Are you feeling uncomfortable with your new CPAP machine? It’s not uncommon to experience discomfort when you first start CPAP therapy. Here are some of the common complaints about CPAP masks and what you can do about them.

 

I feel claustrophobic.

It is understandable that those with mild claustrophobia would feel uncomfortable with the mask. After all, you have never had to sleep with anything on your face before and it is a new sensation.

 

We suggest taking baby steps so you can become so comfortable you hardly notice you are wearing the mask. This is all done by practice. During the day, hold the mask to your face. When you are comfortable with that, add the straps. Keep doing this until wearing the mask becomes second nature to you.

 

I think I might be allergic to my mask.

Many who experience a reaction think the cause is an allergy to the mask. However, this is not typically the case. Often, this is due to not cleaning the mask. Just as you wash your face every day, you should also wash the mask. Not doing so may cause a rash or breakout on your face.

 

I just don’t feel comfortable with the forced air.

Experiencing forced air is definitely a new sensation. A solution to this would be to make sure you have a machine that has a “ramp” feature. Turning this feature on will cause the air pressure to slowly increase. This way, when you have fallen asleep it will be at the maximum pressure, instead of a high intensity when you first lay down.

 

I think it is causing me to have a stuffy nose.

This time of year especially, it is easy to catch a cold or have a stuffy nose. Often, a great solution is a humidifier. The same is true for your machine. Your machine may have a heated humidifier built into it. If it does, be sure to turn this feature on. It should help immensely.

 

If CPAP mask comfort is an issue for you, CPAPCentral.com is here to help. We have a wide variety to choose from, and our live chat is available from Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., EST.

 

Using a CPAP can be difficult at times. So is it worth it? Here are the signs that it’s working for you and improving your overall health, as well as the signs that it isn’t working. These can be due to anything from user error to incorrect equipment. Either way, we can help!

1

Signs You Are on the Right Track

 

Mental Health

Are you feeling more emotionally stable? By that, we want to know if you’re feeling less irritable, anxious or down. Are you less closed off to others? Untreated sleep apnea can lead to depression, so if you are feeling an overall improvement in your emotional well being, this is a sign therapy is working for you!

 

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

You’ve probably heard the saying, but haven’t experienced it yourself before CPAP therapy. If your therapy is working well for you, you are going to feel more alert during the day. This is because you are getting the proper sleep your body requires and you now feel ready to take on the day.

 

Sharp as a Tac

Are you being more successful at work? Do you feel like your memory is sharper? Without therapy, Sleep Apnea can cause damage to the brain tissue. When your therapy is working correctly, it will help your concentration and overall “brain power.”

 

Signs You Should Ask for Help

 

You’re Tired All Day

If your CPAP machine is not working how it should, you may be starting to feel more tired during the day. Even if you feel you are getting an appropriate amount of bedtime hours, it still may not be the quality sleep that your body requires. As you likely know, untreated sleep apnea causes pauses in your breathing. This is what is keeping you from getting through every necessary sleep cycle.

 

You’re Snoring Again

The primary goal of CPAP is to keep your airway open and if you are still snoring, this is a clear cut sign that the treatment is not working as it should. Snoring is not a symptom to ignore and can have serious consequences. This is because snoring implies your airway is still partially collapsing. Your partner should be able to tell if you are snoring, but if you don’t have a partner, consider inviting a close friend over for a sleepover!

 

You’ve Gained Weight

Treating sleep apnea won’t cause you to gain weight. However, if you have gained weight, your therapy may not be working as well as it should. The fitting may not be correct for your body, as the muscles that you use to help you breathe are more likely to weaken in the night. If this is the case, you may want to have a doctor determine if an adjustment is required to the machine.

 

If you need help with your equipment, or need to swap it out for something that works better, CPAPCentral.com is here for you. We stock everything you need to combat this condition, and our experts are available via live chat from Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., EST.

