CPAP, APAP and BiPAP
CPAP help: make your machine work for you
CPAP works when you use it all night, every night. These guides fix the problems that make people give up: a mask that leaks or hurts, dry mouth, pressure that feels like too much, swallowed air, and not knowing whether it is working.
Getting Started With CPAP: Your First 30 NightsThe first few weeks on CPAP shape whether it becomes a habit or ends up in a closet. We walk through a …Choosing a CPAP Mask: Nasal, Nasal Pillows or Full FaceThe mask is the part of CPAP you feel all night, and the wrong one is a leading reason people give up. …CPAP Mask Fit: How to Find and Fix Air LeaksSome air is meant to escape from a CPAP mask through its vents, but leaks around the cushion can disturb sleep, dry …CPAP Mouth Leaks: Chin Straps, Full Face Masks and Mouth TapingIf you use a nasal mask and your mouth falls open, air rushes out, leaving you with a dry mouth and less …Dry Mouth and Dry Nose on CPAP: Humidifiers and Heated TubingCPAP moves a lot of air through your nose and throat, and without enough moisture that air can leave you parched. We …CPAP Rainout: Why Water Collects in Your Tube and How to Stop ItRainout is the water that condenses in your CPAP tubing or mask when warm, humid air meets a cooler hose. It is …Aerophagia on CPAP: Bloating, Burping and Swallowing AirSome CPAP users swallow air during the night, waking up with a swollen stomach, burping or gas. It is uncomfortable but usually …When CPAP Pressure Feels Too Strong: Ramp, Exhale Relief and Auto MachinesFeeling like you are fighting the air when you breathe out is one of the most common early CPAP complaints. Several features …CPAP vs APAP vs BiPAP: What Is the Difference?Positive airway pressure machines come in three main types. They all use air pressure to keep your airway open, but they deliver …Reading Your CPAP Data: AHI, Leak, Usage and Apps Like myAir and OSCARYour CPAP machine quietly records a lot about your nights. Understanding the main numbers helps you spot problems early and have better …How to Clean Your CPAP: A Daily and Weekly ScheduleRegular cleaning keeps your CPAP comfortable, helps your mask seal and prevents buildup of oils, minerals and germs. Mild soap and water …CPAP Supply Replacement Schedule: Masks, Cushions, Filters and TubingCPAP parts wear out, and worn parts are a common cause of leaks, noise and poor sleep. Insurers cover replacements on a …Do You Have to Use Distilled Water in a CPAP Humidifier?Most CPAP manufacturers recommend distilled water in the humidifier. We explain why, what alternatives your manual might allow when travelling or during …Traveling and Flying With CPAP: TSA, Airlines, Power and VoltageSkipping CPAP on a trip often means poor sleep when you most need to be at your best. The good news is …CPAP Without Wall Power: Batteries, Camping and Power OutagesA power cut or a weekend in a tent does not have to mean a night without therapy. With some planning, most …Using CPAP With a Stuffy Nose, Cold or AllergiesA blocked nose can make CPAP feel impossible, but the treatment often helps with congestion over time. Here are practical ways to …Sleeping Positions With CPAP: Tips for Side, Back and Stomach SleepersSleep position affects both how severe your sleep apnea is and how well your mask stays sealed. We explain the trade-offs and …CPAP for Beards and Claustrophobia: Making the Mask Work for YouTwo very common reasons people struggle with CPAP are facial hair and feeling closed in by the mask. Both have practical solutions. …CPAP Mask Marks, Skin Irritation and Pressure SoresMorning lines that fade within an hour or so are common. Sores, broken skin or rashes are signs that something needs to …CPAP Insurance and Medicare Compliance: The 90-Day Rule ExplainedIf you are in the United States, your insurer will likely check whether you are using your CPAP before it keeps paying. …Still Tired on CPAP? Common Reasons and What to Ask Your DoctorCPAP helps many people feel dramatically better, but not everyone. If you are using it and still tired, there is usually a …Alternatives to CPAP: Oral Appliances, Inspire, Positional Therapy, Medication and SurgeryCPAP is the most studied treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, but it does not suit everyone. Several alternatives have good evidence for …CPAP and Weight Loss: When Your Pressure May Need RecheckingWeight loss can reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea, sometimes substantially. That can change how much pressure you need. Here is …Quiet CPAP: How to Reduce Machine, Mask and Hose NoiseModern CPAP machines are fairly quiet, but noise from leaks, vents and tubing can disturb you or your bed partner. Different sounds …How to Tell if Your CPAP Is WorkingIt is not always obvious whether CPAP is doing its job. Combining how you feel, what your bed partner notices and your …CPAP and Your Bed Partner: Sleeping Well TogetherSleep apnea affects the person sleeping next to you too. CPAP often improves sleep for both partners, but it brings its own …CPAP for Children: What Parents Should KnowIn children, obstructive sleep apnea is often treated first by removing enlarged tonsils and adenoids. CPAP is an important option when surgery …The Philips CPAP Recall: What CPAP Users Should KnowIn 2021 Philips Respironics recalled millions of CPAP, BiPAP and ventilator devices because of concerns about a sound-dampening foam. Here is what …
CPAP tools
AHI CalculatorCalculate the apnea hypopnea index from the number of apneas, hypopneas and hours of sleep, and see the adult or child severity band.CPAP Pressure Unit ConverterConvert a CPAP pressure in cm H2O to hPa, mbar, kPa, mmHg and psi, or convert a pressure in hPa or mbar back to cm H2O.CPAP Compliance CalculatorCheck whether your CPAP use meets the Medicare adherence rule of 4 or more hours on at least 70 percent of nights in a 30 day period.CPAP Battery Runtime CalculatorEstimate how many hours a battery will run your CPAP from its watt-hour rating, your machine's average power draw and conversion losses.CPAP Supply Replacement CheckerPick a CPAP part and enter how many days you have used it to see the usual Medicare replacement interval and how many days are left.