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CPAP usagein the post-secondary student
The American College of Health reports that approximately four percent of college students have sleep apnea. This is vital to how a person functions throughout the daytime. As we all know, sleep apnea causes a person to repeatedly stop and start breathing while they are sleeping, causing someone to be tired and groggy throughout the day. As a result, they don’t pay attention in class, it disrupts their studies (either by developing poor study habits or skipping it altogether) and it can interfere with their social lives. So how does this occur in college students in the first place? As mentioned above, college students arguably have the worst sleeping habits between the late study nights, heavy drinking and the occasional all-nighter. This can mess with the body’s internal clock, which regulates when you sleep, when you wake up and more. This can lead to something called “circadian rhythm disorder,” and this, in turn, can lead to more serious problems, such as sleep apnea. The CPAP machine is the safest, and most effective form of treatment for sleep apnea, weather you are 18 or 58. But admittedly, many students in that “college age” bracket may feel too embarrassed to use their CPAP machine, in fear that their friends will make fun of them. What’s important to remember here is the end result: a better night’s sleep for you, the ability to function normally throughout the day, and a happier, and more productive college experience. This age is about entering adulthood head first, and coming to terms with your CPAP machine is a huge part of that. The awkwardness of high school is now over and if you explain your condition to your friends, they should be accepting of it, and of you. Shop at Papsmart.com - The #1 Online CPAP Store.
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Sleep Apnea and Arthritis
September is Arthritis Awareness month, and there is a lot to be said for its connection to sleep apnea, and of sleep problems in general.A study done in the UK in 2012 states that heavy snorers are twice as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. It also mentions that a large portion of arthritis patients who have sleep problems, also develop sleep apnea. So how do we put these two together? Let’s start with what we know: according to the arthritis society of Canada, over 4.6 million Canadian adults report having arthritis, and this number will grow to about 7.5 million in 2036. We often think of arthritis only affecting senior citizens, but it can happen to people at any age (cases have been reported as young as the teen years!) It is known as “joint inflammation” and it has no cure. People who have this condition often experience a lot of pain as a result. While medication does help to alleviate the pain in some cases, it can only do so much. This is why sleep problems are so common in arthritis patients. And when you combine the symptoms of arthritis with what we know about sleep apnea, having a decent night’s sleep can be very difficult for arthritis patients. For this reason, getting proper treatment to sleep apnea is crucial. Too many people, weather they have arthritis or not, miss out on this. Sleep apnea is a very serious condition that has too many negative consequences if left untreated. So many people may think that it doesn’t affect them, or they may feel too overwhelmed with their arthritis treatments and appointments to even think about seeing a sleep specialist. Remember this: sleep has a huge impact on how you live your day to day life, and lack of sleep (or a bad night’s sleep) affects your productivity levels, your energy levels and more. If you have arthritis and you are experiencing problems sleeping, simply start by asking your doctor for advice. They may either give you some tips, or refer you to a specialist if it’s something more serious. Shop now and save up to 50% off our entire inventory!
