The stereotype about those who live with sleep apnea is that they’re unfit and overweight. But that doesn’t hold up when you look at professional sports. A number of prominent athletes have sleep apnea, and they’re some of the most physically-fit people in the country! We’re going to take a look at a few:

Percy Harvin

Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin suffered from headaches that were so bad, he once passed out at practice and be taken away in an ambulance. During his subsequent four-day stay in a hospital, doctors tested him for sleep apnea. His heart stopped 8 times during the test, sometimes for up to 10 seconds. After starting his CPAP treatment, his headaches went away.

Anthony Bennett

The 23-year old power forward for the Brooklyn Nets found himself getting winded during games, due to a combination of asthma and sleep apnea. Since starting treatment, he’s reportedly breathing better on the court.

JaMarcus Russell

The former quarterback was criticized in the media for his weight struggle, which he attributes to sleep apnea. His condition was first discovered when he was dozing off during morning practices.

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaq has been very public about his “attack” on sleep apnea. Harvard Medical School even documents his journey in a short video. The basketball legend has moderate OSA, and said he’s had more energy since starting treatment.

Reggie White

Sleep apnea actually took this beloved 90’s star of the Green Bay Packers away from us. He passed away at the age of 43 due to heart problems caused by the disorder. His widow, Sara White, has created the Reggie White Foundation, which raises awareness of sleep apnea.

Warren Sapp

Superbowl champion Warren Sapp also works to raise awareness for sleep apnea through the Sleep Apnea Prevention Project. He said that for his whole life, no one has been able to sleep next to him because of his snoring. What ultimately made him seek treatment was the death of his friend and fellow football star Reggie White.

From young up-and-coming stars to legendary athletes raising awareness, it’s clear that sleep apnea does not discriminate. If you think you have sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor about setting up a sleep test. CPAP Central is your one-stop shop for all your sleep apnea therapy needs. We can help you start on the road to good health!

Do you prefer to curl up in a ball when you go to sleep, or stretch out over the entire bed? Everyone has a sleep position they prefer, but did you know that it can also impact your sleep apnea? CPAP Central wants to help you get the best sleep possible, which is why today we’re talking about sleep positions.

The Stargazer

This is where you sleep flat on your back, facing the ceiling. This is the most ideal position for your neck and back. However, it’s the worst for your sleep apnea! This position allows for gravity to pull the soft tissues of the tongue down into the back of the throat, thereby narrowing the airway and causing an obstruction.

The Freefaller

This is where you sleep on your side or your stomach, with your head turned to the side. Both of these sleep positions create a forward movement in the soft tissue and tongue to naturally prevent a blockage from occurring. On the downside, these positions can be hard to adjust to with a CPAP mask on, especially a full face mask. Your pillow can push against the edge of the mask causing a leak. That being said, it may take some trial and error to find a side or prone position that works for you.

The Curler

This is where you arch your back, bend your knees, and have your face turned sideways. You’re essentially curled into a ball or in a fetal position. This position can cause neck and back pain. It’s also not ideal for sleep apnea, as it restricts diaphragmatic breathing.

Sleeping positions often come down to preference—some just feel so much better than others! The same can also be said of CPAP masks. Some of them just feel better than others. Your comfort is an important thing to take into consideration when it comes to sleep. Check out our selection of CPAP supplies on our online catalog, and find the perfect accoutrements to your sleep!

Ever feel dried out after waking up from a night of CPAP therapy?  You’re not alone. The pressurized air that pushes through the CPAP machine is notorious for leaving users waking up with the sensation that they have a desert inside their throats and nasal passages.

Luckily, there’s a pretty simple fix for this. You can attach a humidifier to your CPAP machine, adding moisture to the air that’s pushed through. Humidifiers can also resolve congestion issues and decrease the amount of nasal resistance that can lead to mouth breathing and leaks.

A CPAP humidifier can be built-in, integrated or a standalone machine. Here are the differences:

• Built-in humidifier – This component is designed to be a part of the CPAP machine and cannot be removed or separated.
• Integrated humidifier – This component fits a CPAP machine, eliminating the need for a second hose and in some heated humidifiers, a second cord.
• Standalone humidifier – This component will work with any CPAP machine and doesn’t attach to the machine. It uses its own power cord and typically a short hose connected to the CPAP machine.

Most models of CPAP machines have a place for a humidifier to easily be attached and used without much difficulty. You can find both in our online catalog.

Once you’ve identified what kind of humidifier you need, you can then choose between one that is heated or cooled:

• Cool Passover Humidifiers – This machine uses room temperature air to pass over the room temperature water in the humidifier chamber.
• Heated Humidifiers – This machine heats the water in the chamber as the air moves over it, picking up the humidity and heat, and then delivering it to your airway.

Either option eliminates the sore throats and dry noses that you have experienced in the past.

Here at CPAP Central, we want you to experience your CPAP therapy with comfort and ease. Check out our wide selection of humidifiers, and experience the difference they can make for your sleep!

