May is National Stroke Awareness month.  Join CPAPSupplyUSA.com as we do our part to make Americans aware that they may be able to “SAVE A LIFE” of a person experiencing a stroke.  The National Stroke Awareness Month is run by the National Stroke Association.  The National Stroke Association helps individuals

“Save A Life” by educating them about:

·        Risk Factors

·        Stroke symptoms

·        Stroke preventative measures

Stroke risk factors that can not be changed include:

• Age- The chances of having a stroke approximately doubles for each decade of life after age 55
• Heredity (family history and race)-Your stroke risk is greater if a parent, sister or brother has had a stroke.  African Americans have a much higher risk of death from a stroke than Caucasians.
• Sex(gender)- Stroke is more common among men
• Prior Stroke-The risk of stroke for someone who has already had a stroke is many times that of a person who has not.

Risks factors that can be changed, treated or controlled

• Cigarette smoking
• Diabetes mellitus
• Carotid or other artery diseases
• Poor diet
• High blood pressure
• Physical inactivity and obesity

The National Stroke Association program places emphasis on making the public aware about ACTING FAST.  FAST being an acronym for things to check in a suspected stroke victim:

• F-FACE  Does the face droop on one side when the person smiles
• A-ARM After raising both arms, does one of the arms drift downwards?
• S-SPEECH After repeating a simple phrase, does the person’s speech sound slurred?
• T-TIME If any or all of the above are observed call 9-1-1.

So what is the connection between Sleep Apnea and Stroke?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea decreases blood flow to the brain, elevates blood pressure within the brain and eventually harms the brain’s ability to modulate these changes according to a new study by the American Physiological Society.  These findings may help to explain why people with sleep apnea are likely to suffer strokes.

The good news is that the treatment of sleep apnea with CPAP and BIPAP has shown to normalize cerebral blood flow and can help to lower blood pressure.  Studies have also indicated that wearing CPAP for more than 5 hours every night can further reduce blood pressure.

Know your risk factors.  Make changes when possible to avoid risk factors.

If you suspect you have Sleep Apnea, talk to your physician.  Check our website for more information about Sleep Apnea.

This month, CPAPSUPPLYUSA.COM celebrates American Heart Month.  In our recent efforts to help educate our community, we posted a blog on heart disease.  To all of the faithful and compliant CPAP users, we commend you.  We would like to share with you why wearing your CPAP every night may save your life.

Research has shown that the use of CPAP over an extended period of time may also protect your heart from heart problems such as:

·         High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

·         Congestive Heart Failure

·         Cardiac Arrhythmias

·         Stroke

·         Coronary Artery Disease

The association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular disease is not fully understood, but it is possible that the constant fluctuation in blood oxygen levels caused by sleep apnea may contribute to arterial inflammation, blood flow obstruction and eventually hypertension and cardiovascular-related events according to Dr. Walter McNicholas of the St. Vincent University Hospital.

Short term use of CPAP therapy has resulted in health and quality of life benefits.  Extended CPAP therapy may have additional benefits for patients with sleep apnea by protecting them against cardiovascular disease.  In a recent study by Dr. McNicholas, the number of cardiovascular events, including death, congestive heart failure, hypertension and stroke were significantly higher in patients with sleep apnea that were untreated.  Another study has indicated that CPAP use may even reverse several potential pathways whereby OSA contributes to arthrosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

ANOTHER INCENTIVE FOR WEARING YOUR CPAP!!!!

Cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heart beat, is another cardiac dysfunction that can be associated with sleep apnea. Studies have shown a reduction in atrial fibrillation recurrence after cardioversion and CPAP use.

Treatment of OSA can positively impact hypertension. CPAP use has reduced daytime blood pressure whose OSA is effectively treated.  Some studies have shown positive results even after just two weeks of CPAP use.

I have worked with sleep apnea patients for many years and have witnessed the positive results of CPAP therapy first hand. I love working with sleep apnea patients because sleep apnea is something we can treat. I am so happy when I hear from one of my patients that no longer have to take blood pressure medication. Inform your doctor when you begin using CPAP if you have had high blood pressure. You may want to start monitoring your blood pressure more frequently and watch for your readings to become more normalized.

Of course just wearing your CPAP will not guarantee a healthy heart but we do know that CPAP therapy is good for your heart.

Celebrate American Heart Month with CPAP Supply USA…

Eat healthy, Get some exercise, and follow your doctor’s orders.

Be Good to YOUR HEART… WEAR YOUR CPAP… Enjoy Life!

The USA is starting a new year full of hope.  Our new President has asked all of us to work together to help make the changes so badly needed to help our country.

CPAP Supply USA.COM wants to do it’s part in helping with one of the major challenges facing us, HEALTH CARE COSTS.  We will strive this year to bring you the best prices possible, products to help you be comfortable and compliant with your therapy and most important, knowledge and education.

