Therapy Tips :
Although we have addressed the following issues in past newsletters, I felt it was necessary to address these issues once again since we encounter people every day who are not aware of them.
1. For the best seal and to make your mask last as long as possible, keep it clean!
The oils from your skin soften the silicone of the cushion/pillows, causing leaks. Some people deal with this by tightening the headgear. That only works temporarily and may cause skin irritation. Washing the oils off with soap and water daily keeps the mask firm and fresh. Eventually the cushion/pillows will wear out anyway, but keeping these parts clean will extend the life of your mask.
Other parts to keep clean include the forehead pad, which gets oily from your skin, and the headgear (straps). The headgear can be soaked in soap and water, then rinsed and air dried. Cleaning the headgear removes oils and odors and can improve its elasticity.
2. Keep 2 or more cushions/pillows sets on hand.
Often mask cushions/pillows get tears, rendering them useless. Having a spare or 2 on hand until you can replace the damaged one just makes good sense. It seems like things always break on weekends when supply companies are closed!
3. Replace cushions/pillows periodically to extend the life of your mask!
You can save a lot of money by simply replacing your cushion/pillows. This keeps your mask in top condition without having to replace the entire mask. If you find yourself needing to tighten the headgear to stop leaks, it's time to get a new cushion or pillows!
4. Once you have your headgear (straps) set, use the clips to remove your mask.
So many times I have watched people remove their masks by detaching the Velcro on their headgear. If you do this, each time you put your mask on you have to re-fit it. If you don't like using the clips, pull the mask off over your head, but leave the Velcro attached.
5. Use distilled water in your humidifier ONLY!
There is a reason all CPAP manufacturers recommend using distilled water only in their humidifiers. All other forms of water contain minerals which are damaging to humidifier reservoirs. We have seen minerals create tiny holes in the metal plate, causing water to leak out all over furniture. Minerals also coat the seals which keep the reservoir from leaking. We have seen mineral damage to seals that have caused water to back up into the electronics of the machine. Most of the time, the machine is permanently damaged when this occurs.
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 Are you interested in connecting with others with sleep apnea? Visit www.sleepguide.com, a forum of patients and sleep professionals. SleepGuide.com is a safe place to learn from others' experiences with PAP therapy and share your experiences too! The staff members of EZ CPAP are regular contributors to the forum as patients and professionals.
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Articles of Interest A New Treatment for Sleep Apnea?
A new technique is currently being tested in Belgium to treat obstructive sleep apnea, according to an article posted on CNet News. This new treatment involves surgically implanting a neurostimulator near the tongue to keep parts of the tongue awake so that it cannot block the airway during sleep. For the complete article, click here.Loss of Gray Matter! On February 9, 2010, the National Sleep Foundation posted an article online stating that people with obstructive sleep apnea show loss of gray matter of the brain. Gray matter is the part of the brain where most of the information processing takes place. This brain damage is progressive when sleep apnea is untreated and results in problems such as poor memory/concentration, emotional problems, cardiovascular disease, etc. It is believed that treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can stop the progression of damage. For more information, click here.
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