CMS Education Articles — CPAP

Better Understanding Sleep Apnea Types & Symptoms

The quickest and easiest way to explain sleep apnea is that a person stops breathing while they sleep. To get more detailed, it is a series repeated stoppages and starts of breathing. Now, it is normal for a person to quickly stop breathing while they sleep. To be considered an apnea, this series of events has to exceed 5 times per hour for over 10 seconds per event.

The good news is that your body stays aware of your breathing and usually won't let a stoppage continue for long. The bad news is that your body's defense mechanism is to wake you up. So, if you are not sleeping well and suspect it might be the result of sleep apnea here is a quick article to give you some of the details of sleep apneas.

Tips for Success with your Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy system

So you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, then you had to jump through many hoops to get the right prescription, but now that you are “all set-up” for CPAP therapy you find it is a big-pill to swallow, as one might say, especially with air being forced down your throat 8 hours a day.

Let’s face it, CPAP compliance can be difficult! Sleep Therapists know it is easier said than done, so they have shared some useful CPAP tips and tricks to help you have a better nights rest without cutting off the nose to spite the face, (or your long-term health).