Happy New Year!

480-614-5281 or 877-392-7270

January 2012

Happy New Year

In This Issue

Therapy Tips

Articles of Interest

Quick Links

Shop Online

Visit Our Retail Store

Resources & Links

Have you heard?

EZ CPAP has a Refer a Friend Program!

For each person that you refer to EZ CPAP you will receive a coupon for 20% off of your next purchase!

So tell your family and friends to visit our website or our store, and make sure they tell us about you so that you reap your rewards!

EZ CPAP.com

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.

The Store 5

Therapy Tips:

It's the start of a new year, so why not start it off by making sure all of your CPAP equipment is in good condition and your CPAP/Bilevel machine is working properly?

Mask cushions and pillows can become softer with use resulting in a less effective seal. The cushion/pillows is less expensive to replace than the whole mask and will make a huge difference in your therapy. Most insurance companies will replace these monthly. Also check your headgear strap and make sure it is not over-stretched. Sometimes simply cleaning it by hand with a mild soap and letting it air dry will improve it's elasticity for awhile.

It is important to have the pressure output of your machine checked. Although the display shows a set pressure setting, the machine is not always producing the correct pressure. It is common and normal for CPAP machines to need minor re-calibration. Checking pressure and re-calibrating is quick and easy to do.

Finally, check your tubing for tears and over-stretched cuffs, and replace filters as needed. Tears in the tube result in leaks and therefore less pressure. And over-stretched cuffs may not hold to the mask or machine effectively. Filters should be replaced when they are gray in color.

Anytime you are not sure whether or not something should be replaced, feel free to call or stop by with your equipment. We would be more than happy to examine your supplies and help you determine what does and does not need to be replaced.

Articles of Interest

NSF Reports Sleep Disorders

Linked to Poor Performance in Police Officers

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 50-70 million Americans are affected by some type of sleep disorder, but far too many go undiagnosed. People with untreated sleep disorders are at much higher risk of making mistakes that result in injury and definitely experience a poorer quality of life due to chronic fatigue and the resulting mental dysfunction.

The Brigham and Women's Hospital recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association the results of a study that showed that 40% of police officers screened were positive for an untreated sleep disorder, the most common being obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

To read more about the study click here.

Myths About Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Do you know someone who undoubtedly has Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) but uses a multitude of excuses for not seeking treatment? WebMD presents a slide show that addresses some of the myths surrounding sleep apnea that contribute to the denial of many who have this problem.

Myth #1: Sleep apnea is just snoring. Wrong. (And snoring is NOT normal, contrary to popular belief.) Snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, but apnea involves more than just the annoying noise--apnea literally means "without breath". The severity of sleep apnea is measured by how often and for how long a person is stops breathing while sleeping.
Myth #2: Sleep apnea is not dangerous. When breathing stops, sleep is interrupted. And all of those interruptions contribute to the negative consequences we have linked to sleep deprivation in general. Not only does it put a person at higher risk for auto/work accidents and lower productivity, over time the person is at higher risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and more.
Myth #3: Only old people have sleep apnea. It is estimated that 12 million Americans have OSA. Although it has been documented that OSA is more common after age 40, it does affect younger people, even children. It is estimated that 1 in 10 children have sleep apnea.
Myth #4: If I lose weight, I won't have sleep apnea. Only about 30% of people with OSA will be "cured" of sleep apnea by losing weight. However, although sleep apnea might not disappear completely for most, losing weight usually improves symptoms related to apnea as well as overall health.

In addition to myths surrounding Obstructive Sleep Apnea, WebMD also presents facts about the disorder and its treatment. To read more, click here.

Featured Product

Go Life for Him and Her

Have you tried other nasal pillows masks, but find that they do not fit as well as you would like? Perhaps the headgear does not stay in place and you cannot get a good seal.

A great alternative could be the GoLife Nasal Pillows System by Respironics! The GoLife has a minimal amount of headgear and a clear view just like the other nasal pillows masks on the market. But, Respironics has added a little bit more structure to the front of the mask to help the pillows suspend under the nostrils and keep them in place.

The GoLife for Men and Women are each designed to fit the different facial structures and sizes that are typical between men and women. However, we have seen men use the women's successfully and vice versa.

Although it is not always possible, we do recommend that you find a company that will allow you to try masks on before you buy them.

For more information regarding the GoLife for Men and Women, please visit EZ CPAP.com.