Prisma SMART Max Auto CPAP Now Available

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Apnea Health is dedicated to bringing you a range of options for CPAP machines to meet your personal therapy needs and comfort preferences.

The German-engineered Prisma SMART Max Auto CPAP is the newest machine added to our list, giving you another great choice for treating sleep apnea and improving your sleep and overall well-being.

A bedside pyramid

Triangular and solid, the Prisma SMART Max Auto CPAP from Löwenstein Medical is a high-tech performer that’s clearly engineered to place quality sleep at the top of the pyramid.  Its sleek style and simplified controls make it an easy-to-use addition to the bedside table, and it has performance advantages you’ll feel immediately.

side angle view of the Prisma Smart max from Lowenstein Medical

Function above all

With user controls and a display styled more like an old-school clock radio than a smartphone, the Prisma SMART Max has a throwback feel, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it isn’t modern. The push button controls are comfortably familiar and intuitive, while the performance is truly a cut above. Its advanced algorithm is responsive to your needs providing unparalleled comfort and beneficial sleep, while its blower motor is so supremely quiet you and your bed partner will easily forget it’s even there.

Man using app for his Prisma CPAP

Plug and go

Once set up by your therapist, the Prisma SMART Max is as easy to use as plug in and go: attach the universal hose to the fixed port with any mask, plug the power cord in the nearest outlet, fill the humidifier water chamber (if you’re using it) and you’re good to go.

The Prisma’s super responsive autoSTART means therapy kicks in the second you put on your mask and breathe – you don’t even have to push a button (though you can disable this feature and press the start/stop button instead). Unlike some others that keep you waiting a few breaths before their auto start works, the instant action of the Prisma inspires confidence. To end therapy, you can push the start/stop button or simply remove your mask and the machine shuts itself off.

Prisma Smart max with humidifier

Other great Prisma features:

  • SoftSTART allows you to choose to begin therapy at full pressure, or have the machine gently ramp from minimal pressure over a period of anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes (depending on your preference) to ease you into sleep
  • SoftPAP briefly reduces pressure each time you breathe out, for those who find it more comfortable to exhale without full air pressure engaged. It can be adjusted to a lower or higher variance, or disengaged depending on what feels best for you
  • The PrismaAQUA humidifier chamber is simple to fill and locks positively in place, and it’s removable for easier travel. You can change humidity levels for comfort, and the display has an indicator to remind you when it needs refilling
  • The easy access, washable air filter could not be simpler to maintain
  • Prisma’s included carry bag has compartments for the device and water chamber, along with plenty of extra space in divided pockets for your hose, mask and power cord, and enough extra room to throw in a water bottle and book for the road
  • Various options for connectivity help your therapist monitor your sleep therapy progress

Adjusting Prisma SMart max settings with the phone app

The last word

The Prisma SMART Max Auto CPAP from Löwenstein Medical may not be the smallest or the lightest on the market, but its simplicity of design paired with its solid, brilliantly-engineered function make it the pinnacle of quiet efficiency and durability. In the simplest terms, it is a performer above all else.

If you’d like to know more about the Prisma or other CPAP options, don’t hesitate to reach out to Apnea Health today!

Prisma Smart max with humidifier and tubing

Buy the Prisma CPAP today

Prisma Smart max from Lowenstein Medical

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What Is EPR? | Customizable CPAP Comfort Settings

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Using a CPAP for your sleep apnea should make sleeping easier and more comfortable.

However, many CPAP users have trouble getting a restful sleep even with their sleep therapy.

Common problems include:

  • Feeling like you’re suffocating
  • Your mouth drying out
  • Your mask losing its seal

For years, customizing your CPAP to suit your specific needs seemed impossible—but not anymore. With the new EPR feature, sleeping through the night with no interruptions is a piece of cake.

man sitting in bed, next to his Airsense 10

What is EPR?

EPR, or “Expiratory Pressure Relief,” is an advanced comfort option that will reduce the pressure from your CPAP when you exhale, making it easier to breathe and helping your therapy feel as natural as possible.

Feeling comfortable while sleeping with your CPAP is crucial for getting the most out of your sleep therapy and ensuring you have the quality sleep you deserve. With this feature, each breath will be more restful than the last (as it should be).

woman adjusting the settings on her Resmed Airsense

What are the benefits of EPR?