Did you know that getting the right diagnosis and treatment of your sleep apnea saves millions of healthcare dollars?

The health benefits of treating sleep disordered breathing (SDB) are well established.  There has been a substantial increase in health care costs related to diagnosis and treatment of sleep disordered breathing.  Several studies recently performed, have provided supporting evidence of cost justification for the current standards of detecting and treating sleep disorder breathing.

Untreated SDB is associated with an increased risk of cardiac disease, diabetes and stroke.  A report by the American Sleep Disorders Association reported that 97 untreated

Sleep apnea patients incurred an excess in hospital costs of $100,000-$200,000 and physician costs doubled. 

Another study of 344 patients with a clinical diagnosis of sleep apnea and appropriate treatment were examined for 2 years.  It was proven that in this control group, physician costs decreased by 33%.  Hospital stays decreased by over 50%. 

One of the world’s largest trucking companies recently reported an average of 58% savings in health care costs of treated drivers for sleep apnea.  The same company reduced the number of accidents related to fatigue by 30%.  The efforts of this company have made the highways safer for all of us.

It is estimated that undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea may cause $3.4 billion in additional medical costs in the U.S.  The rising cost of healthcare today is one of America’s biggest concerns. 

CPAP Supply USA was created to help the uninsured or underinsured Americans get the treatment they need.  To all of our faithful CPAP users, thank you being a good American citizen and doing your part to help the healthcare crisis.

CPAPSupplyUSA.com will continue to do their part in providing solutions. 

Continue to wear your CPAP and share your knowledge of sleep apnea with someone that may be suffering from this life threatening illness.

Happy New Year from the staff of CPAPSUPPLYUSA.COM! 

Sounds like a good time to make a few New Year’s resolutions, eh?  Of course it is, but only if you’re committed to what one expert calls the “process of change,” not unrealistic expectations that can set you up for a big fall.  A new year is an opportunity for a new change.

Health and Fitness resolutions top the list of New Year resolutions with losing 10 pounds the most popular one. The second most popular resolution is getting out of debt. Let’s think about this for a moment, isn’t your health the most important thing in anyone’s life? Having good or better health is always a good investment.  Losing a few pounds and having a healthier life style is probably one of the few things in today’s horrible economy that doesn’t have to cost you  much but could add years of quality life.  Have you ever considered what the cost of blood pressure medication is?  Wouldn’t it be great to be healthy and not have to take blood pressure medications?  It is highly possible. CPAPSUPPLYUSA.COM  is making the commitment to you to help you have better sleep and better health.  We will be featuring more educational blogs and provide products that can support you in obtaining your goal of better sleep, better health.

Let’s start with giving some helpful tips in achieving your goal:

1.      Set a realistic goal

2.      Commit, develop an action plan and stay focused regardless of the results.

3.      Be prepared, have a plan and follow it. Expect bumps in the road.  Know what to accomplish and when

4.      Admit you have a  problem

5.      Don’t make excuses.  Write down excuses in advance and your action that you will take to combat the “bumps in the road”.

6.      Schedule some type of exercise.  Walking is good for everyone.  Check with your doctor before trying anything you feel may be strenuous for you.  Write down your progress each day and try to increase the amount you are doing.

7.      Monitor your behavior ( write a food diary, count the glasses of water you drink, write down exercise)

8.      Focus on the horizon, measure the progress made

Now is the best time to start living healthier

The staff of CPAPSUPPLYUSA.COM has also started their own healthy living program. We are your partners for “Better Sleep, Better Health”. This year, look for more education and products to help you manage your health. Watch this blog for healthy living tips, OSA information, and new products to help better manage your chronic disorders.

Got a success story, why not share it?  Your helpful hints could make the difference in someone else’s life.  Contact us directly, post a comment to this blog, or head over to our forums!

Here’s to a Happy, Healthy New Year.

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Setting and following a sleep routine can be a difficult task in today’s busy world, but the importance of healthy sleep habits is paramount for having a healthy and happy life. Read the following tips for healthy sleeping habits to sleep better and feel your best each day:

