CPAP product reviews and other helpful tips for CPAP users!

We all love to travel abroad on vacation. But what happens when you need to bring your CPAP equipment with you too? Not to worry. Here are our tips on how OSA patients can travel comfortably and why a portable travel CPAP machine is the best way to achieve this. 

Going Abroad This Winter? 

We all need a vacation from time to time for some much needed R&R. Yet, for many OSA patients, the thought of bringing their CPAP equipment along can seem like too much of a hassle so they may choose to just leave it at home. 

If you are planning on travelling abroad this winter, remember that you can enjoy your vacation even with your CPAP equipment in tow. While going on vacation can be challenging for those who have trouble sleeping, with the right travel tips and sleep apnea equipment, it will be highly rewarding. 

Travelling: What Effects Can It Have On OSA Patients? 

Travelling can affect anyone’s sleep pattern but even more so when you have sleep apnea. According to research, people with a sleep disorder have a tendency to sleep one hour less while on vacation than when they are at home. 

As travelling can inhibit sleep functions, it is normal to feel more groggy than usual especially when going on a long haul flight. While this has the potential of making your sleep quality worse, this will only be the case if you do not keep up CPAP therapy when on vacation. 

Keeping up your sleep apnea treatment when abroad is essential even if you are worried about feeling embarrassed or anxious about travelling with your equipment. The good news is that travelling with a CPAP machine, especially a portable CPAP machine is actually quite simple.  

Guide To Travelling With CPAP Equipment 

Many airports and airlines allow you to bring medical devices including your CPAP equipment onboard with you. So, you don’t have to worry about your device being misplaced or damaged. 

When boarding the plane, keep your CPAP machine with you in a separate bag. More often than not, it will need to be inspected so bringing a copy of your doctor’s CPAP prescription can help to speed up the screening process. 

If you are going on a long haul flight that will require you to use your CPAP device before arriving at your destination, make sure to notify your airline before flying. Often times, an airline can make special arrangements to ensure that you will be able to use your equipment comfortably during the flight. If your device has an airplane mode make sure to turn this on and your humidifier off. 

Most airplanes should have outlets available but if you are worried about not having access to one, consider using a battery pack. Many CPAP device models including mini CPAP machines are built to be compatible with battery packs in situations where a power outage occurs or power supply is insufficient. 

Finally, make sure to bring a travel plug adapter with you especially if you are travelling outside of North America. This is also another situation where having a battery pack can be really beneficial. For example, if you’re travelling to the European Union, the power supply might not be adequate for running your CPAP machine. Having batteries means that your device will stay powered during your trip. 

Portable Travel CPAP Machine: It Can Improve Your Travel Experience 

Planning on travelling light or bringing carry on luggage only? If the answer to this is yes then a travel CPAP machine is a great option. These sleep apnea units are designed to smaller, quieter and lighter. 

Buying the perfect CPAP mask isn’t easy. A lot of times, you might think you’ve picked the right one, then you take it home and find it sucks. It happens. More often than you think, actually. Masks are made to fit the average face, but that doesn’t mean they’re always a perfect fit. But with a little bit of research and some insider information, not only can you find yourself the best fitting mask, you might be able to return that ill-fitting one you can’t bear to wear another night.

 Do plenty of research

There are 3 general styles of CPAP mask. Which style mask did you get? Nasal pillow? Nasal mask? Full face mask? Each one of them caters to a specific type of sleep position and facial structure. So, for example, if you’re a side or stomach sleeper, you probably won’t be too comfortable in a full face mask. If you haven’t already, click here for a description of the different styles of masks.

Go back to your CPAP store/provider 

Armed with some knowledge and a list of questions you now have, go back to your CPAP provider and ask to see if they can exchange it for you. Make sure you follow each CPAP vendor’s exchange policy as they all have various timeframes for exchanges (standard is about a month). Be prepared: some sellers won’t take it back if the mask has been used or the packaging has been opened. (But between us, if you make a good enough case, they might bend that rule. Just remember to be polite and not lose your cool).

Ask a lot of questions

This is a major purchase. If you’re the kind of shopper that asks a million questions about the cheese you’re about to buy, why wouldn’t you be extra curious about something you’ll be wearing for a third of your life?! Ask which mask style is best for your sleeping position, and ask to try on a bunch of them before you decide. Wear it for a while. Try lying down with it. Does it smush your face? How does it compare to other masks? A lot of people expect to try on a mask and have it fit like an old pair of slippers - this will likely never happen. What you’re looking for is a mask that feels the most comfortable to you compared to other masks. Remember: CPAP masks are made to be as unobtrusive as possible, but that doesn’t mean they’re fun to wear.

Does the clinician know what they're talking about?

A good CPAP Clinician is a God-send! These people are professionals, but a good, patient one is a keeper. A knowledgeable clinician can tell you all the pros and cons of any given masks and let you try them on and test them out.

Returns & exchanges

It's important to note, if you’re buying your mask online, KNOW WHAT YOU WANT BEFORE YOU ORDER. Online stores can offer deep discounts - especially on masks. But a lot of them don’t accept returns or exchanges. You want to shop online for a deal - when you already know which mask is best for you, or if you’re replacing a mask that you’ve already used and love.

Get loads of recommendations 

If you have friends and family who are on CPAP, ask them what they like. There’s nothing better than asking someone who’s already gone through the process and learned a thing or two. Look into that recommendation while you shop and see if those masks are right for you. The process can take a bit of work, but anything good in life requires some heavy lifting. Just know that at the end of the process, you've learned so much more about CPAP masks and more importantly you'll be much more successful with therapy and sleeping.

Educate yourself

There is a wealth of information online waiting to be tapped. Read reviews on CPAP blogs and forums where people share their experience based on their own differences: machine pressure, if they have facial hair, have a big nose or sleep on their sides. Watch YouTube videos on product and user reviews that can guide you in making the right selection. Once you know which style may work for you, you can narrow down your search. We recommend looking for newer masks compared to ones that may be out for a couple of years. Technology is improving masks by the day and the newer ones are being designed with better materials that fix a lot of comfort and performance issues.

And when you find something that works - stick it with! Consider buying one or two back-ups. Because you never know when a mask will be discontinued. Sleep tight!