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Love Your Sleep this Valentine’s Day with Good Sleep Hygiene

This time of the year is filled with hearts, chocolates and flowers. Reminders of romantic love are everywhere right now, but CPAP Central would like to draw attention to one thing people often forget to love—their sleep!

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a lack of sleep can lead to a number of medical conditions, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity and depression. If you love your heart (and not just the paper ones you see everywhere right now), then that means you need to love your sleep as well!

Getting a good night’s sleep can be easier said than done, however. That’s why CPAP Central wants to help you out by offering tips on good sleep hygiene.

First, let’s define what we mean by sleep hygiene. According to the National Sleep Foundation, it’s “a variety of different practices and habits that are necessary to have good nighttime sleep quality and full daytime alertness.” Some of these practices include:

Avoiding nicotine and caffeine close to bedtime. Both can speed up your heart and make it harder to fall asleep.
Don’t drink alcohol close to bedtime. While it can help you fall asleep faster, once your body has processed it, it can cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.
Do a little bit of aerobic exercise every day. Even 10 minutes is enough to help you sleep better. However, you should avoid strenuous exercise late in the evening, as this can actually keep you awake longer.
Keep the temperature of your room cooler at night. A colder room can help promote better sleep.
Try to go to bed at the same time every night.
Stop looking at all lighted screens about an hour before you fall asleep. This includes TVs, cell phones and computer screens. Instead, have a time where you wind down for an hour and read or meditate.

At CPAP Central, we’re all about helping you get the best night’s sleep possible. We understand that sometimes, even a good nighttime routine isn’t enough, especially if you have sleep apnea. That’s why we carry a complete line of CPAP, BiPAP and APAP supplies in our online catalog.

What’s Your CPAP Number?

You may have seen a commercial for a national brand of beds that asks people what their “sleep number” is. Did you know that the same question can also be applied to CPAP machines?

If you’re a veteran user of CPAP machines, than you’re probably already familiar with the term “pressure settings.” For those who are just starting on their sleep apnea therapy journey, you may be mystified by such terminology. CPAP Central would like to clear up any confusion and help you understand what it means to have a “CPAP number.”

CPAP machines blow air through a hose into your nose and/or mouth to open up your airway and prevent the blockages that cause your snoring and gasping for air. The pressure of the air is set at a certain amount, measured in centimeters of water (cmH₂O) to keep your airway clear.

This number is determined during your sleep study. As you sleep, the sleep technician increases the pressure incrementally through the night to see how much pressure it takes to fix the blockage in your airway. For most patients, this number ranges between 6 and 14 cmH₂O, but those with severe sleep apnea may need up to 25-30 cmH₂O.

CPAP machines are set at an optimum level and deliver that same amount of pressure throughout the night. On the other hand, BiPAP machines use two different pressures. The pressure is higher as you inhale (inspiratory positive airway pressure) than when you exhale (expiratory positive airway pressure).

APAP machines automatically tune to the correct pressure setting to keep the airway open on a breath by breath basis. This is regulated by sensors that measure resistance to the air being pumped into the airway.

Your doctor or respiratory therapist should be able to assist you if you’re not comfortable with the amount of pressure you use each night. If you’re new to sleep apnea therapy, you can turn to CPAP Central for help. We’re available for live chat Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, and can guide you to the right equipment. Our online catalog contains everything you need to get the best rest possible.

Sleep Apnea: A Pregnancy Risk for Women

Because men are twice as likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea as women, it’s often thought of as a “male disease.” While most risk factors for the disease apply to men, research is showing that more and more women are also at risk for the sleep disorder. In fact, an exclusively female condition can often cause sleep apnea symptoms—and that condition is pregnancy.

Unfortunately, suffering from sleep apnea during pregnancy can have dangerous effects on both mother and child.

For pregnant women, sleep apnea can be the caused by the many hormonal changes in the female body during pregnancy, as well as the weight gain associated with pregnancy. The resulting periods of no breathing during the night create a lack of oxygen, putting the female mind into “fight or flight” mode.

The body then pumps out massive amounts of adrenaline and cortisol, leading to blood pressure increases (possible preeclampsia) as well as immense glucose production, heightening the risk of diabetes. There is greater risk for women who are already heavy before pregnancy and become obese through weight gain.

A study by the University of South Florida found that newborns whose mothers are diagnosed with sleep apnea are far more likely to wind up in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), most commonly from respiratory distress. This was thought to be because of the increase in C-section births from mothers with sleep apnea.

