CPAP product reviews and other helpful tips for CPAP users!

Approximately 5.4 million Canadians have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or are at high risk of suffering from OSA. For these individuals, CPAP therapy is the first line form of treatment. 

What Is CPAP Therapy? 

Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP therapy), is a treatment method created by Dr. Colin Sullivan in the early 1980s. This therapy alleviates obstructed air passageways most commonly found in patients with mild, moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

This form of therapy, OSA patients use a CPAP machine. This includes the use of a mask that often covers both the nose and mouth while you sleep. The mask is then attached to the CPAP machine by a tube.

CPAP is often used as an umbrella term for a number of positive airway pressure (PAP) devices including APAP and BiPAP. It has proven to be very successful for OSA patients. Many patients see positive results in the first few weeks after starting CPAP treatment.  

How Exactly Do CPAP Devices Work? 

CPAP devices work by delivering a constant flow of positive air pressure from the CPAP machine, through the sleep apnea mask and directly to the patient’s airway. In an OSA patient, the main cause of sleep disruption is due to their airway passage narrowing or collapsing while they sleep. 

By delivering air into the mouth via CPAP equipment, it subtly increases airflow in the throat, keeping the airway open. 

What Are The Steps To Getting Started With CPAP Treatment? 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosis

Sleep disruption can happen for many different reasons. To know for certain that CPAP therapy is right for you, you first need to be diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. 

Many OSA patients often go to their GP before getting referred to a sleep specialist or sleep clinic for further evaluation. A polysomnography sleep test is one evaluation method a sleep specialist will use. This test electronically records specific physical activities while you sleep.

Once obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed, the OSA specialist will carry out further tests to determine the severity of the diagnosis. This will determine the level of air pressure needed as part of CPAP treatment. 

Finding The Right CPAP Equipment 

CPAP masks come in multiple styles and depending on various factors, you may find one style suits you better than others. 

For example, the position in which you sleep or whether you have facial hair will affect which style of CPAP mask you should wear. Here are some tips to help you find the right CPAP equipment for you. 

If You Are A Side Sleeper

If your automatic sleeping position is curling up on your side, you’ll need a mask with a minimal design so it will not be obstructed by your pillow. Any obstruction will compromise the compliance of CPAP therapy. 

We advise side sleepers to go for a nasal cushion style of CPAP mask. Many side sleeping OSA patients found success with masks such as the Airfit P10 by Resmed, or the Airfit F30. You can read our review here. 

If You Are A Stomach Sleeper

Stomach sleeper a better way to describe you? Your options for CPAP masks are a little more limited but still great overall. 

Sleeping on your stomach is a tricker position for CPAP therapy but not impossible. You’ll just have to accommodate. You will need to go for a mask that has a tube that connects over the head rather than to the front of the face. 

Dreamwear is a line of CPAP masks from Philips Respironics that is ground-breaking for stomach sleepers. Consider looking at either the Dreamwear Nasal CPAP Mask or the Dreamwear Full Face Mask. 

If You Are A Back Sleeper

If you sleep on your back all night long, you are an OSA specialist’s dream come true. With minimal movement, you can choose from most styles of CPAP masks. 

Depending on your needs and the amount of tossing while sleeping, a full face mask can be a great choice as a back sleeper. This will give you the comfort that you need while also ensuring you receive the full benefits of CPAP therapy. 

Again, the Airfit F30 Full Face Mask is an excellent choice. It’s improved design means comfy straps to make sleeping easy. It also prevents waking up to any mask indentations, or “sleep lines” on your face the next morning.  

If You Have Facial Hair

A nasal pillow mask’s discreet design is great for men with beards or moustaches. This is because the bulk of the mask is located at the nasal area and away from your facial hair. Meaning you can sleep more easily in any position. 

Both the AirFit P30i and the AirFit P10 are worthy contenders to choose from.  

But What About A CPAP Machine? 

Choosing a mask is only half the battle. Next, you’ll need to purchase a CPAP machine. As a newbie to CPAP therapy, the DreamStation Auto is a great option for easing into treatment. It’s easy to use and its smart technology makes adjustments to air pressure levels as you sleep.  

Practice Before Using It At Night

You will need time to get used to wearing your new equipment. Start off by taking some time each day to wear the mask and get a feel for how it sits on your face. That way it should feel less cumbersome when you put it on at night. 

