Customer Service and Live Chat available M-F from 8:30AM - 4:30PM EST

Free Shipping on orders over $99

Category Archives: Sleeping

Could Rhinitis be affecting your sleep apnea therapy?

Blog(Rhinitis.SleepApnea)

Have you been dealing with cold-like symptoms since starting your sleep apnea therapy? It might not be the CPAP machine’s fault—you could have a condition called Rhinitis!

Approximately 10-30 percent of adults are affected by this each year, but many people have never heard about it. It’s common as we age, but can also be hard to diagnose. As we grow older, our septal cartilage and the nasal columella can weaken and sag, leaving the airways more congested. Mucus in the sinuses also thickens and can increase congestion. If you have untreated sleep apnea or use a CPAP, these nasal issues can create even more problems.

Rhinitis is the medical term for the irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose. Symptoms include a stuffy nose or runny nose and post-nasal drip. It can also include coughing, headache, watery eyes, sneezing and nasal itching, fatigue and a general mental fog. Many people wrongly assume that they have a cold and try to treat the wrong problem.

Keep notes on when the symptoms started and how long you’ve had them. Colds only last a short period of time and Rhinitis can go on indefinitely. Talk to your doctor. They can tell you if you have a cold or if Rhinitis is to blame. They can then prescribe the right medications.

If you use a CPAP or BiPAP, keep using it and clean and replace the filter, mask and tubing frequently. Use your CPAP or BiPAP device as usual until you talk to a doctor or respiratory therapist. Your sleep apnea therapy may be even more beneficial to your health since you are congested and you will probably require more and better sleep to recover.

Let the experts at CPAP Central help you breathe healthy every day! We carry a wide range of CPAP Masks, CPAP and BiPAP Machines and CPAP Accessories.

Finding the right CPAP mask for you

Blog(FindingtheRightMask)

“You want me to wear what??”

Those who are new to CPAP often have this reaction when it comes to the comfort of their CPAP mask. It’s part of the adjustment period that everyone goes through. CPAP Central wants you to be comfortable while you sleep with your CPAP mask and offers some hints on what to do to get used to wearing a mask at night.

You may need to try a few different styles of masks before you settle on one that works for you. This may be a full-face mask if you’re a nose and mouth breather or a simple nose mask if a full face mask makes you feel claustrophobic. A proper fit goes a long way for comfort.

Another trick to making your mask more comfortable is to soak it in warm, soapy water to loosen up the straps and soften the edges of the mask. Also, don’t forget to wash the straps and mask to clear off any facial oils after using it. Try different strap positions and tensions to find ones that allow the mask to seal while also being comfortable for you.

If it’s purely getting used to the therapy itself that isn’t allowing you to sleep at night, try wearing your mask while you’re awake. Put your mask on and turn on your machine for 30-45 minutes in the evening as you watch television to get used to it. You can even increase the time the more used to it you get.

Your CPAP mask and therapy are supposed to help you sleep, so if it is keeping you up initially, just think about the payoff from complying with the therapy and how that will help you in the long term. If you have any questions or concerns about your equipment or how to make things more comfortable, feel free to reach out to us here at CPAP Central. Our Live Chat is available 8:30-4:30 Monday through Friday.

Central Vs. Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Blog(CentralVSObstructive)

Did you know that there’s more than one type of sleep apnea?

Most people who shop with us are familiar with obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. But there are less common forms of sleep apnea that are just as important. Let’s find out more about central sleep apnea, or CSA.

Central sleep apnea, or CSA, is present in only five percent of sleep apnea cases. It occurs when the brain misfires and doesn’t send the correct signals to the muscles that control your breathing. The reaction of the body is the same, with the person waking up suddenly with a gasp for air, although they may not remember it happening in the morning. It can happen many times throughout the night and even many times per hour.

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is the most common form of sleep apnea, characterized by heavy snoring and periods of no breathing because the airway has become blocked. Most of our customers and sleep apnea patients in general have this form of the disorder.

