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

Free Shipping on orders over $99

Author Archives: CPAP Blogger

The DreamStation Sleep Therapy System

Week-4-Post-1

The goal of CPAP therapy is to give patients the tools they need to find long-term success with their therapy so they continue to use their CPAP machine each night. But, for many patients, it can be challenging to get used to CPAP therapy. In fact, even people who have used their CPAP machine for years aren’t entirely sure if they’re making progress and improving their sleep.

CPAPCentral.com now offers a CPAP machine that helps you make adjustments to your therapy, track your progress and allows new users to get used to CPAP therapy: the DreamStation Sleep Therapy System from Philips Respironics.

DreamStation is the only system that offers Bluetooth®, cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity options, allowing your sleep data to be delivered to your Smartphone, tablet, or computer so you can track your progress using the DreamMapper app. The system also automatically adjusts to you, checking pressure levels every 30 hours and making adjustments to meet your needs.

Available for CPAP, Auto CPAP, BiPAP and Auto BiPAP users, the DreamStation features a brand-new design that offers several enhancements. Compared to similar sleep systems, the DreamStation is:

30 percent smaller
40 percent lighter
63 percent quieter

From the EZ-Start function that automatically adjusts for new users using an innovative pressure acclimation algorithm, to the SmartRamp feature that keeps pressure low until the user has an obstructive respiratory event, the DreamStation is all about making it easy for you to acclimate to and manage your therapy.

If you’re ready to sleep smarter and improve your sleep therapy with the DreamStation Sleep Therapy System, CPAPCentral.com is ready to help. From providing you with information about CPAP masks like the newest DreamWear™ nasal mask from Philips Respironics to answering any questions you may have, our CPAP experts are ready to help you find better sleep.

Exercises to help your sleep apnea symptoms

Week 3 Pic 2

You may have taken a vow at the start of this new year to exercise more and get in better shape. CPAPCentral.com applauds any step you take towards better health, and would like to suggest a few exercises to add to your new daily routine. These exercises are for your throat muscles and may help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms.

As you may know, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are a result of weak muscles in the soft palate and upper throat, where the pharyngeal muscles are. If you’re diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, it can cause you to stop breathing during sleep and severely diminish sleep quality.

What are some ways you can help with your sleep apnea? Take a look at these two options to consider helping with your sleep apnea treatment.

Singing

Yup, belting out a tune can be helpful, according to a clinical trial performed by Exeter University, United Kingdom. Try singing in the shower or on your way to work. It will help strengthen your throat muscles. Serious singers improved their tone and strengthened their muscles by practicing certain vocal exercises.

Focused exercises

Other exercises can strengthen certain focused areas of your throat, such as:

Exercising your tongue – Your tongue is still a muscle and even though it cannot build muscle, exercising it can help reduce your snoring at night. Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth and hold it for five seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Throw a birthday party – Help blow up balloons at your next birthday party.
Open up – Simply open your mouth and say “Ahhhhh” like you’re at the doctor’s office. Try holding for as long as possible.
Smile wide – Stretch out the 40 muscles in your face by working out your cheeks.

Try these tips sometime when you’re awake. When you’re ready to sleep, Make sure you’re using the best sleep apnea therapy products from CPAPCentral.com. For all of your CPAP accessories and machines, please contact us today!

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Week 2

Did you make a commitment to lose weight at the start of this year? You’re not alone. It’s one of the top resolutions made every New Year, according to a Nielsen study. While CPAPCentral.com encourages you to take an active role in your health, we would like to talk today about what a healthy weight looks like.

As you already know, being overweight can have a negative impact on your sleep apnea and increase the importance of your CPAP machine and equipment. While being overweight is not recommended, having a healthy weight where you are neither over nor underweight is very important too. Remember, just because a person may be skinny is no indication of health.

Start your commitment to losing weight by just changing your habits for one week. That’s it. One week. Focus on healthier meals in that time. Start with a healthier breakfast and a healthier evening meal. See how you feel after seven days.

Learn about portion size and serving size. Most of the meals we eat, especially meals out, are way above the recommended serving size. You may be shocked to see the right portions on your plate.

Go online and search for obesity-related health problems. Besides sleep apnea, being overweight can impact the heart, joints, brain and increase your risk for developing diabetes.

Do something healthy just for today. Don’t sabotage your plans by setting huge goals or resolutions that you won’t keep, just go for a walk today. Worry about tomorrow when it gets here and then make a plan for that day. One day at a time is the key.

CPAPCentral.com is here for you in your quest to reach a healthy weight, and reminds you of the role your weight can play not just in your sleep apnea, but in your overall health. We have the equipment and supplies that can help you manage your sleep apnea symptoms.

