Our veteran clinicians share their tips for success for CPAP therapy
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Today's Clinician
Hayley Breeden
Hayley has been a Registered Respiratory Therapist for 5 years and is serving Apria's patients in the Wichita, Kansas area. Hayley is married with 3 beautiful children. When she's not at work, Hayley enjoys spending time with her family and getting in a game of softball when she can.
CPAP
Q. My doctor had a printout of my weekly CPAP stat sheet, where can I get a copy of that for myself?
A. You just need to call or swing by your local Apria branch to receive a copy. You can pick them up in person or have them emailed to you.
Your daily CPAP stats can also be tracked by using your manufacturer's app. For Resmed devices you would download MyAir and for React Health devices download React Health Plus.
Q. How long does a CPAP machine usually last? Mine makes weird noises until I unplug it (it’s about 6-7 years old).
A. Most CPAP machines last about 5 years but the lifespan depends on several factors including how well the machine is maintained and how often the machine is used. Since your machine is making an odd noise, you should contact your local Apria branch to check your device and ensure it is still working properly. You can also ask our care coordinators to check and see if you are eligible to receive a new device through your insurance provider. Apria’s CPAP ReFresh program can help you get started in the process of obtaining a new device.
Q. Why does my CPAP machine go through all the water in my humidifier reservoir in one night, but my sister’s CPAP machine will take about 3 days to go through all that water? I have my humidifier set to a low setting.
A. Different factors can play a role in why your humidifier may be using more water than normal. First, if your CPAP is set to a higher pressure then your humidifier will use more water. The other reason could be due to the temperature inside your house, as well as the outside temperature/general climate of where you live. People who live in arid climates use more water; lower temperatures will also cause the humidifier to use more water to compensate for the dry air in the environment.
Q. What's the easiest way to dry condensation from inside my tubing?
A. Clean your tubing first thing in the morning and then hang it over a doorknob or the shower curtain rod so it is hanging completely vertical to get excess moisture out. If you go to put it on in the evening, it still has some condensation inside the tube, you can connect it to the CPAP and let it run without a mask on the other end of the tubing, to blow out some of that excess water.
If you notice condensation in your tubing after using your machine, you may be experiencing CPAP rainout and the humidity settings may need to be adjusted. This condensation occurs because the air being sent out from your device cools down in your tubing, causing condensation. Try running your tubing under your blankets to keep the air as warm as possible. You can also reach out to your local Apria branch to discuss the option of tubing covers or heated tubing to reduce condensation.
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