Sleep Apnea – A Sleeping Epidemic

Growing Trend in Patients Finding Comfort Accessories to Solve Common CPAP Machine and CPAP Mask Problems 

Houston, TX (PRWEB) October 28, 2010

Adjusting to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can be a challenging task. Patients run into common problems with the CPAP machine and CPAP mask that can make adjustment to the CPAP therapy difficult. In recent years, CPAP manufactures like ResMed, Philips Respironics, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, and DeVilbiss Healthcare have made noticeable improvements to CPAP equipment. Even with these recent innovations, there are still common problems that patients encounter every night. However, more and more patients are no longer waiting for CPAP manufacturers to solve their problems. Instead, patients are actively looking for accessory products that alleviate common CPAP therapy issues today in order to make CPAP treatment more comfortable and successful.

Many CPAP patients complain of waking up with red marks and sore spots left from their CPAP mask. The red marks and sores are usually the result of CPAP headgear rubbing on on bare skin, from pressure points on the top of the nose caused by masks with little to no padding or from CPAP nasal pillows rubbing on edges of patients noses. The red marks along the side of the face caused by the CPAP headgear can alleviated with mask strap pads which are typically made from a soft fleece and slide over or wrapped around the headgear straps to provide extra soft padding. Common mask strap pad products are the Pad A Cheek, Snugglehose, and Strapguard. Sores found on the bridge of the nose can be reduced with a mask pad which is worn between the CPAP mask and the patient’s nose and adds additional padding to a facial spot with traditionally little extra cushion. The popular mask pad on the market is the ComfortCarePad by SeQual Technologies. When starting to use CPAP nasal pillows, patients often complain of sores on the edge of their nose. This is from the nasal pillow rubbing on the nose through the night with little to no lubrication. There are CPAP moisture products on the market which are applied nightly to the ends of the nose which help keep the nose lubricated through the night. The common CPAP moisture products are CPAP Therapy Moisture Cream and NeilMed NasoGEL.

Mask leaks can result from many different issues. One common occurrence is a CPAP patient turning to sleep on their side during the night. If the CPAP patient is using a regular pillow, the pillow can push against the mask causing the mask to shift and leak. CPAP pillows help solve this problem. CPAP pillows generally have a butterfly shape with cut outs on the sides to allow the CPAP mask to lay without additional pressure against it. There are many different styles and different filling materials available for CPAP pillows. Another common event that causes mask leaks is CPAP patients getting tangled in their CPAP hose and pulling their mask to the side. There are many hose management products on the market that hold the CPAP hose above the CPAP patient to reduce the chances of patient being  tangled or tugging on the hose during the night. Common hose management products are the CPAP Hose Lift and the HoseBuddy. Some patients find that even with a perfect fit, they still experience slight mask leaks at the top of their mask which allows air to be blown into their eyes at night leading to mornings with dry red eyes. For  patients who love their mask except for that one leak, a product that can help them sleep through the night without dry eyes is the Onyix Eye Shield. This flexible, soft eye mask is worn under the CPAP mask and helps prevent air from getting into their eyes.

Another common problem CPAP patients encounter especially this time of the year as temperatures drop lower at night, is rainout. Rainout occurs with patients who use a heated humidifier with their CPAP Machine. As the warm, moist air leaves the CPAP humidifier, it travels down the CPAP hose to the CPAP mask. If the air surrounding the CPAP hose is colder than the air inside the hose, the warm, moist air looses its moisture as it travels to the CPAP mask. This causes water to collect in the CPAP hose and CPAP mask. A basic product that helps reduce rainout is a hose cover. Hose covers are usually fleece material that is either slid over the hose or zipped up. The most common hose cover is the Snugglehose which comes in a variety of colors and patterns. The Snugglehose not only helps reduce rainout, but also provide a soft alternative to touch at night compared to the plastic tubing.

These are just a few examples of the many product solutions that patients are turning to more and more to help solve common CPAP therapy issues. The products discussed here along with many other comfort accessories are in stock and available on CPAP.com. CPAP.com strives to keep the latest products in stock complete with thorough information. Their goal is to always stock the largest selection, at the lowest prices, while also providing unmatched customer service. “Patients should not stop using CPAP therapy because they are getting water in their mask, or do not want to go to work with red marks on their face. There are simple affordable solutions available to make CPAP equipment more comfortable and easier to use, and a growing number of patients are turning to these products everyday,” says Johnny Goodman, GM of CPAP.com. A complete selection of CPAP comfort accessories can be found at CPAP.com.

