CPAP Mask Guide - What Is A CPAP Mask And Can It Really Stop You From Snoring?

CPAP Mask Guide - What Is A CPAP Mask And Can It Really Stop You
From Snoring?
By John Spencer



If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, it's probable that
your doctor will prescribe a CPAP mask for you to wear when you
sleep at night. CPAP, an acronym for continuous positive airway
pressure, is a machine that delivers pressurized air that
prevents the apneas from occurring. With in a week or so of
using the machine, you'll start to see a dramatic decrease in
the side effects that sleep apnea can cause. For example, many
people who suffer with the sleeping disorder experience
depression, mood swings and morning headaches, among other
things. Most dangerous is the pressure it puts on the heart,
which can culminate in a severe coronary heart attack that can
end in death.

When faced between a heart attack and wearing a funky CPAP mask
to sleep at night, most sleep apnea sufferers will choose the
mask in a heartbeat. The masks can either fit over the nose or
over the nose and mouth, depending on if you breathe through you
mouth when you sleep. The mask is attached to tubing, which is
connected to the CPAP machine. The CPAP mask is custom fit to
create a seal with your face, and straps that go around the head
gear portion of the mask can be adjusted to ensure a proper fit.

It is very important that the CPAP mask is sealed to your face,
because if it isn't it will be rendered useless as air seeps in
and out. Straps that are too loose allow the air to leak in and
out, while straps that are too tight can be uncomfortable and
enable the seal to break. Regardless, it's important that the
CPAP mask that you choose is as comfortable as possible. If it's
a pain to wear, you'll be less likely to regularly use the
device and you'll be right back where you started in the first
place.

About the Author: To learn how to stop snoring quickly and
easily, visit http://www.StopSnoringSystem.com/ today! FREE
newsletter reveals CPAP mask advice and more!

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=183921&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Coping with Sleep Apnea CPAP Machines on the road for Truck Drivers

Coping with Sleep Apnea CPAP Machines on the road for Truck Drivers

Click Here to Discover An All Natural Method That Permanently Eliminates Snoring And Gives You An Awesome Sleep Every Night

Buy a 350 watt inverter that plugs into the cigarette lighter and this provides enough current to run the machine.

You might want to get a 1500 watt inverter as a back up hard wired to the batteries.
The 350 watt will not power small appliances like (microwave, toaster oven, sandwich maker).

Be sure you check with your company you work for before you install a hard wired inverter. Many companies do not allow this. The ones that plug into the cigarette lighter should not be a problem.

Typical symptoms of sleep apnea are fatigue during the day, and difficulty breathing at night such as if you lay on your back your throat closes up restricting the airflow to your lungs. Mouth breathing is also a tell tale problem. Other symptoms include irritability, loud snoring, frequent heartburn, restless sleep patterns (such as tossing and turning all night), no recollection of dreams, the desire to lay down for a nap after a couple of hours driving, and even reduced sex drive.

Living With the CPAP Mask

Living With the CPAP Mask
By Dhaxel Barqs

When you have sleep apnea, your doctor will prescribe a
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine at some point
to relieve the symptoms of the disorder. You have to use it all
night, every night! Doing otherwise will only serve to make the
symptoms come back, thus, worsening your condition.

Admittedly, this is easier said than done especially with the
initially unwieldy CPAP mask. Fortunately, there are some things
that you can do to live, maybe even love, it. After all, a good
night's sleep for everybody after months of the worst of sleep
apnea symptoms is good!

Use it Outside the Bedroom

You have to gradually adapt to the feeling of having a CPAP
mask on. Thus, wear it around the house as much as you possibly
can - while watching television, reading books and newspapers,
even writing your letters. This way, you accustom yourself to
the feeling of the mask hugging your face albeit without the
forced air pressure.

Don't worry if it makes you look like an alien from the far
reaches of the universe. It will only ad to your worries if you
worry too much about your vanity. The important thing is that
you will be relieved of your sleep apnea, which will also bring
relief to your family and friends. Yes, it's not just you who is
suffering - the people who care about you do, too.

Use it During Naps

Slowly but surely, you must wear the mask with air pressure
blowing through it especially during your naps. This way, you
get accustomed to the whole setup of the CPAP machine. Of
course, the machine itself is relatively quiet so you won't have
much difficulty living with it. The CPAP mask is harder to live
with because it is plastered unto your face!