  • Less pressure: Nobody likes having air blown into their mouth when they’re trying to breathe out. Having the pressure reduced upon exhaling literally makes it easier to breathe.
  • Less noise: Have you ever woken up because your CPAP is too noisy? With EPR, you won’t wake up to the sound of air leaking from your mask.
  • Better sleep: If you’re not being woken up by extra pressure and noise, you’re going to get better sleep—it’s as simple as that!

Airsense 10 cpap machine

How does EPR work?

The three settings allow CPAP users to reduce the pressure by one, two, or three pressure points when exhaling. For example, if you choose an EPR of three, and your pressure setting upon inhaling is ten, the machine will automatically reduce the pressure to seven when you’re exhaling.

Your pressure setting, your EPR setting and your pressure upon exhale

The Best CPAP with EPR: AirSense 10 AutoSet

The AirSense 10 AutoSet is the newest, smartest CPAP by ResMed. In addition to being auto-titrating, the AirSense has a number of other advanced features to increase the comfort and efficiency of your sleep therapy.

How comfortable is sleeping with the AirSense?

The AirSense makes your comfort its top priority. It is whisper quiet, making for a peaceful environment for you and your sleep partner. Its integrated humidifier ensures that you won’t wake up with a dry mouth or water in your mask.

But it doesn’t stop there — it goes above and beyond.

With AutoRamp and SmartStart, the AirSense will start automatically at a low pressure as soon as you put on your mask. It then ramps up the pressure to the perfect level once you are asleep, helping you drift off more comfortably. It is also perfect if you are sensitive to high pressures. With EPR (expiratory pressure relief), the AirSense reduces air pressure when you exhale to make breathing easy.

How easy is sleeping with the AirSense?

The AirSense does most of the work for you. The AirSense is auto-titrating, meaning it will automatically adjust according to your breathing instead of being set to one fixed pressure setting. That means better therapy with no extra work.

Better yet, monitor your sleep therapy with MyAir! You can track all of your sleep data at home, making this CPAP the most convenient and easy-to-use machine on the market.

Man sleeping peacefully next to his Airsense 10 CPAP

Shop Resmed Airsense 10

Resmed Airsense for Him

Shop AirSense 10

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The AirSense 10 Auto CPAP puts you comfortably in control

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Welcome to the easiest, smartest and most comfortable CPAP around

The AirSense 10 and its smart technology make for one of the easiest and most user-friendly CPAP packages available on the market.

With ResMed AirViewTM, a secure, cloud-based system for online patient monitoring, our Respiratory Therapists can access your data, troubleshoot remotely and even adjust your settings so you get the most from your therapy in the comfort of your own home – no need to come in for an appointment! It also has a ton of other innovative features that make using it a breeze…

What makes it so smart?

With AirView™, we can monitor your progress remotely, which these days can be a relief for those more comfortable keeping their outside contacts limited. Not only can we check up on your progress and make sure everything is working, we can even make adjustments to your settings through a remote connection so you get the same care-for-life as always, but without the need to come in person (though we’re always here and we’d be happy to see you in person too!).

AirSense GIF

On top of that, you can monitor your own sleep therapy as you go with myAir™.

You can easily link up with your smartphone (just get the app on the App Store or Google Play) and track your own data anytime, anywhere.

You’ll see real-time results on your hours of use, mask seal, apnea events per hour and mask wearing, all in an easy-to-read “myAir score” that puts understanding your therapy in the palm of your hand.

Checking your daily score becomes kind of a fun game, and you’ll even get personalized sleep coaching tips, milestone celebrations and little messages of encouragement from time to time.

Man using the MyAir app

What makes it so comfortable?

Well, first of all it’s whisper quiet, so the sleep environment is nice and peaceful (for you and for your partner too). But it has more than quietness going for it!

The built-in humidifier is simple to use and easier than ever to set up, so you don’t have to waste time fumbling around to get the moisture you need. Proper humidifying means not worrying about waking up with a dry mouth or irritation; it also means you won’t have to worry about water in your mask – win win!

The AirSense is also a great fit if you’re sensitive to high pressures. The Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR) feature reduces air pressure when you exhale, so breathing out’s a lot easier. At the same time, the AutoSet Response mode can give you gentler pressure rises during therapy – perfect if you’re disturbed by faster changes. The AirSense 10 is all about making therapy work while being as comfortable as can be.

man sitting in bed, next to his Airsense 10

The AirSense 10 also comes in a “For Her” model which is the first CPAP machine truly designed for women on the outside AND inside.

An advanced algorithm designed for female breathing patterns helps make therapy as comfortable and effective as possible.

airsense her bed 2

What makes it so easy?

