Therapy Tips: 
As fall and winter begin, so does the dry, cold air. If you are experiencing more allergy/cold symptoms such as congestion and/or dry nasal passages there are some things you can do to make CPAP therapy more comfortable.
If you are not already using humidification, consider adding it to your CPAP. Most machines have complimentary humidifiers that can be purchased and easily attached. If you have a model that does not have a complimentary humidification system, you can always add a stand-alone humidifier.
For those using humidification already, try increasing the heater setting. The warmer the air, the more water molecules it can hold, therefore increasing the amount of moisture that reaches your airway. If you experience too much "rain out", or condensation in your mask, reduce the heater setting a little, or consider using a hose wrap of some sort to keep the hose insulated. Snugglehose makes a soft fleece wrap, and other manufacturers make wraps with zippers that keep the hose warm like a winter jacket.
For those nights when you struggle to breathe through your nose due to congestion, have a full face mask available to use and be sure to use the humidifier. Most often the humidifier alone will be enough to keep your nasal passages open and clear. But should you need to breathe through your mouth, a full face mask will allow you to continue using your CPAP during the times when you need it most!
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Articles of Interest
Restless Legs Syndrome and High Blood Pressure
According to a new study published in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association, there is a correlation between having Restless Legs Syndrome and a higher risk of developing high blood pressure if you are a middle-aged woman. Researchers found that in women who experienced more than 15 episodes of restless legs, there was a 33% prevalence of high blood pressure, while those without restless legs symptoms had only a 21.4% prevalence.
To read more about the study, click here.
 High School Students and Insufficient Sleep
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a study which shows that approximately 70% of high school teens do not get enough sleep. This lack of sleep has been linked to several high-risk behaviors including drinking alcohol, smoking, fighting and sexual activity.
For more information, please visit the National Sleep Foundation website.
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Did you know?
In addition to quality sleep apnea equipment, EZ CPAP offers many services to support you:
- CPAP and bilevel pressure assessments and appropriate adjustments
- Personalized treatment education and follow-up
- Mask fittings-try before you buy!
You can even try the mask lying down on a real bed! - Evaluation of current equipment fit and function
- Sleep physician recommendations
- Sleep health education
Call for an appointment, or just walk-in! Our hours are Monday 2pm - 5pm, Tuesday 10am - 4pm, Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm, Thursday 2pm - 5pm and Friday 8:30-5:00.
Scheduled appointments take priority over walk-ins.
 | | Over 30 Masks to Try! |
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