Sleep Technologies - CPAP, Ventilation & Home Oxygen Therapy

Irritation or runny nose that seems to be caused by CPAP therapy. Your nose is your airway's humidifier. It warms and moistens the air that you breathe. If the CPAP begins to dry your nose, your body will increase the production of mucus in the nose to add more moisture to the inhaled air. Unfortunately, this may cause nasal congestion and a runny nose. In some cases the dryness will cause irritation, burning and sneezing. These symptoms can be alleviated using a humidifier with your CPAP device. Some sleep specialists order a passover (cold water) humidifier with the initial CPAP order. If you do not have one of these, speak with your sleep specialist. If you already have a humidifier and still experience these symptoms you may need a heated humidifier.

If you have allergies, chronic sinus problems or a deviated septum (your nose is crooked on the inside) you may have trouble using CPAP or BiPAP. CPAP is usually applied through the nose. If during the day you often find yourself breathing through your mouth, CPAP may be difficult to use. If the problem is allergies, speak with your doctor about treatment. There are a number of good nasal steroid sprays and allergy medications that can treat your nasal congestion. Individuals with a deviated septum or other structural problems in their noses may benefit from seeing an ear, nose, and throat specialist if CPAP cannot be tolerated. Finally, there are CPAP masks that fit over both the mouth as and nose. People have used these with varying success, but it may be worthwhile to try a full-face mask before resorting to more invasive or expensive alternatives.

This can be fixed with a heated humidifier. If you cannot get one, you may try running the CPAP or BiPAP tubing under the covers next to your body to warm the air. Purchasing a tube cover is also an option.

This is more difficult to fix, but it may help to lower your room temperature as much as possible. Consider using a non heated CPAP or BiPAP Tubing.

Although treating sleep apnea usually eliminates morning headaches, some patients get headaches on CPAP or BiPAP. Others find that their ears develop pressure or pain in them. Most of this relates to underlying sinus congestion caused by allergies or CPAP itself. The experience is similar to that experienced traveling in an airplane when you have a cold. The congestion can block the ear canals and changes in air pressure can cause pain when air gets trapped. It is best not to use CPAP or BiPAP when you have a cold or sinus infection to avoid these problems.

Occasionally, a CPAP or BiPAP user will experience air trapping in the stomach and awaken with stomach pain or gas. Sometimes simply making sure that you sleep with your head aligned with your body can help with this. If you want to elevate your head in bed you should do that with a wedge pillow or by tilting the whole mattress. If you sleep with several pillows it may cause your head to tilt forward and block your airway. Lowering the CPAP or BiPAP pressure can help, but your sleep specialist may not want to do this if it reduces the effectiveness of your treatment. Switching to BiLevel pressure or C-Flex may be very helpful in these cases.

It is most likely a lot less noisy than your snoring, but if noise is a problem you have several options. Most new machines are quiet, so this is rarely a problem. Check with your insurance company if you have an old machine. You may qualify for a new CPAP or BiPAP every five years. A fan or other source of "white noise" can also help to disguise the noise.

When you get up at night, leave your CPAP or BiPAP mask on and just disconnect the tubing either at the mask or at the machine. This is easier than having to refit the mask.

Draping the CPAP or BiPAP tubing behind you and over the headboard helps with that. There is also the CPAP pillow that attaches to the bed and holds the tubing up and rotates so that it can move with you.

Depending on machine hours, wear and tear, Sleep Technologies may purchase certain models of cpap or bipap machines. Or if you are looking for a way to recycle your device, you can drop off, or mail to any of our locations.

Currently, the most commonly recommended machines are the AirSense 10 by ResMed, the DreamStation 2 by Philips Respironics, and the AirSense 11 by ResMed. For travel cpap machines, the ResMed AirMini.

Sleep Technologies has physical locations in Oregon and Washington, but our therapists provide sleep apnea therapy and machines to patients via Virtual or Telehealth service across the country.

Disassemble the mask. Submerge and hand wash the mask in warm water with liquid dishwashing detergent. Rinse thoroughly. Lay the headgear and fabric sleeves flat or line dry. Make sure the entire mask is dry before use.

Unplug your CPAP machine from the power source. Disconnect the air tubing/hose from your mask and CPAP machine. In a sink or alternative, rinse the inside and outside of the air tubing with mild soap and warm, drinking-quality water. Rinse again thoroughly with warm, drinking-quality water. Place the air tubing on a flat surface, on top of a towel, to dry.

Below is a list of our top payors. Give us a call to learn more: 1-833-87-SLEEP MEDICARE, MEDICAID, REGENCE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, CARE OREGON, MODA, OHSU HEALTH SERVICES, AETNA, MEDADVANTAGE PLANS, CIGNA, HEALTH NET, PACIFICSOURCE, AARP, UNITED HEALTHCARE, HMA, PROVIDENCE PLAN, TRICARE, HUMANA, EBMA, GEHA, KAISER, ADVENTIST, APPLE HEALTH plus many more.

Yes, our most popular is the ResMed AirMini Travel CPAP, but also the Transcend branded devices, or the Z2 by Breas. We also carry travel CPAP batteries that are excellent for camping or just a general backup power supply. Either way, we can equip you with the knowledge, device and accessories to make travel with CPAP simple.

Yes, Everything. From a CPAP Mask to a Machine, Supplies, Cleaners, Sanitizers, Hose, Wipes, Filters, Chin Straps, Cushions, Headgear, Batteries, Liners, Holders, and a wide range of accessories from ResMed, Philips Respironics, Fisher and Paykel, SoClean, 3B Medical and more.

Yes, it is safe. However, using distilled water in a humidifier though will make CPAP or BiPAP therapy more comfortable and keep your upper airway from drying out. If you find that using a humidifier does not work for your therapy, an alternative is an HME (Heat Moisture Exchanger). HumidX is an HME that is also the name of what exactly is used with the ResMed AirMini Travel CPAP, as an alternative to using the humidifier attached to your CPAP machine. Not using your humidifier or not filling your CPAP water chamber is still considered safe, but humidifiying the air is recommended.

Yes. All ResMed, Philips Respironics and most other brands in 6 ft, 8 ft or 10 ft CPAP or BiPAP tubing. Heated or standard, 12mm, 15mm or the most common 19mm internal diameter hose. Call us for more information: 1-833-87-SLEEP

Yes we do: HSA, FSA, carecredit and other similar plans as well. Call us for more information: 1-833-87-SLEEP

Current research estimates that the compliance rate for CPAP or BiPAP (how many people use CPAP more than a few months) is approximately 60 percent. One reason for this may be that CPAP users often experience disagreeable side effects and simply stop using their appliance. Many of these side effects can be eased if a health professional is told about them or if the CPAP or BiPAP user is taught how to manage them.