The AirSense does practically all the work for you! With SmartStart, you just pop the mask on at bedtime and start breathing – you don’t even have to push a button. The machine automatically starts when you breathe through the mask, and it’ll even start you off at a gentler pressure so you drift off to sleep comfortably. Once you’re sleeping, the AutoRamp gradually ups the pressure to the perfect level for you.

On top of starting and ramping up automatically, the AirSense is also auto-titrating. If you don’t know what that means don’t worry – it’s just a fancy way of saying it’s self-adjusting. Instead of being fixed to one rigid pressure setting, it will automatically sense your breathing and adjust according to your needs. The pressure you need really operates within a range, and it can vary pretty widely depending on which stage of sleep you’re in, your body position and more. Reacting to what you need in real time instead of forcing a single pressure on you means better therapy and better overall sleep – with no extra work for you!

information about the Airsense

Time for an upgrade?

If you’ve been thinking it might be time to upgrade your CPAP machine, there’s a lot to love about the AirSense 10.

With its innovative smart technology and its easy and intuitive comfort features, staying in control of your sleep has never been such a breeze.

CPAP Airsense 10 for him

Shop the Airsense S10

Still Not Sure? Discover other CPAP options

sleepstyle cpap

Learn about the Fisher & Paykel SleepStyle

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The NEW DreamStation 2: smaller, smarter, lighter

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There’s a new kid in town on the auto CPAP market, and it’s the updated release from Philips that builds on their extremely popular and successful DreamStation model – this one’s called, you got it, the DreamStation 2.

Don’t be fooled if you think the name lacks originality, because the design certainly makes up for it!

This CPAP is sleek and lightweight and has a whole new look and feel, so take a deep breath and read on for a full review of what’s new, plus some great features from the original DreamStation they’ve built into the all-new DreamStation 2.

What’s New

Style and size are the first things you’ll notice. The machine has changed from white to black, and has shed considerable size and weight. It’s now roughly 2/3 the size of the original DreamStation, and 16% lighter than other auto CPAP machines on the market. It uses the smallest (12mm) heated tubing available, and it even has a nifty two-way channel so you can tuck the power cord neatly to either side of the machine on your bedside table.

ds2 infographic

Other novelties include

Colour touchscreen display – They got rid of the click wheel for menu navigation and went with a simple, intuitive touchscreen. The comfort controls are super self-explanatory and easy to navigate and use, and the daily display gives you sleep performance feedback at a glance.

Ramp Plus – While getting rid of the click wheel, they also ditched the ramp-up button and let you set it to stay on or off using the touchscreen menu (more on Ramp Plus and how it works below).

One-touch simplicity – There’s now a single, gently-lit button to start or stop therapy that’s easy to see (and feel for) in the dark – a fumble free advantage when you have to get up in the dark.

DS2 close up

What’s in the box?

  • Auto-Adjusting CPAP Machine
  • Integrated Heated Humidifier
  • Water Chamber
  • Ultra light-weight Heated Tube
  • Power Supply and Cord
  • Travel Bag/Carrying Case
  • Disposable Filter
  • User Manual

ds2 everything

Product specifications

Machine Sound Level 27 dB(A)
Machine Weight 2.29 lbs
Modes CPAP, Auto CPAP
Altitude Compensation Automatic
Insurance Code(s)
Machine Dimensions 10.78″ L x 6.24″ W x 3.34″ H
Bluetooth Built-in
Warranty 2 years
ds2 angle

Dreamstation 2 CPAP

What’s Great

There are lots of great features to this machine, both new and familiar. The smaller size makes it more portable for travel, integral humidifier and all, and it’s also incredibly quiet.

Read on for more great features!

ds2 bedside table

That tube

It comes with the smallest diameter tube on the market, so it packs easily and hangs lightly on your mask, but it’s also heated so you don’t have to worry about rainout (moisture buildup that can happen when warm humidified air passes through an unheated tube). If you have a larger tube that you’re used to, the DreamStation 2 will happily work with that too.

ds2 tube

Ramp Plus

Told you there’d be more on this. Ramp Plus lets you set the machine so that each night when you begin therapy it starts at a much lower pressure setting, then eases up to your prescribed pressure over the course of 15, 30 or 45 minutes depending on your preference. If you fall asleep before it hits full pressure and an apnea event is detected, Ramp Plus automatically adapts.

ds2 touchscreen display

A handy phone app

The Philips DreamMapper sleep apnea mobile app has been a huge success with previous models, so of course they made it functional with the DreamStation 2. It’s an app that sends daily feedback on your therapy journey right to your phone or tablet. According to Philips, patients who use DreamMapper have a 283% higher success rate at sticking with sleep therapy.