When you have gotten used to the mask during short naps, it
will be easier to translate it into longer sleep periods at
night. Soon, you might even sleep with the mask on as if there's
almost nothing there! Emphasis is, of course, on almost.

Use the Right Size and the Right Mask

Some sufferers complain that their masks are either too tight
or too loose. This is a minor problem considering that there are
many types and sizes of masks available in the market today. The
trick is in finding the CPAP that you can live with. Or at
least, sleep comfortably with.

Mask styles range from full-face masks to masks with nasal
pillows. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages so it's
advisable to experiment with the different styles under the
guidance of your doctor.

Mask size is very important, too. Often, problems arise not so
much from the style of the CPAP mask but from the size of it. As
much as possible, fit the mask before purchasing it just to be
sure. Or better yet, opt for one with adjustable straps in a
size that you know will fit you.

Indeed, living with a CPAP mask can be easy with the right
style and size, not to mention the right attitude and approach
to its use. Besides, it's better to be alive and breathing with
a CPAP machine than being alive but breathing through a
respirator, right?

CPAP Clinic - healthcare at your home
We serve Greater Toronto Area in Canada.
Contact: 1-877-430-CPAP(2727) or info@CPAPClinic.ca

About the Author: At CPAPClinic.ca, you can find the best sleep
apnea mask in Toronto
(http://www.cpapclinic.ca/sleep-apnea-at-home-screening.php) and
Respironics CPAP machines in
Toronto(http://www.cpapclinic.ca/Respironics-products.php). With
a CPAP mask in Toronto (http://www.cpapclinic.ca), you can find
relief from sleep apnea. Visit them now!

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=404531&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies

Sleep Apnea Devices by David Silva

Sleep Apnea Devices by David Silva

Fortunately for sleep apnea sufferers there are solutions. In fact, there are more sleep apnea devices available now than ever before. In this article, we're going to explore some of these devices, how they work, and the benefits they provide.

Sleep apnea is defined as "a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep." These interruptions of sleep are referred to as apneas. They generally span a period of ten seconds or more and can take place any number of times throughout the course of a night. Those who suffer from this condition often wake throughout the night as a result of their struggles to catch their breath. Often, they will have no recollection of these events.

The CPAP Machine

The most common of the sleep apnea devices is the CPAP machine. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a form of therapy that creates a steady stream of air flow into the lungs in order to make it possible for "uninterrupted breathing and unobstructed airways during sleep."

This is accomplished with the use of a CPAP machine and a mask worn over the face. The CPAP machine pumps a consistent flow of air into the mask, which keeps your throat open throughout the night. The result is a reduction of snoring, which is often one of the most common signs of this condition.

A CPAP sleep apnea device should be used whenever you sleep, even for naps. And while a CPAP device will generally reduce the number of apneas throughout the night, it does not cure this condition. It simply allows for a better night's sleep, with more REM sleep. The lack of REM sleep can be one of this condition's most destructive results.

Some people have difficulty with CPAP devices. They find them too noisy or too uncomfortable, or in some cases they wake up with a dry, stuffy nose every morning (there are sleep apnea devices equipped with a heated humidifier that can minimize this last problem).

The Oral Appliance

The next of the most common device for this condition is the oral appliance. Originally, oral appliances were designed to decrease the incidence of snoring and they did an excellent job. However, with improvements in their design they've also become helpful for those who suffer from mild to moderate forms of sleep apnea.

There are a variety of oral devices available. Two of the most popular include the splint and the mandibular advancement device (MAD). The splint keeps the tongue in a particular position throughout the night. By so doing, it allows the air passage to remain open and clear.

The mandibular advancement device (MAD) looks similar to the sports mouth guards that athletes wear for protection. This apparatus forces the lower jaw in a backward direction, which allows for plenty of room for air flow. This encourages you to sleep on your back. It also improves the flow of air into and out of the lungs (although this is less the case for those who suffer from severe forms of this condition).

The oral appliance and the CPAP machine are two of the most common sleep apnea devices. They are also two of the most effective devices. If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, ask your doctor about the best treatments for you in your particular situation.



David Silva is the webmaster for Sleep Apnea Insights, a website dedicated to sharing information about sleep apnea, sleep apnea devices, its treatments, and more.