Learn more about Sleep Apnea and ArthritisSleep Apnea and your Relationship
So you’ve been snoring for months, probably driving your spouse crazy, and you have now been diagnosed with sleep apnea. While you both may feel relieved that there IS a treatment to the snoring problems, now a whole new challenge lies ahead. In situations like these, there is a lot more that affects your relationship than just your sleeping patterns. The National Sleep Foundation has reported that 23 percent of couples sleep separately due to snoring and other sleep-related issues. When couples have trouble in the bedroom, it can affect many aspects of their relationship, including intimacy, communication, and irritability towards your partner. Now that you are being treated with a CPAP machine, your partner may be concerned about the noise of the machine and trying to be intimate with a big mask on your face. These are all just worries though, and there are ways that you can overcome your sleep problems that will not interfere with your relationship. Take some time for you and your partner to sit down and discuss the issues you are having. Communication is an important part in any relationship and the only way to start to solve the problem is if you actually talk about it. Seek each other out for support in your frustrations: being angry or upset with your partner for snoring or not understanding the need for a CPAP mask will not do any good. Instead, try to understand your partner’s point of view and WHY they are frustrated or upset, and try to work through it. Do not let your partner’s apprehensions with your CPAP treatment let you stop using the mask all together, as things will only get worse. Research has indeed shown that people who follow through with their CPAP treatment have a better sex life than those who do not If all else fails, there is nothing wrong with having the two of you sleep in separate rooms temporarily. Sometimes a bit of a break can actually do some good for relationships, and leave you both feeling well-rested and happier throughout the day. However keeping this up for too long may put even more of a strain on your relationship as the intimacy, or the “spark” in your relationship could fizzle out Don’t be afraid to seek the help or advice from your doctor, or even a therapist about the problems with your relationship. Save Big During the PAPSmart Fall Sale
Learn more about Sleep Apnea and your RelationshipThe relationship between Sleep Apnea and Depression
wp:image {"id":3643,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph With so much talk and attention towards depression and other mental illnesses, do you ever wonder if you may have depression along with sleep apnea? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph While it’s not often the case, it is indeed possible, as the two have a very strong connection to each other. Studies have looked further into this for years, and found that some symptoms of depression can indeed apply to sleep apnea symptoms, and vice versa. Insomnia or just having trouble sleeping in general is a strong symptom of depression, however, it does not always relate to sleep apnea. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Interestingly enough, a lot of sleep specialists find that people with untreated sleep apnea tend to have symptoms of depression; therefore they screen for depression in their patients, and even treat it in some cases. A recent study done in Australia determined that for those sleep apnea sufferers that had depression symptoms, treating the sleep apnea found that those symptoms lessened significantly over time. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph While it is true that some symptoms of sleep apnea have a strong link to clinical depression, it doesn’t always mean that you actually have it, there are a lot more symptoms to depression than just having trouble sleeping at night. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Want to know exactly how close the symptoms of depression and sleep apnea really are? Check out the table below and see what similarities between the two you can find: /wp:paragraph wp:table Depression symptoms /wp:table wp:paragraph As different as they are, some of the symptoms sound very closely related, right? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Mental illness of any kind is never something to look past. Be sure to speak to your doctor if you think you have either depression or untreated sleep apnea. /wp:paragraph
Learn more about The relationship between Sleep Apnea and DepressionPapSmart: All in one package
You probably know by now how much of a huge difference your CPAP machine has made in your quality of life. However, you may not be the first to admit that it is an investment of time and money. Cleaning all the parts, knowing when it is time to order a new part, and budgeting accordingly, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with your CPAP. Or, you may have only just started using a CPAP machine at night and may feel a bit overwhelmed by everything that is involved with your machine and its parts. If any of the above points apply to you, then the latest package deals on the PapSmart website will be perfect for you. PapSmart’s exclusive all in one package offers are in for a limited time only. You can get all the parts for your CPAP machine at a discounted price, including the mask, the tubing, power supply and a carry case. You have 5 different choices of machines to select from and three different mask options as well. Even better? Shipping is completely free! If you are a regular user of a CPAP machine, or if you are just starting out with one, this is the perfect time for you to take advantage of these huge savings! Now that spring is (almost) in the air, there’s no better time to invest in a new CPAP than now. Save Big During the PAPSmart Fall Sale
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4 signs that it’s time for a new CPAP Machine