This app is available in Android and IOS.

Man with cpap mask, showing the Philips app

Permanent humidifier

Unlike the previous model or their dedicated travel CPAP DreamStation GO, Philips made the humidifier integral to this unit, counting on its much smaller size to make the new machine truly friendly for travel. Its light weight and low-profile shoulder bag make the DreamStation 2 a natural carry-on for flights and an easy pack for road trips, and you’ll always have the humidifier with you for a comfortable sleep even away from home.

ds2 dreamstation2 chamberwithhand

Amazing feedback

The algorithm DreamStation machines use provides great adaptability for a good night’s sleep, and the feedback it gives your respiratory therapist is unparalleled. That feedback means your therapist is able to get a clear picture of how your therapy’s progressing, and give you better support to make your CPAP therapy a success.

ds2 couple bed

Compatibility with masks

Interested in getting the Dreamstation 2 but worried that it won’t work with your mask?

Don’t be! The machine is compatible with all CPAP masks from Resmed, Respironics and Fisher and Paykel.

ds2 angle

Dreamstation 2 CPAP

ds2 blog masks

In Conclusion

This is a sleek new addition to the market in style and size, and it comes with a new and improved user interface for comfort controls. The smaller integral humidifier means it takes up less space on your bedside table when you’re at home, and packs easily when you travel. The machine is whisper quiet and effective, and it’s a great choice for new CPAP users with its gentle EZ-Start and Ramp Plus features, as well as the supportive feedback it gives through the DreamMapper app.

If you’re looking for a new CPAP machine and would like to learn more about the DreamStation 2, book an appointment or just give Apnea Health a call at 1-800-727-8748!

ds2 couple sleeping

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NFL Stars With Sleep Apnea

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Did you know that roughly 1/3 of NFL players suffer from sleep apnea?¹

That statistic may be surprising, but it makes sense that the size and strength required to be a pro-football player can also increase health problems off the field. However, with the help of their CPAP treatment, NFL stars with sleep apnea were still able to be at the top of their game. Here’s a list of some of the greatest NFL athletes who were diagnosed with sleep apnea!

Ryan Jensen

“I honestly think that if I wouldn’t have got diagnosed and caught it within time, I wouldn’t be in the NFL anymore,” says Jensen.² At the beginning of his NFL career, Jensen was losing his strength and feeling restless after a full 8 hours of sleep. This affected his performance, and resulted in him being cut from the Baltimore Ravens’ roster.

Jensen father suggested he get tested for sleep apnea. After just one month of sleep therapy, Jensen grew stronger and returned to the Ravens.

Whether your career depends on CPAP like Jensen, it’s safe to say your life wouldn’t be the same without it. That’s why health insurance often covers essential sleep therapy supplies.

Ryan Jensen

Shop CPAP Masks

ESON 2 CPAP mask from Fisher & Paykel

ESON 2

P10 for her

AirFit P10 for Her

The Brevida Nasal Pillows Mask from Fisher & Paykel

Brevida

Brett Favre

During his 16 seasons with the Packers, Brett Favre was the first and only NFL player to win three consecutive AP MVP awards, and helped his team win Super Bowl XXXI. He would not have been able to lead his team to victory if he didn’t use his CPAP.

Brett Favre in football gear, ready to throw the ball during a game

Reggie White

NFL legend, aka the “Minister of Defense,” played defensive end for 15 seasons and 13 consecutive Pro Bowls.

White passed in his sleep at the young age of 43 due to his untreated sleep apnea.³

Reggie White

Warren Sapp

7-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Warren Sapp was honored NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1999. He struggled with poor sleep for years before seeking treatment.

Since then, he has “made a firm commitment to prevent undiagnosed sleep apnea from threatening my life and the lives of millions like me.”⁴

Warren Sapp

Using a CPAP is the first step to maintaining your health.

It’s also important to routinely clean your CPAP equipment for the most effective sleep therapy.