Taking a sleeping pill? You might want to think twice

Week 1

Many beginning CPAP users find it difficult to adjust to wearing a mask, and seek out alternative ways to fall asleep. Many turn to over-the-counter sleep aids to help them nod off. But, before you pop a sleeping pill, you might want to consider a few of the side effects.

Sleeping pills are drugs better known as sedative hypnotics. Sedative hypnotics induce or maintain someone’s sleep by increasing how drowsy they feel. Sleeping pills are designed to depress the central nervous system and cause you to fall asleep. Some drugs available over-the-counter are designed to shorten the time it takes to fall asleep. But, in the long run these medicines can do more harm than good.

Sleeping pills have many side effects, which can be a disadvantage when you have respiratory problems like COPD or sleep apnea! Be aware of these symptoms if you currently use sleeping pills:

Burning in your hands, arms, feet or legs
Tingling in your hands, arms, feet or legs
Appetite or mood changes
Constipation, along with diarrhea
Dizziness and balance problems
Headache
Heartburn
Weird dreams
Weakness

If you or a loved one experience these symptoms while using sleeping pills, please seek medical attention and quit taking the medicine. Some of the ingredients in sleeping pills may be causing an allergic reaction that you’re not used to.

Try some of these easier ideas to help gain the sleep you’re looking for:

Melatonin is a herbal remedy for achieving better sleep
Drink warm milk
Read before bed as it relaxes your body and mind
Exercise regularly and put a focus on eating a more balanced diet
Try listening to relaxing music throughout your day

Remember, if it’s a matter of getting used to a new CPAP mask, you can always turn to CPAPCentral.com for help. We have a wide variety of CPAP masks, and can find one that meets your needs.

Foods to avoid with CPAP

Blog(FoodToAvoidWithCPAP)

It’s the holidays, which means lots of goodies are around the house. But, before you leap out of bed for a midnight snack, CPAP Central wants to warn you that some foods can have a bad impact on your sleep, especially if you are a CPAP or BiPAP user.

Be especially careful of what you eat right before bedtime. Eating spicy foods and rich foods can rev up your metabolism and make your body work harder. It may take your body longer to digest these foods and interfere with your comfort and sleep. Those same spicy and fried foods can also cause indigestion and trigger heartburn or acid reflux, especially when you lay down to sleep. These foods should be consumed in moderation and not in the late evening.

The amount of food you eat can also affect your sleep apnea therapy for many of the same reasons. Even if the dinner you had was not fried or spicy, quantity can hurt you too. That all-you-can-eat buffet may have seemed like a great idea at 6 o’clock, but will seem less great at 10, 11 and 12 o’clock when you can’t sleep.

Watch your liquids, especially the caffeinated and sugary ones. Drinking the recommended eight glasses of water every day is good for the body, but drink them early, stopping no later than dinner time or you’ll be making trips to the bathroom instead of sleeping. Learn your caffeine limits too. For many people, even one cup of coffee after a certain hour of the day can keep them wide awake at bedtime. Caffeine sometimes has a reverse effect on people too. It can still keep you awake, but a little drowsy in the process; your body can’t decide whether to fall asleep or stay up.

CPAP Central offers products from some of the biggest names in sleep apnea equipment. Take a look at our online catalog today!

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.

Donating to your Community During the Holidays

Find out what you can do to help people in your community during the holiday season.

There’s a lot to love about the holiday season. While it’s great to spend time with our loved ones and receive gifts, there may not be a more rewarding experience than putting your talents to work to help the communities you call home. CPAPCentral.com wants everyone to have a great holiday season, and offers these ideas that can help people in your community during tough times this winter.

Make food and dish it out- cookies and casseroles can be great gifts this time of year. You can provide them for those who don’t have the means or are short on food, as well firefighters, police officers and other public servants.
Pack stockings for the homeless- pick out some stockings and fill them with practical items. These can range from food and drink (granola bars, bottles of water, etc.) to gloves, socks and hygiene items.
Donate old toys- kids’ toys and games can get pricey in a hurry. Purge your kids’ old toys to donate to families who are less fortunate.
Pay a visit to a local nursing home- the holidays can be hard on elderly people living in nursing homes. A short visit or gift from a stranger could brighten their day, or even make their entire week.
“Adopt” a family- there are many ways you can support families in your community, and your local food pantry would be a good place to start. Find out about families in need and support them throughout the winter, the toughest time for families in need.
Donate to the food bank- winter is a difficult, and more expensive, time for many people. Oftentimes, local food banks see fewer donations during winter months, when people actually have a greater need. You can help by donating.
Have family members make a donation in your name- replace one thing on your Christmas list with the wish that in lieu of a present, a donation is made in your name to the charity of your choice.

There’s no wrong way to make a donation to help the less fortunate. CPAPCentral.com encourages you to give anything you can to help out your local community. No matter how you choose to help, we wish you a happy holiday season.

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!