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*RESPIRONICS

The first in a line-up of the New “My Life” series of masks has been released by Respironics. It is their easiest –to-use mask yet. The OptiLife is easy to wear, clean and maintain, plus lightweight. It is an interface that uses a nasal pillow cushion which adjusts for a person to obtain optimal fit. Four different sizes of the pillow cushion is packaged with the mask. It also features a new headgear with an integrated chin support band that allows it to be put on and adjusted with very little effort and no buckles! Provides a clear range of visibility – great mask for eye glass wearers!
Look for it at: http://www.cpapplus.com/CPAP_Masks/Nasal_Pillow_Masks/Opti_Life/OptiLife.htm

*FISHER & PAYKEL

Another exciting entrance into the CPAP mask market is the new Opus.
This new interface is small and lightweight (only 51 grams) offering a new level of comfort. Features of the Opus include a headgear that is lightweight and comfortable offering unhindered vision and freedom to sleep in any position comfortably. The tubing can be directed above the head - perfect for the "side sleepers" or along the side of the head. The silicone nasal prongs are anatomically shaped to the nostril to provide comfort and a superb seal. All three nasal prong sizes are included with every Opus. This product has just been introduced and will begin shipping during the week of January 22, 2007. View it at: http://www.cpapplus.com/CPAP_Masks/Nasal_Pillow_Masks/Infinity/Opus.htm

We will begin taking orders for this product immediately. Please keep in mind that there will be a slight delay in receiving your OPUS.
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SALE ON THE NASAL AIRE II – Another nasal pillow interface that has been on the market for some time now is the Nasal Aire II. It is light and the usual pressure points on the face by a mask are gone. The user can sleep in any position with this mask and it comes in six different sizes. We recommend for people unfamiliar with this mask to obtain a sizing gauge first to make sure you are receiving a mask with the perfect fit. You can see it on our site at: http://www.cpapplus.com/CPAP_Masks/Nasal_Pillow_Masks/Nasal_Aire/Nasal_Aire.html

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In the November issue of OSA Today this article appeared:

CPAP Compliance: Sleep Meds Don’t Help
Do sleeping pills help OSA patients adjust to long-term CPAP usage? The answer is no according to new findings reported in the journal CHEST. The research showed that prescription sleep aids may do little to improve CPAP compliance among OSA patients. OSA patients who received prescription sleep aids were no more likely to use their CPAP machines than other OSA patients who took a placebo.

“CPAP treatment improves daytime alertness and quality of life for most patients with OSA and may prevent some of the long-term complications of this disorder, including heart attacks and strokes,” said the study’s lead author Captain David A. Bradshaw, MD, FCCP, of the Naval Medical Center, San Diego. “Yet, many people find CPAP difficult to use. People with a good initial experience are more likely to use CPAP regularly. Our hypothesis was that a sleeping pill might help new CPAP users adjust to sleeping with the equipment and promote long-term usage.”

To determine the effect of prescription sleep medications on CPAP compliance, Bradshaw and fellow researchers compared CPAP use among 72 newly diagnosed male patients (mean age 38 ± 7 years) who were referred for CPAP treatment. All patients participated in standardized CPAP training and were randomized to receive the sleeping agent zolpidem, a placebo pill, or standard care with no sleeping pill or placebo.

Compared with the placebo pill and standard care groups, the zolpidem group did not show greater CPAP compliance as measured by total days used or average time used per night over the course of 4 weeks. When the initial 14 days of CPAP treatment were analyzed separately, there was also no difference in number of days used or average nightly use. Despite results, researchers believe prescription sleep medications, when used correctly, may prove helpful for a subset of patients with OSA. “Studies have shown that almost half of patients with OSA have insomnia complaints,” said Bradshaw. “Our study does not support prescription sleeping pills for all new CPAP users, but OSA patients with insomnia symptoms might benefit.”

Appearing in the November issue of OSA Today:

December 2006 Reader’s Digest Calls CPAP the “Best Fix”
In yet another example of the consumer media’s relentless OSA publicity, the popular December 2006 issue of Reader’s Digest features an article on page 56 called How to Manage Sleep Apnea.

With a subhead that states “one common problem, four expert solutions,” the article details CPAP, acupuncture, dental devices, and surgical alternatives. John Stradling, MD, of Oxford University calls CPAP “the gold standard” and cautions readers to only try dental devices if CPAP fails. In all, PAP therapy is mentioned three times. While OSA is accurately described, the life-threatening consequences of OSA are left out of the article in favor of a more lighthearted tone.

With the winter season affecting so many states that normally do not see cold, we would like to remind everyone of the importance in changing your filter, tubing and masks.
Bacteria can grow in all of these items and can cause mild to severe health issues. Mild health effects can be those similar to a cold and sinus infections. Severe health effects can be varied to include upper respiratory infections.

Medicare states the schedule below should be followed in replacing your CPAP supplies:
• Filters – 30 Days
• Tubing- 30 Days
• Mask – 90 Days

Do NOT take chances with your health and well being. Replace your filters, tubing and mask as suggested. Keep your equipment clean.

Do you wake up with a dry throat or stuffy nose during this winter season? Using a cool or hot humidifier can help. The newer models of CPAP machines offer the integrated heated humidification system or using a simple, cool passover such as the Tiara Medical Velocity or Fisher & Paykel HC150JHUPack may stop the dryness and irritation. Check the different types of humidifiers on our site at : http://www.cpapplus.com/CPAP_Humidifiers/Heated_Humidifiers_1.html

INFORMATION REFERRAL

CPAP Supplies Plus/Direct is always hunting for new information about sleep related information, studies and sites. We learned about a new one - www.mydaddysnores.com. This is a great new site related to snoring and OSA and if you would like to share your story or just hear about other’s experiences, please click on it.

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As always we hope that you find this information helpful and informative. We thank you for choosing CPAP Supplies Plus/Direct as your supplier for CPAP equipment and accessories. Also, don't forget, as the allergy season approaches, to change your CPAP filters regularly!

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