About CPAP.com:

CPAP.com is a family owned company based in Houston, TX. that is the worlds largest online retailer of CPAP machines, CPAP masks, CPAP supplies, and CPAP comfort accessories. CPAP.com is dedicated to providing affordable Sleep Apnea equipment to those who need sleep therapy. More information on CPAP Comfort Accessories can be found by visiting http://www.CPAP.com, or by calling 1.800.356.5221.

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Ann Cartwright, a Physician Assistant at National Jewish Health, takes us on a tour of different mask types for your CPAP machine.

RESPIRONICS COMFORTGEL FULL SIZE EXTRA LARGE FULL FACE GEL MASK

The ComfortGel Full is leading the way in full face mask comfort. The mask uses a gel filled cushion with a unique Sure Seal Technology (SST) that provides a custom fit to your face.

List Price: $ 49.99

Respironics Hi-Performance CPAP tubing (white)

• Standard 22 mm connectors fit almost all CPAP machines.
• Grey tubing, clear so inside can be seen.
• Lighter and more flexible than comparable tubing.
• Non Kinking.

Performance Tubing is 20% lighter and many times more flexible than standard tubing. It works well with smaller, lightweight masks, as it is less likely to pull on the mask and disrupt the seal.

The ergonomically designed cuff is easier to grasp and remove from the mask or tubing.

With a standard 6-foot length, cuff diameters and wall thickness, Performance Tubing can be easily substituted for standard tubing.

The white color provides quick visual differentiation from standard gray tubing.man

List Price: $ 2.50

Can the mask eventually open up the airway overtime without using it anymore? I feel a little bit better and sometimes I feel like i dont have to use it.

In general, no. It merely supports the airway and does not change it in any way. But then I don’t know anything about you or your type of sleep apnea so I can only surmise that most patients improve on CPAP therapy but will always need it.
If you were extremely obese and lost a lot of weight the sleep apnea could improve but otherwise not likely. It would be best to ask your pulmonologist about it. He/she would know your particular case and what the chances might be.
God bless.

im on cpap. presure 8 . not enough . going to do third sleep study. 4th mask now. m 44

I would need to know the severity of your sleep apnea to give you all the possible treatment options. But from what you have provided, it sounds like you feel that CPAP at 8cmH2O pressure is not enough. Another CPAP titration (“3rd sleep study”) sounds like what you are having and hopefully they will be able to tell you better if the CPAP at 8 is enough to control your apnea. CPAP can go up to a max of 20, so they have room to work with. If 8 is no longer enough, weight gain or aging could cause you to need more pressure over a period of time. I assume they have you on CPAP fixed at 8 because a previous sleep study (CPAP titration) showed that 8 was good for you. I also would try to get one on one help with mask fit. Getting the right mask if half of the battle.
Options instead or in conjuction with CPAP:
1. A mouth piece to keep lower jaw forward at night (given to you by a trained dentist in sleep apnea mouth pieces)
2. weight loss or bariatric surgery
3. ENT surgeon consult, since a large uvula, high arching palate, or large tonsils can increase apnea
4. if your apnea is mostly on your back, you can try a device like the Zzoma that keeps you sleeping only on your side (http://www.zzomasleep.com/about.htm)

I hope this helps some, Good Luck!
And props to you for treating your sleep apnea, it is a serious disease and CPAP can extend and increase your quality of life!!

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…If so, would you recommend it?
I currently use a gel face mask, which I do pretty good with, but it is causing irritation on my face as well as leaving marks. The CPAP PRO is kept in place with a mouth piece, and uses nose pillows. I just ordered it even though my insurance company won’t pay for it. I have read both good and bad reviews on it. Looking for more comments.

And it worked very well for him, keeping him breathing until his pacemaker quit on him. After that, I saw a cable program that was a “medical mystery” thing about this guy with trouble sleeping that CPAP was the solution. It does work. Only, you can’t be kissed with it on.