 

Essential oils are becoming a very popular way to alleviate many health issues. But did you know they can also help with your adjustment to CPAP therapy? Getting used to a CPAP isn’t easy. If you need that extra boost to fall asleep and don’t want to reach for a sleeping pill, try these essential oils as an alternative!

 

Our Sense of Smell

 

The sense of smell is the fastest road to the emotional region of the brain. Instead of focusing on all that is going on with your machine, imagine being able to only focus on a scent that takes you to a far away, calming place. By simply incorporating scents that encourage relaxation to your CPAP machine, you can fall asleep faster and even look forward to therapy.

 

Chamomile Oil

 

This lovely aroma is used frequently by tea enthusiasts. Many people enjoy chamomile tea, because of its soothing benefits. The oil can not only help relieve anxiety, but one study has even shown that it can reduce nightmares.

 

Rose Oil

 

When you think of roses, although a pleasant smell, you might not conjure up images of relaxation and sleep. However, rose oil can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. There’s a reason why this scent is used in night creams. It can help decrease your blood pressure and breathing rate as you lie down.

 

Lavender Oil

 

We would be remiss to not mention this tried and true favorite. It is the most studied essential oil with hundreds of findings in favor of its use as a relaxation herb. This flowery scent has been proven as an effective treatment for insomnia. Before these studies, it has been used for centuries.

 

Cedar Wood Oil

 

If you want to be transported to a cozy cabin in the woods, this is for you! It comes from tree bark which has an earthy and sweet scent. This oil reportedly benefits sleep quality and can help many decompress negative emotions.

 

Frankincense

 

This famous scent has been used for centuries. It smells woody, sweet and spicy. Studies have shown it to be effective in its treatment for pain, which can lead to an easier transition to sleep.

 

If you are looking to improve your therapy experience, try one of these oils. You can use aromatherapy with your CPAP with the Pur-Sleep Aromatherapy Basic Starter kit!

 

Christmas is just around the corner, which means you’re planning what presents to buy for your loved ones. But have you thought about giving your time? Now that using the CPAP has given you more energy, here are the top ways you can volunteer this season.

 

Visit a Nursing Home

 

This is a fantastic way to make new friends with stories to tell. As you can imagine, transferring from independent living to a skilled nursing facility can be a challenge. Many have difficulty with the transition and become lonely. It’s a great opportunity for you to truly make someone’s day that they will be talking about for weeks. You can play a card game with them, read a book or just sit and chat!

 

Cook a Meal

 

Do you have exceptional culinary skills? This one’s for you! And even if your cooking is subpar, your efforts are sure to be appreciated. There are many people who work over the holidays, including firefighters, nurses and police officers. Bringing them a tasty meal or treat will brighten their day and remind them that they are appreciated.

 

Adopt a Family

 

Your whole family can really get in on the fun by adopting an entire family to purchase needed items this season. There are likely many community places that you can go through that identify families of need. You are assigned to a family and get a short description about them. Your family can then have fun buying items for them and delivering it to their home. It is very rewarding to see faces light up as a result of your care.

 

Donate Items

 

Shelters are always taking in canned goods, but you likely have many items around your home that you do not use anymore. Maybe it’s a spare winter jacket that has been sitting in the back of your closet. Do you have other clothes or shoes you aren’t using? If they are in good condition, donate them to a local shelter.

 

Did you know that you can even donate your used CPAP machine? The American Sleep Apnea Association CPAP Assistance Program is an excellent way to do this. They accept factory-sealed CPAP supplies or used CPAP machines and distribute them to people who can’t afford them. They can be found here.

 

Donate Your Skills

 

Are you handy with a hammer or a brilliant photographer? Whatever your strengths, donate them to those less fortunate. You have a specific skill set that someone might need or like, but cannot afford. This is a great opportunity to help others with something you are passionate about.

 

We want to make sure you continue having that energy to volunteer. That’s why we’re here to supply you with all the CPAP equipment you need! If it’s time for you to resupply, browse our online catalog for everything you need for sleep apnea therapy.

