If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor has most likely prescribed CPAP therapy as a treatment. The more you know about CPAP, the more effective your therapy will be. Our beginner’s guide answers the most important questions about CPAP therapy, from equipment to best practices.
CPAP Direct, formerly a place to shop for all your CPAP needs, has recently merged with our company, The CPAP Shop. This merge will offer an even better shopping experience designed for all sleep apnea patients.
Is weight loss is the best way to lessen – or even cure – people's sleep apnea? Patients have heard from their doctors that a relationship exists between weight and the severity of sleep apnea. It is said that being overweight or obese can cause or make sleep apnea worse. Patients also seem to think that simply losing weight can improve sleep apnea and its symptoms.
CPAP masks are always a personal choice for CPAP users. Finding the perfect fit and type can be a trial-and-error process. We have tried to streamline selecting a CPAP Mask in 2023 by compiling some of the best masks available based on our experts, reviewers, and ratings, so finding your ideal CPAP mask is easier. Check out our list below of the best CPAP Masks of 2023.
There are a lot of factors that go into selecting a CPAP machine for your therapy needs. Our experts have reviewed some of the top-rated CPAP machines and their features and benefits to help make it easier to choose a CPAP machine that’s right for you. Here are the best CPAP Machines of 2023.
The type of water you use for your CPAP humidifier is important to ensure the long life of your machine. Distilled water is the most preferred by CPAP machine manufacturers. Tap water, while less expensive, can cause harm to your machine over time. Filtered water is another option that is comparable to distilled. Avoid bottled waters labeled as spring or mineral water, as they may leave mineral deposits that can cause harm to your machine.
Many new CPAP users may experience nasal congestion or sinus infections. While using a CPAP machine does not cause sinus problems, sleep apnea and your sinuses both impact the quality of your sleep. What is Sinusitis? Sinusitis, or a sinus infection, is an inflammation of the lining of the sinus tissue. Your sinuses are located on the forehead and on each cheek. When they become obstructed....
This post was originally posted on June 27, 2018, and updated on Jan 22, 2022. If you are a regular CPAP user, cleaning your CPAP machine and accessories is a very important daily task. Here we discuss the major CPAP cleaners and sanitizers on the market and provide a complete overview of the best CPAP cleaners of 2021.
Sleep apnea and brain damage are related but only in the most severe cases. Because sleep apnea can cause reduced oxygen flow to the brain, there is always the risk that damage can result. It is important to know that only prolonged periods of lack of oxygen can cause any severe damage, so while the risk of severe brain damage exists, it is low.
ResMed is one of the leading manufacturers of CPAP masks. Every year they introduce new technology and features that improve the experience for CPAP users. Review some of the best ResMed CPAP masks of 2023.
The results for CPAP therapy can vary. The severity of your obstructive sleep apnea and your compliance all factor in. Many patients may have a rough start from discomfort with the equipment and stop therapy, which can delay progress. The more disciplined you become with your CPAP therapy, the sooner you will see results.
CPAP Compliance. It’s a word that people with obstructive sleep apnea hear regularly, and also concept that’s critically important in making sure patients experience the positive benefits their therapy is designed to provide. Simply put, compliance means following through with all aspects of therapy as prescribed by your physician.
Sleep. So much of it is a mystery: Why must we have it? What makes us do it? Do we enter a different world during sleep? But there’s one thing we know for certain about sleep: sleep is necessary for humans to function properly. Troubled sleep patterns or an overall lack of sleep can cause serious health problems within our bodies. If you’re one of the millions of people with sleep issues....
Dry eye is a condition in which your eyes do not produce enough tears to keep eyes moist. Dry eye can be temporary due to dry weather conditions and environmental factors, or become a consistent health problem in some individuals.
The leading form of treatment for people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP therapy. A CPAP machine uses a hose and mask to deliver a constant flow of pressured air to keep the airway open throughout the night and reduce apnea episodes. Some CPAP users...
The last thing that anyone with sleep apnea needs is to compound their condition with respiratory distress such as through the development of pneumonia. While studies show evidence that people with sleep apnea are potentially more vulnerable to developing pneumonia, there are ways to decrease that risk for CPAP machine users.
Nasal pillow CPAP masks are popular among CPAP patients as a preferred option over full face masks. That's because of their lightweight design, unobtrusive view, and quiet performance. Nasal pillow CPAP masks are ideal for users who breathe through their nose or use a CPAP chinstrap. This type of mask also reduces the chances of masks leaks because it provides air directly into the nostrils.
