In order to get the most benefits from your sleep apnea treatment, it’s important to replace CPAP masks and all of the other equipment on schedule. The majority of people say that their sleep improves once they have replaced their CPAP masks and supplies.
A lot of people don’t replace the CPAP accessories and supplies as often as they are supposed to for a variety of different reasons. The most common excuses for waiting to replace the supplies include the following:
- The cost factor
- Don’t understand why replacements are necessary
- Don’t get around to it
- Don’t remember
Some people do not replace the parts required for CPAP therapy as often as they should due to the cost factor. In some cases, they don’t have insurance that will cover the cost of replacing CPAP masks, tubing etc. as frequently as necessary. In other cases, individuals find that the deductible or the co-pay is too high. While cost can definitely affect the decision to purchase the new supplies, it’s important to remember the importance of getting new equipment per the recommended schedule.
Why Replacement CPAP Accessories and Supplies Are Necessary
When you first get diagnosed with sleep apnea it can be quite overwhelming. There are a lot of different things to learn including how to become comfortable wearing a mask at night. You also need to learn how to work the CPAP machine and get the hang of putting on the mask and then taking it off again. There is a lot of information being offered at this time including the recommended replacement times for the equipment and why it is so necessary.
Many people forget why replacing supplies is important. In order to get the most benefit from your treatment, however, it’s a good idea to look at the expected lifespan of the CPAP supplies you are using since different supplies will have various lifespans.
Many individuals also believe that if they regularly clean their supplies and take good care of them that they will last longer than expected. Although it’s crucial to keep your equipment as clean as possible, it’s important to note that even well-maintained supplies will suffer from wear and tear as the days go by. Small particles and oil will start to wear down CPAP masks even if it doesn’t seem noticeable. The seal will ultimately be affected and will develop leaks. This means that the air pressure that is being sent down into your lungs isn’t as strong.
Filters may also become clogged, which can cause a lot of problems since they are there to filter out allergens and dust. In order to get the best sleep possible, change your mask supplies according to schedule and mark the days on your calendar when the replacements should be ordered.
Never Getting around to It
We all lead busy lives and it’s easy to put off doing things in order to get other things done. Replacing your CPAP equipment is not one of the things that you should be putting off. It’s vitally important that you purchase new supplies as required. It really doesn’t take a lot of time to go on the Internet and place an order. Just take it on as a task that you can do right after you have completed another task online. Once you have placed a few orders you’ll find that it’s as easy as clockwork.
Forgetting to Place a CPAP Online Order
The best way to remember that it’s time to place a CPAP online order for new CPAP supplies is to mark the dates on your calendar. You can do this once and mark the dates for the entire year all at the same time. This way, you’ll always be reminded when it’s time to get the new equipment and won’t have to worry about forgetting any longer.
How Often Should You Change Your CPAP Mask?
Even if you are cleaning and maintaining your mask well, it will still start to show wear and tear over time. Some of the telltale signs of a mask breaking down include the following:
- Discomfort, sores or redness appearing on your face
- The machine is making grinding sounds when it is running
- Regularly flashing warning lights
Any of the above signs are indicators that you may have an older mask that has brittle headgear or cushions or that the seal is worn down on the mask. Any unusual sounds or lights coming from your CPAP machine indicate that it may not continue working unless the problem gets resolved.
In some cases, you may only need to purchase a new cushion but at other times the entire mask will need to be replaced. It’s important to get the replacement quickly before the mask starts to leak. Once it does start leaking, it will affect your treatment significantly. Some of the problems associated with a leaking mask include:
- Sleep disturbances due to the noise made from escaping air
- The leaking air may blow into your eyes causing irritation
- Loss of pressure which may cause snoring, tiredness during the day and other health issues.
Cleaning your mask is an important part of preventing leaks. If the mask cushion isn’t sufficiently cleaned, facial oils can be retained on it. This will cause the mask to rise above your face when the air pressure goes up. Older CPAP masks are subject to more leaking because the CPAP headgear begins to lose its elasticity and the mask isn’t held on as tightly.
While there are a lot of barriers to replacing your CPAP accessories and supplies regularly per the recommended schedules, it’s important to do your best to purchase replacements as required. Your health depends on it and so does your ability to stay alert during the day. The extra effort you take to make sure that your supplies are up to date will be well rewarded with better health.
If you need to order new supplies please visit cpapdepot.ca now. We have the CPAP masks and equipment you need. If you require any help or have any questions please feel free to contact us at 1-866-209-0654.