by Norm Nelson, EVP on March 8, 2010
The body is an interesting machine. During the day more cells are destroyed than the body can rebuild even without heavy exercise. At night the body shuts down all unneeded activities and goes into REM sleep for several hours. During this time the body is able to rebuild cells faster than they are used up. If for some reason this deep sleep is interrupted or skipped the body gets behind on the rebuilding process. If this non-rebuilding continues the body will show signs that it is not getting fixed by things such as diabetes, high-blood pressure, stroke, or other such maladies.
One cause for this deep sleep interruption is sleep apnea. When the body fully relaxes to go into this REM sleep, the throat muscles relax and close the airway to the lungs. One then cannot breathe. This causes the body to awaken enough to bring one out of deep sleep. If this event occurs often enough during the night the body will not accomplish the rebuilding function.
A CPAP device creates an air stint in the throat to keep the airway passage open throughout the night. This allows the body to go into REM sleep for a period long enough to get the cell rebuilding completed. Millions of people have successfully utilized a CAP device to help them get a good night’s sleep.
Some of the benefits reported by CPAP users are having more energy, weight loss, clear thinking and an improved lifestyle.
by Justin Graham, RRT on February 26, 2010
All of your CPAP supplies should be routinely cared for and replaced including the mask, headgear, humidifier chamber, filter, and tubing.
Cleaning supplies
Clean all your supplies as recommended by their manufacturer though most have common guidelines. Use a liquid dish detergent without oils or fragrances. Clean the mask cushion daily; the headgear, tubing, and water chamber weekly. Check with your manufacturer on the filters as there are a few different kinds of filters that must be cleaned in different ways. For example, the REMstar Pro by Respironics uses 2 filters, a white disposable fine filter that gets thrown away after it gets dirty, and a dark gray pollen filter that is cleaned every week and the Resmed S8 series machines use a filter that cannot get wet to clean, instead simply remove the dust weekly by “flicking” the filter.
Replacing supplies
Manufactures suggest replacing your CPAP supplies regularly to help maintain cleanliness and effective treatment. Each insurance company will pay for new supplies based on their policies. Here is Medicare’s most current replacement schedule, most insurance companies follow these guidelines but you may want to check with your insurance to verify what their schedule is:
| A4604 |
|
Tubing w/ integrated heating |
1 per 3 months |
| A7028 |
|
Combination Oral/Nasal mask |
1 per 3 months |
| A7028 |
|
Oral cushion for Combination
Oral/Nasal mask – replacement
|
2 per month |
| A7029 |
|
Nasal Pillows for Combination
Oral/Nasal mask – replacement
|
1 per 3 months |
| A7030 |
|
Full Face mask |
1 per 3 months |
| A7031 |
|
Face mask interface – replacement |
1 per month |
| A7032 |
|
Cushion for use on Nasal mask
interface – replacement
|
2 per month |
| A7033 |
|
Pillow for use on Nasal Cannula
type interface – replacement
|
2 pairs per month |
| A7034 |
|
Mask interface – mask or cannula |
1 per 3 months |
| A7035 |
|
Headgear |
1 per 6 months |
| A7036 |
|
Chin Strap |
1 per 6 months |
| A7037 |
|
Tubing |
1 per 3 months |
| A7038 |
|
Filter, disposable |
2 per month |
| A7039 |
|
Filter, non-disposable |
1 per 6 months |
| A7046 |
|
Humidifier chamber – replacement |
1 per 6 months |
Automatic CPAP supplies
At Sound Oxygen Service we have created a program that keeps your supplies up to date. If you sign up for our Auto-Replenishment program we will contact you when you are due for new supplies. We will call, e-mail, or send a post card depending on your preference; and we will never ship without you knowing about it which will prevent the build up of unwanted or needed supplies that occurs with some other providers. Call us today to set up your Auto-Replenishment with us today.
