image by: Vicky Somma

HWN Suggests

My Friend, the CPAP

"Now I lie in bed and think of her,
Sometimes I even weep.
Then I dream of her, behind the wall of sleep."

-The Smithereens

I have a dear friend who has kept me alive for over fifteen years. My friend is called a CPAP machine. I have a condition called sleep apnea. A doctor once told me that any man with a size seventeen collar or higher probably has sleep apnea or ought to be tested for it. I don't know what the criteria are for women, but anyone who gets up frequently at night could be a contender.

I went through about a decade where I obviously had sleep apnea and it was not diagnosed.…

read full article

Featured

  Breathing Machine Recall Over Possible Cancer Risk Leaves Millions Scrambling for Substitutes

People with sleep apnea and other ailments who rely on CPAP and more than a dozen devices made by Philips are facing lengthy delays for replacements.

  My Journey to a Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Wearing a CPAP Machine

For me, the road to being diagnosed with sleep apnea was paved with discomfort in the form of unnecessary and unrelated medical bias. In 2011, my primary care physician sent me to an ear, nose, and throat specialist to find out whether my snoring and air gasping were caused by an issue with my septum, sinuses, or tonsils. I only saw that specialist once.

 'I’m Possibly Alive Because It Exists:' Why Sleep Apnea Patients Rely on a CPAP Machine Hacker

An Australian hacker has spent thousands of hours hacking the DRM that medical device manufacturers put on CPAP machines to create a free tool that lets patients modify their treatment.

 How to Introduce Your CPAP Machine Into a Relationship

Some patients, however—especially those new to CPAP—struggle with how to navigate it in their dating lives or marriages. “I always say, bring up CPAP and obstructive sleep apnea when the time is right,” Dasgupta says, noting that it doesn’t make a great first date conversation. He also recommends taking some of the sting out with a sense of humor, acknowledging the ludicrousness of the CPAP mask and its Bane-esque vibe.

 My CPAP Machine And Me

Physically, the first night went well. I wore the mask and slept about seven hours. Psychologically, not so well. Wearing the mask, I felt like Darth Vader meets Freddy Krueger. And that wasn't all. Just seeing the thing made me feel old and frail and infirm and everything else I didn't want to feel. I hated the idea, hated the very sight of the machine.

 My dad can manage his sleep apnea better now with this $335 automatic mask cleaning system

About half of the people with prescribed CPAP machines don't use them as prescribed or stop using them altogether because the mask is uncomfortable and needs to be cleaned on a daily basis, even if you don't use the machine regularly.

Articles of Interest

How Cpap machines work: the anatomical science behind a noisy night-time lifesaver

Every night, millions of people stop breathing without knowing it. Not once, but sometimes hundreds of times. Their remedy? A mask, a hum and the steady whisper of pressurised air. It’s not glamorous, but behind the awkward nighttime aesthetics of a Cpap (continuous positive airway pressure) machine lies a remarkable piece of engineering. It doesn’t just help you breathe; it reshapes the way your airway behaves. So how exactly does Cpap manipulate the body’s anatomy to prevent sleep apnoea? The answer lies in an elegant understanding of pressure, posture and the floppy vulnerability of the human throat.

After watching disturbing video, CPAP usage soars

More than 20 million Americans are diagnosed with sleep apnea, yet more than half of those prescribed a CPAP mask to keep their airways open at night don't use it. So, researchers conducted a study where researchers recorded the patients sleeping without the CPAP mask and those who watched the video were more likely to wear it in the end.

An Effective Alternative to CPAP for Sleep Apnea

The biggest challenge to CPAP's success in treating sleep apnea has been compliance with treatment -- wearing the mask. Patients are often uncomfortable using the device, especially at the beginning of treatment, and this reluctance can lead to inconsistent use, or abandonment of the therapy altogether. New research indicates that some OSA patients may have another treatment option.

CPAP Mask and Equipment Cleaners: What Is Best?

In my opinion, the absolute best cleaner for your mask and tubing is plain, mild soap and water. When it comes to cleaning your water chamber for the humidifier, same thing.

Do I Take My CPAP or Do I Leave It?

