CPAP Tips and Tutorial

CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is the gold standard for treating obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes the throat muscles to collapse during sleep, preventing oxygen from traveling to the brain and lungs. Left untreated, this disease has been linked to a number of health risks. 

Mouth breathing is common among sleepers with and without sleep apnea. It can have an impact on those trying to manage their sleep apnea with CPAP.  If you are a mouth breather while you sleep and are using CPAP, then you might want to think about your CPAP equipment options.

Condensation build up on CPAP full face masks results in hissing sounds as the air escapes through the air vents. CPAP masks can eventually make a whistling  noise over time. This does not mean your mask is defective. You can use some simple remedies to go to sleep with a quiet mask.

For a lot of new CPAP users, and even long-time users, it can be common to experience things like sore spots, irritation, and even facial rash when using CPAP equipment. Luckily, there are ways to prevent these inconveniences to ensure that you get the sleep you need. Follow these tips to get the most out of your CPAP therapy and avoid red marks and irritation. How to Treat Sore Spots ...

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.

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.

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.  

Sometimes we get calls from CPAP patients using full-face CPAP masks asking what to do about the feeling that they can’t breathe with a CPAP mask. Like aircraft pilots, CPAP patients can get the sensation of not being able to breathe. This sensation could be caused by several different factors.

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. 

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...

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.

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...

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. 

What Is CPAP Therapy? Even if you are on CPAP therapy, there are other things you can do to help make your evening conducive to a better night’s sleep and your sleep more comfortable. The study of sleep has been expanding rapidly, leading to much new research and innovative products that are available to help get you the sleep you deserve. 

CPAP masks have a lifespan, which is amount 3 months. Over time the masks become worn, and the seal becomes less effective, which means you do not receive the highest performance from your CPAP therapy.  Some CPAP masks may begin to show wear even before their expiration date, depending on the amount of use they receive. 

The ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet CPAP Machine with Heated Humidifier offers all the benefits of an auto-adjusting pressure device with an integrated heated humidifier that provides soothing warm moist air to prevent CPAP side effects, wireless connectivity for ease of use, and patient support that helps you receive the best CPAP therapy possible.

The ResMed AirMini Auto Travel CPAP provides essential therapy for patients with sleep apnea on the go. The ResMed AirMini is a user-friendly travel CPAP machine with features for enhancing sleep comfort while away from home. 

The 3B Medical Luna G3 CPAP & APAP provide essential therapy for patients with sleep apnea. The G3 CPAP is a user-friendly CPAP machine with features for enhancing sleep comfort and managing sleep data. The G3 APAP offers the benefit of automatic pressure settings to help some patients adjust more easily to CPAP therapy and includes many of the beneficial features of the G3 CPAP. 

This post was originally posted on July 25, 2017, and updated on July 18, 2022. This post compares the four most popular CPAP machines built for travel on the market in 2019. If you have sleep apnea and are a camper, trucker, pilot, hunter, fisherman, travel for business or pleasure frequently, want to sleep comfortably on a flight, plan to take a cruise or go sailing.

This post was originally posted on August 15, 2012. and updated on March 4, 2022. There are many styles of CPAP masks available for sleep apnea patients. But, they are not one size fits all. These masks must fit specifically to each individual in order for them to be effective and be comfortable. A comfortable CPAP mask is one of the biggest determinants of compliance; the mo...

This post was originally posted on May 5, 2020 and updated on February 25, 2022. A CPAP machine offers a lot of benefits from improved sleep to feeling more alert and rested during the day. Because frequent lack of quality sleep can also contribute to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, and early onset of dementia, there are long-term health advantages to CPAP therapy. However, ...

A common complaint from many CPAP users is nasal soreness, both inside and around the nose. While nose sores are a common side effect of CPAP therapy, they do not need to define your experience. Understanding why these nose sores occur is the first step to preventing them. Can CPAP Cause Sores in the Nose?  CPAP therapy can cause two types of nose sores: nasal passage....

Many older adults who are on CPAP also may need supplemental oxygen. Supplemental oxygen is typically for people who have some form of pulmonary disease such as COPD, emphysema, or lung cancer. A CPAP user might also need oxygen at night while asleep due to low blood oxygen levels.  Whatever the case, if supplemental oxygen is necessary, CPAP users might run into challenges when purchasing...