If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you’ve probably heard plenty of complaints from your partner about your snoring. Now that you have your CPAP equipment, he or she may now be complaining about the noise coming from your machine.

Instead of throwing your hands up in the air and dismissing this as a no-win situation, take these four tips into consideration for a quieter CPAP experience:

• Move the CPAP machine to below ear-level.

 

Most people tend to put their CPAP machine on the nightstand next to their bed, but this can increase the noise level you experience throughout the night. A better alternative is to place it on a footstool and use a longer hose. You may also want to place it on top of a towel or other soft surface, so it doesn’t vibrate.

 

• Swap out the CPAP filter.

 

You should be changing your CPAP filter once a month anyway, as a part of routine maintenance. A filter reduces the amount of dust particles that enter your airways and extends the life of your machine. Keeping the filter clean also reduces the amount of noise coming from your CPAP. If it seemed to suddenly get louder overnight, it might be time to change out the filter.

 

• Use a different CPAP mask.

 

Even if your machine isn’t making a lot of noise, your mask may still cause a cacophony. Certain CPAP masks are designed to give you a quieter experience. Some of these include the AirFit P10, the Swift FX and the Quattro Air.

 

• Upgrade your CPAP machine.

 

If it’s been a while since you bought your CPAP machine, it might be time to upgrade! The technology surrounding these devices is always evolving, including the noise levels. Some of the quieter machines include the Dreamstation, the AirSense 10 and the Airmini.

 

 

If you’re ready to upgrade to a more silent machine, swing by CPAPCentral.com. We carry the latest in sleep apnea therapy technology, and our experts are available via live chat Monday through Friday from 8:30AM – 4:30PM EST.

There’s many reasons why you wander through the day bleary-eyed. Somnipathy, the medical term for sleeping disorders, affects approximately 40 million people in the United States. If you’re among them, you may automatically assume that you have insomnia. However, it’s estimated that about 80 percent of those with sleep apnea go undiagnosed.

That’s why CPAPCentral.com will compare these two disorders side-by-side so you can see which symptoms more closely match yours:

Sleep Apnea

• Definition- When your sleep is interrupted because you stop breathing.
• Cause- The causes can vary, depending on if you have Central or Obstructive Sleep Apnea. In Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a part of your soft palate collapses, blocking your airway. In Central Sleep Apnea, your brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing.
• Symptoms: Loud snoring, choking or gasping in your sleep, daytime drowsiness, depression and issues with weight gain.
• Treatment: The most common way to treat sleep apnea is through Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP. Other options can also include surgery or weight loss.

Insomnia

• Definition—When you cannot fall asleep, or you wake up a couple of hours after falling asleep and cannot go back to sleep.
• Cause—A variety of things can cause insomnia, including anxiety disorders, depression, stress, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal changes and other physical causes. Sometimes, lifestyle choices can affect insomnia, including alcohol and tobacco use.
• Symptoms—Laying awake in bed and unable to fall asleep, no matter how tired you are.
• Treatment: Treatments can vary according to cause. Sometimes, a drug can be prescribed for mental or physical causes. Other times, lifestyle changes will need to be made in order to address it.

If you suspect you have one of the above disorders, make an appointment with your doctor right away for a sleep study. CPAPCentral.com can supply you with everything you need to effectively treat sleep apnea. Our online resource center can give you the tools you need to educate yourself about this condition, and our online chat is available from Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Staying CPAP compliant isn’t a fire-and-forget method. In order to effectively combat your sleep apnea, you must not only diligently use it every night—you must also make sure you’re keeping up with the regular maintenance.

 

If you’re not already following this schedule when it comes to taking care of your CPAP supplies, we urge you to do so:

 

1 Month – CPAP Cushions, Pillows and Filters

 

Once a month, examine your CPAP mask nasal cushions and CPAP pillows to see if they have any discoloration or cracks. If they do, you run the risk of irritating your skin and should consider replacing these aging CPAP supplies. This is also the time when you want to replace the filter in your CPAP machine, as it helps fight allergens.

 

3 Months – CPAP Mask

 

You need to examine your CPAP mask at the three-month mark to see if it needs to be replaced. If you are regularly cleaning it and replacing any worn-out CPAP mask pillows and CPAP mask cushions, then there’s a good chance that it’s still usable. However, if the CPAP mask is discolored, bent or torn, it’s time to replace it.

 

6 Months – CPAP Water Chamber and Mask Straps

 

At the six month mark, examine the water chamber to your CPAP machine’s humidifier. If it is cloudy or discolored, it may need to be replaced. Likewise, your CPAP tubing can harbor bacteria, so you also want to replace it at 6 months. Finally, this is also around the time that the elastic or Velcro on your headgear or chin strap can become worn.

 

CPAPCentral.com you need to stay CPAP compliant. Our experts are here to answer any questions you may have about your sleep apnea therapy. Get in contact with us today if it’s time for you to replace any of your supplies!

 

 

Staying CPAP compliant isn’t a fire-and-forget method. In order to effectively combat your sleep apnea, you must not only diligently use it every night—you must also make sure you’re keeping up with the regular maintenance.

 

If you’re not already following this schedule when it comes to taking care of your CPAP supplies, we urge you to do so:

 

1 Month – CPAP Cushions, Pillows and Filters

 

Once a month, examine your CPAP mask nasal cushions and CPAP pillows to see if they have any discoloration or cracks. If they do, you run the risk of irritating your skin and should consider replacing these aging CPAP supplies. This is also the time when you want to replace the filter in your CPAP machine, as it helps fight allergens.

 

3 Months – CPAP Mask

 

You need to examine your CPAP mask at the three-month mark to see if it needs to be replaced. If you are regularly cleaning it and replacing any worn-out CPAP mask pillows and CPAP mask cushions, then there’s a good chance that it’s still usable. However, if the CPAP mask is discolored, bent or torn, it’s time to replace it.

 

6 Months – CPAP Water Chamber and Mask Straps

 

At the six month mark, examine the water chamber to your CPAP machine’s humidifier. If it is cloudy or discolored, it may need to be replaced. Likewise, your CPAP tubing can harbor bacteria, so you also want to replace it at 6 months. Finally, this is also around the time that the elastic or Velcro on your headgear or chin strap can become worn.

 

CPAPCentral.com you need to stay CPAP compliant. Our experts are here to answer any questions you may have about your sleep apnea therapy. Get in contact with us today if it’s time for you to replace any of your supplies!