It’s the time of the year when cabin fever sets in and people plan little vacations to escape the cold.  Bringing along a CPAP machine adds one more thing to pack when getting away.  CPAP Central has some answers to frequently asked questions about taking a CPAP on your travels.

 

Can I use my CPAP on an airplane?

 

Yes, although some airlines would like you to notify them in advance if you’ll be using a CPAP.  You will need to make sure that the airplane has outlets available at the seats and that you have the right adaptor if needed.  The Americans with Disability Act protects you against an airline trying to charge you extra money for a carry-on, because a CPAP machine is a medically necessary device.

 

Should I bring my humidifier?

 

This is up to you.  If you find yourself in a hurry, you may forget to empty the tank, leading to a wet mess later.  You will also need steady access to water, so if you’ll be on an extended flight, it may be best to leave it at home.

 

Should I check my CPAP machine?

 

No, CPAP machines should be taken through security in your carry-on to avoid getting lost, stolen, or damaged during baggage processing.  Be sure to have your prescription for your machine with you in case airport security wants to verify that it’s a medically-necessary device. The CPAP will need to be removed from the bag and run through the x-ray machine, just like a laptop. More than likely, the TSA will also complete a non-invasive Explosive Trace Detection test to assure it’s truly a CPAP machine.

 

Traveling alone can be stressful enough. We hope these helpful clarifications can make your trip more relaxing.  After all, your sleep apnea doesn’t take a vacation.  CPAP Central carries all the accessories you need to give you the best sleep apnea therapy experience possible when taking a retreat.

Last week, you read why the Z1 Unplugged Travel CPAP System qualifies as CPAP Central’s very own bundle of joy. This week, we’re talking about why the Transcend AUTO miniCPAP Machine is also near and dear to our hearts. While the Z1 might be the baby, the Transcend is the older sibling. Here at CPAP Central, we don’t play favorites among our CPAP machines, but we do celebrate the differences between them:

International Power Adapters – Included

Going overseas? The Transcend Auto Travel CPAP Machine might be just the machine for you! It comes with many items comparable to what is included with other travel CPAPs, with one exception – the Transcend Universal AC Wall Power Supply with 4 Plug Adapters for North America, Europe, the United Kingdom and Australia, making it a huge benefit for those who travel internationally on a regular basis.

Add-ons for Greater Comfort and Convenience

While the Transcend AUTO miniCPAP Machine doesn’t come with the powershell battery bundle like the Z1, it does have the capability of adding the Transcend P8 Multi-Night Battery. Combine that with the Transcend Heated Humidifier, and you’re looking at having a night of rest and comfort, no matter where your travels take you!

But in the end, they’re still very similar

Even though these two travel CPAP machines have their differences, they are also alike in many ways. Both are some of the quietest CPAP machines on the market, so if you’re sharing tight quarters with someone else (think camping or a hotel room), you’re not going to keep them awake. Both CPAP machines also weigh less than a pound, making them easy to pack in a suitcase and carry through an airport.

CPAP Central is here for all your sleep apnea therapy needs, whether they be at home or on an international adventure. Visit our online catalog to see all our travel CPAP machines, or contact us today about the best option for you.

 

The phrase “bundle of joy” is usually used in reference to newborns, but at CPAP Central we think of the Z1 Unplugged Travel CPAP System when we hear that phrase. This system is essentially a bundle of all the items you need to use the Z1 Travel CPAP machine on the go, and when you use it on your vacation, you’ll be sleeping like a baby!

This bundle of joy comes with:

Z1 Travel CPAP Machine

In the candy bar world, the Z1 Auto Travel CPAP Machine would be described as “fun size.”  Weighing less than a standard can of soda, the Z1 Auto Travel CPAP Machine is the lightest CPAP machine on the market.

Z1 PowerShell Integrated CPAP Battery

During your vacation, you don’t want to worry whether you’ll have electrical access nearby or whether you packed your external battery.  The Z1 Auto Travel CPAP Machine offers an optional integrated battery called the PowerShell which basically attaches an overnight battery to the CPAP machine.  The PowerShell allows Z1 Auto Travel CPAP users the opportunity to use their machine anywhere without the hassle of cords or electrical access.

Z1 Nightlog Capability

These days, everything is connected! With the micro USB C port and cable, you’re able to connect to your smartphone and upload your nightly sleeping stats into Nightlog, an app made specifically for the Z1 Travel CPAP machine. It monitors your sleeping patterns and delivers the data on easy-to-read charts.

