CPAP product reviews and other helpful tips for CPAP users!

Congratulations - you got yourself a CPAP machine! You’re on the road to more restful sleep and more energy to take on your days. Even with the best CPAP equipment, clinical assistance, set up, and education, there is a learning curve for CPAP therapy.  Some people need a bit of time to get comfortable with the sensation of pressurized air.  Who are we kidding, it’s weird.  This challenge is normal, and you shouldn’t feel discouraged. 

Here are several tips to help you ease your way into therapy:

• Practice wearing your CPAP mask, even when it's not bedtime. Put on your therapy while watching TV or reading a book. Adjusting to a CPAP mask is one of the hardest things to do when starting CPAP. This allows you to overcome the initial unsettling claustrophobic feeling. Like a new pair of skates, sometimes you must let your feet adjust to them before you can hit the ice. 
• Commit to therapy every single day. It’s okay if you cannot get through an entire night at first. In the beginning, a lot of people wake up to find their masks on the floor.  Even if you stop therapy halfway through the night, each night you'll have it on longer and it will become normal to you. Over time, you'll get used to the pressurized air and increase the success of CPAP therapy.
• Try the Ramp Function. CPAP Machines have a ‘Ramp’ setting that starts with lower pressure and gradually increases it while you sleep, to help you fall asleep more naturally.  
• Establish a regular cleaning routine. If you do not clean your CPAP gear daily, you may expose yourself to unwanted bacteria and germs that can grow in a warm and moist environment (like the mask or hose).  Only use CPAP wipes on your CPAP mask, rinse out the water chamber and tubing, and set aside to air dry.
• Keep an open dialogue with your CPAP clinician. They are an excellent resource for tips and tricks to help you get accustomed to therapy. In most cases, issues that do arise in the first few weeks resolve themselves with ongoing usage.

Remember, consistency is key to your success! After several months, you will have adjusted fully and begun to reap the benefits of CPAP therapy. You'll notice you have more energy, snore less, and feel better overall.  Good luck and sweet dreams!   

It's a well-known fact that many of us are sleep deprived. About one-third of Canadians sleep fewer hours per night than recommended for optimal physical and mental health and there's nothing more satisfying than a full night's sleep. But did you know we make huge sacrifices when we scrimp on ‘shut-eye’?

The benefits of solid z’s and enough of them are immediate: you wake up with energy, stamina, improved mood, sharper attention, greater productivity… the list go on. And long term, regular restorative sleep means curbing inflammation in the body, improving gut health, maintaining a healthy weight and sharpening your memory. Healthy sleep habits may even contribute to you living longer.

But while there are tons of factors contributing to how much sleep you're getting (stress, work, kids, pregnancy, alcohol, chronic illness, etc…), nutritionists say don't overlook your diet. Wellness experts have long touted what you eat - and even when you eat - can have a direct effect on your slumber.

Doctors and sleep specialists have long-known the impact sleep can have on your metabolism and hormones and often tout these three important nutrients that, when added to your diet, can vastly improve your overall sleep:

Magnesium

Magnesium is a very important mineral that the body needs to function properly, including for sleep. Doctors may recommend specific amounts of magnesium for help with insomnia and restless leg syndrome. It can also help maintain healthy levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that aids in deep restorative sleep.  Some experts say men should get at least 400 milligrams of magnesium per day, while women need at least 300 milligrams.  You can get it naturally in water, dark chocolate, whole grains, dark-green, leafy vegetables nuts and seeds (like cashews, almonds, flaxseed).  Legumes (black beans, lima beans, edamame) and low-fat dairy products (yogurt and milk) are also good, natural sources of Magnesium.

Fiber

Consuming a high-fibre diet does wonders for your gut and your sleep. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that eating less fiber, more saturated fat, and more sugar - even just one day - is associated with a lighter, less restorative sleep and with more disruptions. This includes more tossing and turning and less deep, uninterrupted shut-eye. 

Aim for approximately 30 grams of fiber per day to set yourself up for overnight success.  High fibre foods include vegetables like: leafy greens, kale, spinach, broccoli and carrots.  Fruit such as blackberries, avocados and apples have tons of fibre.   Same for legumes (such as lentils), kidney beans, quinoa and chickpeas.  Don’t forget: if you are boosting your fibre intake, make sure you stay hydrated otherwise you might have trouble ‘going’ in the morning.

Melatonin

Summary

Let us start with the not-so-good news first.  After 8 years, Resmed decided to discontinue the AirFit N10 Mask.  It’s widely considered the G.O.A.T of CPAP masks and has been a Godsend for millions of patients.

The good news: There's another AirFit and this one is supposed to be even better (more on that later). 

A Look Back At AirFit™ N10

Before we look ahead to the future, let us unpack all the great stuff about the AirFit N10. Resmed released the N10 in 2014 as their first-generation nasal mask in today’s popular AirFit series. It took decades of research to develop the game-changing silicone cushions and padded headgear. The mask encompassed cutting-edge design by minimizing unnecessary parts and weight, pretty much eliminating annoying irritations other masks might cause. The AirFit N10 was consistently ranked the 'Number 1' overall favorite nasal masks for years. But in the beginning of 2022, Resmed announced it would stop making it. There is a pretty good reason why.

Sure, the N10 is a fantastic mask, but it was designed more than a decade ago. And while it still may work for you, technology is constantly opening the door for new, better designs. And Resmed has come up with one.

Meet AirFit™ N20

Say hello to N10's successor...AirFit™ N20!  Since it's official unveiling in 2016, the N20 has already eclipsed the N10 in popularity. The new-generation N20 is the result of more than three years of research and development with significant improvements to the design and comfortability! Resmed's research shows the AirFit N20 fits an astonishing 99% of patients tested - regardless of facial structure, gender or age (yes...we just picked our jaw off the ground, too!). That means less time tinkering with a mask and more time sleeping!

N20 Improvements & Key Features 

AirFit N20 looks even more modern, (and dare we say, sexy) than the once futurist N10, and is extremely comfortable! The stand-out feature includes its patented InfinitySeal™ cushion creating a stable fit and reliable seal around your nostrils. It is soft, adaptive and delicate silicone cushion leaves fewer marks on your face in the morning.

Other key features of AirFit N20 include:

• An open line of sight, keeping your entire field of vision clear
• Ultra-soft, flexible and lightweight frame
• Plush headgear with integrated extra-padding for enhanced comfort
• Modular design making it easy to fit and adjust
• Three interchangeable cushion sizes 
• Magnetic clips and quick-release elbow make it easy to put on or take off
• New hose connection offers more freedom of movement throughout the night

Making The Switch

While the AirFit N20 Mask has many five-star ratings on CPAPmachines.ca, we know there are many devoted users of the N10 who just need a bit more time...we completely understand. If you are one of them, stay on course by stocking up on the remaining N10's now, while sizes are still available. 

And if you're ready to make the jump to the N10's successor,  N20, you can shop for various sizes of AirFit N20 here.  The staff at CPAPmachines.ca have thoroughly tested it and it ranks as one of our absolute favourite nasal masks.