 

We know the scene all too well. So you have a lovely day with your husband. You skipped together through apple orchards, ate spaghetti Lady & the Tramp-style and ended the night watching the perfect romantic comedy. Now it is time for bed. He is a terrific spouse, until he becomes the man you loathe at night. If your husband’s snoring is putting a boulder between the two of you, you are not alone! Here are some delightful measures to take for coping with a night-time sawing lumberjack.

 

1. Strap a Voice-Changer to Him.

 

What a fantastic way to save money on electricity. Who needs a fan when you have a snoring husband? Voila! Now he is a white noise machine.

 

2.                   Build a Husband Trap

 

What are his favorite books, magazines and snacks? Grab all of those items and place them in his favorite living room chair. Bring out the softest blanket you have and give him the TV remote. Make this spot seem so appealing, he will never want to leave!

 

3.                   Build a Pillow Fort

 

Forts aren’t just for children, they are for wives of snorers! Pillows make for great sound absorption. You can either wait for the snoring to ensue and build the fort around him or build it around yourself as a protective barrier from the Mr.’s racket!

 

4.                   Wear Noise Cancelling Headphones

 

These will dispel nearly every noise! If he asks why you’re wearing them, just pretend you can’t hear him or say you’re practicing being Princess Leia from Star Wars.

 

5.                   Invest Iin a Poker

 

You can either buy some kind of stick at the store or simply go grab one from the tree outside. If you get one that’s long enough and hold it throughout the night, you will barely need to reach your arms in order to wake him up with gentle pokes.

 

6.                   Buy and Adjustable Bed

 

Take him for a roller coaster ride in the middle of the night. As soon as the snoring begins, press the button on his side of the bed that will slowly raise his head. Raise the incline more and more as needed.

 

7.                   Build Your Own Bed (BYOB)

 

If none of the above seems to help, you can always build your own makeshift bed. Some women have had success with sleeping in the bathtub. Of course, you can make it more comfortable with the addition of fluffy blankets and pillows.

 

In all seriousness, snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea. Handle this topic with patience, kindness and care. Your partner is not snoring on purpose, but an open conversation should be had about the impact it is having on both your health. Suggest seeing a doctor to determine what the cause of the snoring is and what treatment is required.

 

Finding a solution will help him to not only feel better but can help your marriage. If he is diagnosed with sleep apnea, see the experts at CPAPCentral.com!

 

With summer in the rearview mirror, we brace for the cooler months ahead. Cold and flu season are hard on everyone.. But for CPAP users, in particular, it can be a special challenge. In addition to a very specific sleep routine, you have to manage coughing and congestion.

 

It may be tempting to forgo treatment until you begin to feel better, but halting treatment may make your recovery even longer. This is because your body needs adequate rest to recover. Thankfully, you have come to the right place to help get you or a loved one through this cold!

 

Invest in a Heated Humidifier

Even if you don’t have a cold, many users like having a heated humidifier because of the overall comfort it provides. CPAP air without a humidifier can dry out the nasal passages. Needless to say, this is not desirable when you already have nasal congestion.

 

Sleep on Your Side

This doesn’t have to be forever, but it can provide temporary relief until you are feeling back to normal. When you lay on your back, mucus can accumulate in the nose and throat. It might feel weird to lay on your side, but you will likely get better sleep by doing so.

 

Use a Full Face Mask

If you are having trouble breathing out of your nose, it doesn’t make sense to use the nose mask. We would suggest purchasing a full face mask so you can breathe through your mouth. Unfortunately, this won’t be the last cold you have, so you will be able to use the full face mask in the future, even if it isn’t your first choice on a normal night.

 

Keep it Clean

You should already be routinely cleaning your machine, but it is even more important to thoroughly clean the CPAP when you have a cold. If you forget to do so, you may re-infect yourself with bacteria over and over again. This includes cleaning your mask and tubing once a day. You should also keep your CPAP off of the floor to help avoid it from absorbing household dust and debris.

