CPAP and Stress

How CPAP is linked to stress

Untreated sleep apnea can have a lot of negative consequences on your body, but did you know it can affect your mood and stress levels as well? Poor sleep on it’s own can be stressful, but could sleep apnea be causing you more stress?

Santos et al from Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, Brazil, found that:

77.8% of patients had stress in the first evaluation¹
Moderate and severe apnea patients have significant stress¹
Stress symptoms significantly decreased in patients after treatment with CPAP¹

From these findings they concluded that sleep apnea’s disruption of sleep can lead to consistent stress levels that mirrored those of people who suffered sleep restriction (4 hours/day for 6 nights)¹. This sleep restricted state induced “increased cortisol levels in normal individuals,” where cortisol is the chemical marker for stress. This condition can lead to physical and mental tiredness, memory difficulties, and increased vulnerability to diseases.¹

Study findings on CPAP and stress

Researchers investigated short-term effects of CPAP therapy on stress levels and emotional states, believing reduced oxygen to the brain at night could lead to perpetual stress and wear on the mind and body. The good news is that they found:

Consistent compliance lessens general sleep apnea symptoms and stress¹
Improvement was found for both moderate and severe sleep apnea¹
The more severe the sleep apnea had been, the more the CPAP reduced stressed¹

Remember, reducing your stress requires consistent compliance with your CPAP therapy.

How to stay compliant and reduce your stress

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 therefore reducing your stress too.

Here are 4 tips for CPAP effectiveness and compliance:

1. Make sure your supplies are fresh so they don’t stress your skull.

When your supplies are old, the therapy will become less and less effective. Because this happens slowly and 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. Have a machine that automatically meets your needs to prevent worrying about pressure levels.

Your pressure needs vary through the night as you sleep. Newer CPAPs are auto-titrating, meaning they adjust to your needs breath-by-breath to give the most effective pressure needed all through the night. On top of perfecting the pressure for your every breath, they have automatically adjusting comfort settings to keep you compliant every night of the week. ResMed’s AirSense 11 Auto CPAP also 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 add to cart below.

3. Keep your supplies clean to keep your mind clear.

Bacteria buildup on your mask can make you sick or weaken your mask seal. Weak seals and CPAP illnesses are 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 and fresh. The Lumin makes cleaning easy 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! Just add to cart below with code LUMIN70 applied automatically.

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

4. Use a mask that lets you rest easy.

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 F30 mask will be a great change. The F30 boasts:

Minimal Design: Fits under your nose and over your mouth, leaving the bridge of your nose untouched
Universal Headgear Size: Contours to every unique face for an accurate, first-time fit
Quick Release Elbow with QuietAir: Plug/unplug from therapy easily, while the QuietAir vent diffuses exhalation to reduce noise

Minimal Design: Fits under your nose and over your mouth, leaving the bridge of your nose untouched
Universal Headgear Size: Contours to every unique face for an accurate, first-time fit
Quick Release Elbow with QuietAir: Plug/unplug from therapy easily, while the QuietAir vent diffuses exhalation to reduce noise

Save $20 on the AirFit F30! Just add your size to cart below and code F30SAVE applies automatically.

Don’t miss out on your insurance coverage! Find out if the F30 is covered today:

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