CPAP Tip of the Month

 

December: 'Tis the Season

Many of us are making plans to travel back home to spend the holidays with family and friends. Even if it's a quick trip, don't leave your PAP at home! Recent research has shown that skipping even one night of PAP can bring a return of daytime sleepiness and decreased alertness. Below are some PAP travel tips.

Packing gifts in addition to clothes and personal items is one of the most tedious things to do. Rather than worrying about packing those gifts in your bags in addition to your PAP, send the presents ahead of time to your destination via the mail, FedEx or UPS. For a few dollars, it will relieve the burden of carrying them to the airport. If you do take them to the airport, remember that wrapping them after reaching your destination may be easier than unwrapping them at the x-ray machine.

When flying out of town, ease the boarding process by taking along a letter from your physician stating that your PAP is a medical device and can be carried onto the plane. In addition, go to the Department of Transportation's website at dot.gov and print out "Steps Taken to Ensure New Security Requirements Preserve and Respect the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities" fact sheet. This may help expedite the security process.

If you are traveling outside the United States, most PAP models automatically convert to the electrical current in your destination; however, ensure that you bring along a plug adapter appropriate for the country you are visiting. In all cases, always check your unit manual to be sure your device can handle international current. Many international airlines have seats available with electrical outlets. This will allow you to use your PAP device for longer or overnight flights.

No matter where you choose to spend the holidays, bringing your PAP device will continue to help you maintain safe and restful sleep. After all, you'll want to have enough energy to enjoy all of that holiday cheer!

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November:  PAP Saves Lives

November 8-14 is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. This week, remember that using your PAP device nightly not only protects your own life but also protects others on the road.

According to the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep in America poll, 60% of Americans have driven while feeling sleepy and 37% admit to actually having fallen asleep at the wheel in the past year. However, many people cannot tell if or when they are about to fall asleep. And if sleepiness comes on while driving, many say to themselves, "I can handle this, I'll be fine". Yet they're putting themselves and others in danger. What they really need is a nap or a good night's sleep.

When a person is suffering from sleep apnea and not receiving proper treatment, they may experience moments on the road where their judgement is impaired and their reaction time has been compromised. This not only endangers themselves but other drivers. A recent study found that treatment with PAP reduces the risk of a motor vehicle crash almost 80% compared to before treatment. Next time you are thinking of taking a break from your PAP device, remember that you are contributing to keeping our roads safer for all of us!

For more helpful tips to stay safe on the road, click here. 

 

October: Cooling Down & Warming Up

Another summer has come to an end. Fall is here with its cooler nights and lower humidity. PAP users may start to notice some dryness in their nasal passages and the back of their throats. Both are indications of the need to turn on or turn up your machine's heated humidifier.

Unfortunately, increasing the temperature can lead to "Rain Out". When warm air travels through six feet of tubing it will start to cool down. Cool air doesn't hold as much water content. Half way through the night you may awaken to a gurgling sound as the moisture builds up in the hose. A simple solution? Insulate your tubing by pulling it under the bed covers. You may also purchase a "Rain Out" kit that consists of an insulated sleeve that covers the length of the hose. The most important thing is to get adequate humidification with your CPAP or Bilevel PAP.

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September: Going Green with Your PAP Device

These days we are all looking at ways to help preserve the environment and conserve precious resources. PAP machines usually have a heated humidifier attached to help prevent dryness of the nasal or oral passages. As recommended, the water used in these humidifiers is discarded the next morning. Instead, recycle that water! Label an empty distilled water container Discard Water and within a week or so, you'll most likely have a full container. Use the water for houseplants, outside on garden plants or washing your car or tools. Go a little green and make good use of your used humidifier water.

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August: Find PAP Support Online!

With busy schedules, work lives and the distances between us, many of us turn online to connect with friends, family and even for supportive advice. Did you know that online support is also available for PAP users?

The American Sleep Apnea Association has created a Sleep Apnea Support Forum where PAP users all around the country can go to for the support they may need.

In addition to providing news related articles on Sleep Apnea, the Sleep Apnea Forum has a live Sleep Apnea Chat and offers many links to product information. Read about how others have adjusted to PAP and share your own experiences. Join in a discussion with PAP users and hear from those just like yourself about which tips and suggestions have worked for them.  Even better, you can join anonymously! Log on today!

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July: Can I Take a Vacation from CPAP?

For many of us, the summer season means an overnight trip or two. Even if it's just one night, don't leave your CPAP at home. Recent research has shown skipping even one night of CPAP can bring a return of excessive daytime sleepiness. Below are some CPAP travel tips.

When flying out of town, ease the boarding process by taking along a letter from your physician stating that your CPAP is a medical device and can be carried onto the plane. In addition, go to the Department of Transportation's website at www.tsa.gov and print out "Steps Taken to Ensure New Security Requirements Preserve and Respect the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities" fact sheet. This may help expedite the security process.

If you are traveling outside the United States, most CPAP models automatically convert to the electrical current in your destination; however, ensure that you bring along a plug adapter appropriate for the country you are visiting. In all cases, always check your unit manual to be sure your device can handle international current. Many international airlines have seats available with electrical outlets. This will allow you to use your CPAP device for longer or overnight flights.

