You've Just Been Told You Have Sleep Apnea....... Pertinent Information Everyone Should Know

Your doctor has just told you that you have sleep apnea and you need a CPAP machine when you sleep. The doctor has just explained that CPAP therapy is the most common treatment for sleep apnea and to expect a call from a medical equipment provider. The doctor has told you the equipment provider will instruct you on your machine and supplies...but what should you expect?

First, you'll need a good understanding of how the CPAP machine works. The Respiratory Clinician at Colonial Medical Supply will instruct you on the locations of all buttons and there functions. The Clinician will help you determine the best location for the machine within the bedroom. Your CPAP machine should never be placed above your head. Placing the machine above your head may cause injury to you and may damage the machine upon falling to floor. All CPAP machines like Resmed S8 series, Respironics Remstar M series, and Fisher Paykel HC series have filters that either need to be cleaned, replaced or both. The therapist will instruct on how to clean the filters and when to replace them. Your physician may have ordered a humidifier that is attached to your CPAP to prevent nasal dryness or congestion. The humidifier chamber which holds only water requires regular cleaning and is occasionally replaced. Distilled water is still recommended for use in the humidifier chamber. Using distilled water will prevent minerals from building up inside the chamber. You are offered a choice of either a six or ten foot CPAP tubing. Some patients require a longer tubing length due to bed mattresses being higher than night stands. It is NOT recommended to use a tubing greater than twelve feet in length as you may have a decline in CPAP pressure. If your physician has ordered you a specific mask the therapist will explain the benefits and features of that mask. However, if you get a choice of nasal devices the Respiratory Clinician will explain benefits and features of many different style masks like Resmed Swift LT, Swift LT for her, Quattro, Ultra Mirage, Micro, Activa, Liberty, Respironics Comfort Gel, Comfort Select, Optilife, Profile Lite, or Fisher Paykel Zest, Opus 360, HC405, HC406, HC432 full face mask systems. Colonial Medical Supply believes in educating patients which will lead to the best decision possible regarding there health and well-being.