Whenever we get stressed out, we tend to do bad things to our health—such as smoking, reaching for comfort food, and tossing and turning in the night.  One thing you shouldn’t do, however, is stop your CPAP therapy.

Did you know that stress can actually increase the severity of your sleep apnea symptoms? In a catch-22, those who are newly diagnosed with sleep apnea often stress out over it! Here are some ways to reduce stress before going to sleep:

• Stay strong with your treatment- This may just seem like another thing on your to-do list, but it actually benefits you. Using your CPAP machine will help you get the quality sleep you need to recharge for the next day’s tasks.

• Ask for help and delegate- Don’t feel bad about asking for help if you’re feeling overwhelmed, or to delegate tasks to your spouse or kids. Dividing tasks to other members of the family helps things get completed and crossed off your list; and to get you feeling more relaxed.

• Take some time for yourself- Take 15-20 minutes every day for yourself to do what you want to do. Read a book, watch TV or think about anything but the tasks at hand.

• Don’t rush yourself – Take your time to get tasks done. If you run out of time, ask for someone else to help or finish it the next day. You shouldn’t have to stress to get everything organized or done around your home.

• Breathe!—Practice breathing exercises before you go to sleep. This not only has a calming effect, it can also signal to your body that it’s time to wind down for bed—giving you a better sleep!

We all need quality sleep, especially during the stressful times. If you have any CPAP questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us at CPAP Central. We look forward to hearing from you!

Most students associate college with all-night study sessions, followed by all-night socializing. But for students who have sleep apnea, getting enough rest at night can be a much bigger priority. If you are a CPAP user/student, here are some tips on adjusting to a school with your CPAP machine:

• Request a dorm room with air conditioning. If you’re attending college in the northern part of the United States, there’s a good chance that your dorm may have been constructed without it. While having AC makes no difference for half the year in northern universities, there are still heat waves during the first part of the fall semester. It’s going to be difficult to sleep with a CPAP mask on those hot nights. You may need to provide proof of medical necessity to your residence department, but it’s well worth the effort.
• Make sure you sit down with your roommate(s) on the first day and explain to them what the CPAP machine is and what they can expect. If you have a noisier model, they may want to request a transfer to another room, so they aren’t disturbed at night. Remember not to take it personally—they need their sleep as much as you do.
• Don’t be ashamed of your medically-necessary device. Many college students have never heard of sleep apnea, and your peers are more likely to be curious than demeaning. Remember, you are all in college to learn. Use this as an opportunity to educate those around you, whether it’s in conversation, personal essays or class presentations.

This exciting time of your life is full of changes and possibilities. However, one thing that shouldn’t change is your sleep apnea treatment. Here at CPAP Central we can make sure that your CPAP supplies stay in great shape throughout your collegiate career. Contact us today to prepare yourself with everything you need to keep you healthy at school.

It’s vacation time! If you’re not up for a road trip, chances are you’ll find yourself on a plane, cruise ship or a train. Vacationing with CPAP machines isn’t as hard as you think.  Don’t think because you have one, it limits you to your home or commutes around town.  It is very common to see people carry their CPAP machines and supplies just like any other bag.

Keep in mind, if you are traveling internationally and you have a newer machine, it will be compatible with different voltages you might come across.  Make sure to pack those universal power supplies. If not, you’ll have to run off the available power system.

Make sure whether you are on a plane or train to reserve a seat that is handicap accessible or has enough room to compensate for the CPAP machine.  Make sure to tell the airline, cruise ship or train company that you’ll need to use it if you travel overnight. They may ask for a doctor’s note and prescription information. Be sure to explain any special regulations or accommodations you’ll need on the trip.

Keep in mind while traveling to get to your check-in or security check-in at least two hours before departure.  This allows enough time to have security check through your CPAP machine bag. CPAP machines can be checked in and classified as checked luggage or carry-on items.

Security will more than likely inspect your machine and supplies and remove the machine from the travel case, while not un-hooking the face mask or tubes. They will also be checked for explosive traces. For everything to expect during a TSA examination of your CPAP machine, check out our previous blog on the topic.

CPAP Central offers a wide selection of CPAP equipment, including travel-sized CPAP machines. Please feel free to contact us with any questions!

Depression and sleep apnea are two very distinct and different illnesses that can be tied together for many people. Sleep disorders like sleep apnea and depression may both share biological factors, and treating the sleep apnea may go a long way in treating the depression.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, results from one study showed that close to 73 percent of sleep apnea patients had clinically significant symptoms of baseline depression. That number was cut down to 4 percent after participants spent three months being CPAP compliant.

One of the biggest similarities in the two disorders is how often they go undiagnosed and untreated. Studies show that as many as half of all people that have clinical depression are undiagnosed. If you are struggling with depression as well as the following symptoms, you might want ask your doctor about being screened for obstructive sleep apnea:

• Daytime fatigue
• Irritability and difficulty concentrating
• Sleep that never feels like “enough”
• Trouble falling asleep
• Trouble going back to sleep after waking up during the night
• Waking up at all hours of the night
• Waking up before the alarm clock goes off

Aside from showing depressive symptoms, those with obstructive sleep apnea are also at risk for a number of other health risks, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Getting a good night’s sleep can go a long way towards managing your depression.  That’s where we come in. CPAP Central offers a wide variety of CPAP machines, CPAP masks and CPAP supplies that are a great way to treat sleep apnea and sleep better.

