Equipment Questions

CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a prescribed amount of pressurized air delivered through a mask worn on your face. The pressurized air holds or splints the airway open while you sleep and helps prevent the air passage from blocking.

APAP, or Auto-adjusting Positive Airway Pressure, constantly adjusts the pressure within a prescribed range and may be beneficial if you require a much higher pressure when you are lying on their back as compared to the pressure you need when lying on your side or between different stages of sleep.

BPAP, or Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure delivers one prescribed pressure when you are breathing in and a lower prescribed pressure when you breathe out.

Many factors contribute to choosing the optimal mask. Considerations such as your CPAP prescription, nose shape and size, the position in which you sleep, whether you are a mouth breather, or have facial hair all play parts in mask selection. Choose a mask that is comfortable and well fitted. Nasal masks or nasal pillows are generally preferable to full face masks unless you have a sinus disease or substantial nasal obstruction. Your Medigas healthcare professional will help you make this decision.

There may be a few reasons you are experiencing an air leak. It is possible that you have applied uneven tension to your headgear straps: if this is the case, loosen the straps and then reapply them with equal tension. If air continues to leak, examine your mask cushion for signs of wear and tear. Mask cushions should be replaced every three months, and memory foam cushions replaced every month. Your complete mask should be replaced every six months. Air leaks into the eyes may dry them out: contact your Medigas healthcare professional if the leak persists.

The integrity of the headgear can be maintained for approximately six months, at which point the headgear should be replaced. If you are needing to frequently tighten your headgear, it is usually a sign that the headgear and mask should be replaced. If you have done this and the issue persists, please contact us.

Whenever you want to travel, plan ahead. If you know that you will be staying where there is no or limited electricity, consider purchasing a battery or generator, depending on the length of your camping adventure. Be sure to check that your battery is compatible with your CPAP device. By turning off your CPAP device’s heated humidifier and heated tubing, this can extend running times of your battery. Visit Medigas Express to see our full battery selection.