3 Must-have CPAP Accessories

CPAP Therapy Discomforts

When you get diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) condition, there are not many options on how to handle it. You can continue to live with it (which is dangerous, in some cases can even be lethal), or you can try to resolve it. Resolving OSA means one of the following two things, surgery (which can help in some cases) or going with the most effective therapy for sleep apnea and that is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy. 

The CPAP therapy was invented when the first CPAP machine was successfully used to solve the OSA issue (therapy was developed by Dr. Colin Sullivan in 1980.); further, it was popularized 40-50 years ago and since then has been on the rise as the most effective solution for the sleep apnea condition. The therapy is medically prescribed and requires the use of a CPAP machine and equipment which pushes the pressurized air into the patient's airways and thus keeps them open all the time.

However, CPAP therapy, although being the solution, it's not 100% perfect, it comes with some discomforts and it takes time to get used to it. Sleeping with a face mask on is probably the problem (discomfort) number one. CPAP face mask limits your movement during sleeping and your position in which sleep, which further causes discomfort of the neck, shoulders, and back pain or soreness; also, mask straps can cause face/cheek soreness, rash, red marks… Besides that, there is a daily and weekly obligation of cleaning and sanitizing your CPAP equipment! We wrote many times on this topic, that the air you breathe in through your CPAP equipment is only as clean as your CPAP equipment; equipment that is not cleaned and sanitized regularly is considered to be more dangerous for your respiratory organs than just not using the CPAP.

Fortunately, the CPAP industry is investing a lot of time and resources every year in CPAP accessories, in order to help reduce these and many other discomforts to the minimum! Let's see what is the least you should do, what 3 accessories you should invest in, to get a better sleep.

1.   CPAP Cleaner

Cleaning and sanitizing your CPAP equipment can be done manually or automatically (using a device specially made for that purpose). Both ways are effective when done properly, and to do it properly it takes around 30 minutes up to an hour to finish the process.

Manually cleaning CPAP equipment is time-consuming, complex, and in some cases not that effective (water-vinegar solution for example sometimes can’t reach all the places, and it takes some time to dry the equipment before use). Cleaning and sanitizing should be done daily, ideally in the morning, right after use, or after waking up; this can be nuanced and at some point, you might just be tempted to skip it.

On the other hand, automatic cleaning/sanitizing requires only 5 minutes of your time. All you need to do is put CPAP equipment in a special bag/box and push the start button. This is especially simple with Ozone cleaners since there are no chemicals, drying process, or any special action or setting.

We can recommend using PrimeClean® CPAP Sanitizer. Our new N105 model is an upgraded version of the previous model, with longer battery life on a single charge, higher quality and nicer feel material, and a convenient timer display. PrimeClean CPAP Sanitizer is extremely effective and kills 99.9% of germs. Also, it comes with Sanitizing bag that is equipped with Ozone Filter. With ozone filter, it is designed to safely use ozone, rather than sending it directly out into the room. The PrimeClean CPAP cleaner takes the daily hassle out of cleaning your CPAP equipment, you simply press the only button on the device and walk away…the whole sanitation process is done within 30 minutes!

    2.   CPAP Pillow

As mentioned, sleeping with a CPAP mask and tubing limits your movement and sleeping position (especially if you must use a full-face CPAP mask). Usually, the only position you can sleep in while wearing a CPAP mask is on your back, and if you are not used to this position, it soon becomes a real problem and discomfort (the hose can get tangled, the mask moved (which cause air to leak) or just pressed much harder onto the users’ face). The one way to solve this issue is using a CPAP pillow (it is also the simplest and often most effective way as well).

What is a CPAP pillow and how does it help resolve these issues? Specially designed for CPAP users, the CPAP pillow is created to fit the CPAP mask and hose; it has specially created cuts and curves that are made that way in order to make the mask fit perfectly for side sleeping. 

PrimeClean® CPAP Pillow is probably the best cpap pillow for neck pain as well. Created from the latest-technology materials, and users’ experiences and suggestions; the memory foam construction conforms to the contours of the face providing a firm yet soft support. The orthopedic design with a curved bottom edge allows the shoulder to rest naturally and the slight center recess promotes proper head and neck alignment. It also features a soft pillowcase that is easy to remove for washing, so it is easy to keep it clean.

    3.   CPAP Mask Strap Covers

Although the CPAP face mask itself is nuance and takes time to get used to it, mask straps (that hold the mask on your face) can often cause the similar discomfort, and even if you don’t feel it immediately, you might start feeling it as soon as you get used to the mask itself.

Designed to prevent discomfort caused by CPAP mask straps, strap covers are a simple yet highly effective accessory that in all its simplicity "gets the job done". Usually made of breathable, soft, anti-allergenic material, it is an accessory that is simple to apply and use.

PrimeClean® CPAP Strap Covers provide a perfect solution to mask strap skin irritations. Using 2 intelligent materials that hold skin moisture: cool you down when it's hot, provide warmth when it's cold, keeping your skin cool in summer and warm in winter.