Using a CPAP mask been proven to significantly reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of depression while also treating sleep apnea. Medication and counseling are also recommended and should not be stopped without talking to your doctor.

We tend to think of the classic sleep apnea patient as an overweight, middle-aged man. While that may be true in many cases, they are certainly not the only group that suffers from sleep apnea. What about children?  That’s right; sleep apnea doesn’t just affect men and women, it also affects children.

Like all sleep apnea, it can go undiagnosed for quite a while. The main thing to notice in a child who may have sleep apnea is their behavior. Lack of concentration and disruptive behavior are two of the most common results, but these may often be diagnosed as other problems like ADHD or ADD. Being overly tired, crying easily, exaggerated moods (mainly bad ones) and trouble staying awake in school are all potential signs. Many parents and grandparents may just see these behaviors as kids being kids, so look more carefully.

There are other red flags for pediatric sleep apnea besides behavioral changes. They can include weight loss or not being able to gain weight, snoring and mouth breathing, a sore throat in the morning and restless nights.

If you suspect that your child has sleep apnea, a pediatric sleep study can be done to help confirm the diagnosis.

Should the sleep study come back positive for sleep apnea, your doctor will probably first recommend an adenotonsillectomy, tonsillotomy or a tonsillectomy. Having enlarged tonsils and adenoids are a common childhood problem, and their removal can aid in OSA treatment. In the past, doctors were much quicker to have the tonsils removed than they are today. If surgery is not an option, the next line of treatment will often be CPAP.

No matter what age a patient is, CPAP Central has CPAP machines to fit your needs. You will find the right size and style of CPAP masks and CPAP supplies by visiting our website today.

It’s the hot time of the year, which means you may find yourself tossing and turning at night. CPAP Central would like to offer some tips on getting a good rest sleep no matter how hot it gets this summer:

1. Keep the house from heating up during the day by keeping the house dark during the day. Close your blinds and pull your curtains or drapes in the morning and leave them closed during the heat of the day, especially on south and west sides of the house. Look into lined curtains that are built to keep light and heat out. Before drapes were decorative, they were used to keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer months. This will help you from having to run the air conditioning as much during the day too.
2. Keep windows closed. Letting in the hot, moist air of an open window will heat your house. A hot breeze is not a good breeze.
3. Change your sheets. Choose breathable cotton sheets for the best feeling of coolness. Look for a higher thread count and replace bedding that has worn too thin. Cotton will feel cooler against your skin and keep you from sweating as you sleep.
4. Lose the big, fluffy pillows. Think about it; when most of your head is surrounded in a pillow, your head will be hot and you can only flip to the cool side of the pillow so many times!
5. Run the air conditioning when you sleep. You won’t need to set it as cool as you would when you are awake and moving around because our bodies are more susceptible to feeling cold when we are asleep.

If you use a CPAP machine from CPAP Central the rest of the year, keep using it in the summer. If your device has a humidifier, continue to use it. It may be humid outside, but you need to worry about the humidity on the INSIDE of the house. Remember, sleep apnea doesn’t look at a calendar.

Who cares if you didn’t get enough sleep? There’s always coffee, right?

If only it were that easy! As we mentioned in an earlier blog this month, a lack of sleep can be downright deadly. However, rather than talking about all the BAD things that will happen when you don’t get enough Zs, today we’re going to talk about the positive side effects of a good night’s rest:

• It can improve memory- your mind is surprisingly busy while you snooze. During sleep you strengthen memories or “practice” skills learned while you were awake.

• It can help you live longer- too little sleep is bad, but so is too much sleep. Strike a balance.

• It curbs inflammation- research indicates that people who get less sleep—six or fewer hours a night—have higher blood levels of inflammatory proteins than those who get more.

• It spurs creativity- researchers at Harvard University and Boston College found that people seem to strengthen the emotional components of memory during sleep, which may help spur the creative process.

• It sharpens your attention span- a lack of sleep can result in ADHD-like symptoms in kids (and some adults).

• It helps you maintain a healthy weight- researchers at the University of Chicago found that dieters who were well rested lost more fat—56 percent of their weight loss—than those who were sleep deprived, who lost more muscle mass.

• It lowers stress- sleep can definitely reduce levels of stress, and with that people can have better control of their blood pressure.

• It can help you avoid accidents -the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that being tired accounts for the highest number of fatal single-car run-off-the-road crashes due to the driver’s performance — even more than alcohol!

• It reduces depression- a good night’s sleep can really help a moody person decrease their anxiety. You get more emotional stability with good sleep.

If you have untreated sleep apnea, getting a good night’s sleep may be impossible. Talk to your doctor about a sleep test. Should you be diagnosed with sleep apnea, CPAP Central is here for you. We carry all the CPAP equipment you need in our online catalog.