Oxygen is prescribed for a variety of illnesses, but most commonly we see it prescribed for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and hypoxia, which means low oxygen levels. Oxygen is only to be used when prescribed by a qualified physician, and should only be used as prescribed. Your physician will determine when you should be…
If you or your doctor suspect you may have sleep apnea, you will need to undergo testing to verify the diagnosis. There are multiple types of sleep apnea, including obstructive, central, and complex sleep apnea. Sometimes multiple studies are needed to determine which type of sleep apnea a patient has and what the best form…
Are you having issues adjusting to wearing your CPAP mask? Do you have claustrophobia? Do you suffer from insomnia? If you have eliminated all other possibilities (see our blog on mask choice), claustrophobia or insomnia may be the culprit. These are two of the most common challenges we hear from patients and we have ways…
Did you know that over 20 million Americans have been prescribed CPAP? That is a lot of people and of that 20 million, unfortunately 15%-30% are unsuccessful and deemed non-compliant with CPAP. In this article I will outline the common pitfalls and ways you can overcome them, so that you do not become one of…
Sleep disorders have become a significant health issue in the United States. Every year more people are diagnosed with sleep apnea, with an astounding 22 million people estimated to have it. Yet, 80% of the cases of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea go undiagnosed. Unfortunately, sleep apnea cases continue to rise, largely due to the increasing rate of obesity. So, for those of you who were just prescribed a CPAP machine by your doctor, let us help to educate you on the importance of using it. …
If you’ve recently received a new CPAP or APAP machine, you likely have questions about the many settings on your device and how they affect your therapy. In this article we will review the settings and functions available to patients for two brands of PAP: The Dreamstation & the AirSense 10. Although these two models share identical functions,…
One of the most important factors in maintaining CPAP compliance is taking proper care of your CPAP equipment. To be successful in CPAP therapy, you must be willing to make your treatment a priority in your life, and that includes regular cleaning, maintenance, and replacement of your CPAP equipment. Cleaning is important to ensure bacteria…
When I’m speaking with new CPAP patients, mask choice is consistently the toughest point of discussion. There are 2 main categories of CPAP mask available today: nasal masks & full face masks. As a rule of thumb, most patients will want to start with the least medical looking solution possible. Nasal masks are considerably smaller and less…
Why is my air dry? / Why is there water building in my mask & tube? Your PAP device equipped with several comfort settings, designed to make your therapy as problem free as possible. Two of the most common settings you will need to adjust are Humidity Level & Tube Temperature. When you receive your device, the majority…
There are a myriad of supplements and medications available on the market that claim to solve the widespread problem of sleeplessness, but you don’t necessarily need to reach for a pill bottle to find relief. There are plenty of sleep-supporting chemicals present in everyday foods, and incorporating these foods into your diet could give you the extra help you need to…
