Sleep Apnea, Snoring, Narcolepsy,
Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders

central apnea, obstructive apnea, CPAP, biPAP, ASV, positive airway pressure

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Treatments, Tips and Techniques.


 INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS USING POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE
(CPAP, BILEVEL PAP, ASV) TREATMENTS FOR SLEEP APNEA -2


8. WHAT IF I DON'T USE MY MACHINE?

-Your sleep apnea will recur quickly, which in some patients can be dangerous.

9. IS "PART-TIME USE" ENOUGH FOR MY TREATMENT?

-NO. One common, potentially serious mistake would be to wake up toward the end of the night, remove it and allow yourself to fall asleep again. Since we experience most of our REM sleep (the stage when most patients' sleep apnea usually reaches its greatest severity) during the final hours of sleep, you will have removed it before you needed it more than ever.


10. SHOULD I USE MY CPAP/BILEVEL PAP/ASV MACHINE DURING NAPS?

-Ideally, yes. How dangerous napping without it might be depends both upon individual patients' sleep apnea severity and also, whether they have a history of heart trouble or strokes.


11. MUST I TAKE MY CPAP/BILEVEL PAP/ASV MACHINE WITH ME WHEN I TRAVEL?

-YES. If you can't find a way to leave your sleep apnea at home, "don't leave home without it"! Traveling with these units is usually quite easy. Some travel tips--

-Ensure you were given a carrying case, and ask your home care company for extra fuses to take with you.

-For foreign or air travel, ask your physician for a letter to facilitate its transport through airport check-ins and customs. Carry it on with you: don't check it with your luggage.

-If you're going overseas, talk with your home care company beforehand. While nearly all units are designated to operate on either 110 or 220 volts, one patient reported his machine was destroyed by British current, and an electric current converter may be advisable.

-If you will be without access to electricity (ex. while camping/boating) ask your home care company if a battery or DC converter is available for your particular machine.

-If you also require oxygen (which is difficult to transport), ask your home care company for assistance in arranging rental oxygen at your destination.


12. ARE THERE PATIENTS WHO USUALLY SHOULDN'T BE TREATED WITH THESE MACHINES?

-YES. Some examples:

1. Some patients with a history of spontaneous pneumothorax, or large bullae ("blebs", similar to bubbles on a tire) that could rupture and cause lung collapse.

2. Some patients on high doses of steroids (ex. prednisone, Decadron®).

3. Some patients with increased pressure in the brain (ex. hydrocephalus, pseudotumor) or a past history of cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

4. Patients who cannot or will not use the equipment consistently as prescribed throughout sleep.

13. IF YOU ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS, WHAT STEPS SHOULD YOU TAKE?

Refer to the troubleshooting guide on the next page and try the recommendations listed for those specific problems you're experiencing.

If you've tried those measures and if they didn't resolve your difficulties, call your physician. Don't allow significant problems to persist, and don't allow yourself to go untreated and unable to use your equipment throughout sleep.


14. WHAT ABOUT MAINTENANCE?

-Clean your equipment regularly according to the manufacturer's recommendations you will receive from your home care company.

-Broken, defective or worn equipment must be repaired or replaced immediately.

-You may wish to have your machine checked routinely and serviced once a year, even if it seems to be functioning well.

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COLUMBUS COMMUNITY HEALTH
REGIONAL SLEEP DISORDERS CENTER
Accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Robert W. Clark, M.D., Medical Director
1430 South High Street
Columbus OH 43207

Tel: [614] 443-7800
Fax: [614] 443-6960

e-mail: flamenco@netexp.net

 © Copyright 2006 Robert W. Clark M.D. Inc