CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE (CPAP)
At Bendigo Sleep Lab we provide both a rental and sales service for CPAP therapy, looking after you from the diagnosis, through trials and even with supply of spare parts and ongoing therapy. If you choose to rent before purchasing your equipment, your pump rental will be credited back to you when you purchase your own equipment at the end of the trial.
The standard rental program is a month long, during this time we expect to touch base with you weekly to assess the quality of your treatment and to assist you in becoming a compliant CPAP user.
The standard rental program is a month long, during this time we expect to touch base with you weekly to assess the quality of your treatment and to assist you in becoming a compliant CPAP user.
Misconceptions about CPAP.
1. The machines are noisy....
Back in the day when CPAP was invented (in1980), yes they were noisy! But not anymore! Like with any technology, advancements are made. The motors in CPAP devices now are tiny, and if you have the right mask fit, the CPAP machines are hard to hear at all.
2. The masks are uncomfortable...
Once again, if we go back a few years, yes... However, come in and check out the latest masks, soft and silky! Manufactures of CPAP equipment bring out new masks all the time, with the aim of being more comfortable than the last. There is a HUGE range to choose from!Frequently Asked Questions ???
Excessive daytime sleepiness, Heavy snoring, Poor concentration and Poor memory are all signs that you may be suffering from Sleep Apnoea
What is Sleep Apnoea ?
Sleep Apnoea and snoring are common Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB) problems that can affect your sleep, health and overall quality of life. Normally the muscles that control the upper airway relax during sleep, if they relax too much, the upper airway becomes narrow and some people begin to snore. If the airway becomes too narrow, this may cause breathing difficulties sometimes, the airway becomes completely blocked and the person temporarily stops breathing, they are experiencing an “obstructive Apnoea.” The Apnoea can last for ten seconds or more, it may happen frequently and even several hundred times a night.
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| Airway opened | Airway narrow | Airway closed |
If you have this condition every time an Apnoea occurs you struggle to breathe. This places stress on your brain and heart, night after night, your sleep is disrupted. You will experience the kind of tiredness that affects the quality of your life, work and relationships. Your partner may witness tell-tale signs of Sleep Apnoea while you sleep – snoring followed by a long period of silence, and then, perhaps, a loud snort or a gasp as you resume breathing. Sleep Apnoea is widespread and very common yet often remains undiagnosed.
1Do I need a referral to be tested?
Although it's not a legal requirement, we recommend that you get a referral form from your doctor to have an in-home sleep test. Medicare will only offer reimbursement on sleep tests where a qualified doctor has referred.
2What are the causes of Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep Apnoea is the most common sleep disorder. It can affect people of any age - from newborn babies through to adults of either sex. 1 in 5 adults suffer from Sleep Apnoea (1 in 15 have severe Sleep Apnoea).
Possible causes and risk factors of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) are:
• Snoring (can cause the soft palate to lengthen, which in turn can obstruct the airway), obesity (the heavier a person gets, the greater the risk of OSA)
• Family history of Sleep Apnoea, small upper airway (large tongue, large uvula, recessed chin, excess tissue in the throat and/or soft palate)
• Shape of head and neck - may create a smaller than normal airway
• Large tonsils or adenoids or other anatomical differences, difficulties breathing during sleep can be created by conditions such as deviated septum, enlarged tongue or receding chin
• Throat muscles and tongue relax more than normal during sleep (may sometimes be due to alcohol or sedative use before bedtime)
• Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke
• Nasal congestion, nasal blockages, and nasal irritants
3Why is Sleep Apnoea a serious risk to your health?
Every time an Apnoea occurs, your body increases its effort to breathe and your vital organs struggle for oxygen. This alerts your brain to wake up and make you breathe again. You may have several hundred Apnoeas a night and the adverse effects on your body build up night after night, day after day.
4How common is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep Apnoea is the most common sleep disorder. It can affect people of any age - from newborn babies through to adults of either sex. 1 in 5 adults suffer from Sleep Apnoea (1 in 15 have severe Sleep Apnoea).
5How do I know if I have Sleep Apnoea?
If you snore regularly and experience constant daytime sleepiness, you may have Sleep Apnoea.
The checklist that can help you identify some of the signs of Sleep Apnoea is as follows:
• Has your partner noticed that you gasp or stop breathing during sleep?
• Do you often wake up feeling unrefreshed?
• Do you experience daytime sleepiness?
• Have your energy and motivation levels decreased?
• Do you find it difficult to concentrate?
6How do I get tested for Sleep Apnoea?
You will need a referral from your GP or dentist to have a sleep study conducted in the comfort of your own home. Click here to read more information on what happens in a sleep study. Then simply call 03 5447 8827 and our friendly staff will book you in for an appointment.
7How is Sleep Apnoea treated?
Positive airway pressure therapy is the most effective and widespread treatment available for Sleep Apnoea and it does not involve drugs or surgery. A bedside sleep therapy system delivers air via a mask or nasal pillows system to keep your upper airway open. The basic form of this treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or fixed CPAP therapy which provides one constant air pressure all through the night. An alternative treatment is automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) therapy, which automatically varies the pressure all through the night and from night to night. It actively responds to the continuous changes in your upper airway. Every form of positive airway pressure therapy involves wearing a mask or nasal pillows system. Benefits of treatment Positive airway pressure therapy helps millions of people all over the world to enjoy healthier sleep and a healthier, happier life. Treating Sleep Apnoea can reduce the risk of developing associated diseases. It can also help you feel more energetic so you can do all the things you want to do. As soon as you start treatment you should start noticing improvements.
8Where can I go to get treated?
At any of our Bendigo Sleep Lab clinics, we will help you get started with your treatment. We will provide you with an initial mask fitting and education on how to use your sleep therapy system, ongoing clinical support as well as overnight monitoring to reassess your treatment if required.
The road to feeling better...
Often getting started on CPAP is not easy, we encourage all our clients to call us with any queries or complaints. Our Goal is to get YOU up and running with your CPAP and feeling better quickly. Here are a few do's and don'ts to get you on your way:Do....
- It is important that you "practice" using your equipment in the first few weeks, we suggest using it for half an hour a day while you are NOT trying to sleep, in this way training yourself in how to use the equipment while you are not worried about what you have to do the next day.
- Use your therapy every time you are sleeping, even for cat naps!
- Attend regular appointments with your therapist and discuss any issues you may have had in the previous weeks.
- CALL us on (03) 5447 8827 if you are experiencing any new or unusual symptoms.
Don't....
- Suffer in silence, please call us with any issues or questions, we are here to help!
- Take your mask off after waking during the night (it is often tempting to leave your mask off after a night waking, if you do, please try and use it for a little longer each night, and eventually you will be using it for the whole night).
- Don't forget to put water in your humidifier.
Fisher & Paykel ICON+ CPAP Device
We listened, we heard and we responded with an easy and simple to use patient menu. This new menu offers easy access to the three most commonly used settings (on/off, ramp, humidity). These enhancements minimize your patient set-up and product instruction time, thus promoting a positive experience for you and your patients.