Article Source: http://www.keywordarticles.org

How to Know When You Have a Sleep Apnea

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which the upper airway collapses during sleep, causing breathing to periodically stop at night, is an under diagnosed disorder that can lead to serious health problems as well as impaired quality of life. However, with proper treatment, you can conquer your apnea and improve your heath tremendously. Here are some guidelines on what to do if you suspect that you have apnea.

Steps

1. If you routinely wake up feeling unrefreshed, fall asleep during the day, feel a decline in your mental sharpness, notice yourself sometimes waking up gasping or out of breath every few minutes, or have feelings of depression, consider talking to your doctor about a sleep study. If you wake several times during the night, and maybe more frequently towards the end of your sleep cycle - when sleep apnea is at its worst. If you sometimes do not remember covering the last few miles while driving, or drift off most times you are the passenger in a car traveling any distance, you also should consider that discussion. These are all signs of unrestorative sleep, and OSA is a major cause of unrestorative sleep. You may have accepted any or all of these issues as part of your life, and so not be aware of their impact on your life's quality.
   
2. Ask your sleeping partner if they hear you snoring loudly or a steady rise and fall of snore volume, snorting or stopping breathing entirely at any point during the night, or during nap times in the day. Sleep apnea can sound a lot like snoring, often mistaken for steady breathing. Apnea is, in fact, a small step beyond snoring, if you snore chances are you will eventually develop some form of apnea as you get older.
   
3. If your doctor agrees you might have OSA, they will write a prescription for a sleep study. In a sleep study, you will go to a sleep laboratory and be hooked up to electrodes to monitor your breathing, blood oxygen saturation, sleep state, and general physical state overnight. Some sleep centers and insurance companies require two separate studies, one for diagnosis and a second, called the titration study, which will identify whether some variation on CPAP therapy will fix your OSA. In some cases, these two studies will be combined in one night, but the results of that first study are always used by a doctor to diagnose OSA.
   
4. If you have OSA, your doctor may discuss treatment options with you. The most common treatment, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines and their variations, use air pressure in your airway to keep that airway open. Other treatments include several types of operations to remove part of the tissue that blocks the airway and tracheotomy for extreme cases.
   
5. If your study results show that you have apnea, and your doctor believes a CPAP or variant is the right treatment for you, they will write you a prescription for a CPAP machine. You will then have to deal with your health insurance company and a DME (Durable Medical Equipment supplier) to get the equipment you need to successfully treat your apnea. The DME supplier will be responsible for supplying the equipment, setting it to your prescription, fitting whatever mask or nasal plugs you'll be using, fitting whatever headgear you will be using, and training you in how to clean and maintain your equipment. They should also check back regularly, to replenish filters, to replace masks and headgear as needed (roughly twice year, usually), to check the accuracy of your CPAP settings, and to answer any questions you might have.
   
6. Find a mask that works well for you. Mask options range from nasal pillows to nasal masks to full face masks. Your DME may not provide you with a variety of options, but be assured that they are out there. Many people find fitting their mask properly to be the most crucial part of adapting to CPAP therapy.
   
7. Request a heated humidifier and extra bacterial filters for your machine. Most DMEs do not provide these as a matter of course, but they should be standard to help protect the delicate mucous membranes of the nasal passages and lungs.
   
8. Take it slowly. Many people find getting used to CPAP difficult. Try wearing your mask and machine for progressively longer periods during the day, until you are ready to sleep with it.
   
9. Be patient and determined. It takes time to iron out the wrinkles in CPAP therapy, and you may not see the benefits immediately, especially if your body has a large "sleep debt" to make up. However, rest assured that your health and well-being will improve tremendously when your apnea is treated.
   
10. Enjoy your new life as a properly rested person!
    

Video

Tips

• Older people and those who are overweight are at a higher risk for developing sleep apnea, but the condition can happen to anyone, even those who don't fit the profile.
  
• Be assertive when dealing with your insurance company and DME. These people are out to make money for themselves, and they do not have your interests in mind. Stand up for yourself!
  
• If you have trouble with the high CPAP pressure, consider an APAP (Automatic Positive Airway Pressure) machine. This machine will stay on a lower pressure for most of the night and increase the pressure when it senses that your airway is collapsing. This machine can behave in a seemingly erratic fashion, sometimes causing irritation during pressure changes.
  
