August newsletter

AUGUST
CPAP/BiPAP Newsletter

Wheelchairs Etc. 2660 E. Common Street New Braunfels, Texas  78130

830.626.6606 or 210.599.6330  

Sleep tip…

Get some sun... which isn't hard to do around here!

Our natural body clock is set to natural amounts of light and darkness. Getting sun helps sustain this rhythm, just as a dark room helps signify to our body that it is time to sleep.

~THREE WAYS TO GET MORE FROM YOUR MACHINE~

Turn On Special Settings.

Most machines offer "ramping" capabilities, which give you the ability to gradually reach your pressure setting instead of starting your air flow on full blast. Additionally, "Auto On / Off" features detect when you remove your mask, and start or stop your air flow accordingly. This means you don't have to turn off your machine when you get up in the middle of the night. If you have trouble finding these settings, contact us.

 Use a Humidifier.

Humidifiers are a great way to moisten air and protect air passages from drying out. Our machines offer integrated humidifiers. When using a humidifier make sure to always empty the water chamber when you move it to avoid water damage. Using distilled water whenever possible will help prevent build up on the heating plate.

  Ensure Fresh Air Flow. Always remember to change air filters as instructed in your machine manual for your machine. Just like air or water filters in your home, filters on your machine also need to be changed. Be conscious of air enters your machine and make sure it is not obstructed or dusty. Filters should be changed each month with your tubing and insert.

If you would like to contact us, you may do so by calling Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm or e-mailing us at: wcetcdme@aol.com.  Please let us know if we can help you with your CPAP/BiPAP equipment, or if you have any questions concerning sleep apnea.

July 2011 Newsletter

July 2011 Sleep Apnea Newsletter    Wheelchairs Etc~2660 E. Common Street~New Braunfels, Texas 78130~830.626.5400 or 210-599-6330  web address:www.wheelchairsetc.net   wcetcdme@aol.com

Many of our clients ask this question, so I thought it would be a good one to look in to.  This response comes from Dr. Frankie Roman, Center for Sleep Disorders in Masillon, Ohio.   ~ Dea Reddell, RRT. Wheelchairs Etc.

Is it harder for someone with sleep apnea to lose weight?
There was speculation many years ago that sleep deprivation slows your metabolism, which, in dramatic cases, slows to the point where you couldn't lose weight. Science is showing that it's true. There is a tremendous physiological insult to your body including insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and elevation in blood pressure. I tell my patients, that being treated for obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure, the most common treatment for OSA) is not weight loss equipment. But our hope is that if we can control your sleep apnea you will get more consolidated sleep so you won't have these fluctuations in hormone levels. You will rest better, you will be more motivated to proceed with an exercise program, and you will have more energy to proceed with a weight loss program. We hope that [by using CPAP] it starts a chain reaction. Hopefully you will be more mentally and physically prepared to undergo the weight loss and that in itself will lead to more health benefits.

Attention Medicare Clients:  You may have noticed a change in the time of the month in which you received your supplies.  All Medicare supplies will be shipped out between the 25th and 27th of the month to ensure that the billing to Medicare matches with the shipment of the supplies.  Please call with any questions that you may have regarding this change.  Thank you!