In a blog earlier this month, we encouraged you to consider purchasing a Z1 Travel CPAP Machine for your spring getaway. If you were lucky enough to squeeze in a vacation AND purchase a Z1, then we have some additional advice for you—how to deal with the TSA when you prepare to board your airplane!

The TSA will want to take a close look at your CPAP machine, no doubt about it. But here are some things to expect and prepare for:

• Make sure it’s in your carry-on

I think we’ve all dealt with lost luggage at some point, and you shouldn’t have to go through your vacation groggy because you were deprived of your sleep apnea therapy. Remember, TSA employees have likely seen CPAP machines before, so it’s doubtful they’re going to immediately think you’re up to no good.

• Treat it like a laptop

When you bring a laptop through airport security, the general rule of thumb is that you take the machine itself out of its bag and place it in a separate bin, while leaving its accessories in the laptop bag. You can do the same with the CPAP machine—the CPAP tubes, CPAP masks and other CPAP supplies can be kept in your bag, but the CPAP machine itself will need to be X-rayed by itself in its own separate bin. If you’re worried about germs, you can also place the CPAP machine in a clear plastic bag so it doesn’t touch the bin’s surface.

• They will do an ETD test on your CPAP machine

This stands for Explosive Trace Detection. This test is typically done when the TSA isn’t able to get a clear X-ray image. A TSA official will run a white swab over the surface of your CPAP device to check for trace amounts of explosives. We’re confident you will pass this test.

Even though most people use vacations as an excuse to cheat on their diets, CPAP Central encourages you to not cheat on your CPAP compliance. If you haven’t had a chance yet to purchase a travel CPAP machine, we encourage you to do so!

We all know how using a CPAP machine can help you get a good night’s rest when you’re living with sleep apnea. But, if you still find yourself needing a few more Zs, it might be time to examine the amount of activity you’re getting during the day. It just might make a huge difference in how well you sleep!

If you are living with sleep apnea, you may have already had a talk with your doctor about adding more exercise to your routine. Indeed, the National Sleep Foundation calls a regular exercise program, “…one of the veritable 10-commandments of sleep.”

The Foundation did a study in which they traced people’s activity during the day and how well they slept at night. Interestingly enough, certain exercises had almost no impact on sleep quality, while others were shown to have a significant impact:

Vigorous aerobic activity:

This was described as running, heavy cycling, lifting weights, etc. These activities were shown to have little impact on the quality of sleep.

Moderate aerobic activity:

These were described as walking, swimming, yoga, tai chi, etc. Those who participated in these activities over a course of 4 to 24 weeks fell asleep quicker and had a better quality of sleep than the rest of those in the study.

No activity:

This category includes people who do not incorporate daily exercise into their lives. They were found to not have as good of a rest as those who participated in moderate exercise.

The study noted that we still have a lot to learn when it comes to exercise and sleep, but it would be worth it to experiment with different types of exercises to see if they help you.

CPAP Central wants you to be as healthy as possible, and exercise is a sure way to get on the road to better health! We carry a wide variety of BiPAP and CPAP supplies to ensure that sleep apnea does not rob you of a good night’s sleep.

Oh man! There’s nothing like love. The rush of feelings, the nervousness when your crush comes around, the excitement when you finally work up the nerve to ask them out and they say yes…

But wait! If you are undergoing sleep apnea therapy, you have just one more hurdle to overcome—when do you tell your new significant other that you use a CPAP machine?

It seems a little unfair that you have to deal with that anxiety on TOP of all the anxiety that comes with asking someone out, but never fear, my friend! With the right approach, you can broach this often uncomfortable or embarrassing topic with your paramour.

• Choose the right time– We’re going to go out on a limb here and say that the first date is not usually when you want to divulge all your medically history to someone. Nor is Valentine’s Day really a good time either—it’s kind of a mood killer. Instead, wait until the two of you are comfortable enough with each other to talk about your medical histories.
• Don’t beat around the bush– A direct approach is usually the one that works the best. The likelihood that your date will reject you because of sleep apnea is very low. And if they do—they weren’t right for you anyway! If anything, they might be curious and ask a few questions. And let’s say down the road they do end up being “the one”—they’ll be happy you took care of your sleep apnea now, instead of making them sleep next to a snoring bed partner!
• Don’t spring it one them—If you’re expecting an overnight stay, it might be best to tell your date before you get home. Try to work in that news before any sleepovers happen, so your date won’t be surprised.

Remember, CPAP Central has your back! Whether we’re rooting you on as you ask out the person of your dreams or helping you pick out the right CPAP supplies, we’re here for you. And remember—have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Face it, you’ve been putting up with winter for far too long. Whether you found yourself digging out of the epic storm that hit the East Coast or are just tired of the cold air hurting your face, it’s time to start planning a spring break getaway!

