Those who are old enough to remember the old Lone Ranger shows and movies get that reference. If you’re old enough to remember that, you are probably part of the sleep apnea and CPAP generation.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, welcome to the Masked Man (or Masked Woman) Club.

 

Let’s be honest, these masks may not be the most attractive things to see when your partner rolls over in bed and they will take some getting used to, but if you have been living with untreated sleep apnea, these little machines and masks are a life boat in the sea of bad sleep. So which type of mask is right for you?

 

CPAPCentral carries a carries a variety of the best CPAP masks on the market. You can choose from fullface CPAP masks, nasal CPAP masks, nasal pillow CPAP masks, total face CPAP masks or hybrid CPAP masks.

 

Start by doing some research in our online catalog and looking at some different models. This will get you more familiar with what is out there. Make some notes about the ones you like more and why.

 

Most insurance companies will cover a new mask every six months, so you can use this to test drive the different models of CPAP masks. If something wasn’t totally comfortable, switch to a different type when it’s time to change out your model.

 

Some people start off thinking they would like a nasal pillow CPAP mask because it covers less of their face, but then discover they breathe better with a full-faced mask. Other people are able to find a happy medium between the two in the hybrid CPAP mask. You won’t know completely until you try.

 

If you’re still unsure what mask you want to purchase, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at

CPAPCentral. We’re more than happy to help point you in the right direction.

We hope to hear from you soon and Hi-ho Silver….

Achoo! It’s spring, which means the onset of seasonal allergies. Many people are pretty miserable during spring allergy time anyway, but if you’re a CPAP user on top of that, you could be looking at a trifecta of stuffy noses, sleepless nights, and difficult sleep apnea therapy.

Luckily, there are some things to combat seasonal allergies. CPAPCentral is here to help you get through springtime allergies and still remain compliant in your CPAP therapy:

 

1) Become a neat-freak: This means keeping your CPAP supplies as clean as possible. For hints and tips on this, see the previous two blogs

2) Switch to a full-faced CPAP mask: Many people prefer the nasal CPAP pillows because it gives them a clear line of sight and puts less pressure on their face, but a full-face CPAP mask works better if your nose is clogged.

3) Use hypoallergenic filters: These can work wonders in helping you combat the allergens in the air.

4) Wash your pillowcases: Wash or change your pillowcases more often than you usually do throughout the year. Consider purchasing a hypoallergenic pillowcase.

5) Close the windows and doors: I know it’s really unfair this time of year, since it’s so nice and warm, but leaving the windows and doors open is how the pollen gets in.

6) Use decongestants: Make sure you check with your doctor before you try this, but using overthe- counter decongestants can make a big difference in how well you sleep.

7) Don’t smoke: If you’re having to use a CPAP machine already, this can make things worse.

Combine it with seasonal allergies, and you’re in for a bad time.

8) Leave your plants outside: If you have a lot of plants in the house, they can harbor mildew and make seasonal allergies worse. Put them outside while you sleep.

These are just a few things you can do to make it through allergy season. CPAP Central is here for you to make sure your sleep apnea therapy goes well. Visit our online catalog for a full list of all the supplies we carry.

In last week’s blog, CPAPCentral talked about some of the things you should be doing on a regular basis to keep your CPAP machine clean. For today’s blog, we’re going to talk about some other handy products for keeping your CPAP machine spick and span!

 

CPAP mask wipes

We mentioned these in last week’s blog, but they really are handy for getting residual saliva off your

CPAP mask. These come in a lemony-fresh scent, but if the smell bothers you, there are also unscented ones.

 

CPAP tube cleaning system

If you’ve already tried to clean out your CPAP tubes, you know how difficult it can be! Luckily, there’s the Tube Cleaning System from AG Industries. It includes two caps that allow you to block off the ends of the CPAP tube in order to swish a cleaning solution around in them. When you’re done, use one of two included hanging options in order to let your CPAP tubes dry.

 

Tube Cleaning Wand with Cleaning Pads

Alternatively, if you don’t like the above method to clean out your CPAP machine, there’s also the Tube

Cleaning Wand with Cleaning Pads by AG Industries. This allows you to manually wipe out the inside of your CPAP tubes with the set of wipes that come inside the package.

 

SoClean® 2 CPAP Cleaner and Sanitizer

If you’re one of those people who just doesn’t have the time to deep-clean your CPAP machine or CPAP accessories, this product is for you! Connect your CPAP equipment up to this machine, and it automatically cleans the CPAP mask, CPAP tube and CPAP humidifier for you. It’s kind of like a washing machine or dishwasher for your CPAP machine.

CPAPCentral knows the importance of keeping your equipment clean. If you need to re-stock any of your

CPAP supplies, don’t forget to visit our online catalog.

Break out the shop vac, borrow your friend’s carpet shampooer and climb the ladder to get to those outside windows… it’s time to spring clean!

Before you get too far on your projects, don’t forget one crucial element that really needs your

attention—your CPAP machine! Indeed, you should have been giving it a regular clean all along. If you haven’t yet, here are some things you should be doing on an ongoing basis to keep your CPAP machine running in tip-top shape:

 

Once a day CPAP cleaning

Empty the CPAP humidifier’s water chamber to keep bacteria from building up and drain the excess water from the tubing. It’s really easy for germs to build up on the surface of a CPAP machine, so make sure you wipe it down once a day. Finally, use these handy CPAP mask wipes from CPAPCentral to give the inside of your CPAP mask a good clean.

 

Once a week CPAP cleaning

Give your CPAP mask a good soak in warm, soapy water about once a week. Let it dry thoroughly before using again. We find that using mild soaps (such as Dove or Ivory) work the best.

 

Once a month CPAP cleaning

CPAPCentral recommends that when it comes to your CPAP machine, you want to give your entire machine a wipe-down with warm water once a month. That includes picking it up and getting the bottom where it’s been sitting on the nightstand, as well as the inside of the humidifier. Finally, make sure you rinse out the filter.

 

6 month CPAP cleaning

For functional and sanitary reasons, CPAPCentral recommends that you replace your CPAP mask every six months and your CPAP tubes every three months. Many insurance plans will cover this regular replacement, so make sure you check your insurance and take advantage of this!

We’re here to answer any questions you may have about your CPAP supplies. If you do need to resupply, visit our online store.