This used to be 1 of the hardest things for me to decide. A few years back I had business trips that I had to take. Two of us from the office would share a room. It was an all-female staff, so not really a problem. When I first got diagnosed with sleep apnea and got my CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, I wasn't sure that I wanted to take it on these trips. There were several excuses running through my head concerning traveling with my CPAP.

Generation Apnea

The evolutionary mistake that chokes millions of people every night.

How CPAP Technology Has Changed

The most notable advancement in CPAP therapy technology is the integration of apps and tracking capabilities. Smartphones and wearable devices have helped CPAP manufacturers to create technology that can enhance the user experience and improve treatment outcomes. Through mobile apps, CPAP users can now monitor their therapy progress, track sleep patterns, and access data that helps them understand their sleep apnea condition better.

Problems with CPAP: When is BiPAP therapy the best treatment?

Both technologies look and sound the same. The same machine, humidification system, tubing, and mask are used to deliver the pressure, and they are cleaned and maintained in much the same way. However, the machines themselves are adjusted to separate settings depending upon which PAP therapy they are prescribed to deliver.

Studies Probe Effect Of CPAP And Sleep Apnea On Hypertension

Two studies published in JAMA provide additional but not surprising information about the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, and the role of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Study Bolsters New Sleep Apnea Device

A possible alternative for people who can't tolerate the traditional CPAP

The Annoying Thing You're Doing In Bed That Might Be A Total Turn-Off

Sleep apnea is typically treated with continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, which is delivered by a bedside machine that can be, let's just say, a little cumbersome. The AADSM advocates for another option called oral appliance therapy, or OAT, a mouthguard-like device that, while not exactly sexy, may at least be a little sexier.

The View From Your CPAP

Wow, so many responses, some filled with relief, some filled with despair, some filled with legit medical advice from professionals, but most of all, you got responses from people who are alive and well.

Unmasking Sleep Apnea Treatments: What to Try If CPAP Doesn't Work for You

You've likely heard of the "gold standard" for sleep apnea treatment, a machine with a running motor, tubing and a face mask called a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. However, for many sleep apnea sufferers, relief lies far from the mask in an effective alternative treatment called oral appliance therapy.

Using a CPAP Machine Has Completely Changed My Sleep—and My Skin!—for the Better

Now that I’m a CPAP bitch—as I like to call myself—though, my routine looks a little different. All I do at night is wash my face with my beloved Youth to the People cleanser, get into bed, pop my mask on, and sleep a full, usually blissful 8 to 10 hours. When I get up, that’s when the skin-care magic really happens. I

What is the Difference Between CPAP and BiPAP Therapy?

The main difference between BiPAP and CPAP machines is that BiPAP machines have two pressure settings: the prescribed pressure for inhalation (ipap), and a lower pressure for exhalation (epap). The dual settings allow the patient to get more air in and out of their lungs.

Resources

SleepApnea.Sleep-Disorders.net

SleepApnea.Sleep-Disorders.net is a community for people affected by sleep apnea. Learn, share and connect with peers and healthcare professionals

CPAPTalk.com

A forum for all things CPAP.

IHateCPAP

I HATE CPAP! is an organization of dentists that strives to offer all our patients the most appropriate sleep apnea treatments available. By evaluating, diagnosing and treating your symptoms of sleep apnea, we will work to reduce or minimize your sleep difficulties and help you enjoy a long healthy life with restful nights of sleep. We understand the value of uninterrupted sleep, and our treatments can improve your quality of life and restore your good health.

Tips for Using Your CPAP With a Cold

When cold season hits, the inconvenience of dealing with viral symptoms can be magnified if you use PAP therapy. Avoiding your therapy won’t help. You still need your PAP, even if it’s less comfortable due to congestion. Generally speaking, your body recovers more quickly from a head cold if you continue to use PAP. More and better sleep improves one’s immune system response.

CPAP PRO

We have spent years on research and development to deliver to you the ultimate in comfort, quality, and usability. The result is an extraordinary device for all CPAP users. No other product on the market can even come close to the CPAP PRO. End the frustration and pain caused by traditional CPAP masks.

CPAP.com

CPAP.com is a family owned and operated business dedicated to providing Sleep Apnea equipment to those who need sleep therapy.