1. Don’t go to bed unless you are sleepy.
   Relax and ensure you are actually ready for bed before retiring each night.
2. If you are not asleep after 20 minutes, then get out of the bed.
   Find something to occupy your time and when you begin to feel sleepy again, return to bed.
3. Begin rituals that help you relax each night before bed.
   Routines can help our bodies trigger feelings of sleepiness and readiness for bed.
4. Get up at the same time every morning.
5. Get a full night’s sleep on a regular basis.
   The amount of sleep each individual needs to feel well-rested can vary, but make sure you are getting enough sleep each night to feel well-rested and alert in the morning.
6. Avoid taking naps if you can.
   If you feel you must take a nap, make sure it is under one hour and happens prior to the late afternoon/evening hours.
7. Keep a regular schedule.
8. Don’t read, write, eat, watch TV, talk on the phone, or play cards in bed.
9. Do not have any caffeine after lunch.
10. Do not have a beer, a glass of wine, or any other alcohol within six hours of your bedtime.
11. Do not have a cigarette or any other source of nicotine before bedtime.
12. Do not go to bed hungry, but don’t eat a big meal near bedtime either.
13. Avoid any tough exercise within six hours of your bedtime.
    Exercise is best done in the earlier hours of the day.
14. Avoid sleeping pills, or use them cautiously.
15. Try to get rid of or deal with things that make you worry.
16. Make your bedroom quiet, dark, and a little bit cool.
    Dark, cool, and quiet places are extremely conducive to uninterrupted sleep.

There is a tremendous amount of information available these days about the dangers of sleep apnea.  We know that untreated sleep apnea can increase your chances of having increased blood pressure, worsened diabetes, and increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. Untreated sleep apnea can also cause depression, impotency, morning headaches and weight gain.  Did you know that an  individual with untreated sleep apnea can cost our overly burdened health care system twice as much as a treated individual? 

Having reminded everyone of all the dangers of sleep apnea  What’s the good news?

CPAP(Continous Positive Airway Pressure) is a highly effective  and is the preferred therapy for treating sleep apnea. I have been working with sleep apnea patients for over 15 years and have seen many advances. CPAPs are much smaller, more comfortable, quieter.  Masks are more comfortable and you now have many, many types and styles to choose from.  If you are a faithful CPAP user, you are to be congratulated and I truly hope you are experiencing the benefits of CPAP.  Often CPAP users don’t obviously see the benefits, but we know that compliant CPAP use can take the workload of your heart, you may live longer, you may be more pleasant to be around and your spouse may love you more for not snoring.  I have had patients that were able to improve their blood pressure so much, they were able get off their blood pressure medicine. 

I truly love working with sleep apnea patients.  Having worked as a respiratory therapist for so many years with chronically ill patients, it is great to work with people that I know I can truly make their lives better. I am committed to helping those with sleep apnea.  I am fortunate to be with a company that is so dedicated to making lives better.  I invite you to look at our new CPAP Comfort Center especially created to make CPAP use more comfortable and to help new CPAP users be able to use their CPAPs. Just recently launched on CPAPSupplyUSA.com, the CPAP Comfort Center is an area where users can find many items to increase the comfort and convenience of their sleep therapy. Visit today to see CPAP Moisture Cream, Headgear Strap Cushions, and Tubing Holders. 

Our many years of experience and listening to you helps us to help others.  Spend some time on our website.  Look over our newest additions.  I did some research and found that the most common cause of people not using their CPAP is the lack of education. Lack of education for both the providers and the patients.  We have added an Education area for visitors to address this concern.  I am personally available as a respiratory therapist to help you and to help you understand the importance of CPAP use. We have a full staff of highly trained customer service representatives dedicated to helping you. Other factors that decrease CPAP compliance included a poor relationship with providers of the equipment and common complications of therapy such as marks on the face, discomfort on the bridge of the nose, and  nasal congestion.  That’s why at CPAP Supply USA, we carry a huge inventory of machines and masks that will meet your individual needs. Our CPAP Comfort Center offers help with these common problems. I welcome your comments. Your experience and knowledge may make a big difference in someone else’s life. Please let me hear from you - Share your experience, good or bad. This is the first of many  informal blogs from me.  Send in your requests for topics to discuss, helpful hints and your  personal recommendations. Let’s work together to improve your comfort and quality of life

Remember - Your choice, Your life, Our promise.

Welcome to the "Ask Our Experts" blog written by our on-staff sleep experts here at CPAP Supply USA. Newly created as a compliment to our "Ask the Expert" forum and email programs, this blog is designed to allow our customers to the opportunity to see what is on the minds of the individuals who work with CPAP products, patients, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) research every day. On staff we have Debbie Shirley, a licensed Respiratory Therapist whose primary focus has been on CPAP and OSA for the last 20 years of her career, and our medical director Dr. Doug Puryear, a Board-Certified pulmonologist and sleep physician. Through these two "Sleep Experts", we will be introducing some relevant industry topics, discussing CPAP masks and machines, and talking about the health concerns and statistics surrounding OSA. Sleep therapy and CPAP use are extremely relevant medical topics in the current environment because statistics show that up to 20% of the population could be experiencing a sleep disorder such as OSA (up to 80% of who are presently undiagnosed). Research, product development, and insight into the disorder will continue to mount in quanity and our Community is the place to stay involved with the newest information on sleep apnea.

We hope you enjoy our newest blog, and please remember, if you have a specific question for our Experts, visit the Ask the Respiratory Therapist forum in our Community and Debbie will be available to answer.