Spring Forward Ugh! Mondays, am I right? This Monday is particularly bad because it’s the first Monday after Daylight Saving Time. Now you probably remember the first Daylight Saving Time blogs that we wrote back
Keep It Fresh It is important to replace your CPAP Machine every 3-7 years. I’m looking at you, people who still use a Sullivan/ResMed S5 Series CPAP & VPAP Machines. It’s also
It’s hard to toss and turn when you have a CPAP machine attached to your face, so you want to try and find a nice comfy position before you drift off to dream land. “But Medquarters,” you ask, “what’s the best position to sleep in when you have sleep apnea?” That’s an excellent question random reader of this blog. Today we’re going to go over the best sleep position for people who suffer from sleep apnea.
Are you tired? Are you hungry? Are you tired and hungry? Are you so tired you can’t eat? Are you so hungry you can’t sleep? Do you dream about food because you’re so hungry and you wake up to find yourself chewing on your pillow? …No? That last one just me? Ok then…
It’s not a good to go to sleep hungry; it’s also not a good to eat large meals before bed. Here are some snacks that might help you sleep. Emphasis on “might,” we’re not saying that two minutes after eating a banana you’ll be fast asleep, no. We’re saying these snacks have the chemicals, amino acids, enzymes, nutrients, and hormones that work together to promote a good night’s sleep.
Getting used to sleep therapy can be difficult, just like any new situation. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy is the standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and delivers continuous pressure while you sleep. This pressure is determined during your sleep study. However, some people have issues with exhaling against the constant pressure, especially those with higher pressure settings.
Bilevel positive airway pressure is another option that is similar to CPAP, but instead of providing one consistent level of pressure, there’s one pressure level when you breathe in (inspiratory positive airway pressure – IPAP) and a different pressure level when you breathe out (expiratory positive airway pressure – EPAP). The EPAP level is usually lower than the IPAP level, making it easier to exhale. Bilevel is great for those who have issues breathing against the continual pressure, and can also benefit those who require breathing assistance or have a cardiopulmonary disorder (congestive heart failure, etc.).
There is also Auto PAP (automatic positive airway pressure) therapy that automatically adjusts the pressure level to maintain your airways as you breathe.
Whether you’ve had no trouble from day one or are struggling with your sleep therapy, the important thing is to keep working towards a solution that is right for you. Sleep therapy (Auto PAP, CPAP, Bilevel, etc.) will help you sleep better and live happier.
Medquarters is here to provide you with whatever you need to continue your therapy. We have all types of PAP machines and also offer accessories like the ResMed Gecko Nasal Pad or CPAPmax Pillow to help you get comfortable with your sleep therapy. No matter what your issue is, Medquarters has a solution to help you get a good night’s sleep.
How CPAP can help your heart
Your sleep therapy is prescribed to help you sleep better, but it also provides other health benefits. It is well established that sleep apnea is closely linked with heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and ‘cardiometabolic syndrome’, which combines many of these conditions. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology Foundation issued a scientific statement on Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease in which they stated:
Most studies that established untreated OSA as a significant contributor to cardiovascular disease and even death have included only middle-aged people. This research is focused on elderly people with sleep apnea, for whom the risk factor was previously unclear. The nine year study followed the health and sleep therapy habits of people over 65.
The study concluded that untreated, severe sleep apnea is associated with cardiovascular death in the elderly, especially from stroke and heart failure. It also showed that CPAP treatment reduced the excess of cardiovascular mortality to levels similar to those seen in patients without sleep apnea.
The moral of this story is to keep using your CPAP. If you have older friends and relatives who may have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or who exhibit excessive daytime sleepiness, share this article with them. Besides helping them feel better, CPAP treatment might just help them live longer, too.
Source: Somers VK, et al. Sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease: an American Heart Association/american College Of Cardiology Foundation Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association Council for High Blood Pressure Research Professional Education Committee, Council on Clinical Cardiology, Stroke Council, and Council On Cardiovascular Nursing. In collaboration with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (National Institutes of Health). Circulation. 2008 Sep 2;118(10):1080-111. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.189375. Epub 2008 Aug 25.
Will it save me money?
That's the most important question when it comes to a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), and really all healthcare.
Also known as "consumer-directed health plans," HDHPs are great for cutting costs on your premium each month, but you may end up paying more if you have a lot of medical expenses. Most HDHPs have a deductible of at least $1,300, so if you know you'll be spending a lot on healthcare, you may want to steer clear.
However, for those who don't have ongoing health issues and want to save on their premium, a high-deductible health plan can be very beneficial. HDHPs are becoming more popular as employers and consumers try to cut their upfront costs. Many find the benefit of saving on the premium is worth the higher deductible. And many of these same people also take advantage of health savings accounts or flexible spending accounts, allowing them to save money on a tax-deferred basis.
The whole point of HDHPs is to save, but you may have to eat a lot of out-of-pocket costs before you reach your deductible. Here at Medquarters, we can help you save on some of those expenses by not filing through insurance, allowing us to offer products at a lower cost. You can get innovative new products through Medquarters at a more reasonable price than through your insurance coverage. Even better, after you purchase a product from Medquarters, depending on your health plan and insurance provider, you may be able to file a claim with your insurance on your own behalf. Click here to read more about filing an insurance claim.
"Drugs don't work in patients who don't take them." - C. Everett Koop, Former US Surgeon General
This clever quote mentions drugs specifically, but it applies to all types of treatment. Using the therapy you've been prescribed is vitally important for your health. Whether you're a CPAP user or need continuous oxygen, your therapy has been prescribed by your doctor to address and manage your condition.
To get results from your therapy, you have to use it, which can be difficult. Especially if you're just starting out. Figuring out a new routine is never easy, but as you continue, it'll be come just that. Routine. You'll get used to it, and your health will thank you for it. Continuing your therapy can help you relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Medquarters makes sticking to your therapy quick and easy. With our convenient online ordering, making sure you have whatever you need is just a few clicks away. And with Subscribe & Save, you don't even have to remember to reorder. You choose what you want and how often you want it and you're set.
Do all of your doctors know about the therapy you use? If you are on CPAP or oxygen therapy, be sure to let all of your doctors know. Particularly if you have switched doctors since you were first diagnosed, they may not be aware of your condition. This becomes critical before surgery when you have sleep apnea, particularly for the recovery process when you will likely need to use your CPAP mask. Remember that not all surgeries are planned in advance
CPAP and oxygen therapy both have far-reaching, positive impacts on long term health. This can impact severity of other chronic diseases and your need for medications. Some people find their need for blood pressure medication diminishes.
In addition, your CPAP pressure needs may change over time. If you have gained or lost significant weight this could be the case for you. Make sure to maintain an active dialogue about your therapy with all of your clinicians.
Routine maintenance of your CPAP equipment can help manage the spread of cold and flu. Standard steps to help prevent the spread of the virus include to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Wearing a mask on your face is a very up-close and personal experience. You wouldn't share it with other people, but you could be sharing it with unwanted germs and bacteria.
If exposed, the flu virus can live on your equipment long enough to infect you, and it can take days for symptoms to show after you've contracted it.
Keep your disposable supplies clean, and replace them regularly to prevent the buildup of germs and bacteria.
If you do come down with a cold or the flu, once you're feeling better be sure to replace your toothbrush - and your CPAP supplies!
For more information, visit www.flu.gov | www.cdc.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
