Between your doctor and the specialists at the sleep lab, you may have been hearing a lot about REM and NREM sleep. Both are important to your sleep cycle, and sleep apnea’s interruption of them can be detrimental to your health. CPAP Central wants sleep, breathe, and live healthier, which is why we would like to educate you on the importance of NREM sleep.

NREM sleep refers to non-rapid eye movement sleep. Each stage of NREM can last five to 15 minutes as the cycle repeats itself.  Typically, your sleep cycle will begin with NREM and then turn into REM sleep.  Your body will go through the following stages as it enters deep sleep:

• Stage 1 – Sleep readings show that people in this stage start to fall asleep but can be easily awakened.  If you don’t get past this stage, you’ll feel as if you haven’t slept at all.  Stage 1 may last five to ten minutes and can be accompanied by sudden muscle contraction.
• Stage 2 – Light sleep takes place and sleep readings show intermittent peaks and valleys, or positive and negative waves.  These waves indicate spontaneous periods of muscle tone mixed with periods of muscle relaxation.  Body temperature and heart rate decrease and at this point the body prepares to enter deep sleep.
• Stage 3 – Deep sleep begins to take place.  Deep sleep with NREM sleep is known as slow-wave or delta sleep. If you wake up during this stage, you may feel disoriented for a few minutes.

NREM sleep accounts for 75-80% of total sleep time in adult humans.  While sleeping in a deep stage of NREM sleep, your body repairs and regenerates tissues, builds bones and muscles and appears to strengthen the immune system. Sleep apnea can rob you of that restorative deep sleep by constantly interrupting the NREM patterns.

Let CPAP Central help you get a great night’s rest! We have everything you need for sleep apnea therapy in our online catalog.

Halloween is just around the corner! If you’re still undecided about what you want to dress up as, CPAP Central would like to offer some suggestions that incorporate your old CPAP mask:

• Member of a S.W.A.T. team

Take an old CPAP mask and spray paint it black. Then, take a black jacket and use white duct tape to write out the words “S.W.A.T. Team” on the back. Pair it with black goggles, a black cap, black boot and black pants, and you’re ready to throw some tear gas and storm a building.

• Surgical patient

This one would be fun to pair with a friend or significant other. They can be the nurse or doctor, and you can be the surgical patient. If you have a CPAP hose lift system, you can incorporate that as an IV drip. All you’ll need is a hospital gown, which you can make out of an old sheet.

• An Anteater

If you have brown pants and a fuzzy jacket laying around, you can improvise an anteater costume. Carry around a box of raisins and eat them as “ants” throughout the night. Alternatively, you can wear a yellow sweater and blue jeans and go as the cartoon character “Arthur.”

• Darth Vader

Just like with the S.W.A.T. Team costume, you can use an abundance of black clothing to re-create the dark lord from Star Wars. You can even plug in your CPAP machine at some point to recreate the breathing noise.

We would like to emphasize that no matter what you decide to dress up as, it’s important to use an old CPAP mask. You wouldn’t want the one you currently use to become damaged or dirty over the course of the night. Since CPAP masks need to be replaced every 3-6 months, this is a good way to recycle a mask that’s past its prime.

CPAP Central wishes you a safe and fun Halloween!

Most people think of pressure sores as something that happens to those who are bedridden, but it can happen to CPAP users as well. If you’ve experienced this, you know how uncomfortable it is—and how much it can interfere with your sleep apnea treatment! There are three main reasons contact sores can happen with CPAP masks, all of which can be addressed:

• CPAP Headgear tension

For many people, a tight CPAP mask is the main culprit. If your straps are too taut, your CPAP mask will be digging into your skin for 7 or 8 hours a night. However, the opposite can also be true. If the straps are too loose, your CPAP mask will shift and rub against your skin, causing irritation. Try to find the right tension for your headgear so that your CPAP mask doesn’t move, but also isn’t pressing into your skin either.

• Worn-out CPAP mask

A worn out CPAP mask can cause irritation as well. The cushioning on the edges breaks down over time, causing more pressure on your skin. Certain models of CPAP masks are able to have their cushions swapped out, so call us today or check out our online catalog if you think you need to do that for your mask. CPAP masks do need to be replaced once every three to six months, so you may also need to replace it entirely.