There are certain other identified factors for CSA. People who have suffered from heart failure and stroke, and those with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s are more at risk. Sleeping at high altitudes, especially if your body has not adjusted to the altitude (like on vacation) can raise your risk.

Is central sleep apnea preventable? Yes and no. There is no fool-proof way to prevent CSA, but managing certain factors can help reduce your risk. Like OSA, obesity raises the risk of having CSA and will make symptoms worse.

If you think you may have OSA or CSA, talk to your doctor about a sleep test. If the sleep test determines that you have either form of sleep apnea, contact the professionals at CPAP Central. We carry a wide variety of CPAP Accessories that can help you sleep and breath better.

Talking Turkey: The Truth About Tryptophan

Learn the truth about tryptophan in turkey for your Thanksgiving meal.

There’s a lot to love about Thanksgiving. Whether you love spending time with your family, watching the Thanksgiving Day parade, cheering for your favorite football team on a special Thursday or indulging in the huge meal, the holiday gives everyone a reason to celebrate. But how often do you miss some of that because you take a nap in the middle of Thanksgiving? When this happens, the tryptophan laden turkey is usually the first suspect. CPAPCentral.com is here to examine the connection between tryptophan and sleep.

What is Tryptophan?

Simply put, tryptophan is an amino acid, which helps to create proteins in the body. It is not produced by the body, which means tryptophan must be consumed in your diet. Tryptophan produces chemicals that aid in a lot of body functions, including producing serotonin. Serotonin can help you relax, which can in turn help you fall asleep.

Where Does Tryptophan Come From?

Tryptophan is found in a variety of foods, including meat, cheese and fish. But, it is most commonly associated with poultry products, especially turkey. Because of this, there is a common belief that eating a lot of turkey at Thanksgiving is the reason you end up taking a nap in the afternoon. But, is this belief fact or fiction?

In truth, it’s not the turkey that makes you sleepy on Thanksgiving, but the nap inducer is found at the Thanksgiving table. Instead of the tryptophan found in protein, it’s more likely the carbs found in the Thanksgiving side dishes that help put you to sleep. Carbohydrates can also boost your serotonin levels, but are easier to digest than protein, which means foods loaded with carbs like stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pies are more likely to cause that drowsiness.

CPAPCentral.com has a variety of CPAP supplies to help you sleep better at night if you have sleep apnea. We wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving!

Dealing with Sleepless Nights

It can be tough to fall asleep some nights. Use these tips to help get the rest you need.

Remember the last time you were so exhausted that all you wanted to do was crawl under the covers and fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow? Did you get the good night sleep you needed or did you struggle to relax and fall asleep. Many of us experience sleepless nights from time to time. You find yourself staring at the ceiling and you can’t turn your brain off. You start thinking about work, bills, things you need to get done this weekend and pretty much anything except falling asleep. CPAPCentral.com is here to help you tackle those sleepless nights, and we have some tips that can help you relax, turn your brain off and fall asleep faster so you can get more rest.

Exercise During the Day

We all know that exercise makes you healthier, but did you know those health benefits extend to helping you sleep better at night? Regular exercise helps increase your metabolism, which not only helps you fall asleep faster and leads to a better quality sleep, but can also help you feel less tired during the day.

Turn Off the Electronics

Technology is a wonderful thing, but there are also disadvantages to being too “plugged in.” Watching television, checking emails and clicking through social media on your smartphone may help you stay in touch with what’s going on, but it also keeps your brain active and makes it much more difficult to fall asleep. Additionally, the light emitted from these devices interferes with your circadian rhythms, making it harder for you to fall asleep. A good rule of thumb is to keep electronics out of your bedroom or “unplug” at least a half hour before bedtime.

Get Rid of the Clock

When you’re having trouble falling asleep, your instinct is to look at the clock to see how long you’ve been in bed. This is the wrong thing to do, because as soon as you look at the clock, you’ll start to get frustrated and start doing math about how long you’ve been in bed, how long you’ll have to sleep when you finally do fall asleep. This keeps your mind active, and makes it harder to fall asleep.