As you plan out this trip, though, don’t forget about your sleep apnea treatment! If you’re worried about the extra bulk in your suitcase, never fear! CPAP Central has just what you need to make sure you can stay CPAP compliant on your vacation: the Z1 Travel CPAP Machine!

Made by Human Design Medical, this nifty little CPAP machine is the size of a sandwich but can nonetheless pack enough of a punch to send your sleep apnea packing. It produces no more than 26 dBA of noise, so even a librarian wouldn’t feel the need to shush it.

A few of its other features include:

-Air pressure reduction to make exhalation smoother

-Three pressure relief settings

-Weighs only 10 ounces

-6 ½ inches long

Furthermore, the Z1 Travel CPAP machine package comes with everything you need to be comfortable on-the-go and yet pack light. Some of the accessories included are:

-Z1 Travel CPAP Machine

-Drawstring bag to carry it in

-4-foot slim-style tube

-Tube adapter

-Disposable filters

-A power and a micro USB cord

-Heat moisture exchange unit

-Power supply

And many more! To see the full list, go here.

We carry a lot of different products by Human Design Medical. If you really like your Z1, check out some of the other products we carry by Human Design, including  Z1 Unplugged Travel CPAP Machine, Z1 PowerShell with Battery, Z1 Overnight Replacement Battery, Disposable Filter for Z1 Travel CPAP Machine, Filter Cap for Z1 Travel CPAP Machine and 4-Foot Slim-Style Tube for Z1 CPAP Machine.

Is it getting harder and harder for you to fall asleep as you age? You’re not alone. Sleep problems become much more pronounced as we get older. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a healthy 70-year-old person to wake up several times throughout the night. So, how can you tell what is and is not normal for as you age? Today, CPAPCentral.com will help you or a loved one understand why sleep disorders are common with seniors.

The list of things that can lead to poor sleep in older people is long. Some of those include:

Alzheimer’s Disease – People with Alzheimer’s often get days and nights confused. They can be sleepy throughout the day and then become wide awake and restless at night. This is particularly hard on spouses or caretakers who need to adjust their sleep to the new schedule.

Alcohol – Even though alcohol is a depressant, when the alcohol filters through our bodies, the effects wear off and we wake up again. As we age, we may not be able to handle alcohol the way we did in our younger years. Some alcohol, like a beer or glass of red wine, can be good for the body and overall health, but any alcohol should be consumed in moderation and early in the evening, well before bedtime.

Stimulants – We live in a caffeinated world. Coffees and teas have gone from being a simple drink we had in our thermos cups to a multibillion dollar “double-shot espresso, hold the cream, skinny latte” phenomenon. Don’t forget to include energy drinks and soda to this equation too!

Just like alcohol, some caffeine is good for you and has even been suggested for people with Parkinson’s disease. As we age, we also lose our need for caffeine and our tolerance. If you still want to enjoy a bit of caffeine, drink it earlier in the day and cut it off by the afternoon. Switch to decaf or half-caffeinated coffees or teas.

CPAPCentral.com carries many CPAP accessories to help you get a better night’s sleep. Visit our website today and check out what we have!

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.

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!

Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, but what kind of snoring should you be looking for?

Whether you find yourself unable to sleep because your sleeping partner snores so loudly it keeps you awake, or you’ve been told that you snore, snoring can seem like a minor annoyance. However, depending on the kind of snoring you are experiencing, it could be a sign of a more serious issue.

It’s true that when most people think of sleep apnea, the first thing that comes to mind is a person who snores heavily. CPAPCentral.com is here to help you learn what snoring means, or perhaps more importantly, what it doesn’t mean. Let’s take a look at some myths and facts associated with snoring.

Myth #1: Everyone with Sleep Apnea Snores

It’s true that snoring is one of the most common symptoms associated with sleep apnea. What’s not true, however, is that snoring is the end-all, be-all indicator that someone has sleep apnea. The key to recognizing if snoring is a sign of sleep apnea is to examine the snoring. If the snoring is accompanied by gasping, or if the sleeper stops breathing briefly while snoring, it’s more likely an indicator of sleep apnea and should be addressed by a doctor.

Myth #2: People Who Don’t Snore Aren’t at Risk for Sleep Apnea

If you don’t snore, it doesn’t mean that you’re exempt from dealing with sleep apnea. One of the two main types of sleep apnea, known as Central Sleep Apnea, impacts millions of Americans and still requires the use of a CPAP machine. However, unlike the more common Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Central Sleep Apnea is less likely to be accompanied by snoring. If you wake up short of breath or gasping, you need to see a doctor.

Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but isn’t always an indication of a problem. Still, if you believe your snoring is causing problems with your breathing or you find yourself tired during the day, it is a good idea to see your doctor. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, CPAPCentral.com is here for you to provide CPAP machines, masks, and accessories to help improve your sleep.