmed hat, and stay in the shade to avoid this issue. Pollen-ation: Allergies and sleep apnea are not great pals. Check local pollen reports and avoid going out on those days where the counts are higher. Schedule an appointment: If you still need help getting a good night’s sleep, schedule a doctor's appointment. They can prescribe allergy medication or suggest other ways that you can regain a healthy sleep. Having sleep apnea can wreak havoc with your sleep. Using a CPAP machine and following the tips above can help ensure that your slumber remains steady and solid no matter the conditions outside. Shop Reliable CPAP Machines
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Top Tips for CPAP Care and Maintenance
How can you make sure that your CPAP machine stays in great working order for as long as possible? By taking care of it. No, it doesn’t get dragged through the mud, but it does get daily use. And over time, buildup and other residue can accumulate, wearing down parts and affecting its functioning. Happily, caring for and maintaining your CPAP machine doesn’t take much time. Here is what you need to do: Clean out the humidifier chamber every day. This helps prevent calcification and bacteria from building up. Make sure you remove the chamber from the humidifier so that you don’t get water in your machine. Do not use tap water- use distilled water instead. Also use a gentle soap and a clean cloth. Allow the chamber to dry on a towel away from sunlight. Your mask: Because this piece item gets direct usage every night, you should clean it every day as well. Wash with warm water and mild, unscented soap. You can instead buy wipes and cleaners specifically designed for your mask. Also, make sure you wash your face before wearing your mask! Moisturizers and other face creams can affect it. The filter: How you clean the filter depends if you have a disposable or non-disposable filter. If disposable, replace it at least every month, or more if it looks a bit dirty or dingy. For non-disposable filters, clean it at least every week, and more if you smoke, have critters, or if it is a high pollen time in your area. Tip top: Make sure you examine all of the parts of your CPAP machine regularly for signs of damage, wear and tear, residue buildup, or other issues that can affect its performance. Have replacement parts on hand. Keep your machine and its parts away from the sun as that can cause the parts to break down faster. These simple tips don’t take much time at all, and will help keep your machine running efficiently. If you have any questions, ask your vendor for help – your sleep depends on it! Shop CPAP Supplies and Accessories
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Tip On Getting A Good Night's Sleep
With Father’s Day just behind us, it’s a time to think about dad’s sleep health. When you’re a dad of one or more active children, having healthy sleep habits can have a huge effect on your overall quality of life. But kids can certainly stymie your best intentions. If you want to get the best chance of getting a good night’s sleep and feeling as rested as you can, here are some tips you should try: Even though the weekend may seem like a time to relax your nightly routine, try to go to sleep at the same every night. This helps your body regulate its schedule. Create a relaxing nightly routine. This lets your body and mind understand that it is time to slow down, and prepare itself for sleep. Make sure your bed and pillow are comfortable. If you feel lumps or have an achy back when you wake up, you may want to get a new mattress. If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, take a look at your room. Is it dark enough for you? Do you have distractions that you can avoid? Designate your bedroom as a place for sleeping and only sleeping. Get a decent amount of daily exercise. This will help you get tired and be able to get to sleep instead of feeling restless and fidgety. A healthier lifestyle will also help you get better sleep. That means having a better diet, reducing your caffeine and alcohol intake, and avoiding eating foods late at night that can keep you up. If you go to bed but sleep seems elusive, leave your bedroom and do a quiet and stress-free activity until you do feel sleepy. If you have done all of these tips but still have problems sleeping, staying asleep, or feeling rested, you may want to schedule a visit with your doctor. They can recommend other strategies that promote sleep, or even find physical issues that are affecting your sleep. Your kids will appreciate a well-rested dad, and so will you! Save Big During the PAPSmart Fall Sale
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How to Get the Best Results out of Your CPAP Machine
When you have trouble sleeping every night and feel exhausted even after just waking up, a visit to your doctor should be in order. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, your treatment may include using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine. By wearing a small mask over your face and nose and with straps to secure it in place, your CPAP machine sends a flow of air into your airways. This gentle and continuous stream of air keeps your airways open to ensure that you can get a restful sleep without interruptions due to sleep apnea. Getting a good night’s sleep is one thing. To make sure that every night’s sleep could be a great one, here are some ways to get the best results from your CPAP machine: Use your machine every time you sleep. At night, when you nap, or even when you travel, using your machine every time you snooze encourages not just healthy sleep, but increases your overall health too. Find your comfort zone: Understandably, sleeping while wearing a mask may not be that comfortable at first. But keep at it! It may not take as long as you think to get used to wearing the mask. If certain aspects to your CPAP machine are truly bothersome, ask a professional to help you adjust its fit, settings, or components. Clean machine: Like any machine, for your CPAP to run optimally, it needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. Hand wash parts, use distilled water when cleaning, and remove dust buildup. Daily life: To help your CPAP machine work well, it helps if you tweak aspects of your daily life. Getting more exercise, eating a well-balanced diet, and reducing both caffeine and alcohol intake will all complement your treatment and promote a healthy lifestyle. Dry time: Using a CPAP machine can have a few side effects, including a dry mouth and throat while you sleep. You can use special add-ons, such as a humidifier, specially designed for your CPAP machine to minimize or eliminate issues that can affect your sleep. A good night’s sleep is a beautiful thing. Making sure that you get the right amount of continuous positive airway pressure can make this dream into a reality. And by applying the tips above, you can help ensure that golden slumbers are never far away. Shop Reliable CPAP Machines
