Calgary being a city situated in Canada, has extreme weathers, cold with dry climate therefore poses a number of challenges to users who require CPAP machines for treatment of sleep apnea. Dry and cold climates have great effects on the tolerance of using a CPAP device and the CPAP equipment as well. Fortunately, these disasters can easily be averted because changing the setting of the CPAP machine or its accessories would guarantee a good night sleep despite the prevailing weather condition in Calgary. In this article we’ll basically explain what steps you can take to guarantee your use of your CPAP machine remains both comfortable and efficient in the face of the temperature’s changes in Calgary.
1. Utilize a Heated Humidifier
Calgary has dry climate, more so in the winter time, this makes user’s mouth and throat dry and congested during usage of CPAP therapy. This dry air can be warded off easily by using a heated humidifier. Nearly all the CPAP machines currently in the market, and the ones obtainable in Calgary, incorporate a heated humidifier. With the humidifier, the air being supplied through your mask is moist and comforting to your respiratory system.
Some models allow adjusting the humidity level to make you feel more comfortable when using the heated humidifier. If the setting is adjusted too high then there will be a build up of moisture in the hose and if the setting is too low the hose may not be supplied with sufficient moisture. Test your skin with other conditions to try to identify the one that fits you in the best way during cold and dry winters in Calgary.
2. Manage the CPAP Pressure with Cold Weather
Cold and flu season brings an increase in discomfort during CPAP therapy, as the tissues that make up the nasal passages become more tender in colder temperatures. Some patients feel that the pressure settings are higher than usual, which is perhaps due to usage of full face mask. This means that in cold months like those of winter in Calgary the CPAP pressure has to be tweaked for the changes.
Some of the types of CPAP machines provide an option of user-controlled pressure, but others have a pressure control mechanism that is determined by the user’s breathing rate. The fact is that the pressure can be reduced a little if you have congestion or discomfort in cold temperatures. It is not recommended to make pressure adjustments on your own if you are not sure about what to do, seek help from your doctor, or CPAP specialist in Calgary.
3. Use a Heated Hose
One of the most typical challenges experienced in Calgary especially during winter is having condensation in the CPAP tubing. When this warm moist air is blown through a hose which is connected to the machine it may cool down and form water droplets in the tube. This may make the hose wet which admittedly may not be very comfortable to use at all and also, may affect the air flow.
In terms of absorbing condensation and/or saving a few dollars in labor, one might wish to invest in a heated hose. Hot air hoses do not fluctuate in temperature, they do not cause the air to cool down due to condensation thus the air gets to your mask with the right temperature. Most CPAP machines that are available in Calgary are compatible with a heated hose that that fits perfectly with the specific humidity device of the machine.
4. Maintain Regular CPAP Maintenance
The dry air in Calgary also poses the risk of dust or debris settling onto the machine and onto the mask as well as the tube. This can affect your CPAP and your health since you will not be getting the right quality of sleep you need. But for your CPAP machine to function properly, it’s recommended that it goes through frequent maintenance.
Always, clean your CPAP machine, mask, and hose as required by the manufacturer or as advised by your physician. Filters should be replaced as soon as necessary because in Calgary, dust and dirt might accumulate more quickly. Also, we need to clean the humidifier reservoir often to eliminate mold that could be present and produce the clean and healthy air during the therapy.
5. Choose a CPAP Machine with Climate Control Features
If for example you are living in calgary, then you know that the weather there changes a lot and therefore a CPAP machine with features that can regulate climate is good to go for. Some CPAP machines can even have self-regulating humidity and temperatures, there are those that will change based on the surrounding temperatures and humidity.
These climate control systems regulate temperature and humidity through the night so that you do not suffer from discomfort when you’re asleep. If you’re constantly making changes to the settings to provide warmth in the cold or cool air to beat the heat then you probably stand to benefit most from machine with climate control settings.
6. Keep Your Bedroom Warm and Moisturized
Another practical change is managing the environment where we sleep or spend most of our time at night. Having your bedroom warm and moist can go a long way in making CPAP therapy more endurable. It will make the impact of Calgary climate even worse if your room is too cold or dry for using CPAP therapy.
One might use a room humidifier whose use avails moisture to the air in the bedroom. Besides, avoid a too cold room temperature – you can use a special thermostat or a space heater to adjust the temperature to optimal levels so that your CPAP will not deliver the air which is too cold.
Conclusion
While searching for advice on how to fine-tune your CPAP machines in Calgary, which has dry and cold climate, does not have to be difficult. If you boil some water, put it in a heated humidifier, turn the pressure settings to high, get a heated hose and clean/sanitize your equipment as often as possible, your therapy would be much more comfortable. Also, choosing a CPAP machine that has climate control integration makes things easier because it will help you keep sleeping well despite the weather without the need to change your sleep apnea device.
Many people feel some strain or have some challenges in adjusting to their CPAP therapy, and if you are in Calgary, you want to speak with a professional CPAP specialist. We can give you professional advice so that you can get the most out of your CPAP and get the sleep you need.