Lumin CPAP cleaning and disinfecting machine

Lumin UV-C Sterilizer

cleaning kit grapefruit

Cleaning Kit – Grapefruit

cleaning kit mint

Cleaning Kit – Grapefruit

soap wipes

Cleaning Kit – Soaps and Wipes

Source:

  1. https://www.sleepdr.com/the-sleep-blog/13-of-nfl-players-have-sleep-apnea/
  2. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/nfl-star-ryan-jensen-sleep-apnea-diagnosis-saved/story?id=49688843
  3. https://www.medpagetoday.org/primarycare/sleepdisorders/298
  4. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nfl-legend-warren-sapp-champions-130000636.html?affiliate_source=7
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Is snoring suffocating your marriage?

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Have you ever thought about how snoring affects your relationship with your partner?

A prime symptom of OSA is snoring, plus frequent periods of gasping for air or tossing and turning. All that racket robs your partner of sleep, often leading to a shorter fuse the next day and heaps of resentment as well. “Heaps of resentment” – not a phrase you think of when picturing marital bliss.

Can we talk about sleeping together?

Patients commonly seek out first time help for their sleep apnea when a partner threatens to (or actually does) kick them out of bed. It’s incredibly common. A U.S. poll of a thousand adults by the National Sleep Foundation found that 31% of those who live with a partner will resort to earplugs or even separate bedrooms for relief from disruptive snoring. That’s almost a third of us.

woman with noise cancelling earphones

Maybe it’s time to pick up a marital aid…

Not that kind of marital aid! We’re not here to tell you how to handle intimacy, but the fact is the divorce rate for couples where one or both suffer from sleep apnea is frighteningly high. If loud snoring is driving a wedge between you and your partner, therapy with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine may offer the aid you need. It’s the most proven and most prescribed treatment for sleep apnea, and your partner will thank you for making the leap.

Airsense, Dreamstation and Sleepstyle CPAP machines

Save your marriage with CPAP

The sneaky thing with OSA is that many who have it have no idea what’s going on. They feel tired, sure, and over time the effects pile up. But the little stoppages in breathing that cause them to lose sleep are usually not enough to fully wake them up, so they spend a whole night in bed, snoring away, and wondering why they’re so tired the next day. Their spouses, on the other hand, know exactly what’s making them tired – getting woken half the night by all that snoring! Study after study has been done on the subject. Researchers at The Sleep Disorders Center at Rush University Medical Center found clinical evidence that sleep deprivation in partners of people with sleep apnea put a strain on marriages – in one case study a woman was woken up over eight times an hour by her husband’s snoring. Okay, maybe it doesn’t take a research scientist to figure out how that could drive people apart… What’s encouraging from the study though, is that when the snoring partner started CPAP treatment, their spouse’s quality of life shot up remarkably. They reported reductions in daytime sleepiness, and great gains in nighttime sleep efficiency and marital satisfaction.

people affectionate e1607981386462

Want to get back in your bed?

If you’re thinking it’s time to get serious about snoring – if you’re looking to get back in your own bed or address the problem before you find you’re no longer welcome there – Apnée Santé is here to help.

arms hugging

And where does the solution start? In bed!

To find out if CPAP treatment is right for you, you can do a home sleep test in the comfort of your own, well, wherever you’re sleeping. Reach out to any of our clinics and we’ll give you an initial consultation within 48 hours, then set you up with a simple, easy-to-use home sleep test to confirm if you have sleep apnea. If you do, we’ll enlist the help of a compact, whisper-quiet CPAP machine to stop your snoring, improve your sleep and get you on the path to brighter days and a happier marriage. From personal experience, since the snoring stops immediately with CPAP, your spouse might start to feel the benefits of your treatment even before you do! What’s more, once you’re set up, our care for life program means we’ll stick with you, give you tips to make the most of your CPAP therapy, and be there if you have questions or need help with your equipment.

Man in bed adjusting the home sleep test monitor around his chest

Fallen off the sleep wagon?

Have you tried CPAP therapy but fallen off the wagon? Not to worry! If you had success with CPAP in the past but later found it wasn’t really working for you, it probably isn’t your fault. Patients’ needs can change over time, and equipment wears out and becomes less effective. Since these things happen gradually, you aren’t likely to notice the subtle changes night by night until eventually you just feel like CPAP isn’t really doing the trick anymore. Ill-fitting or poorly functioning equipment can actually make your sleep worse, so without checking in with the experts from time to time, it’s easy to feel like your therapy used to work but now somehow just doesn’t, and decide to pack it in. But that doesn’t mean your sleep apnea has packed it in too.

Man looking at a ESON 2 mask

If the snoring is back, and the exhaustion is back, it’s time to get yourself back on track.

