Why It's Important to Bring Your CPAP to See Your Doctor

If you use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat your sleep apnea, you are likely quite familiar with the machine and its accompanying supplies. It may have a fixed place in your home next to your bed, but why might it be important to occasionally pack it up and bring it with you to see your doctor? Whether you use CPAP, or other related treatments like bilevel, the machine is an integral part of your experience. Compliance to therapy is often dependent on having the right device, proper settings, and the related equipment to support your efforts. The supplies may include the mask interface, headgear, tubing (often heated), air filters, and even a chinstrap. These items can make or break your experience. When you are just starting therapy, you may encounter specific problems. Perhaps the mask is not fitting properly. You may not know how to work all the bells and whistles of the machine. The humidifier and temperature settings may require some fine tuning. All of these issues can best be addressed by your sleep specialist or durable medical equipment provider, both with an expertise in managing these concerns. As treatment continues, maintenance needs may also present themselves. The equipment may start to wear out and require replacement. There may be a funny noise that needs addressing. The humidifier may not be working as well as it once did. It is necessary to replace all the supplies on a regular basis. This requires a current prescription from your doct...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news