• People with muscles weakness affecting the diaphragm (whether from spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy or other neuromuscular disorder) often experience nocturnal hypoventilation, a condition symptomatically similar to sleep apnea, in which breathing becomes too shallow at night. This problem can be easily treated with a BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) machine on specific settings (high IPAP, low EPAP) to support breathing overnight.
  
• Seriously consider joining an online sleep apnea support group. These forums can be invaluable resources for new CPAP users.
  
• The blowing air from the CPAP can cause a painfully dry mouth. If this happens it may be your mouth falling open during sleep, most commonly during REM, a "chin strap" could be used to alleviate this problem. Also, you should have a humidifier that attaches to your CPAP. You can also use an OTC product like "Oasis" from Sensodyne to help keep your mouth moist.
  
• If you have to pay for a CPAP machine out of your own pocket, don't buy one from your doctor. Have the doctor write you a prescription and then buy the machine over the Internet. It can cost you two or three times as much to buy it from your doctor.
  
• Purchasing from an Internet vendor is the best choice for those who have no insurance, limited insurance, or a very high deductible. Some patients don't even realize they have this choice. Shop around. Prices vary greatly from site to site and customer service is paramount when dealing with your health.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Adopt a Polyphasic Sleep Schedule
  
• How to Co Sleep Safely With Your Baby
  
• How to Cope With Sleep Paralysis
  
• How to Fall Asleep
  
• How to Stop Snoring by Using an Anti Snoring Mouthpiece
  

Sources and Citations

• http://www.cpap.com
  
• http://www.cpap.be
  
• http://www.cpaptalk.com
  
• http://www.talkaboutsleep.com
  
• http://www.sleepapneacuresnow.com
  
• http://www.clinicalguard.com/pulse-oximeter-a-2.html
  
• http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com
  
• http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com/cpap-bipap-mask-education-learning.aspx
  
• http://www.sleepapnea.org
  
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep-apnea/DS00148
  
• http://www.bestcpapprice.com
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Know When You Have a Sleep Apnea. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Click Here to Discover An All Natural Method That Permanently Eliminates Snoring And Gives You An Awesome Sleep Every Night

How to Know When You Have a Sleep Apnea

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which the upper airway collapses during sleep, causing breathing to periodically stop at night, is an under diagnosed disorder that can lead to serious health problems as well as impaired quality of life. However, with proper treatment, you can conquer your apnea and improve your heath tremendously. Here are some guidelines on what to do if you suspect that you have apnea.

Steps

1. If you routinely wake up feeling unrefreshed, fall asleep during the day, feel a decline in your mental sharpness, notice yourself sometimes waking up gasping or out of breath every few minutes, or have feelings of depression, consider talking to your doctor about a sleep study. If you wake several times during the night, and maybe more frequently towards the end of your sleep cycle - when sleep apnea is at its worst. If you sometimes do not remember covering the last few miles while driving, or drift off most times you are the passenger in a car traveling any distance, you also should consider that discussion. These are all signs of unrestorative sleep, and OSA is a major cause of unrestorative sleep. You may have accepted any or all of these issues as part of your life, and so not be aware of their impact on your life's quality.
   
2. Ask your sleeping partner if they hear you snoring loudly or a steady rise and fall of snore volume, snorting or stopping breathing entirely at any point during the night, or during nap times in the day. Sleep apnea can sound a lot like snoring, often mistaken for steady breathing. Apnea is, in fact, a small step beyond snoring, if you snore chances are you will eventually develop some form of apnea as you get older.
   
3. If your doctor agrees you might have OSA, they will write a prescription for a sleep study. In a sleep study, you will go to a sleep laboratory and be hooked up to electrodes to monitor your breathing, blood oxygen saturation, sleep state, and general physical state overnight. Some sleep centers and insurance companies require two separate studies, one for diagnosis and a second, called the titration study, which will identify whether some variation on CPAP therapy will fix your OSA. In some cases, these two studies will be combined in one night, but the results of that first study are always used by a doctor to diagnose OSA.
   
4. If you have OSA, your doctor may discuss treatment options with you. The most common treatment, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines and their variations, use air pressure in your airway to keep that airway open. Other treatments include several types of operations to remove part of the tissue that blocks the airway and tracheotomy for extreme cases.
   
