CPAP product reviews and other helpful tips for CPAP users!

True or false?

Compared to younger individuals, older adults need less sleep?

If you answered true, you are incorrect! Older adults need an average of 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night - the same as their younger counterparts. Contrary to many misconceptions, the amount of sleep required to stay healthy does not decrease as we age. However, it may be a challenge to obtain all those hours all in a night.

There are notable changes to our sleep as we get older. 50-60% of older adults report they have problems sleeping. In addition to changes in how much we sleep, our patterns of sleep also change. 

As we age, our bodies start to produce less melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone that controls the body's natural sleep/wake cycle. It is released in high doses into the blood in the evening to help you feel sleepy and will remain high until the morning. 

As we age, we experience a shift in our internal clock and how our body regulates sleep. The window in which our internal clock enables sleep narrows. This can mean we fall asleep earlier in the evening and wake up much earlier than we want to.

Older adults spend less time in rapid-eye-movement (REM) deep sleep and more time in non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep, specifically in the N1 stage, the lightest phase of sleep.  This means, as we get older, we may experience less satisfying sleep.

Insomnia is common in adults 60 and older. Insomnia includes trouble falling asleep, waking up several times a night or waking up too early altogether. This can be due to the lack of time spent in REM sleep and also as a side effect caused by other chronic conditions such as arthritis. 

The most common sleep disorders that affect ageing adults include Sleep Apnea and Restless Leg Syndrome. Sleep Apnea causes you to momentarily stop breathing - sometimes dozens of times an hour - which prevents the body from entering a deepened state of sleep. Restless leg syndrome is an uncomfortable and uncontrollable leg tingling sensation while you're trying to fall asleep.

Sleep problems often arise, go undiagnosed and untreated simply because many of us believe sleep problems are a normal part of ageing. Luckily, by prioritizing underlying medical conditions, understanding how our sleep changes, and strategizing a good sleep routine and environment, we can all positively improve sleep. It's not all bad news when we age. Sleep improves with retirement. A French study found people were 26% less likely to report sleep problems in the first 7 years of retirement. Vive la difference!

When it comes to choosing the right CPAP machine for yourself, you might be wondering if there is more than a cosmetic difference between the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet and ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet “For Her” model. While their algorithms are similar, the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her is optimized in small ways to help women sleep better.

The Basics

Both machines have auto mode, and the CPAP fixed pressure mode as well. 

The ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her comes with a white colour faceplate with flower faceplate while the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet is a shiny black faceplate. If the white face plate with flowers bothers you on the For Her model, ResMed also gives you the option of buying a replacement silver or shiny black faceplate. 

We have had very positive feedback from our customers about how comfortable, quiet, and easy it is to travel with both the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet and ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her.

All CPAP masks, whether it is the ResMed P10 or ResMed P10 for Her, the N20 nasal masks or the F20 full face masks are all fully compatible with both units. Even all masks of other manufacturers are all compatible as well. Both the heated hose, ClimatlineAir, or non-heated hose such as the ResMed slimline tubing will fit on both CPAP machines.

Both AutoSet machines also come with data capabilities to fully record detailed sleep quality reports. These reports can be viewed and generated through ResMed AirView, or by download from the SD card.

Why The ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her is ideal for women

The For Her model of ResMed’s popular CPAP machine has a more sensitive flow algorithm that picks up Hypopneas/flow limitation better than the standard model. Often females have more Hypopneas and flow limitation than Males due to menopause or any hormonal imbalances.

ResMed’s pioneering women-specific algorithm used in the AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her works by increasing sensitivity to flow limitation and optimizing the response to these events. By responding to each flow-limited breath, the algorithm helps to provide comfortable therapy for women and does not let the pressure increase dramatically during the detection of these hypopneas/flow-limitation events.

This device is not just for women, however; any patients with sensitive airways or suffering from Asthma, COPD, or Emphysema would also benefit from using the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her algorithm.

The Importance Of Properly Maintaining Your CPAP Machine

Routine check-ups, cleaning, filter changes, and adjustments of your CPAP range of pressures are a vital and key component to sleeping better on CPAP machine. Remember it is important to bring your CPAP machine every 6 months for a check-up. 

Like with all medical devices, it is important to make sure that the motor is delivering the right pressures. The motor function can be checked easily by your CPAP vendor or home health care provider with a pressure manometer.

Even with Auto CPAPs, it is extremely important that your CPAP pressure range constantly gets adjusted to match any weight, gain/loss and overall breathing condition changes. 

Shop for both the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet and ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her on CPAPMachines.ca today. We offer the lowest prices on CPAP Machines in Canada and free shipping across the country.

Written by Simon Ho RRT, Registered Respiratory Therapist