Humans have a circadian rhythm built in. Our circadian rhythm is tuned to relax or become energetic based on the natural light from the sky (the sun vs the moon and stars). In our age of digital and artificial lights, however, the circadian rhythm frequently gets interrupted. Lights from phones and computers are considerably less bright than the sun but considerably brighter than the moon and ...
One of the difficult aspects of being afflicted with sleep apnea is maintaining a healthy lifestyle while still dealing with the effects of the disorder. Multiple studies suggest that sleep apnea can increase your risk of developing various ailments including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, just to name a few. One way to lessen the severity of your sleep apnea symptoms while p...
Recent studies have shown that treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can help improve memory in older patients experiencing cognitive decline due to dementia.1 While sleep loss is one of the symptoms of dementia in some patients, the increasing decline of brain health from sleep deprivation may worsen the symptoms of dementia, creating a viscous cycle that accelerates overall cognitive degradation...
Sleep plays a vital role not only in our physical health but our mental health as well. Specifically, quality sleep is important for cognitive function and long-term memory. Perhaps that is why it comes as no surprise that some research suggests a link between sleep orders such as obstructive sleep apnea and Alzheimer’s.
There are many studies about the link between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and multiple other negative physical afflictions. These illnesses include diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. It is also a consequential link to stroke, heart attack, and, most recently, cancer. In general, people with sleep apnea who either do not have a diagnosis or are non-compliant are at greater.
Panic attacks can be common among people who are first starting CPAP therapy. According to a 2012 study at the University of California, Berkeley, when a person has apnea, their body releases certain hormones of anxiety and panic to try to restore breathing. In addition, people who suffer from panic attacks, in general, are more likely to have episodes while trying to fall asleep or while sleeping.
If surgery is necessary for a person’s life, having surgery while also having sleep apnea, is doable with some extra precaution. There may be some special care when dealing with anesthesia, from preparation to after the surgery is concluded. Medical professionals have known for quite some time that patients with sleep apnea were at an increased risk of developing complications after operations.
This post was originally posted on June 5, 2022, and updated on March 29, 2023. We’re all looking for ways to save money but when it comes to your health, remember there is a price to pay if you try to cut corners. While buying a used machine may save you money upfront, there is a significant cost to compromising the quality and efficacy of your CPAP therapy. Here’s what to consider...
Sleep apnea is a widespread sleep condition and occurs when people repeatedly start and stop breathing frequently throughout the night while they are sleeping. Because it is an illness that occurs during sleep, many people do not even know they have it, and it could go undiagnosed their whole life. Undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea is very harmful, and can certainly lead to shortened life expectancy.
Due to its systemic and chronic nature, the potential list of possible sleep apnea side effects appears to be growing as a recent study shows evidence of a link between sleep apnea and hearing loss. The study found that sleep apnea was associated with hearing impairment at both high and low frequencies. That finding held true even after the researchers adjusted the data for other possible causes of hearing loss.
Choosing a nasal pillow CPAP mask can leave you many options. Most CPAP mask manufacturers offers some type of nasal pillow mask with varieties of benefits and features and lots with strong consumer reviews. So how do you choose? We have narrowed down two models of nasal pillow CPAP mask that stood above the rest. Compare the features and benefits of these two nasal pillow masks and see which one is a good fit for your CPAP therapy.
The CPAP Shop recommends choosing a full face CPAP mask based on your comfort and personal needs. Selecting a full face mask for your sleeping position also helps ensure the best CPAP experience and compliance. We’ve compiled some of the best full face CPAP masks of 2023.
Taking your CPAP therapy on your travels requires a reliable travel CPAP machine. Travel CPAP machines are portable, efficient, and FAA-approved. Our experts have curated some of the top manufacturers and reviewed the most important features and benefits to help you choose a travel CPAP machine that fits your needs. Here's our list of the best travel CPAP machines of 2023.
Choosing a nasal CPAP mask can mean trying out different makes and models to see which is the best fit and is the most comfortable. Some nasal CPAP masks can leave marks on your nostrils or leave you with nasal soreness in the morning. So, choosing a nasal CPAP mask can be a trial and error process. Instead, use our comparison of two of the leading brands of nasal CPAP mask to see which one fits your PAP therapy needs.
When selecting an auto-adjusting CPAP machine, consider two well-known models. The ResMed AirSense 11 and the 3B Luna II offer many useful features for users and provide reliable and consistent performance for CPAP compliance. Auto CPAP machines are especially useful for new users getting started with PAP therapy as they need time to get accustomed to breathing pressurized air while they sleep. Both of these machines offer features to help anyone experiencing comfort issues with a standard CPAP machine.