5. If your study results show that you have apnea, and your doctor believes a CPAP or variant is the right treatment for you, they will write you a prescription for a CPAP machine. You will then have to deal with your health insurance company and a DME (Durable Medical Equipment supplier) to get the equipment you need to successfully treat your apnea. The DME supplier will be responsible for supplying the equipment, setting it to your prescription, fitting whatever mask or nasal plugs you'll be using, fitting whatever headgear you will be using, and training you in how to clean and maintain your equipment. They should also check back regularly, to replenish filters, to replace masks and headgear as needed (roughly twice year, usually), to check the accuracy of your CPAP settings, and to answer any questions you might have.
   
6. Find a mask that works well for you. Mask options range from nasal pillows to nasal masks to full face masks. Your DME may not provide you with a variety of options, but be assured that they are out there. Many people find fitting their mask properly to be the most crucial part of adapting to CPAP therapy.
   
7. Request a heated humidifier and extra bacterial filters for your machine. Most DMEs do not provide these as a matter of course, but they should be standard to help protect the delicate mucous membranes of the nasal passages and lungs.
   
8. Take it slowly. Many people find getting used to CPAP difficult. Try wearing your mask and machine for progressively longer periods during the day, until you are ready to sleep with it.
   
9. Be patient and determined. It takes time to iron out the wrinkles in CPAP therapy, and you may not see the benefits immediately, especially if your body has a large "sleep debt" to make up. However, rest assured that your health and well-being will improve tremendously when your apnea is treated.
   
10. Enjoy your new life as a properly rested person!
    

Video

Tips

• Older people and those who are overweight are at a higher risk for developing sleep apnea, but the condition can happen to anyone, even those who don't fit the profile.
  
• Be assertive when dealing with your insurance company and DME. These people are out to make money for themselves, and they do not have your interests in mind. Stand up for yourself!
  
• If you have trouble with the high CPAP pressure, consider an APAP (Automatic Positive Airway Pressure) machine. This machine will stay on a lower pressure for most of the night and increase the pressure when it senses that your airway is collapsing. This machine can behave in a seemingly erratic fashion, sometimes causing irritation during pressure changes.
  
• People with muscles weakness affecting the diaphragm (whether from spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy or other neuromuscular disorder) often experience nocturnal hypoventilation, a condition symptomatically similar to sleep apnea, in which breathing becomes too shallow at night. This problem can be easily treated with a BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) machine on specific settings (high IPAP, low EPAP) to support breathing overnight.
  
• Seriously consider joining an online sleep apnea support group. These forums can be invaluable resources for new CPAP users.
  
• The blowing air from the CPAP can cause a painfully dry mouth. If this happens it may be your mouth falling open during sleep, most commonly during REM, a "chin strap" could be used to alleviate this problem. Also, you should have a humidifier that attaches to your CPAP. You can also use an OTC product like "Oasis" from Sensodyne to help keep your mouth moist.
  
• If you have to pay for a CPAP machine out of your own pocket, don't buy one from your doctor. Have the doctor write you a prescription and then buy the machine over the Internet. It can cost you two or three times as much to buy it from your doctor.
  
• Purchasing from an Internet vendor is the best choice for those who have no insurance, limited insurance, or a very high deductible. Some patients don't even realize they have this choice. Shop around. Prices vary greatly from site to site and customer service is paramount when dealing with your health.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Adopt a Polyphasic Sleep Schedule
  
• How to Co Sleep Safely With Your Baby
  
• How to Cope With Sleep Paralysis
  
• How to Fall Asleep
  
• How to Stop Snoring by Using an Anti Snoring Mouthpiece
  

Sources and Citations

• http://www.cpap.com
  
• http://www.cpap.be
  
• http://www.cpaptalk.com
  
• http://www.talkaboutsleep.com
  
• http://www.sleepapneacuresnow.com
  
• http://www.clinicalguard.com/pulse-oximeter-a-2.html
  
• http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com
  
• http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com/cpap-bipap-mask-education-learning.aspx
  
• http://www.sleepapnea.org
  
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep-apnea/DS00148
  
• http://www.bestcpapprice.com
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Know When You Have a Sleep Apnea. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Click Here to Discover An All Natural Method That Permanently Eliminates Snoring And Gives You An Awesome Sleep Every Night