Exactly What Supplies Are Necessary For My New Cpap Machine?

By Author: Chris Vasta
Total Articles: 738
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If you just unwrapped your new CPAP machine, and you’ve read the user manual, you know that CPAP only helps your sleep apnea if it is used nightly. Many people fail to use the CPAP faithfully. Only about 60% of all people who own CPAP equipment use it regularly. The main reasons for this are comfort and side effects like skin rashes or irritation from improperly fitted masks. Most of these comfort and side effect issues can be easily addressed with proper maintenance, proper fit, and the use of some CPAP supplies to improve the comfort and fit.

The Main Causes for CPAP Skin Rashes and Irritation

If the CPAP mask does not fit correctly, it can cause skin irritation, and if the seal is not tight, it can impact the performance of the machine. Over tightening the straps on the mask can lead to small cuts and abrasions on the face, especially across the bridge of nose and other spots where the mask touches the face. In order to get a better fit without over tightening the mask, you can use a CPAP supply like a nasal pillow or nasal cushion.

You should always ...
... wash the mask every day so that dirt on the mask is not pressed into your skin during the night. You should also wash your face every night before putting on the mask, for the same reason. CPAP cleaning supplies can help with your upkeep of CPAP masks and tubing. CPAP supplies designed specifically for cleaning CPAP parts kill bacteria and germs and make cleaning easier, so that you are more likely to do it every day.

Some people are allergic to the latex or plastics in some masks. If this is the case, there are many types of masks available, and a new mask should be tried so that the allergic reaction is not a factor in CPAP comfort.

How CPAP Supplies can keep your CPAP Regiment Going Successfully

First and foremost you should replace your CPAP supplies regularly. Every machine comes with a maintenance schedule, and your doctor may even have provided insight or changes to this schedule. Every month replace the following CPAP supplies:

CPAP nasal pillows
CPAP nasal cushions
CPAP disposable filters
CPAP face mask interface

CPAP supplies should always be replaced if you notice any damage or deterioration on the equipment.

Every week you should rinse the CPAP reusable filters, but these filters only need to be replaced every six months.At the same time replace the following:

Head gear
Chin strap
Tubing
Humidifier chambers

There are many other CPAP supplies available to make your CPAP sleep therapy more comfortable. These include mask liners, tube buddies, nasal moisturizer, cheek pads, and elbow swivels.

Chris Vasta works at TheCPAPShop.com, a leading New Jersey and online retailer of CPAP equipment. He strives to educate sleep apnea suffers about CPAP equipment and CPAP mask so that they will stay on their CPAP sleep regiment. For more information on CPAP machine visit our website.