 

We hope these tips encourage you to continue therapy throughout your sickness. This can be a challenging time for CPAP users, but by successfully taking care of your machine and yourself, you can feel better soon! For all your CPAP comfort supplies, see CPAPCentral.com.

 

 

Sleep Apnea doesn’t stop over the holidays. In fact, you are probably going to need even more rest after spending a long weekend with your loved ones. Thankfully, we have compiled tips to get you through the big day while maintaining your health goals!

 

Make Your Sleep Routine Priority #1

 

This might be a challenging goal, but sticking to your normal sleeping routine is going to be essential to enjoying your holiday. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. If you are visiting relatives from out of town, let them know that you will need to be consistent with a routine. They should be able to respect that and not ask you to participate in tasks that would disrupt your health.

 

Plan Ahead

 

If you don’t own a travel CPAP, you may need to take extra steps to ensure you have everything you need to mimic your bedroom at home. Pack spare parts in case any of them break while you are away. You can also ask your host about the room you will be staying in, so you know if you need to bring any items like a fan or a face mask.

 

Watch Your Alcohol Intake

 

Thanksgiving is notoriously a time when many overindulge. However, it is important that you monitor your drinking as it can have negative consequences on your quality of sleep. Think about drinking a large glass of water between each drink and leave a buffer zone of at least four hours between your last drink and bedtime.

 

Only Stuff the Turkey

 

Did you know that what you eat can impact your sleep? In this case, you sleep how you eat! You’ve likely experienced the rush of fatigue that comes after consuming turkey, but it is important to recognize that other foods can affect your sleep and overall health. Don’t stuff yourself! Wisely fill your plate with vegetables and limit yourself to one dinner roll – it is Thanksgiving after all.

 

Participate in Play Time

 

It may be tempting to sit and relax after a delicious meal with friends and family, but the day is not over! Go on a group walk or throw a football around outside with the children. Physical exercise will tire your body in a better way than eating a big meal, which means you’ll be prepared for bedtime.

 

We hope these tips can help to get you through the special holiday weekend. If you are tired of lugging your CPAP on trips, think about getting a travel CPAP! We have them in our online catalog.

 

It’s no secret that those of us at CPAPCentral.com are big fans of CPAP machines. For one thing, it’s in our names. For another, we’ve personally experienced the benefits of treatment and have seen the improved quality of life in many others! This Thanksgiving, we are paying homage to CPAP by listing why we are grateful for this treatment!

 

1. More Alert

When you are compliant with treatment, you are going to get quality sleep. This translates into being bright-eyed and bushy tailed for your day! Because you have reached all of your sleep cycles, you are going to have a better attitude to handle difficult problems and have an improved ability to solve issues. Just think about how much more successful you can be at work because you are energized and refreshed!

 

2.            Improved Sex Life

Yes, it’s true. Taking care of yourself and getting your health on track can have positive consequences on your libido. For men, in particular, sleep apnea is correlated to low testosterone. CPAP can help to reduce this issue. In addition to the physiological benefits to your sex life, your increased energy and improved attitude may increase the overall happiness in the bedroom for you and your partner.

 

3.            Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

 

Untreated sleep apnea can be very dangerous to your health. In fact, it can increase your risk of heart disease if not treated over your lifetime. It can negatively impact your blood pressure, heart rhythm and more. CPAP continuously ensures you are getting the amount of oxygen your body needs while you sleep, thereby reducing health risks.

 

4.            Saves You Money

Who isn’t grateful for a fuller wallet? Because your health has improved from CPAP compliance, you are going to eliminate a myriad of health issues caused by sleep apnea. You don’t have to spend your money on medical bills trying to solve other health issues. Additionally, because you are more alert you may be a better employee and on your way to a raise due to increased workplace performance!

