CPAP and Improved Athleticism

How CPAP is linked to athleticism

Many people are aware of how their untreated sleep apnea can affect their body. They wake up tired, they may get headaches, and they never feel completely rested. But did you know it can reduce your athletic ability? Untreated sleep apnea can have a lot of negative consequences on your body, but scientists have found it goes beyond feeling tired all the time.

When apnea events restrict your oxygen, they also reduce your time spent in REM sleep, making your sleep less restful. In fact, “Muscle biopsy studies have demonstrated structural and bio-energetic changes in skeletal muscle fiber in OSA subjects”.¹ On top of muscle fiber issues, untreated sleep apnea can also lead to reduced athletic ability and metabolism, reducing the effectiveness of any exercise you do complete.

Study findings on CPAP and physical health

The good news is, using CPAP may help both sleep apnea and restore your physical ability at the same time. Researchers have found that treating your sleep apnea with CPAP will:

Help restore your ability to intake oxygen, especially while exercising²
Prevent skeletal muscular structure problems caused by sleep apnea¹
Improve your athletic abilities, including your golf swing³

That’s right, even your golf swing! When it comes to negative consequences of untreated sleep apnea, prevention is the best option. Staying compliant with CPAP treatments before you find your abilities declining will help you avoid the harmful side effects of untreated sleep apnea, instead of needing to reverse the negative consequences down the line.

How to stay compliant and improve physical ability:

By now you’re wondering – how can I make sure my CPAP is treating my sleep apnea correctly? There are a few ways to ensure your CPAP is giving you the best CPAP therapy possible – and helping to keep you physically capable too.

Here are 4 tips for CPAP effectiveness and compliance:

1. Make sure you have up-to-date supplies.

When your supplies are old, the therapy will become less and less effective. Because this happens slowly over time, most folks end up not noticing it. Instead, they will tighten their mask a little more, thinking they just need the seal a little closer.

Eventually this leads to over-tightening that can cause pain, marks, and the annoying “hot mask” feeling. The less comfortable your CPAP supplies are, the harder it is to stay compliant and get your CPAP benefits. You can avoid this by replacing your supplies with fresh ones regularly on the recommended, insurance-backed schedule.

Your CPAP supplies could be yours for $0! Allow us to check with your insurance provider for you to find out what is covered (for free!). Click below to get started:

Are your supplies due for a replacement? Check out our standard insurance replacement schedule below:

2. Make sure you have the most comfortable therapy.

Your pressure needs vary through the night as you sleep. Newer CPAP machines are auto-titrating, meaning they adjust to your needs breath-by-breath for the most effective pressure all through the night. On top of perfecting the pressure for your every breath, they have automatically adjusting comfort settings. ResMed’s AirSense 11 AutoSet offers:

Humidification: 7 levels of humidity and an optional heated tube ensures you don’t dry out
EPR: Expiratory Pressure Relief reduces pressure upon exhale, avoiding high pressure mask leaks
AutoRamp: Starts your sleep therapy at a low pressure so you fall asleep more comfortably

Humidification: 7 levels of humidity and an optional heated tube ensures you don’t dry out
EPR: Expiratory Pressure Relief reduces pressure upon exhale, avoiding high pressure mask leaks
AutoRamp: Starts your sleep therapy at a low pressure so you fall asleep more comfortably

Upgrade to the AirSense today for just $399 down and 0% APR!
Just authorize your payment info via the link sent to your email after ordering.

3. Clean your CPAP supplies properly.

Bacteria builds up on your mask every night, and can make you sick or weaken your mask seal. This causes big barriers to compliance, as they make using CPAP much more of a chore. That’s why keeping your mask and hose clean can be the difference between intolerable and effective CPAP therapy. The Lumin CPAP cleaner will keep your supplies sanitary with:

Simple and Quick: Lumin kills 99% of bacteria in a one-touch 5 minute cycle
UV Technology: specialized UV-C light source targets harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus
Complete compatibility: No adapter needed

Simple and Quick: Lumin kills 99% of bacteria in a one-touch 5 minute cycle
UV Technology: specialized UV-C light source is targeted to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus
Complete compatibility: Lumin fits all major mask types and humidifier chambers

Save $70 when you buy the Lumin today! Click below to add to cart with code LUMIN70 applied.

If buildup on your mask is a common issue for you, try our Mask Wipes for daily use!

4.Use a mask that makes sleeping enjoyable.

Finding the right mask for your face can be frustrating, but newer masks are designed to fit more people every day. If leaks from your mask are giving you trouble, the AirFit F30i Full Face Mask will be a great change. Unlike other masks that seal up over and around the bridge of your nose, the F30i will seal around the bottom of your nose and also provides:

Minimal design: Reduces claustrophobia and allows you to sleep in any position
QuietAir™ technology: Makes for a quieter experience for you and your bed partner
SpringFit™ frame: Automatically adapts to fit you for a personalized, secure fit with every use

Minimal design: Reduces claustrophobia and allows you to sleep in any position
QuietAir™ technology: Makes for a quieter experience for you and your bed partner
SpringFit™ frame: Automatically adapts to fit you for a personalized, secure fit with every use

Save $20 on the AirFit F30i! Just add your size to cart below and code F30SAVE applies automatically.

Don’t miss out on your insurance coverage! Find out if the AirFit F30i is covered today:

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