If concerns over your sleep apnea are keeping you awake, CPAPCentral.com can help with a new CPAP machine, CPAP mask or accessories that make using your CPAP equipment more comfortable.

Foods to Avoid Before Bed

Eating these foods before bed may make it difficult for you to fall asleep.

There are certain times when you always feel a little hungry, whether it’s in the middle of the afternoon at your desk or as you’re putting on your pajamas before you go to sleep at night. Snacking is fine, but eating before bed requires a little extra thought, because there are some foods that make it more difficult to fall asleep.

CPAPCentral.com is all about helping people sleep better each night, so we’re here to provide you with a list of foods to avoid before bed so you can get a good night’s sleep.

Food to Avoid: Bacon

We know, this is more of a breakfast food that you might not think of as a midnight snack, and for good reason. Bacon, and other cured meats, actually contain amino acids that trigger the production of norepinephrine, which keeps you awake. Besides, who wants to take the time to fry up bacon at night, anyway?

If you do need a meaty snack before bed, you’re better off with a turkey sandwich. Turkey isn’t a cured meat, and contains tryptophan, which can help you fall asleep.

Food to Avoid: Chocolate

There’s a reason it’s so hard to get the kids to sleep on Halloween night and why you should have them ration their candy. Chocolate contains caffeine, a chemical that does a good job if you’re trying to keep yourself awake. While dark chocolate is good for your heart, it can actually contain as much caffeine as energy drinks.

Rather than eating chocolate, consider a trail mix heavy on nuts and dried fruit, which can actually help you with a more restful sleep.

Food to Avoid: Alcohol

OK, while this may not be a food, there are a lot of people out there who think a nightcap can help them fall asleep. While it’s true that alcohol can help you fall asleep, you won’t get a lot of rest. People who go to bed with alcohol in their system tend to have fitful sleep, making it difficult to reach deeper stages of sleep.

As cliché as it may sound, a glass of warm milk can actually help you fall asleep by stimulating production of melatonin.

CPAPCentral.com is here for people who may need more than a glass a warm milk to help you sleep well. If you have sleep apnea, we have CPAP machines, CPAP masks and other supplies to help you sleep at night. Contact us to learn more.

Relaxation Techniques to Help you Sleep

Falling asleep can be tough, so use these tip to help yourself get in the right frame of mind for sleeping.

If you have sleep apnea, falling asleep can be hard enough, especially if you’re not using CPAP equipment to help treat your sleep disorder. But, even if you use your CPAP equipment the way you’re supposed to, sometimes falling asleep can be a difficult task. CPAPCentral.com knows that from time to time, we all have a little trouble sleeping, and we’re here to help you find a solution that is more reliable than counting sheep.

Give Yourself Time to Get in a Sleepy Mood

For many of us, the day doesn’t end as soon as we walk out of the office at quitting time. You have to drive home, make dinner, spend time with your family, and sometimes do even more work once you get home. We’re used to doing things right up to the moment we go to bed. Instead, in the half hour before bedtime, give yourself time to relax in dim lighting.

Turn of the TV

Even when you are not be doing something stressful, like work, balancing your checkbook or paying the bills, you could still be preventing sleep. Watching TV and surfing the Internet on your computer or smartphone may seem like a harmless distraction, but it keeps your wheels turning and distracts you from sleeping. Turn of the electronics before you go to bed.

Relaxing in Bed

You want to be comfortable when you fall asleep. We don’t think about it very often, but there is a lot that goes into making sure you’re comfortable in bed. Start by finding a sleeping position that creates very little tension and allows you to relax. Once you’ve got your sleeping position, concentrate on your breathing to make sure you’re taking slower, deeper breaths. If you’re focusing on your breathing, you’re not as focused on the distractions of the day.

Following these suggestions can help you fall asleep faster. If you do have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine, you may also want to consider these comfort supplies from CPAPCentral.com to help make sure you’re as comfortable as possible while you sleep.