Are you or a loved one a CPAP user? They are the mainstay treatment for significantly improving sleep apnea, but up to 50% of people stop using them within one year. Why? One reason is how daunting the maintenance of their equipment is. At first, it might seem overwhelming but understand with time it will become as routine as brushing your teeth.
The holiday season has arrived! Not only should you be excited, but there is so much to look forward to. Time with family and friends, shopping, and traveling are all many things that we take part in during the holiday season. However, for patients with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), going untreated while traveling can put them at risk for serious health consequences and, perhaps, ruin their trip as well. Sleep apnea doesn’t take a holiday, so it's important to continue treating it during yours. Here are a few quick tips to make traveling with sleep apnea a little less cumbersome.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly known as COPD, is a progressive lung condition that significantly impacts the quality of life for millions worldwide. Characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation, COPD is primarily caused by long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most notably from cigarette smoke. As a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, this disease poses a substantial public health challenge, often going undiagnosed until it has advanced due to its insidious onset and the commonality of its symptoms with other respiratory conditions. Understanding COPD is crucial for early detection and management, which can help improve patient outcomes and slow the progression of the disease.
Chronic, loud snoring may be a bigger personal problem than just a nuisance for other people who have to listen to your nightly nasally noises. In other words, while their sleep might be disrupted, your snoring might be caused by a medical condition called sleep apnea, which can have significant health consequences. Or, maybe you are just a loud, chronic snorer.
Knowing the difference and telltale signs between loud snoring and sleep apnea is important, as identifying the potential problem underlying your chronic snoring is the first step to getting healthy again.
Is it time to upgrade your CPAP?
Is your CPAP machine noisy? Is it keeping you and/or your partner awake at night? If your CPAP is three years old or older, there’s a good chance that it is. There are new CPAP machines that are quieter, lighter and auto-titrating. Meaning they automatically adjust to the optimal pressure settings.
Are you or a loved one a CPAP user? They can change your life, but up to 50% of people stop using them within one year. Why? Because most find the maintenance of their equipment daunting. At first it might seem overwhelming but understand with time it will become as routine as brushing your teeth.