Saving Money On My Medical Condition

Sleep apnea may be a disorder that affects your sleep, but because it affects your breathing ability, it can also be a life-threatening problem. Fortunately, CPAP therapy is an effective way to manage your sleep apnea disorder. However, maintaining your CPAP machine and equipment is key to ensuring your therapy is successful. If you are one of the 22 million Americans with sleep apnea, knowing when your CPAP machine is in distress and needs maintenance/repairs is crucial.

Unable to Power On

Obviously, if your CPAP machine will not power on, there is a problem that needs to be addressed.

In many cases, CPAP machines that will not power on may have a damaged power cord. Without a properly functioning power cord, the machine will not get the power it needs to operate.

Insufficient Air Flow

If your CPAP is turning on and running as necessary, but you are not receiving a sufficient amount of air flow, check your tubing.

Make sure there is no damage to the tubing. Any holes, tears, or permanent kinks will prevent air from moving from the machine into your airways, reducing the effectiveness of your CPAP therapy. Purchase new tubing if necessary.

After inspecting the tubing, check the connections. Make sure the ends of the tubing are securely connecting to the machine and to your CPAP mask. If the connections and threading are worn down, consider upgrading to a new machine with new tubing.

Dry, Irritated Airways

If you wake up with dry, irritated airways, your CPAP's humidifier may not be working properly. The humidifier's main purpose is to moisten the air that moves through the CPAP and into your airways. Therefore, if it is not working as directed, you may experience discomfort while sleeping and wake up with dry, irritated nostrils, mouth, and throat.

The humidifier is equipped with a heating element in most cases. If the heating element does not heat, the humidifier will not function, causing dry air to move through the tubing and into your airways. This problem will require replacing the heating element.

Age

Your CPAP machine is not destined to last forever. While certain parts can be repaired and replaced, a new CPAP machine will be necessary at some point in time.

Fortunately, most insurance companies will cover the replacement of your CPAP machine every 5 years. If you have been using your machine for 5 or more years, make sure to replace it immediately.

Contact a company, like Mountain State Biomedical Services Inc., for more help.