CPAP Blog

A unique new CPAP mask called the CPAP Pro is now available in the UK and Europe. The mask has no headgear, instead using a mouthpiece to keep it in place.

Although it may sound odd, it is based on some sound logic and has proven to be very popular. It is kept in place by a mouthpiece that attaches to the upper jaw.

The mask then uses nasal pillows, meaning there is no skin contact with the mask other than the perimeter of the nostrils. This is great for anyone suffering from red marks or skin irritation from their current mask.

Because the upper jaw is fixed to the nose, the position between the two never changes. So once the mask is in place, it cannot then be dislodged or change position – as a mask attached with headgear can.

As well as ensuring the mask does not move, it has the added benefit of greater comfort as you no longer need to worry about headgear, which for many is the biggest drawback of wearing a CPAP mask.

The high level of adjustability also means it will fit almost anyone. The nasal pillows do not even need to be aligned symmetrically and can be positioned at almost any length or angle required.

The CPAP Pro has been hugely popular in the USA and we are looking forward to it helping similarly large numbers of CPAP users in the UK.

The CPAP Pro will begin shipping in the UK and Europe in early September and you can pre-order yours now by clicking here.

If you would like some more information about the mask, you can read the CPAP Pro’s product page on EU-PAP.co.uk, the CPAP Pro FAQ or some of the CPAP Pro Testimonials USA users have left.

It is currently being discussed in our CPAP Forums too - why not check out the ‘CPAP Pro “no mask” ?‘ to see what others are saying and share your views too?

Labour Party leader Ed Miliband’s operation a few weeks ago to cure his Obstructive Sleep Apnoea has raised the awareness of OSA. Intus Healthcare saw a big rise in people enquiring about sleep studies and well as the number of visitors to their OSA-based websites. “Having such a leading figure put Sleep Apnoea on the front pages has raised the awareness of the condition dramatically, if what we have seen is anything to go by” said Intus Healthcare’s Tim Barker.

“As it is estimated around 75% of those with the condition are undiagnosed, it is excellent to see it being brought to the attention of the public and getting more people to get themselves tested for OSA themselves”. However it would appear that Mr Miliband’s operation was not a success which unfortunately comes as little surprise; as many as two thirds of operations to treat OSA are unsuccessful.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea was also in the newspapers this week thanks to Dr Keith’s advice in The Sun on August 18. Dr Keith’s “excellent” advice to those with OSA was to lose weight, and then listed surgery as the first choice treatment – despite the success rate being as low as around 1 in 3 and CPAP being effective in all cases. It is not the first time Dr Keith has shared his views on OSA – back in 2008 he claimed that the way to treat OSA was simply “losing weight and ditching alcoholic nightcaps”.

A recent study also showed that OSA in older women significantly increases the chances of them developing cognitive impairment or dementia than those who sleep normally. OSA has long been linked with an increased risk of heart failure or stroke, and this study now further highlights the risk of leaving OSA untreated. The study was conducted by a team from the University of California led by Dr Kristine Yaffe, and comprised of 300 women with an average age of 82 who did not have dementia. The four year study showed that those diagnosed with OSA were 50% more likely to develop these further health conditions.

Another study at the University of Brescia this month suggested that wearing compression stockings can lower snoring and OSA by a third. There have been studies into the relationship between rostral fluid shift and sleep previously, so the result may not be as surprising as it first appears. However the study was comprised of just twelve patients, all of whom were attending a CVI Clinic rather than a Sleep Clinic which arguable skews the results further. Nonetheless, the findings are interesting and research of a larger, more “natural” sample would make for fascinating reading. A few members of the UK CPAP Forums are currently trialling this method and it will be intriguing to see how they get on.

If you use a humidifier with your CPAP machine, then you will have come across condensation build-up in the tube, also known as rainout. As the warm air leaves the humidifier, it loses heat all the way to the mask. In the process, the humidity turns to condensation, and water builds up in the CPAP hose. This can cause discomfort, gargling noises and affect the accuracy of the CPAP pressure being provided. In short; it is a big problem.

Previous solutions have tried to minimise the air temperature difference, with the most common choice being a hose fleece, which helps to insulate the tubing. Members of our CPAP forums will no doubt recall some rather novel attempts at tackling the issue over the years – with mixed results to say the least! However, most solutions are designed to minimise rainout rather than tackle it completely. That is where the Hybernite Rainout Control System differs – it is designed to prevent the cause of rainout in your CPAP setup, rather than just reduce it.

It is very simple - the Hybernite Rainout Control System uses a heated hose, which heats up inside. This prevent the air from cooling between the humidifier and your CPAP mask, meaning it does not form condesation, or rainout. This leaves you free to enjoy the benefits that humidification brings without having to worry about the annoying and unpleasant side-effects. It combines with almost any CPAP humidifier to form the complete humidification solution. No more rainout!

The Hybernite Rainout Control System uses a heated hose that simply replaces the regular hosing of your CPAP humidifier. It uses its own power supply, allowing it to be used with any existing humidifier that uses the standard 22mm connection. Whether you are using a ResMed, Philips Respironics, DeVilbiss or almost any other CPAP machine, you can now enjoy the full benefits of your humidification.

What are the advantages? Other than the obvious in reducing rainout, it can also help prevent your CPAP humidifier’s water chamber from running out overnight. Many have their humidifier set to maximum to compensate for heat loss, but with the Hybernite the air is kept warm so there is less need to crank it up. Lower setting = less water being used. Conversely, those who have their setting lower than they would like to prevent rainout can also enjoy warmer temperatures without that fear.

The complete Hybernite Rainout Control System is available now for £59.95, including both the power supply and the heated hose. If the heated hose needed replacing, as all hoses do after a while, then that can be replaced separately for £32.95 – only slightly more than a regular hose. For a product that helps eliminate rainout, improve comfort and enhance the quality of your CPAP therapy, we’d say that isn’t a bad deal at all!

The Hybernite Rainout Control System is available through www.EU-PAP.co.uk – get yours now!