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CPAP News Letter - Issue: 7
Our newsletter is designed to provide information
regarding state-of-the art equipment and the
latest techniques to treat sleep apnea. We hope
it is interesting and helpful to you as you work
to optimize your apnea treatment.
The New England Journal of Medicine has published a
major new Canadian study demonstrating major
improvements in heart function gained by treating
sleep apnea with CPAP. Measured results of CPAP only
treatment include:
- Sleep Apnea Episodes decreased by 80 percent.
- Heart Function Improved. Hearts pumped an average
of 35% more blood per beat after one month of
treatment.
- Heart Size Decreased nearly 6%.
- Blood Pressure Decreases from an average of 126/62
to 116/59.
- Heart Rate Decreases from 68 to 64 beats per
minute.
Patients in the study used CPAP only at night, and the
measurements were taken during the day. The treatment
had beneficial carry-over effects, which last
throughout the day. For more information go to
www.respironics.com
Fisher & Paykel has improved the Foam Cushion in the
Aclaim II Mask. The mask is now seals better and is
more comfortable in the bridge of nose and eye area.
We are stocking this with both the medium small and
medium large cushions. Fisher & Paykel is rumored
to be releasing a number of new products in time
for the national sleep meetings scheduled for
June 3-7 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago.
Expect to read about a number of new products in next
months newsletter as the manufactures prepare product
releases.
Respironics has released new Comfort Select Mask Cushions
for the small, small wide, and medium sizes.
Performance is reported to be much better. We have
these in stock.
What is the biggest cause of premature CPAP and BiPAP
failures? Drops? Power surges? No. It is water damage!
No, not floods. Humidifier use. Just raise the
humidifier up above the machine and tilt and all that
water flows directly into your machine. The simple act
of moving your equipment around can suddenly result is
a big problem.
What happens when water is poured into a machine? Some
machines are designed so that the water travels
harmlessly thru the air outlet, down thru the motor
fan assembly, onto the bottom of the machine, and out
the bottom of the machine onto your table top. Bad for
the table but good for your machine. We like this
approach as drying the table is easy enough.
Unfortunately, many models do not consider accidental
water invasions in the design. In these machines,
water can run onto circuits, fill air sensor lines,
and pool within the machine, causing all sorts of
expensive damage. It is not unusual to scrap a machine
completely due to corrosive damage.
So what should be done if water is accidently
poured into a machine? Don't be sad, you can often get
it working. Here is what to do:
- Assuming the wall socket area is dry, unplug the
machine from all power. (Caution! never contact a
wet area when power is present.)
- Take the machine, hose, and mask to a sink. Empty
all water from the hoses into the sink. Pour as
much water out the machine as possible. Turn it
every which way that allows the water to flow out
of any openings.
- Service the filter(s). They are often wet and need
to be dried or replaced.
- Completely dry the outside of the machine. Be sure
the plug in area is dry. It is going to be plugged
in to power, so be absolutely certain no water is
on the outside of the unit.
- If a hair dryer is available, blow medium heat at a
maximum flow setting into the machine air inlet. Take the
filters out for this! After 15 minutes, blow air into the
outlet for 15 more minutes. This should dry your machine out
nicely.
- With a towel ready to wipe up any water blown out
the main hose connection, plug the machine in and
turn it on. Yes, really. Do not wear the mask as
water may be blown out. Nine times out of ten, the
machine will fire up and blow water out. They may
not run normally at first as remaining water affects
performance. Most model will run fine without the mask
on a face. Let the machine run for a few hours, This
will completely dry out the inside of the machine on
most models. You have saved the machine from serious
damage. After the three hours, breath on it a bit.
If it does not feel the same, it will need to go in
for service.
- Some machines will not run properly when there is
no person at the end of the mask. It is very difficult
to get the water out of these units. Either use a hair
dryer for a hour or more or send it to a dealer for
repair. If less than a third of a cup of water entered
the unit, it will likely be fine. If it took more, you
may be forced to get it serviced.
There is a one way valve Respironics designed to
prevent supplemental oxygen from flowing into
machines. It is called a Pressure Valve. We tested
this item and found it works great in preventing water
from being accidentally poured into a machine.
Thank you for your interest in our newsletter! If
you have any questions please call us toll free at
1-800-356-5221. Archives of
past newsletters are
available on our website under the Services tab.
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Sincerely,
John Goodman
cpap.com
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