While sleep apnea symptoms can develop during pregnancy, they can also go away after the birth occurs because the hormones become balanced again and the baby weight comes off.

As a CPAP equipment provider, CPAP Central encourages pregnant mothers and their partners to know the signs of sleep apnea so that the right steps can be taken for treatment. This can help ensure better health for you and your child.

3 Ways to Combat CPAP Winter Blues

Using a CPAP machine during the winter can be downright miserable at times. The dry air can make you wake up with an itchy throat and irritated nasal passageways. The chill can have the opposite effect, giving you a runny nose or making you feel stuffed-up. Then there’s the upper-respiratory infections that seem to be everywhere this time of year.

CPAP Central is here to help. Today, we would like to offer you three ways you can combat the CPAP winter blues:

Humidity is your friend

While humidity can be associated with negative things such as mold and damaged household goods, in the winter time it can be a CPAP user’s best friend. It can eliminate those sore throats and dry noses that you experience during the dead of winter. If your CPAP machine doesn’t come with a humidifier, chances are you’ll be able to add one to it.

Heat the air up.

This is also where humidity can come into play. When the air is cold, your nose will do its best to warm it up before it enters your lungs. This means more blood will go to your nasal passages, since the blood makes things warmer. Unfortunately, additional blood will also encourage mucus production, leaving you stuffed-up.

A heated humidifier combats this by making sure the air coming in from your CPAP machine is already warm by the time it hits your nose. Sometimes, though, the air becomes cooled again as it travels up your tube, causing a rainout effect. Heated tubing will mitigate this.

Don’t stop using your CPAP machine if you’re sick.

We know it can be miserable to use your CPAP machine when you’re sick, but you can actually prolong your illness if you stop. Your body needs rest to fight infections, and if your sleep is interrupted by OSA, you’re not going to get adequate sleep. You can also agitate some symptoms further by not using your CPAP machine.

At CPAP Central, we want your sleep apnea therapy to be as pleasant as possible. Stop by our online catalog today to see our full line of humidifiers, heated tubes and CPAP comfort items.

The 5 Cs of CPAP Therapy Success

With the New Year fully underway, CPAP Central wants you to make a commitment to be more compliant with your sleep apnea therapy. Since this is one of the top things CPAP users struggle with, we thought we would help you by breaking it down into the five Cs of CPAP success:

Communication. To be successful with CPAP therapy, constant communication is necessary with your doctor and CPAP Central. Having a problem with your machine or supplies? Never hesitate to get in contact with us. We are available by live chat on our website Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., EST. It is our goal to provide you top notch products and service.
Cleaning. A CPAP machine and supplies cannot always function properly if they are not clean. That’s why we have a wide variety of cleaning products in our online catalog. One of the must-haves to keep your sleep apnea therapy in tip-top shape is the SoClean by Better Rest Solutions. It uses atomized air to automatically clean all your equipment for you.
Consistency. The best way to get used to your CPAP equipment is to use it on a regular basis. The saying goes that it takes 21 days to form a habit and 90 days to form a lifestyle. By consistently using your sleep apnea therapy equipment, it will eventually become an indispensable part of your life.
Comfort. We understand that you are less likely to use your sleep therapy device if it is uncomfortable. CPAP Central wants you to have the utmost comfort while sleeping with your CPAP therapy, so if your CPAP mask doesn’t fit well, let us know so we can replace it. We also carry a number of items in our online catalog that can help your CPAP experience become much more enjoyable.
Connect. Connecting with others can make your CPAP therapy less stressful. Seek support and advice from others in the sleep apnea community. You may learn something about CPAP therapy that you never knew before.

CPAP Central wishes you well in 2017 and we want you to be successful with your CPAP therapy. By following these five steps, you’ll put yourself on the track to better sleep and better health.

Resolve to Sleep Better this New Year

It’s estimated that 38% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions each year, but only 8% enjoy full success while 49% achieve partial success. That leaves a whopping 43% of resolutions makers unsuccessful. With statistics like that it may seem like New Year’s resolutions are a lost cause.

Many people make resolutions about their health—quitting smoking, exercising more, eating healthier and losing weight are common ones. Other goals include taking up a hobby or being kinder to others.

There’s one resolution few people make, however: getting better sleep.

Oddly enough, resolving to get better sleep could actually make many of your self-improvement goals take care of themselves.