Whether your equipment originally came from us or you got it somewhere else a long time ago, our respiratory therapists will be happy to consult with you and help get your therapy working again. If your shoulders are getting sore from all the “Roll over and be quiet!” shoving at night, or you’ve dropped off your CPAP and are feeling the old tired feelings coming back, we can help.

Apnée Santé Team

Related links:

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Get your CPAP supplies before your insurance resets

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We’re here to help you replenish your supplies before year-end

It’s that time of the year again — your private health benefits are likely to reset next year. If you haven’t replaced your mask or your CPAP supplies yet, now is the time. Don’t wait until the mask breaks or your cat punctures a hole in the hose.

To help you receive the supplies you need, we are open throughout the holidays both in-clinic and online (except for December 25th and January 1st). And don’t forget, Apnea Health Vaudreuil is open on Saturdays!

Below we outline what private health benefits cover and with what frequency.

Why should you replace your CPAP supplies regularly?

  • Necessary for hygiene: ensures the safety of your sleep therapy and minimizes chance of getting sick.
  • Decreases common problems: mask leaks, build up of calcium in water chamber, growth of bacteria in both water chamber and tube.
  • Protects your CPAP and you: filters, filters, filters! We can’t overstate the importance of filters. Here’s why:
  • Filters for the CPAP: if you don’t want to wind up with a noisy CPAP after a couple or years, you must change your filters regularly. The filters protect the CPAP’s motor!
  • Filters for you: protects you from dust and particles in the air.

replacement schedule en 1

Easy-to-choose replacement kits

To make it even EASIER to replace your supplies, we offer replacement kits for the most CPAP machines!

Shop all kits

Did you know that your insurance covers 1-2 masks per year AND all CPAP maintenance items, such as filters, tube and water tubs?

Health insurance benefits normally reset January 1st, so don’t forget to use them or you’ll lose them. Also, please keep in mind that there may be delays with parcel delivery since Canadians are doing most of their shopping online.

Need help with your insurance? We can help!

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Should I use CPAP when I have a cold?

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Cold and flu season is upon us

We all wanted to hope it wouldn’t be true, and it’s easy to pretend it isn’t coming back when you’re still sipping drinks on the patio at the height of summer, but like it or not every winter, magical as the season can sometimes be, also comes with the risk of falling under the weather.

CPAP can relieve cold symptoms

When your nose is congested it can seem like putting on the mask is the last thing you want to do – but don’t fall for it! Done right, not only can CPAP treatment boost your immune system by helping you get the restorative sleep you need, but the warm, humidified air can provide direct relief of symptoms. Here are a few pointers for you to make the most out of your treatment, even when you have the flu, so that you feel better and get better faster.

Sick woman blowing her nose while lying in bed

Heated humidity helps

Don’t forget to fill your water tank! Most CPAP machines these days come with the ability to add warm humidity to the air you breathe. If yours doesn’t, an upgrade is definitely worth the investment! They were designed to improve comfort at all times, but humidifiers are especially helpful in dry winter air, and most especially when you’re sick. Pressurized air, with the added warmth and humidity, can physically loosen up a congested nose and help you breathe easier. But it doesn’t work if you don’t use it – so make sure you refill your humidifier tub every night with distilled water.

humidification resmed airsense

Change up your position

If you’re used to sleeping like a big happy starfish, good for you, but it might not help things when you’re feeling sick. Sleeping on your back will tend to increase stuffiness and post-nasal drip. An easy tip is to try flipping onto your side when you sleep, to avoid uncomfortable build-up. Just make sure to have the right sized pillow under your head and neck to keep your spine aligned – you don’t want to add a stiff neck to your list of cold symptoms.

Sleeping man spread out on his bed

The contour CPAP pillow will help you keep yourself in a comfortable position while keeping your hose under control all night.

contour pillow

Shop contour pillow

Flush out the pipes

The Neti pot is an ancient Indian invention that’s resurging in popularity for its simplicity and effectiveness at relieving nasal congestion. It’s essentially a funny-looking little teapot made of ceramic or plastic that you use to pour a solution of salt, baking soda and distilled water (which you should already have on hand) through your nostrils to clear out nasal and sinus congestion. They’re available at pharmacies everywhere and can provide great relief when you’re all blocked up. If you prefer a more modern approach, you can also find pre-packaged saline sprays or over the counter decongestant or antihistamine nasal sprays that will help keep the pipes clear and make breathing through your nose easier, so you can keep using your CPAP.