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Most of us have all encountered someone who has snored, and maybe you are a snorer yourself. Although snoring can ruin the occasional night’s sleep, it can also be indicative of a more serious issue: sleep apnea. So what is the difference between snoring and sleep apnea? Snoring is typically caused when tissues flap against each other in your throat and airways. This vibration causes that familiar night time noise. Simple snoring is generally considered benign, except possibly to others in close proximity to the snorer. Sleep apnea is a partial or complete blockage of a person’s airways while they are sleeping. This causes their breathing to stop frequently during what should be a sweet slumber. Over time, this constantly interrupted sleep can be a factor in severe fatigue, depression, diabetes, and even stroke. Considering that snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, how do you know which one you suffer from? In addition to snoring, those with sleep apnea may notice other symptoms, including: Extreme fatigue even after you just woke up Lack of energy Intense irritability Headaches, especially in the morning How do you know if you suffer from sleep apnea or are just a snorer? There is no way for the person themselves to know. Scheduling an appointment with your doctor is the best way to determine an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will discuss your symptoms, and if you could have sleep apnea, probably will send you to a sleep specialist. You will need to spend a night at a sleep clinic to monitor your sleep habits, and from there, will determine if you do, in fact, have sleep apnea. If so, you will likely be prescribed a CPAP machine, which will help keep your airways open while you sleep. Snoring is not necessarily just an aggravating noise. It can signify more serious health issues that need to be addressed. Check with your doctor, and take control of your sleep and your health. Discover the Smart Nora Snoring Solution
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Spring Clean Your CPAP
Having a CPAP machine is a great way for those with sleep apnea to get a better sleep. But like anything else any item you use daily, your CPAP machine needs to be cleaned too. Over time, dust, mold, and other particles can all accumulate in and on your machine, affecting its ability to operate. Here are some tips to give your machine a spring cleaning to keep it running smoothly and at peak performance: Clean each hose thoroughly and let them air dry. If either tube appears cracked or broken, replace them with updated tubes. Wipe your mask to remove dirt, oil, and other debris that can quickly build up. Wipes can also refresh your mask to ensure a sweet slumber. Use wipes intended for CPAP machines to avoid harsh chemicals that can eat away at your mask. To keep your air fresh and clean while you sleep, replace your filters with new ones. Consider getting a bacteria filter to help prevent microbes from entering your mask. To remove any mold buildup, clean and disinfect your humidifier chamber with a solution designed specifically for CPAP machines. Wash your headgear by hand - do not put in the dishwasher or lay it out in the sun to dry as the as heat can warp the components. Never use bleach or alcohol-based cleansers to clean your machine and components. Use unscented mild soaps instead. Check all other components of your CPAP machine thoroughly and replace any parts that have warped, cannot be cleaned completely, or have cracked. Shop Reliable CPAP Machines
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Which CPAP Mask Is The Right Mask For Me?
When you have sleep apnea, your doctor may prescribe a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine as a form of treatment. For it to work effectively, you need to use it every night and be comfortable when wearing it. And part of that entails choosing the right mask. But with so many different styles, shapes, and sizes of mask to choose from, how do you know where to start? It really is a matter of knowing what types of mask are out there and then trying different ones until you find the best one for yourself. Here are the basics of the three main types of masks that are available: Nasal pillow mask: Because of their simple and small design, these masks tend to be a very popular choice. It rests on your upper lip to blow gently pressurized air through two soft tubes that are inserted into your nostrils. Straps go around your head to secure the pillow mask in place. Nasal mask: These triangular masks sit over the bridge of your nose down to your upper lip. Because they come in many sizes and fits, they too are popular with CPAP users. Full face mask: As the name suggests, this type covers the nose, mouth, and either all or part of the face. It is secured with straps at the side. Some versions cover the mouth but also have nasal prongs like the nasal pillow mask. Whichever type of mask you choose, always take the size, fit, and comfort of the mask into serious consideration. You don’t have to stay with one mask if you don’t like it or if it is not improving your sleep apnea. Take the time to find the right mask for you, and ask questions of your technician to guide you in the right direction. Don't be afraid to change your mind – your sleep depends on the perfect mask! Shop Comfortable CPAP Masks
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