It’s true; not all CPAP masks are created equal.  This is why the team at CPAP Central wants you to be fully aware of the pros and cons to each CPAP mask style.

CPAP Nasal Pillows Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Touches less of your face, making it ideal for CPAP users with claustrophobia.
• Doesn’t affect line of sight, making it great for those who watch TV before bed.
• Best for those with glasses as nothing is covering the bridge of the nose.
• Air flows directly into the nasal passage, reducing air leaks.
• Stays in place for active sleepers.
• Works well for those with beards and mustaches.

Cons:

• Doesn’t work well if CPAP user is prescribed with high pressure.
• Sometimes direct pressure causes dryness or even nose bleeds.
• Won’t work for mouth breathers unless accompanied by chin strap.

CPAP Nasal Masks Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Less direct air flow than CPAP Nasal Pillows design
• Works better with high pressure.
• Many designs for different facial features.
• Great for CPAP users who sleep on their side.

Cons:

• If CPAP user is a mouth breather, must be accompanied by chin strap.
• Some complain of irritation at bridge of nose, where CPAP mask must be in contact with.
• Not great for nasal congestion, colds or allergies.
• Won’t work for CPAP users who have difficulty breathing through nose because of health conditions such as deviated septum, narrowed nasal valve, etc.

CPAP Full Face Masks Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Best solution for mouth breathers.
• Best solution for those with nasal congestion.
• Some CPAP users that are claustrophobic prefer CPAP full face mask that covers entire face, only touching outer frame of face.
• Best solution for those prescribed with high pressure.
• Best solution for those who sleep on their back.

Cons:

• Higher change of air leaks.
• Air leaks at top of mask can cause dry eyes.
• Often affects line of sight, which isn’t ideal for those who watch TV or wear glasses before bed.
• Not ideal for stomach sleepers.

Thankfully, CPAP Central carries all kinds of CPAP masks and have CPAP therapy experts waiting to chat with you about which CPAP mask design may be right for you.  Visit CPAP Central today to explore our CPAP masks and order your next mask for the best online price available with free pricing on orders over $99!

Summer is in full swing, which means so are the summer parties like weddings, family reunions, grill outs and backyard gatherings.  And something that often goes hand in hand with summer parties is alcohol consumption.  The reason CPAP Central cares about your alcohol consumption is because it can dramatically affect your sleep apnea treatment.  Let us describe why your “nightcap” may be doing more harm than good when it comes to CPAP usage.

1. As a depressant, alcohol causes the muscles in your airway to relax, making your sleep apnea worse. You might have heard the phrase, “I only snore when I drink” which proves that even those that don’t usually suffer from sleep apnea, may suffer from it after a few drinks.
2. As a sedative, alcohol may help you fall asleep, but you won’t sleep as long as you should or not with the quality of sleep that you otherwise enjoy when you are sober. The reasoning is that alcohol disrupts REM sleep or the second half of the sleep cycle which is associated with memories.  Disturbed REM equals a restless night.
3. As a good rule of thumb, stop drinking four hours before you plan to hit the hay. This will allow your body to process the alcohol and affect your sleep apnea treatment less.
4. Another option is to switch to an Auto CPAP or APAP if you don’t already use one. This type of CPAP machine will adjust the pressure to your breathing and could accommodate the change in breathing resulting from a few alcoholic drinks.

CPAP Central carries a variety of excellent Auto CPAP machines such as the AirCurve 10, the DreamStation and System One REMStar.  We offer FREE SHIPPING on order over $99, live chat with CPAP experts and the best online prices available for all CPAP supplies.

When you look back on your childhood, did it seem like your mother was always tired?  To the mothers out there, do you feel worn out?  As mothers, we often chalk it up to traditional mom-like duties such as running children to their activities, managing all meals of the day for all members of the family or what felt like hours of holding a crying baby in the middle of the night.  But what if we told you that it could be more than a busy lifestyle?

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), the average women between the ages of 30 and 60 sleep just six hours and forty-one minutes during the work week and are more likely to have difficulty falling asleep.  Some of the disorders that may be causing this include:

Insomnia in Women

A NSF Sleep in America poll revealed that women are 9 percent more likely to report symptoms of insomnia than men.  Common causes found for insomnia in women include menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.  Cures reported were exercise, diet change and improving their sleep environment.

Nocturnal Sleep-Related Eating Disorder in Women

Studies show over 66 percent of individuals that suffer from this uncommon condition where the individual eats food during the night while appearing to be asleep are in fact women.  This disorder has been caused by certain prescription medications or even sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.

Nighttime Pain in Women

Women are 10 percent more likely to suffer from nighttime pain, according to a 1996 NSF Gallup Poll.  Nighttime pain includes migraines, tension headaches, rheumatic or arthritis conditions and heartburn, which are all commonly found in women.  Cures reported were relaxation techniques, medications and cognitive therapy.

Restless Legs Syndrome in Women

Amazingly, 18 percent of American adult females reported suffering from this condition in a 2002 NSF study.  Possible causes reported were iron or foliate deficiencies which are common in women.  Cures reported were iron supplements, medications and lifestyle changes.

So next time you think your late-night eating, restless leg, midnight migraines or trouble falling asleep is caused by your busy family schedule, think again and see your doctor right away.  The team at CPAP Central is here for you if sleep apnea comes back as your diagnoses. Our experts are available via live chat, and we have a wide variety of CPAP machines available!

For both the seasoned and new CPAP machine user, a first time traveling with equipment can be a bit daunting. Fortunately, the pros at CPAP Central here to help! Check out these travel tips to get your holiday plans started off right.

 

Air travel with your CPAP machine

To help protect your CPAP machine, we recommend that you always carry it onto the plane with you. Luckily, as your machine is medical equipment, it can be brought on board without counting towards your carry-on luggage allowance. For the same reason, you are allowed to use your CPAP machine during a long or overnight flight, if you require it. If you think you might need to use your machine in-flight, be sure to complete these steps before your journey:

 

• Contact the airline at least two weeks before your trip to get approval to use your machine in-flight. If the airline provides an approval letter after this process, be sure to carry it with you while traveling.

 

• Check with the airline’s reservation team to ensure that your seat is located near a power outlet, and that you have the type of power adaptor that’s needed for the aircraft. Be aware that in some cases, power outlets (often called EmPower outlets) are only available to those seated in business and first class.

 

• Obtain a note from your physician stating that you require CPAP therapy, and a copy of your machine’s prescription and latest sleep study. Keep these with your airline’s approval letter, and be prepared to show all documents to TSA and aircraft personnel.

 

If your machine has an attached humidifier, remove and dry it before packing your unit for travel. Do not use the humidifier while traveling, as airplane turbulence or fellow passengers can cause bumps to the machine or damage to your device.

 

Consider a travel CPAP machine

Did you know that CPAP machines are also available in small, more convenient sizes for travel? Travel CPAP machines are compact, light, and excellent for use on airplanes or in hotel rooms. And many of them come with built-in humidifiers! We have a great selection here at CPAP Central, and we’d be happy to help you find a travel machine that fits your needs.

 

Plan ahead to make your holiday travel a little easier this year! To learn more about travel size CPAP units and hard travel cases, or if you have any other questions about traveling with your equipment, the experts at CPAP Central are just a click away.