For those of you that are campers, or spend time on your boat, there are battery operated machines available. Some CPAP machines can be plugged into a cigarette lighter with the proper adapter. Check your unit manual to see which kind of adapter you will need. Unfortunately, because it is considered a luxury item, the adapter is not covered by insurance.

Did you know that you can rent a battery-operated unit for your next vacation? Sleep HealthCenters offers the Everest III so that you can continue to feel rested and refreshed while away from home! Speak with your CPAP Counselor or call 877-753-3742 to reserve your rental dates as soon as possible.

Enjoy your summertime travel!

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June: Can Nasal Irrigation Help?

Why is nasal irrigation important to CPAP users? If you suffer from congestion, runny nose, allergies, colds or sinusitis, you may find wearing your PAP device difficult to tolerate. Before you can experience the full benefits of CPAP, you will need to address these conditions first.

Nasal irrigation is a good drug-free option if you don’t want to use antihistamines, decongestants or anti-inflamatories or as a supplement to these treatment options. Nasal irrigation is effective in treating sinus symptoms by clearing the nasal passages with a gentle saline rinse.

How do I irrigate my sinuses?

A simple sinus rinse bottle can be purchased over the counter with saline packets. Fill your bottle with 4 to 8 ounces of distilled water and a pack of saline solution. Insert the rounded cap into your nostril, tilt your head sideways over the sink and gently squeeze the solution into your nostril. The saline solution will drain from the opposite nostril or, sometimes, the back of the throat. Repeat this process on the other side. Only taking seconds, nasal irrigation should be repeated twice a day. You will be happy with the outcome as congestion, runny nose and inflammation will be dramatically improved.

Ask your Sleep HealthCenters doctor or healthcare provider if nasal irrigation would be a helpful tool for you.

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May: It's Getting Warmer...

...And when spring comes you may take out your lighter clothes from the closet, your lawn mower from the shed and maybe your bicycles from your basement. But when the warmer weather arrives, you may need to adjust things in your CPAP life as well.

You may awaken in the night with the tube full of water or hear a banging noise. This noise occurs when the air pressure is trying to blow over a puddle of water in the tube and usually indicates the need to turn down your humidifier setting.

You'll also want to dry out your tube during the day by hanging it over a door so that the air can circulate throughout the tube. If moisture still resides inside, attach the tube to your CPAP and let it blow through for a few minutes. You may have been insulating the tube during the winter months in order to stop condensation. Remove the covering until the fall and enjoy the spring season!

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April: What if My Mask is Irritating My Face?

Getting a rash or redness from your mask? It could be you are wearing it too tight, not cleaning it well enough or it may be wearing out.

Even the highest grade of mask will cause skin irritation when it's nearing the end of its life span. When you are wearing your mask nightly, it will eventually wear out after time. When the cushion of a mask's flexibility degrades, the risk of leaks also increases.

It's a good idea to replace your mask every six months. This also includes replacing the headgear, tubing and humidifier chamber, as well as the air intake filter, which is the small sponge in the back of your PAP unit. When this sponge becomes clogged with dust, it reduces the uptake of air into the PAP unit, which in turn can cause you to feel a reduced airflow and may cause the unit to overheat. Most health insurances will allow for CPAP equipment to be replaced every six months. Be sure to bring your mask and tubing with you to your next follow up appointment if you are unsure.

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March: Teeing Off with Better Sleep

If you are one of the millions of people who enjoy playing a round of golf you may be surprised to learn that using your PAP device every night may improve your game.

Researching physicians from a New Jersey hospital reported last fall that reasonably good golfers could lower their handicaps by as much as three strokes. They explained that the game of golf has a strong intellectual component that requires on-course strategizing, the ability to focus as well as the need for endurance.

Sleep apnea can lead to daytime sleepiness, fatigue and cognitive impairment, all side effects that can negatively impact a person's ability to golf to the best of one's ability. The study included 12 male golfers who were diagnosed with sleep apnea and were compliant with wearing their PAP device.  Compared to 12 golfers who did not receive treatment for their sleep apnea these "PAP golfers" dropped their average handicaps of 12.4 down to 11.0.

So if the fact that PAP improves your long-term health doesn't motivate you to use it, maybe improving your golf game might!

READ MORE ON THIS STUDY

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February: Winter Temperatures and CPAP

Winter can be a challenging time for PAP users. The lack of humidity in the dry winter air, combined with PAP usage, can lead to a dry and stuffy nose.

One of the main functions of the nose is to warm and moisten the air you breathe. When you are outside on a cold day, your nose tries its best to warm up and moisturize the cold air before sending it to your lungs. Tiny blood vessels inside your nostrils dilate helping to warm up the air. But that extra blood flow narrows the airway (stuffy nose) and leads to additional mucus production (runny nose).

Similarly, if you are using your PAP machine without a humidifier your nose may react with increased mucus production to compensate for the lack of moisture. This can cause you to wake up with congested, stuffy nasal passages or, worse, bleeding from the irritation.