Neti pot with Himalayan salt

The big guns – the full face mask

People that are chronic mouth-breathers when they sleep will probably already have been guided into the wonders of the full face mask, and know it lets you continue therapy while breathing through your mouth all night. If you’re already one of them, maybe skip ahead to the next section… Alright. For the rest of us who are used to nasal or nasal pillow masks: when you’re super congested and nothing is working to clear your nose, a full face mask will let you breathe through your mouth while still getting the full benefit of your CPAP treatment, so you sleep better and begin to feel better faster as a result. The same applies whether it’s a cold or it’s allergies blocking you up, and it works so well that many chronic sufferers will buy a full face mask as a backup to use when the nasal mask just won’t cut it.

Full-face masks: Airfit F20, Vitera and Mirage Quattro

Go with an Auto CPAP

Auto CPAP machines don’t just blow air at a fixed pressure, they use sophisticated algorithms to measure your needs and adjust accordingly, so you get more air when you need it. That means when your nasal passages are restricted, the machine can tell you’re working harder to breathe and will adjust to give you the pressure you need.

sleepstyle CPAP machine on a bedside table with a couple sleeping in the background

If you don’t have an Auto CPAP or it’s time for an upgrade, they’re definitely worth looking into.

Apnea Health can help find just the right machine for you.

Airsense, Dreamstation and Sleepstyle CPAP machines

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Would you feel better with a full face CPAP mask?

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Being advised to switch to a full face mask isn’t a sentence – in fact it can be incredibly liberating!

Don’t think it means you’re in for some bulky WWII-looking thing; full face masks today are comfortable and easy to wear, and for lots of people they work better than their more compact cousins.

Why short change your therapy if a full face mask will help you sleep and feel even better? Here are some reasons a bigger mask might be a fit for you…

You’re a mouth-breather

Don’t be insulted – we’re not name calling! But do you wake up with cottonmouth all the time? If so, it means you’re breathing through your mouth while you sleep and you definitely need a full face mask.

If you use a small nasal or nasal pillow mask but your mouth tends to fall open at night, the pressurized air will escape noisily from your mouth. Not only is that loud and disruptive, it renders your CPAP therapy way less effective.

man sleeping with his mouth open

It’s more humid outside than in

Does your pillow double as a drool-catcher? Come on, you know who you are! If this applies to you, even some of the time, you’re probably experiencing occasional dryness as well, either in your mouth or your nasal cavities.

But I have a humidifier you say? Well, humidifiers help a lot, but if your mouth is open with a nasal mask they don’t work nearly as well – the moist air comes in through your nose but blows right back out through your mouth, making the whole system less efficient.

Don’t be afraid to try a full face mask and enjoy the maximum benefit of your CPAP; your body (and your pillowcase) will thank you!

dry desert with dead trees

You’re under a lot of pressure

We’re not talking about stress, although a good night’s sleep with CPAP therapy can help with that too.

No, what we’re talking about is your pressure settings. If your respirologist says your therapy calls for a higher pressure, say a setting of higher than about 15cmH2O, a lightweight or nasal pillow mask might not cut it. A leaky seal at higher pressures is a common nuisance that’ll leave you steaming.

While a lighter mask may not seal under pressure, a full face mask will stay comfortably put no matter how high the pressure gets.

pressure gauge

You’re all stuffed up

Everyone gets congested from colds or allergies sometimes, some of us a lot of the time. When stuffiness strikes, breathing through your nose is like eating mashed potatoes with a straw, and your nasal mask quickly gets tossed.

Enter the full face mask! When the mask covers your nose and mouth, you get to breathe easier no matter how clogged your schnoz.

Full face masks are so effective at aiding sleep when you’re congested that a lot of patients keep one around as a ‘plan B’ when their nose gets too stuffed for their smaller mask to work. Why not? It isn’t like flu season or allergy season will stop coming, so if you know you’re going to be struck again, you might as well be prepared so you can get better sleep year round.

