Do you find yourself yawning throughout the day? Struggling to stay awake, no matter what the activity? Reaching for a cup of Joe at 3 PM? Obviously, you’re not getting enough sleep.

But wait, you say, I went to bed at a decent time! I fell asleep nine hours before I had to get up. Even if this is the case for you, there are some things that can interrupt your sleep or make it so you don’t get enough. Here are the top sleep interruptions:

 

• Alcohol

Although this depressant makes you drowsy, it does not provide a restful night’s sleep.  When you’re looking for quality sleep after a few drinks, keep in mind that you should stick to only two or three drinks and stop drinking around three hours before bedtime!

• Heartburn

Is heartburn leaving a bad taste in your mouth?  Heartburn (acid reflux or GERD) is stomach acids that travel into your esophagus which cause pain and discomfort.  If you have this condition, you know it worsens as you lay flat.  Fortunately, heartburn or GERD can often be treated by over-the-counter antacids, but certainly see your doctor if the problem continues as it can lead to more serious health conditions.

• Pets

It’s time to choose; is it you or your pet that deserves a better night’s sleep?  A recent survey revealed that over 50 percent of Americans that sleep with their pets suffer from some form of sleep disruption caused by their pet.  The best cure for these disruptions is to train your pet to sleep completely outside of your bedroom so you are not awakened by your pet’s unpredictable sleep patterns.

• Untreated Sleep Apnea

Finally, if you don’t drink (much), don’t suffer from GERD and don’t have pets in your bed, but still get poor sleep, you may have sleep apnea.  Sleep apnea typically includes loud snoring and then moments of silence which is actually periods when you’ve stopped breathing.  When you stop breathing, your body usually responds by waking you up.  Sleep apnea is easily treated with CPAP therapy, but if left untreated, can lead to many serious health conditions.

Many of those things on the list can be taken care of by lifestyle changes or visits to the doctor. If number 4 is a problem for you, CPAP Central can help! We carry a large variety of sleep apnea therapy products and can make sure that you get a complete night’s rest.

By and far, the vast majority of CPAP users tend to be men. While women can certainly develop obstructive sleep apnea, it’s a condition that strikes the male population more often than not. For many men, this not only changes their sleeping habits, it also affects their looks. Before their sleep apnea is treated, many men become overweight. But after treatment, they have a whole other aesthetic challenge: facial hair.

Beards and CPAP masks don’t always work well together. Facial hair can prevent the CPAP mask cushions from making direct contact with the skin, thus breaking the seal and allowing for leaks. That’s why CPAP Central is here to suggest the best CPAP masks for men with fuzzy faces:

 

Swift FX Nasal Pillows: Nasal Pillows tend to work best for facial hair, since they go directly into the nose, but could post a problem for those with especially fluffy mustaches. Because of its shape and the way it fits into your nasal passages, many men have found success with the Swift FX Nasal Pillows.

Mirage SoftGel Nasal Mask: If you prefer to use a nasal mask, we suggest this one. You can swap out nasal cushions between it and the Mirage Activa LT, making it versatile for any type of facial hair growth. One piece of advice we would give for wearing a CPAP nasal mask with a beard is that you clean the cushions every day. It’s very easy for a mustache to leave oily residue behind, and that can break the seal.

Amara Full Faced CPAP Mask: This CPAP mask offers two cushion styles in four sizes, giving you flexibility in your fit. Just remember that when you use a full-faced mask that you need to keep your beard trimmed short in order for it to fully work.

All of the above CPAP masks are currently available or are able to be ordered through CPAP Central If you have any questions or concerns about your CPAP mask fit, don’t hesitate to reach out to our in-house experts.

Sleep apnea affects an estimated 22 million Americans. Often, the first symptom is excessive or loud snoring. However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and sleep apnea can have many other symptoms. The risk of having sleep apnea varies with someone’s age, height, weight and current health conditions. It occurs when the upper airway muscles in your throat becoming relaxed, which in return blocks the airway and your breathing.  While you sleep, your body will quickly wake up to start breathing again.  Waking up throughout the night is not a healthy solution to breathe.

Here at CPAP Central, we have come up with a quiz to help you determine if you or a loved one may be struggling with untreated sleep apnea:

Have you or your bed partner witnessed any gasping or choking during sleep?

• Yes
• No

 

Have you or your bed partner witnessed a stop or pause in breathing?

• Yes
• No

 

Do you have to sit upright to get better sleep?

• Yes
• No

 

Do you visit the bathroom frequently when you wake up at night?

• Yes
• No

 

Do you snore in any sleep position?

• Yes
• No

 

Have you or your bed partner seen an increase in weight?

• Yes
• No

 

Do you find yourself struggling to stay awake, even after a full night’s rest?

• Yes
• No

 

Do you struggle with depression?

• Yes
• No

 

 

If you have answered yes for four or more questions, please seek setting up an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to refer you to a local sleep test center to see if you suffer from sleep apnea.

 

For further questions about sleep apnea or CPAP masks and equipment, contact CPAP Central today! Our live chat is available Monday through Friday from 8:30-4:30, EST.

Here on the East Coast, summer storm season is in full swing. Our customers are from all over the United States, but a quick check of the weather says many of you are experiencing inclement weather this time of the year as well. You’ve not doubt already had a few power outages as a result.

The problem comes when you use a medical device—such as a CPAP machine—to sleep at night. That’s why today, CPAP Central is going to offer you tips on how to continue your sleep apnea therapy even during stormy nights:

 

CPAP Batteries

The most common and most obvious solution to power outages is CPAP batteries.  Most CPAP machines today come with add-on options for an associated CPAP battery which can offer anywhere from 3 to 16 hours of backup CPAP power. The Z1 Unplugged Travel CPAP System comes with a battery that can run all night, along with a charger.

CPAP Battery Chargers

Don’t forget the CPAP battery chargers!  If power is going to be out for a few days, you’ll also want power adapters which will allow for CPAP battery charging from DC car power adapter cords.  Another option offered with the Transcend CPAP machines is the Transcend solar power battery charger.

Finally, after the power is back on, don’t forget to recharge all of your CPAP batteries.  Some CPAP users have found success in keeping their CPAP batteries connected to a trickle charger which keeps batteries at full charge while not in use.

Backup Power Generator with Surge Protector

For CPAP users who want to keep the whole house running as usual, look into installing a backup power generator with surge protector.  Although it is the most expensive backup power option, it will offer complete peace-of-mind for those concerned with other home appliances that are powered by electricity.

At CPAP Central, we want to guarantee that you get a good night’s sleep, no matter what the weather is doing. That’s why we carry a full line of sleep apnea therapy products in our online catalog. For more hints and tips, visit our resource center.