So, if you aren't using your humidifier, add some distilled water and start using it. If you are using your humidifier, turn up the temperature until these symptoms go away. If you don't have a heated humidifier already, ask your doctor to prescribe one.

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January: Nasal or Direct Nasal? How Do I Know Which Interface to Choose?

When your sleep study indicates the need for PAP, the sleep technician is the first person to introduce you to an interface. An interface (or a mask) is what connects you to the PAP device. The information below can help make this first decision in your CPAP journey easier.

  • A nasal interface covers the area around your nose. One of the challenges of a nasal interface is that air can blow out rapidly if you open your mouth. This can be startling to a first-time user. Remembering to relax and just breathe through your nose will help you fall asleep without problems.
  • A direct nasal interface is a good alternative for those who want less material on their face, might be a little claustrophobic or who have tried a nasal mask and are bothered by leaks. The direct nasal interface, or "nasal pillows", is a pair of soft prongs inserted slightly into the nose openings and around the outside of the nares. Patients like this interface because it allows them to wear glasses and sleep on their side more easily.
  • A nasal/oral interface is an appropriate choice for those who have difficulty breathing through their nose, such as with a deviated septum, chronic sinus infections, allergies or polyps. A nasal/oral or "full face" interface covers the area from the bridge of the nose down to the area below the bottom lip. This allows you to breathe through your nose or your mouth.

No matter which one you choose, make sure you use it every night. Remember, better sleep leads to better health!

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December: Don't Confuse it with Shopping for Shoes!

When a patient is first diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, they may be unaware of how many different styles of CPAP masks they have to choose from. Many want to try on every single mask that the provider has in stock. Is this a good idea? No.

Trying on every mask will never allow you to discover which one will be best for you. So, how do you know?

Your respiratory therapist will ask you questions that will help select the best mask to begin with. Which position do you sleep in? Do you breathe through your mouth due to nasal passage problems? If the mask feels reasonably comfortable in the office, chances are good that it will work for you at night. Your respiratory therapist is experienced with all of the masks and interfaces they carry. Listen to your provider.

How many times have you tried on a pair of shoes, walked around the store only to discover that they weren't as comfortable as you had thought after you've taken them home?

Just like you need to "break" in those new shoes, the same applies for your new mask. The rule of thumb is to wear it every night for at least a month. After a month, you'll have a pretty good idea if the mask is the best one for you. If not, there are many more to try!

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November:  Should I Use My CPAP If I Have a Cold?

Flu and cold season is upon us. People frequently call to ask if they should continue to use their CPAP if they have an upper respiratory tract infection. For many people, continuing to use their CPAP while they have a cold is a comfort. The warm humidified air can help with nasal congestion and ease inflamed nasal passages. For others, cough and nasal secretions make continuing to use CPAP impossible.
 
Our best advice is to try and use your CPAP. If you are too uncomfortable, discontinue CPAP until cold symptoms improve and then try again. Contact your doctor or CPAP counselor if you have symptoms that last more than seven days and prevent you from using CPAP. More frequent washing of your mask and hose while you have a cold is indicated. We recommend weekly washing on a routine basis, but if you have a cold, it makes sense to wash your mask and hose daily until symptoms resolve.

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October:  Must "C" TV

Having trouble adjusting to your CPAP mask? Try wearing the mask while watching a movie or sporting event on television.

Focusing on the television can actually help distract you from the mask and can work to diminish the new sensations. This technique can help you have success more quickly.

This same technique can also work for someone who has been having difficulty getting used to CPAP over a period of time. This approach helps the mind to have a "new experience" and reframe the sensations of CPAP. In a way, it's like starting all over again but this time on the right foot. Remember, it's the actual waking experience of CPAP that takes getting used to; we have no experience of the mask while sleeping. The moment we go to sleep with CPAP we begin breathing normally and sleeping deeply.

Experience and the latest studies suggest that finding a measure of comfort with CPAP therapy is easiest done early on when you are new to CPAP. The sensations of the CPAP mask and the flow of air are new sensations that take some getting used to. Whether you are brand new or just "new again", try this simple technique and get the sleep and good health you deserve.

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September:  The Early Bird Sleeps Best

Experience and the latest studies tell us that patients who learn, early on, how to have success with their CPAP therapy will have the best sleep and overall experience with CPAP.

Good habits formed early tend to endure. Of course the opposite is also true. Bad habits that are allowed to go on without help or change tend to get worse.

For the best sleep, energy and health--spend time early on getting comfortable with and using CPAP. Don't put off getting started or stop if you have difficulties at first. Get all the help that you need up front before habits are formed. Don't wait and tough it out.

Take advantage of opportunities that can help you prevent bad habits and create early and long-term success. Keep your regular appointments with the CPAP counselors and respiratory therapists or come in between appointments if you are having problems. They will provide you support and expertise in getting you over any hurdles at the beginning. Try the CPAP Success Group and Sleep Awareness groups for support and education. Getting off on the right foot early on will lead you towards CPAP success, and the successful use of CPAP is positively life changing.

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