How many of you out there in Yahooland have sleep apnea? Do you use a CPAP machine? If so, which kind of mask do you prefer? Did you have an adjustment period in getting used to the machine? Does it help you ??? If so, in what way?

I have sleep apnea. I am 100% compliant for using my CPAP machine. I use a full face mask. My husband also has apnea and uses a nasal mask. Since I sometimes sleep with my mouth open I prefered the full. He is a little claustrophobic and liked the nose one better. I had been suffering the affects of apnea for years. My problem was getting worse and I took that as others judging me because of my weight. I had classic symptoms-I would fall asleep at work, standing in the shower, during dinner, at the movies and driving. Sex? Sure, have me lay down and get comfortable and I would be out. I got severe pneumonia early 2005. I thought my being out of breath was due to the fact that I needed to get my lazy butt back to the gym. I landed in the hospital and spent 2 weeks on a ventilator. In the hospital they told me they suspected I had apnea. They tried to put one of the nostril pillow ones-the ones that look like a snorkel-on me. I still had a hole in my throat from the tracheostomy and a large sore from the nasogastric tube. Let me say that even at a pressure of 5, it didnt go well. A friend of mine has this type of appliance and jokes that he feels like he gets nose raped. My nostrils are small and the size of the things they tried to shove up my nose…I think not. After about a minute I ripped it off and said no more. A month after my release I went for my sleep study. I was awoken after 1/2 an hour and told that I had stopped breathing about 25 times. Needless to say I was given a CPAP. I remember the day after the sleep study, I had to go to a store meeting. It was the first time in YEARS that I didnt have to stand in the back of the room so I wouldnt fall asleep in the meeting. I felt like I had woken up from many years so sleep walking. I did have some adjusting but the discomfort was a small price for the privilige of being AWAKE. I did have a little claustrophobia at first but I kinda stopped myself in the middle of panicing and told myself that it was a mask and I was not being smothered. When I started with it I always turned it on, hit the ramp up button and put it on. Now I will turn it on and go brush my teeth. By the time Im done it is at an 8 and that is enough pressure for me to not feel smothered. If I put it on at 4 it does feel a little smothering. My CPAP is on 14 and my husband’s is at 11. The best advise I can give is that if you have trouble with it, try to give it 30 days. If you are still uncomfortable or cant sleep, talk to your doctor about trying a different type of mask. I also made fleece covers for the straps. I found that I would wake up with “strap face”. Having the covers has greatly reduced strap face and has made the mask more comfortable to wear. Lastly clean your resevoir and mask at least once a week. Warm soapy water on the silicone will help the mask last much longer. When you need a new one, ebay is MUCH less than the dr. When I replaced mine the first time it was $300. When my hubby needed one, I got his on ebay for $35.

I’m trying to figure out how many people are buying CPAP systems and masks today and how much this is changing.

I see number like 18M people have OSA (up to 50-60M with some type of sleep issue), and the industry is growing at 8.4%, but what’s driving this? Increase diagnosis & treatment, shift demographics, more marginal suffers seeking treatment, or just newer, more expensive equipment?

Any help would be great. Cited sources would be even better!! Thanks!!

Sleep Apnea effects more than 12 million Americans! More over weight people and diabetics have sleep apnea. It usually effects men over 40 who are over weight. There are 3 types of Sleep Apnea:
1.) Obstructive…soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses and closes during sleep.
2.) Central…The brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe.
3.) Mixed…Combination of both of the
above.
You can learn more on the American Sleep Apnea Association website:
www.sleepapnea.org
This whole nation is over weight or diabetic so go figure why everyone has sleep apnea!
Being over weight is the norm now.

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The Quattro FX represents a new design element for ResMed masks. With no forehead support to obstruct views, patients can read in bed or watch television to fall asleep. No forehead support doesn’t mean no support, however. New technologies in the Spring Air™ cushion and Spring frame give the stability and adjustment provided by a conventional forehead support. The high-tech Spring Air cushion distributes pressure evenly and absorbs even the slightest user movements, so users can enjoy a good night’s sleep confident that their seal is safe.

Check out the ResMed Quattro FX for sale at TheCPAPPeople.com: http://bit.ly/hEaiL7

For the full line of ResMed CPAP Masks: http://bit.ly/fqrCif

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