 

At CPAP Central, we believe that everyone should have the right to sleep like a baby. When you bundle the Z1 Travel CPAP machine with the Z1 PowerShell Integrated CPAP Battery, you’ll be able to do just that.  By purchasing these two items together, you’ll not only have the perfect travel companions, you’ll also have the benefits of saving a bundle!

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, and reminders of Irish culture are everywhere. Whether or not your family originates from the Emerald Isle, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this time of year.

 

At CPAP Central, we especially love Irish folklore. A number of their fairy tales can actually teach us something about remaining CPAP compliance, such as:

 

The King under the Mountain

 

In this story, legendary hero Fionn mac Cumhail rests in a cave in a mountain, surrounded by his faithful troops. He will wake when the cry of the Fenian war band is sounded three times. Until then, herdsmen and shepherd boys sometimes stumble across him, but are unable to wake him.

 

What this can tell us about CPAP compliance: When you’re staying CPAP compliant, you’ll enjoy a full night’s rest and won’t have to wake again until your alarm clock goes off like a Fenian war cry. Your sleep apnea will still try to wake you throughout the night, much like the wandering shepherd boys, but they will be unable to, thanks to your CPAP equipment!

 

The Field of Boliauns:

 

In this story, a man captures a leprechaun and commands him to show where he’s hid his gold. It’s buried in a field, and the man realizes he needs to get a shovel to dig it up. In order to mark the spot and find it later, he ties his a handkerchief on a plant and tells the leprechaun not to move it. The leprechaun obeys, but instead of moving it he ties hundreds of handkerchiefs to plants all over the field, so it’s impossible for the man to guess where the gold was.

 

What this can tell us about CPAP compliance: The CPAP field is filled with hundreds of options when it comes to treatment, but not all of them are golden! At CPAP Central, our experts are available via live chat Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We can guide you through the field of CPAP supplies to make sure you get the right equipment.

 

The Harp of Dagda

 

One item that occurs in several stories is the Harp of Dagda. This magical harp had different strings that could control its listeners. When one string was plucked it would make someone fall asleep. When another was plucked, it would make someone weep.

 

 

What this can tell us about CPAP compliance: Sleep apnea is not unlike the Harp of Dagda! One of its many side-effects is depression. Luckily, CPAP Central is here to put the Harp of Dagda in your hands. We can help you become CPAP compliant and strike the right “chord” to get a good night’s sleep.

 

 

Whether you plan to celebrate Irish culture or not, we hope you keep us in mind the next time you need to restock your CPAP supplies. Our online catalog carries everything you need, and we have a number of resources to help educate you about sleep apnea and its treatments.

A leaky CPAP mask is a prevalent complaint among CPAP users. If you lose air pressure, hear strange noises from your CPAP mask, feel stuffed up upon waking or experience disrupted sleep, chances are you have a leaky CPAP mask.

CPAP Central is here to help. We’ve provided the top five reasons for why your CPAP mask leaks, and what you can do about it.

1. Your CPAP pressure is too high.

When you first received your CPAP machine, chances are your doctor or respiratory therapist helped you set the pressure settings. These settings would have been based on your sleep study. However, if the pressure amount is causing a problem now, you can talk to your doctor about changing it. If your CPAP machine uses a ramp feature where it gradually increases the pressure, it might be set too high.

2. You’ve been tossing and turning in the night.

 

This can cause your CPAP mask to become loose or shift on your face, breaking the seal and causing a leak. Often, this can be remedied by adjusting the straps. We also carry CPAP masks specifically designed for active sleepers.

 

3. Your CPAP mask is dirty.

 

When the dirt and oils build up on your CPAP mask, it can cause you to lose the seal. A CPAP mask should be wiped down daily with a damp cloth or a CPAP mask wipe and submerged once a week in soapy water.

 

4. How you sleep.

 

There’s no right or wrong way to sleep, but your position can affect how your CPAP mask fits. For example, if you breathe with your mouth open, a nasal CPAP mask is not going to be good for you, and you’ll want to use a full-faced mask instead. If you’re a side-sleeper, then a CPAP nasal mask is going to work better than a full-faced CPAP mask.

 

5. Your CPAP mask is old.

 

The seals on CPAP masks do wear out over time, which cause leaks. Expect to change your CPAP mask once every three months. If it’s that time for your CPAP mask, check out the wide range of options we have in our online catalog.

If you are still experiencing CPAP mask air leaks after trying the above suggestions, contact CPAP Central. We’re available via live chat Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. You can also drop us a note right from our website.