Signs That CPAP Therapy Is Working For You

How do you know if CPAP therapy is actually working for you? One of the most obvious signs that your sleep quality is improving is you wake up feeling more rested. It’s that simple. And really, that’s the whole goal of this type of therapy. 

Other telltale signs include: 

• Concentration levels improve
• No headaches in the morning 
• Less waking during the night
• Reduced snoring (Partners really enjoy this one!) 

Why CPAP Therapy Is The Gold Standard For Treating OSA

CPAP therapy has become known as the gold standard for treating obstructive sleep apnea. For many years, this form of sleep therapy has dramatically improved the symptoms of sleep disruption. It also has given patients back quality of life.

Although CPAP therapy has its own challenges, many patients feel they can rely on CPAP equipment to improve their quality of sleep rather than having to opt for invasive surgeries. With the correct use and regular maintenance of CPAP devices and masks, it could be the golden treatment for you too. 

Suffer from interrupted sleep but not sure of the cause? Here are some clues that you might have OSA. 

Are you the kind of person who lies awake for hours at night wishing that sleep would come? If the answer is yes, it may be time for you to reassess your sleep environment.  The place where we sleep can have a significant impact on sleep quality and quantity. 

Why Your Sleep Environment Matters?

It may seem inconsequential but you should never underestimate the importance of the environment where you sleep. More often than not, the place Canadians sleep most is the bedroom. When it comes to this room of your home, it should be a sanctuary for restful and restorative sleep. 

There are many external factors that influence our bedrooms. For this reason, it’s important that a sleep environment promotes and improves sleep quality. 

Now, we’re not talking about how the room is decorated or what direction the bed is facing. We’re talking about variables such as:

• Noise
• Light
• Temperature
• Smell 

By becoming more attuned to the external factors in your sleep environment, you can discover what puts you at ease, while also eliminating variables that distract you. There’s nothing stopping you from setting yourself up for your best possible sleep. 

Ways To Maximize Your Bedroom To Improve Sleep Quality

Here are some tips that you can put into practice to improve and maximize your bedroom environment to promote better sleep quality. 

Clean Out Clutter 

To get a better night of rest, you need to get rid of clutter. That means removing your laptop and saying goodbye to the gym equipment that sits tucked away in the corner of the room. 

Our bedroom should be associated with one thing only - sleep. But this isn’t for aesthetics only. When we start introducing other activities such as work or even exercise into our sleep environment, it conditions our brains to keep our minds more active when it’s time to rest. 

Have you ever spent a day working in your bedroom and then felt anxious all night long? That’s because your brain no longer associates the room as just an environment for rest. It now also sees it as a space for productivity and oftentimes, stress. 

Remove Electronics 

Electronics and digital devices should never be allowed in your sleep environment. That means cell phones, laptops, TVs and even e-readers. All of these devices emit sleep-disrupting light known as blue light. 

The reason that blue light affects our ability to sleep is that it tricks our body into slowing down its production of melatonin - the hormone we need for sleep regulation. The more sources of blue light that we have in our bedroom, the harder it is to fall asleep. 

Darken Your Room

Natural light regulates our circadian rhythm. So, we need darkness at night to create an optimal sleep environment. 

Artificial light from either a lamp or our cell phones has the same ability as natural daylight to keep us awake and alert. To improve sleep quality, a dark bedroom is best. Try light-blocking shades or blinds to prevent natural sunlight from waking you in the early morning. 

Installing dimmer switches on lighting can gradually prepare your body for sleep as the evening goes on. If you really need a source of light during the night, use dim nightlights. This will help you move about your house without stimulating your brain too much. 

Use Aromatherapy

Research shows that our sense of smell also impacts sleep quality. We can modify the scents in our sleep environment by using aromatherapy oils and diffusers to get a better night of rest. 

When creating a sleep-friendly environment, expose yourself to calming and relaxing scents, such as lavender or vanilla to help you unwind at night. Chamomile is another scent that is known for its relaxing properties. 

Still Not Sleeping Well? Speak To A Doctor To Rule Out A Sleep Disorder

Making adjustments to your sleeping environment can help you see an improvement in your quality of sleep. The tips we mentioned above will help you to effectively relax your body and mind every night.