Lack of sleep causes:

–Depression. Among other things, depression can cause you to lose interest in the things you used to love. So, that hobby you’ve been wanting to take back up? You might not have any success with it due to your lack of sleep.

–Cognitive Issues. If you’re wanting to take up a hobby that’s creative or requires some learning, a lack of sleep could get in your way. It causes memory loss and interferes with your ability to think creatively.

–Weight gain. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases higher amounts of lipid in your blood stream, which makes eating more pleasurable. Evidence also shows that lack of sleep also leads to hunger hormones become altered. Both of these lead to overeating when we’re tired. In addition to eating too much, when we’re sleep-deprived, we don’t have the same kind of energy to exercise as we would when we’re fully rested.

–Mood swings. If you’re trying to be more decent to your fellow human, or maybe rekindle relationships that went to the wayside, your lack of sleep could be setting you up for failure. It negatively impacts your emotions, causing you to have a shorter temper and more mood swings.

Resolve to improve your sleep, and you will be resolving to improve your whole life. Take the time to consider your sleep habits and look for area to make improvement. At CPAP Central we have a vast array of suggestions and tips to help you get a good night sleep.

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, CPAP Central would like to challenge you to make the resolution to better sleep! We know how compliance can be difficult, but we’re here for you. Our online catalog has a wide variety of CPAP masks, CPAP accessories and CPAP supplies, all of which can aid you in sticking to your sleep apnea therapy.

Holiday Travel and Your CPAP

The holiday season is here, and for many that means traveling to spend time with friends and family. Whether you’re flying or driving, CPAP users will find a unique set of obstacles during their travels. But with the right preparation and knowledge, you and your CPAP can travel with ease.

Bring a portable CPAP machine.

Just like other forms of technology, CPAP machines have been getting smaller over time. However, the most compact ones are those made for travel. Because of their smaller size, travel CPAP machines are also easier to use in the compact space of a plane, car or hotel room. Some of them even have a DC mobile adapter added to them, so you can plug in while your partner drives.

You cannot be prevented from using your CPAP machine on the plane.

Make sure you alert your flight staff that you will require the use of a CPAP machine if you’re on an overnight flight. Since it is a medical device, you legally cannot be denied the use of your CPAP machine. However, many airlines only offer outlets in business or first class sections of the plane, so plan accordingly.

The TSA will likely examine your CPAP machine for explosives.

This is what’s known as an ETD, or Explosive Trace Detection. TSA officials will run a white cotton swab over the surface of your machine and test it for traces of explosives. Most TSA officials have seen a CPAP machine come through their line before, so it’s doubtful they will give you much trouble. Just like a laptop, you can leave all your supplies in the bag while they examine the machine itself.

While you may be tempted to skip out on your sleep apnea therapy during the holidays, CPAP Central encourages you to stay compliant. Without your CPAP machine, you may find yourself falling asleep during family gatherings or being short with those around you. If you need a travel CPAP machine for your next trip, check out our online catalog to see what we have in stock!

Great stocking stuffers for the CPAP user in your life

The holidays are just around the corner, and many people are getting their last-minute shopping done. If you are among them, then you’re in luck! We have a few stocking stuffer suggestions to give a little more comfort to the CPAP user on your shopping list:

Aromatherapy

Did you know that essential oils can be enjoyed right from a CPAP machine? The oils from Pur-Sleep are specially crafted to be used with CPAP and BiPAP machines. Enjoy the calming fragrance of lavender, or the sweet scent of cherry or oranges. You can buy individual scents from our online catalog, or the Pur-Sleep™ Aromatherapy Basic Starter Kit.

Hose Management System

Does your partner’s CPAP hose always seem to get tangled up or in the way? The HoseBuddy CPAP Tubing Management System might be just the ticket! It comes with a stand and a swiveling hook, which holds the excess hose above your partner’s head while matching their movement throughout the night, thus preventing it from getting in the way.

CPAP Mask Liners

If your partner has concerns about their complexion, then CPAP mask liners would be a welcome gift. These liners sit between the CPAP mask and face, creating a barrier that allows the skin to breathe easier. They absorb some of the grease and sweat from the skin as well, leaving a nice healthy glow.

Tube Covers

CPAP tubing can sometimes be uncomfortable to sleep next to, which is why we carry the Respironics Tubing Insulator Cover. This cover goes on the outside of the tubing, and not only does it make the tubing less hard, it also helps prevent rainout. It easily fits over a 6-foot CPAP/BiPAP tube and is secured with a nylon cord and Velcro.

