I distinctly remember getting my diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA.) I had never heard of sleep disorders in general, let alone this strange-sounding diagnosis. My doctor explained that my airway was becoming repeatedly blocked as I slept, cutting off the oxygen to my brain. When I looked alarmed, he reassured me that there was an effective treatment called CPAP therapy that would keep my airway open as I slept.
That was a lot of information to take in at once. Lack of oxygen to my brain sounded very serious, and I wasn’t sure I liked the idea of sleeping with a mask on my face. Of course, I quickly learned that even going one night without CPAP was worse than wearing a mask.
Becoming a CPAP user can be scary. Even though you’ve had your sleep study and know Aeroflow Sleep will ship you the right supplies based on your doctor’s diagnosis, there’s the whole process of getting to know your CPAP machine: how to set it up, where the different parts go, and when to perform cleaning and maintenance. Don’t worry; this blog has all of the answers you need for your first machine.
Being diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can involve a lot of new habits. Whether it’s your partner adapting to your new sleep setup or getting into the groove of keeping CPAP parts clean, it’s never too late to revisit and improve your CPAP habits, and what better time to try than the New Year?!
My sleep apnea therapy (also called CPAP therapy) has taught me that building habits is a personal journey and what works for me might not be a perfect fit for everyone. I hope that by sharing my habits around CPAP, I can help you develop ideas for what might work best for you.
Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP therapy, is the most common treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA.) If you are a regular CPAP user, you may think, “I’ll be fine without my CPAP for just a couple of nights while traveling.” Think again! It is proven that just one night without your CPAP can reverse your sleep therapy progress and reactivate your sleep apnea symptoms.
This means that, no matter the adventure, it’s important to bring your trusted CPAP device along with you. But can you travel with your standard machine? Or, do you need a special “travel CPAP?” We’ll answer these questions and more, giving you the information you need to decide if a travel CPAP is worth it for you (or not.)
New year, new CPAP? That's not exactly how the popular saying goes, but it does a great job of summing up what we're going for! If you’ve had your PAP machine since 2019 or earlier, it’s probably time for an upgrade. Not sure what the latest and greatest technology is to treat your sleep apnea? Look no further; keep reading as we break down the best (and the worst) machines on the market in 2024.
Aeroflow Sleep understands that CPAP supplies can be expensive. Even after your health insurance is applied, there are deductibles and coinsurance to consider. It can be a total headache, which you’re already suffering from thanks to your medical condition: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA.) You don’t need financial stress to fuel that symptom anymore. By understanding what an FSA and HSA is and how either may be used to cover eligible medical expenses, you’ll have a little extra cash in your pocket for the holidays.
Getting used to CPAP can take a little practice. If you are taking your CPAP mask off during the night, then you aren’t receiving proper treatment. This can be detrimental, especially if you are brand new to CPAP, because you have to use your CPAP equipment a minimum amount in order for your insurance to pay for it.
But how do you stop yourself from removing it during your sleep? It’s easy; Kimberly Allen, an Aeroflow Sleep Respiratory Therapist, once recommended 5 simple ways to keep your CPAP mask on all night. Now, please refer to this updated list, as it has been modified to better serve today’s patients.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has three levels of severity: mild, moderate, and severe. Which severity you have is measured by how many times your breathing alters during sleep. If this only happens 5-15 times, you have mild OSA. Is that really enough to subject a patient to a lifetime of PAP therapy?
Dr. Neomi Shah, MD, MPH, MSC, is the System Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs in the Department of Medicine, and Professor (with Tenure) in the Department of Medicine, and Associate Division Chief for Academic Affairs in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine. At the annual American Academy of Sleep Medicine conference, she defended the unpopular opinion that no, treating mild OSA doesn’t mean you have to use a CPAP. Aeroflow Sleep is here to share (and then, argue against) her research.
Aeroflow Sleep reached out, but Dr. Shah did not respond immediately for comment.
Hi, I’m Emily, and I began my new role as a Marketing Coordinator for Aeroflow Sleep last week. I’m excited to be a part of a company, like Aeroflow Sleep, whose mission is to not only help patients feel and live better, but to also help patients receive the durable medical equipment and supplies they need without added stress, complexity, or costs.
Since beginning my new role, I have taken a deep dive into educating myself on all things sleep apnea; and I thought it might be fun to share with you all what I’ve learned so far! I’m hoping some of my new-found knowledge will resonate with others who may have recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are on a similar learning journey, or with those who are new to the Aeroflow Sleep family, just like me!
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?”