It should be routine by now that you know how often to clean all the smaller parts of your CPAP machine and when it is time to replace them. Admittedly, however, you may not realise that your machine may be in need of a good upgrade, especially if you have been using a CPAP machine for years. According to ResMed, the typical life span of a CPAP machine is around 5-7 years, if it is taken care of properly. This is a pretty long time for a CPAP machine, and it’s just as well, seeing as how pricey some of them can be. It is, however, an investment that is well worth it in the long run. Here are 4 things to look out for to know when your CPAP machine is on its last legs: The noise level: if you are finding that your CPAP machine is running a lot louder than it used to, then a lot of that may have to do with its age. If it is no longer doing the job its supposed to: the whole point of the machine is to help you sleep better at night, so if you start waking up feeling tired and grumpy, then your CPAP machine may be to blame. If you admit to misusing it over the years: the key to making equipment like this last is nothing more than some regular TLC. Keeping the machine clean and replacing the other parts as often as needed will ensure that your CPAP machine will last a long time. If it is not keeping up with the times: there has been so much advancement in CPAP technology over the past few years. The machines are running quieter, the devices are smaller and a lot of the settings are automatic, to the point where the machine will run perfectly with just the touch of a button. Experts also recommend having a back-up machine at hand, just on case your old one starts to fail on you without notice. Be sure to check out papsmart.com for all kinds of different CPAP machines out there and find the one that’s right for you. Learn more about finding the right CPAP setup in our guide for new CPAP users Download ResMed’s CPAP qualification guide
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CPAP Devices and Air Travel
If you plan on flying anywhere this summer, then you know that you will need to prepare to take your CPAP machine with you. While travelling with your CPAP machine may not be the easiest experience in the world, it is definitely doable. Being prepared for it is what will make this easier for you. It’s not just as simple as putting the machine in a bag and taking it with you. Many airlines have restrictions for travelling with any type of portable machinery, and many airport security guards may have to inspect the device before you take off. Here are some handy tips to keep in mind for when you travel with a CPAP machine: Check with the airline you are flying with to find out if there are any restrictions or policies for medical devices that you need to be aware of. For example: Air Canada recommends that you call them before your flight if you are going to be bringing the machine on board with you, even if you will not be using it during the flight. Pack your CPAP machine and its parts in a travelling case, to ensure that they stay safe, and do not break Do NOT put any parts of your CPAP in your checked luggage. The chance of it getting damaged in flight is too much of a risk Make sure the battery in the machine is fully charged and that you bring an extra battery is necessary. If you will be gone for more than one or two nights, you may need to bring a charger for the battery in the machine. If you will be travelling to a different country, be sure to check that the voltage or the plug sizes will not interfere with the use of your CPAP machine. You may need to buy an adaptor if the plugs are different in the country you are going to. Keep in mind that there are many parts to a CPAP machine out there that are specifically made for travelling, such as the Z1 Unplugged CPAP machine found on the PapSmart websitehttps://www.papsmart.com/cpap-and-bipap-machines/cpap-travel-machines/z1-cpap-unplugged. Be sure to have a look around for more options that may be a more convenient alternative to your old clunky machine. Save Big During the PAPSmart Fall Sale
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5 Tips for New CPAP Users
So you’ve just been diagnosed with sleep apnea and you’ve been told by your doctor that you have to use a CPAP mask every night, in order to treat this condition. Needless to say, you’re probably feeling a little nervous and apprehensive about this and you’re worried about a number of things: is it worth it wearing that big mask? Will my partner still want to be intimate with me? Am I going to have to deal with red marks all over my face for the rest of my life? Like any big change in life, it is normal to have apprehensions about this and it is okay to be worried about what is to come. But what is important it focusing on the positive aspects of this: in this case, your ability to get a much better sleep at night. Here are five tips to help you adjust to your new CPAP mask: Take your time selecting a mask! Most people who buy eye glasses don’t usually go with the first pair they see, they take their time to try on many pairs, until they find one that is just right. A tip from the Mayo clinic suggests that you place a new mask on your face without any straps. Once it feels comfortable, add the straps and then see how you feel. Try wearing just the mask around the house for a few hours to get used to it. If you still feel some anxiety, try to practice some relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing. Start small: if the idea of forcing air down your airway makes you cringe, try using your mask on the lowest air pressure setting to start, and increase it as you become more used to the mask. Keep moisturized! It is very common for CPAP users to experience a dry mouth or nose when they wake up, especially in the winter months. Let’s face it: it’s not a comfortable or pleasant feeling to have a dry mouth. Try to use a nasal spray before you go to bed, or think about getting a humidifier for your CPAP mask. If it feels weird at first, resist the urge to discontinue it after just one night. Remember that this is a device that could very well be saving your life, and your quality of sleep will get much better with time! Do not hesitate to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns. Get Set Up with a New CPAP Machine
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Using your CPAP Machine During Summer Holidays
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! 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. 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. Here are some tips for sticking to your CPAP machine during the summer holidays 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 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! Shop now and save up to 50% off our entire inventory!
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