CPAP Bed Pillow

Is your partner a side sleeper? Then they may love the Double Edge PAPillow! This was made specifically for CPAP users who sleep on their side. This pillow reduces the CPAP mask leaks that can occur as a result of sleeping in that position. It allows the mask to be elevated over the pillow, instead of pressing uncomfortably into it.

With these items, you can give your partner the gift of comfort this holiday season. For a limited time, CPAP Central is offering free shipping on all orders over $99, so you’ve never had a better reason to stock up on these items. We also have an array of other comfort items in our online catalog, so you can truly personalize your gift-giving.

Save Time with the SoClean

Dishes pile up in the sink, the litter box becomes full, and the trash can is overflowing. If you’re so busy that you have trouble getting to your regular household chores, we’re going to guess that you don’t often get the opportunity to clean your CPAP machine and supplies as well.

Just like they made dishwashers, trash compactors, and litter boxes that clean themselves, there is also a product that automatically cleans your CPAP machine and supplies: the SoClean® 2 CPAP Cleaner and Sanitizer.

Made by Better Rest Solutions, the SoClean uses atomized air to kill 99.9% of the bacteria that builds up in your CPAP supplies. It does this by using an activated oxygen generator. The air that surrounds us is made of two atoms of oxygen. What SoClean does is breaks down the air molecules and then re-combines them into a molecule made up of three atoms of oxygen. This type of molecule is known as activated oxygen.

The activated oxygen is then circulated through the CPAP machine via the humidifier chamber. It also makes its way to the hose and mask, killing organic matter it comes into contact with, including mold, bacteria, and viruses.

Activated oxygen is one of the safest methods of sanitation. In fact, many municipal water facilities use it to purify the water you drink. Oxygen doesn’t stay activated long and breaks down into the regular, two-atom oxygen after a couple of hours.

The SoClean looks like a rectangular-shaped box. To use it, you first connect your hose to your CPAP machine and your CPAP mask, as if you were about to use it for the night. Then you open up the top of the SoClean and put the CPAP mask inside. It then pumps the activated the oxygen through your entire device, sanitizing the water in the humidifier reservoir and killing germs on the surfaces.

It takes about 10 minutes for the air to cycle through the CPAP machine, followed by a two hour waiting period for the oxygen to de-activate.

You have enough problems finding time for everything you need to get done throughout the day. Don’t let cleaning your CPAP machine be another one. With free shipping on all orders over $99, there’s never been a better time to order it from our online catalog.

Help! My Ears Are Popping During CPAP

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You settle in for the night with your CPAP mask on, and set the pressure to exactly what feels right on your throat. But as you start to drift off, your ears suddenly start popping. It gets so bad that you can’t sleep and end up turning off your CPAP machine—only to wake up exhausted because you were constantly waking up from sleep apnea.

This phenomenon is certainly not unheard-of for sleep apnea patients. Here’s a few things that might be causing popping ears—and what you can do about them:

Swallowing Air

Known as “aerophagia,” this is when the air from your CPAP machine goes into your stomach instead of your lungs. Whenever you swallow, the pressure between your middle nose and ear become equal. However, if you have an external change in pressure, this can cause your ears to pop if you swallow. Think about what it’s like when you swallow on an airplane or elevator—your ears pop. The same is true with a CPAP machine—you have external pressure, plus the change in internal pressure from swallowing. Those two things combined can cause your ears to pop.

So, what can I do?

Sometimes, all it takes is adjusting the pressure on your CPAP machine. Other times, you might want to try a different CPAP mask—or making sure the one you have fits you correctly. Chin straps can also help alleviate this affect.

GERD

GERD, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, causes a band of muscles at the end of your esophagus to not close properly, allowing some of your stomach contents to leak in your stomach or throat. Using CPAP can exacerbate GERD, especially if you have aerophagia on top of that. As the air enters the stomach, it can cause some of the stomach contents to come back up, causing your ears to pop.

So, what can I do?

Sleeping at an angle can help prevent some stomach contents to from coming back up. Eating light suppers or not eating several hours before bedtime is another fix. Wearing a full-faced CPAP mask can also cause you to swallow a lot of air, so switching to a nasal mask or nasal pillows can help. Finally, switching from a CPAP machine to a BiPAP machine can address the issue of GERD.

At CPAP Central, we want to help everyone remain CPAP compliant. If you’re wanting to change some of your equipment to see if it addresses popping ears, stop by our online catalog. We have everything you need to get a good night’s sleep.