Whether full time or just when you need it, a full face mask is nothing to be shy about – it can make all the difference in your CPAP therapy. Talk to us today to see if a full face mask might be the right fit for you.

woman with allergies

The best fit for you

At Apnea Health, we’re all about making sure that your sleep therapy works for you. We carry many options for full face masks, so you can rest easy knowing you’ll find just the right fit.

man adjusting his full face mask

ResMed AirFit F20

  • Our best selling model, the F20 features a new InfinitySeal silicone cushion that moves with you and makes fitting easy
    It has easy-to-use magnetic clips for quick fitting
  • It has a comfortable, flexible fabric-lined frame
  • Available in a ‘for Her’ version tailored for a woman’s features
airfit f20

Shop the AitFit F20

 

ResMed AirTouch F20

  • Like the popular silicone version, but featuring an UltraSoft memory foam cushion that’s light and breathable
  • It has a new QuietAir diffuser that makes it quieter and gentler
  • It’s easy to maintain and clean and easy to replace
airtouch f20

Shop AirTouch F20

F&P Vitera

  • Features VentiCool breathable fabric headgear that allows 21 times more airflow to keep you cool and comfortable
  • The RollFit XT seal stays in place while you move and reduces pressure on the bridge of your nose
  • The dynamic stability bar keeps your mask secure all night
vitera ffm

Shop Vitera

ResMed AirFit F30

  • With its ultra-compact under-the-nose design, this mask leaves the bridge of your nose comfortable and mark free
  • Quiet diffused venting keeps noise to a minimum
  • It has easy-to-use magnetic clips for quick fitting
  • The F30’s clear field of vision makes it easy to read in bed, even with glasses on
F30 full face mask

Shop AirFit N30

Respironics DreamWear

  • The DreamWear’s unique design puts the hose above your head for total freedom of movement – no more nose hose!
  • Its soft silicone frame makes for a comfortable fit
  • The under-the-nose design means no red marks on the bridge of your nose, and a clear and open field of view
dreamwear

Shop Dreamwear

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SleepStyle – finally a CPAP that looks as good as it makes you feel

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The Fisher & Paykel Sleepstyle Auto takes sleekness and simplicity to a new level with its compact, stylish and user-friendly design. 

The SleepStyle puts breakthrough humification technology and auto-adjusting pressure algorithms into a modern, easy to use and comfortable package – this CPAP looks as good as it makes you feel!

Learn how the F&P SleepStyle’s design stands out:

Clean lines and compact performance

The SleepStyle combines the humidifier and the quiet drive into a full-featured yet compact footprint that gives you big CPAP performance with a minimalist mindset. It’s small enough to be travel-friendly with its convenient carry bag, and sleek enough to look good on your bedside table when you stay home.

sensawake

Self-adjusting comfort

The SleepStyle’s SensAwake technology works through the night to automatically detect periods of wakefulness. When your sleep cycle enters a more awake stage, it promptly reduces the pressure to a gentler level, easing the comfortable return to sleep.

sleepstyle close up

Why do our clinicians love the SleepStyle?

Souad, in our Mascouche clinic, says that the SleepStyle is her go-to CPAP especially for patients who don’t tolerate large changes in pressure. Other CPAP have a more aggressive algorithm resulting in patients swallowing more air and becoming bloated or waking up due to the rapid pressure adjustment.

sleepstyle CPAP machine on a bedside table with a couple sleeping in the background

ThermoSmart humidification

CPAP manufacturers all know that humidification is key to comfortable sleep therapy. The new ThermoSmart heated breathing tube with its innovative AirSpiral technology was conceived to minimize condensation (sometimes called rainout) by adapting to ambient changes in heat and moisture levels. This keeps you comfortable and reduces strain so your sleep stays even.

sleepstyle humidification

Access simplicity

The humidifier is not only smart but easy – it takes just a push of a button to open the chamber wide and access the water reservoir, so filling and cleaning is as simple as can be. Just lift it straight out and drop it back in with no awkward angles or guesswork.

sleepstyle buttons 1

Expiratory relief

For an added layer of comfort, this CPAP automatically relieves the air pressure every time you breathe out, making your therapy even less intrusive.

sleepstyle cpap

Shop sleepstyle

Finger friendly

Large but streamlined, the easy-to-press buttons give you control of a simple and intuitive menu. The only CPAP with an Ease of Use Commendation from the American Arthritis Foundation, the SleepStyle was designed to make every aspect of your sleep therapy clean, simple and easy.

Close up view of hand adjusting settings on a SleepStyle machine

Modem and App

The built-in modem clever bit of technology allows an automated data transfer with us so we can make sure your therapy is working at its best. We can check your stats remotely, and help with tips and adjustments as part of our care for life program.

The SleepStyle app lets you instantly track your own progress on any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone so you get a detailed look into how your therapy is working.

sleepstyle phone app

Shop SleepStyle

sleepstyle cpap

Shop SleepStyle

Still Not Sure? Discover other CPAP options

Resmed Airsense for Him

Learn more about Airsense 10 for Him

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