 

5.            Increased Emotional Stability

CPAP machines have been reported to improve symptoms of depression. Your body and mind get the rest they need because of therapy, which ultimately makes for a happier you. Most importantly, because of therapy, your family will get the best version of you this Thanksgiving.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experts! We’re available via live chat from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Did you know that in the short term, sleep may be more important than food? That’s because you can survive for three times as long without food than you can without sleep.

That’s just one fun fact about the phenomenon that is sleep. Today, CPAPCentral.com would like to offer these eight strange details about slumber:

1. People spend a third of their lives asleep. Cats sleep double that.

Whether you slept 16 hours a day as a baby or 6 hours as an adult, it still rounds out to a third.  If you’re a cat owner, you probably are already aware of how much our furry companions sleep.

2. Scientists aren’t sure why we sleep

They just know it’s really, really important, and that we don’t function well without it.

3. There are 19 different sleep-related breathing disorders.

Sleep apnea, which CPAPCentral.com is dedicated to alieving, accounts for 10 of them.

4. Up to 15% of the population are sleepwalkers.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not dangerous to wake them!

5. 1 in 4 married couples don’t share beds.

If you had undiagnosed sleep apnea, chances are, you were one of them!

6. Older generations dream in black and white.

Among those who grew up with black and white media—such as photographs and TV—only 15% dream in color. For those who grew up with colored media, 88% dream in color.

7. Up to 36 percent of Americans drive drowsy or fall asleep while drowsy

This can be as dangerous as drunk driving. If you fall into this category, even after a good night’s sleep, it could be a sign of sleep apnea.

8. Less sleep means you eat more.

During sleep, the body produces leptin, which regulates appetite. The less sleep you have, the less leptin, so the hungrier you are upon waking. This is why obesity is often linked to sleep apnea.

At CPAPCentral.com, we’re all about getting a good night’s rest! If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, we have the latest in technology and comfort to help you address it. Browse our online catalog today to find the equipment you need.

“At night my mind does not much care,

If what it thinks is here or there,

It tells me stories it invents

And makes up things that don’t make sense.

I don’t know why it does this stuff—

The real world seems quite weird enough!”

-Bill Watterson, The Essential Calvin and Hobbes

 

That poem really hits the nail on the head. Who hasn’t had a bizarre dream?

While everyone dreams, researchers are divided as to why we do. Some think that it’s a way for the brain to process memory, solve problems or process emotions. Still others think it may be nothing more than the nonsense images of a tired brain.

Here’s what we do know about dreams:

• They occur during REM Sleep.

 

If you’re a CPAP user, you’re probably familiar with the importance REM sleep plays in your overall well-being. After all, sleep apnea instances most often occur during this important stage in your sleep cycle, leaving you with the headaches and daytime drowsiness that negatively affect your life.

 

REM is also when our brains most actively dream. So, if you’re routinely having this stage interrupted by sleep apnea, it’s entirely possible that it’s contributing to the mental health side-effects that come with the condition. After all, if dreams help us process things emotionally, it’s possible that the lack of dreaming is contributing to the horrible moods that come with sleep apnea.

 

• Nightmares may have a positive purpose.

 

Just as there are many theories as to why we dream, there are also many theories as to why we have nightmares.

 

One school of thought posits that nightmares are essentially a virtual reality testing ground, where our brain runs us through dangerous situations so that we are prepared for them when we encounter them in our waking hours.

 

Others say that nightmares reflect whatever is causing us stress or anxiety in life, and that they could act as windows into our psyche, allowing us to address underlying emotional issues.

 

• Sleep Apnea could cause nightmares.

 

One study found that those with sleep apnea potentially had a higher frequency of nightmares. In particular, those who were awoken during an apnea incident reported that they had dreams involving not being able to breathe. In a way, these nightmares really were their brain trying to tell them something was wrong.

 

After study participants started their CPAP therapy, they reported a lower frequency of nightmares.

 

At CPAPCentral.com, we want to help everyone experience sweet dreams. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can turn to our experts for help. We stock everything you need to combat this condition, and our experts are available via live chat from Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., EST.