If you’ve recently been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), you’ve probably been prescribed CPAP therapy. And you’re probably wondering how all this headgear and tubing could possibly lead to better sleep.
You’ve got questions, and that’s a good thing! Getting educated about CPAP treatment often leads to improved compliance – meaning you’re more likely to actually use your CPAP machine.
Today we’ll take a look at how your CPAP device works, and how to make CPAP work for you. We’ll also answer some common questions; like “Does CPAP really work? and “How long does it take for CPAP to work?”
Way to go – you’ve taken the first step toward improving your health by beginning your CPAP therapy journey! But the road to sleep health doesn’t stop there. Did you know that maintaining a regular CPAP replacement schedule is an essential part of your obstructive sleep apnea treatment? Read on to find out why.
When people are first diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and prescribed CPAP therapy, they are presented with a few different options for obtaining their machine. If paying out of pocket, patients will cover the full price of the CPAP machine up front. When qualifying through insurance, patients must demonstrate CPAP compliance in order for the cost to be covered by the insurance company. Why? Insurers want to know that you’ll actually use the equipment and adhere to therapy if they’re going to cover the costs of CPAP. Let’s take a look at what exactly CPAP compliance entails and some ways to help you succeed!
CPAP users know that mask leaks are annoying– the whistling sounds, the dry eyes– but left unchecked CPAP mask leaks can even be potentially dangerous.
Luckily, most leaks are easy to diagnose and easy to fix. Here are some of the most common causes for CPAP mask leaks, and what to do about them.
You may think of asthma and sleep apnea as two unrelated conditions. Asthma typically occurs during the day, such as when doing vigorous exercise or when exposed to a trigger like allergies or heavy fumes, while sleep apnea occurs of course only at night (or when someone is asleep).
However, it may come as a surprise that asthma and sleep apnea are actually related. Both are lung conditions that may have an impact on your body both day and night. They also can contribute to and worsen each other. So, how exactly are they connected, and what should you do if you’re at risk?
Each Spring, when we ‘spring forward’ from standard time into daylight savings time (DST), we may struggle with fatigue for a few days, sometimes longer. The loss of one hour of sleep may not seem like a big deal, but it’s just a small part of the impact the Spring time change has on our bodies. The disruption to our body clock can go so far as to affect public health and safety. But don’t despair (or lay down for an afternoon nap) just yet! We’ve also got some helpful guidance on how to prepare for and adjust to DST.
Are you feeling oddly fatigued lately? Are you reaching for more cups of coffee during the day as you feel exhausted with a lack of energy leading to forgetfulness, mood swings, and decreased sex drive? Well, you could be more than just tired. You could be suffering from sleep apnea or anemia, both of which need to be diagnosed by a professional to determine the cause of your fatigue.