• A dirty CPAP mask

Some CPAP masks just need a good cleaning. It’s just no good for your skin to have all that dirt and oil pressing up against it every night. Get into the habit of wiping down your mask once a day. You can do this using a damp towel and a mild dish detergent, or by using CPAP mask wipes (we have them here). You should give your CPAP mask a full bath at least once a week, where you submerge it in soapy water and give it a good scrub.

If none of these things seem to help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Our experts can help you find the comfort you need in order to get a good night’s rest. We also carry a number of items that can help you remain CPAP compliant. Check out our online catalog, or give us a call today!

We’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about the Dreamstation Auto CPAP by Phillips Respironics—and no wonder! This machine features state-of-the-art designs based on what patients have told their doctors they want out of a CPAP machine. In fact, it even won an award from an international design organization for its innovation.

There are many reasons why users love the Dreamstation, but we’re going to focus on the top 6:

• It’s super quiet

Many CPAP manufacturers say this about their product, but for the Dreamstation it’s especially true. Even when it’s turned onto the highest pressure , the sound is barely noticeable.

• Ease of use

The menu options are easier to follow, so you can change the settings quickly. The front-facing display is angled in such a way that you can make adjustments laying down or sitting up. The one-piece humidifier water chamber is simple to clean.

• Ramp features make acclimation easy

This includes things such as the EZ-Start, which allows patients to gradually become used to using pressure every night, as well as Smart Ramp, which allows users to have lower pressures as they fall asleep. It mimics what an APAP machine will do, and then at the end of the ramp it switches to a fixed pressure.

• It can function like a travel CPAP machine

The Dreamstation is so compact and light that it’s easy to pack and bring along with you on trips. This also means that it will take up less room on your bedside table!

• It evaluates you—and itself!

Each morning, it shows you a summary of your progress, with how many hours you used it and how many good nights you’ve had! It can also evaluate itself. Its remote troubleshooting and self-diagnostic tools make it easy to solve any problems that come up.

• It just looks nice

The exterior mirrors what many newer technological devices look like. Some people have even mistaken it for an iPod docking station!

The Dreamstation truly does make it easier for you to have sweet dreams each night! We carry the Dreamstation—along with all its accessories—in our online catalog. Check it out today, or contact us to learn more about how this CPAP machine can help you!

Were you recently diagnosed with sleep apnea? Do you find yourself overwhelmed with all the treatment options? At CPAP Central, we want to turn down the “pressure” when it comes to figuring out which PAP machine is right for you. That’s why we’re going to cover the ABC’s of sleep apnea therapy—APAP, BiPAP and CPAP:

Auto Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) automatically changes the pressure according to your breathing needs in a given moment. It does this on a breath-by-breath basis, truly making it a “smart” machine. Many users find that this helps increase their ability to stay compliant. CPAP Central carries the latest in APAP technology from trusted brands such as Phillips Respironics and ResMed

Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) is a non-invasive way to treat central or obstructive sleep apnea and may be used for people who suffer from other respiratory disease.  It delivers two levels of pressure:

• IPAP, or inspiratory positive airway pressure – This is a high level of pressure that is used when you inhale.
• EPAP, or expiratory positive airway pressure – This is when you exhale which delivers a low level of pressure.

These two modes make the BiPAP ideal for those who need their sleep apnea delivered at a higher pressure than normal. Because of the EPAP mode, the user is not constantly under that same higher level of pressure.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) delivers air pressure at a single level that is predetermined by your doctor after the sleep study results are in.  A CPAP machine pushes compressed air through a tubing system that is connected to a nose mask.   The continuous pressure keeps your upper airway open, preventing them from collapsing and block breathing.

All three therapies have their own machines but share equipment like masks and tubes to help aid your sleep.  Before you decide on which PAP machine is right for you, talk to your doctor. He or she might have a recommendation based on what the sleep study showed. CPAP Central is also here to help. We’re your one-stop shop for all your sleep apnea need!

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.