Sleep apnea refers to the interruption of breathing during sleep. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea, this is when the muscles of the soft palate around the base of the tongue and uvula relax, thus obstructing the airway. This airway obstruction causes the level of oxygen in the blood to fall, increases the stress on the heart, elevates blood pressure and prevents you from entering “REM sleep”, the restful and restorative stage of sleep. Sleep apnea causes the deprivation of quality sleep.
The symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring or abnormal pattern of snoring with pauses and gasps, excessive daytime sleepiness, memory changes, depression and irritability. In some patients sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke and heart attack. About 4% of middle-aged men and 2% of middle-aged women have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be aggravated by alcohol, sleeping pills and tranquilizers taken at bedtime.
Sleep Laboratories” are available to monitor different stages of sleep, diagnose sleep apnea, determine the type and severity of sleep apnea and design treatment.
General measures in treating sleep apnea include weight loss, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, sleeping on one side and medications to relieve nasal congestion. More specific treatment include CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), oral appliances to open the airway, and ENT surgery, where the surgeon removes excessive soft tissue in the back of the throat to relieve obstruction. CPAP is an effective treatment for sleep apnea. A mask is worn over the nose during sleep while air is gently forced into the airway to splint it open.
CPAP is an effective treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). OSAS occurs when the upper airway relaxes and collapses when we sleep, obstructing some or all air flow to the lungs. CPAP patients wear a face mask connected to a special pump (the CPAP machine) that blows air into the upper airway at a set pressure to prevent obstruction and allow normal breathing. The pressure delivered by the CPAP machine to the upper airway is continuous during both inspiration and expiration. CPAP is safe and effective even in children. With CPAP, daytime sleepiness and snoring improve or resolve, heart function and hypertension improve and more importantly, quality of life improves. Initially CPAP patients are monitored in a sleep laboratory to determine the appropriate treatment and CPAP pressure. The first few nights on CPAP therapy tend to be difficult. Many patients at first find the mask uncomfortable, claustrophobic or embarrassing. The staff at Kingston Oxygen Home Health Care Centre are specially trained and able to ease this transition.
BiPAP (also known as BiLevel) is similar to CPAP therapy; however, with BiPAP therapy there are two different pressure settings for the patient. BiPAP therapy is used to treat patients with breathing disorders beyond sleep apnea. The BiPAP machine is able to be set at two pressures: an inspiratory and expiratory pressure. The dual settings of the BiPAP machine allow patients with compromised lungs a more effective inspiration. BiPAP therapy is useful for people who have congestive heart failure and various types of lung disorders. BiPAP therapy is also used in treating central sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by failure of the brain to signal the chest muscles to breathe.
APAP is another treatment sometimes prescribed for patients who suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). APAP therapy automatically adjusts pressure levels delivered to the patient’s upper airway based on a patient’s breathing. This is done on a breathe by breathe basis throughout the night. The APAP machine calculates the minimum pressure required to prevent obstruction resulting in only the lowest pressure being delivered to the patient. The lower average pressures generally improve comfort, reduce pressure-related side effects, and lead to more consistent use of therapy. It may be particularly suited to patients with REM-related sleep apnea, positional apnea or those who are noncompliant with standard CPAP therapy. Ask our staff if APAP therapy would be right for you.
Kingston Oxygen offers a variety of CPAP Machines. These are our most popular selling brands.
Click on any image to be taken to the Manufacturer’s Website for product specific information.
Kingston Oxygen offers three types of CPAP masks – nasal masks, nasal pillow masks, and full face masks.
We offer a variety of CPAP Nasal Masks. These are our most popular selling models.
However, stock, sizes and availability are sometimes limited. Please call ahead to ensure we have your specific mask in stock.
We offer a variety of CPAP Nasal Pillow Masks. These are our most popular selling models.
However, stock, sizes and availability are sometimes limited. Please call ahead to ensure we have your specific mask in stock.
We offer a variety of CPAP Full Face Masks. These are our most popular selling models.
However, stock, sizes and availability are sometimes limited. Please call ahead to ensure we have your specific mask in stock.
The SoClean CPAP cleaner and sanitizing machine uses activated oxygen (ozone) cleaning to eliminate any germs and bacteria that may be lingering in your home CPAP machine. It is the same process used in water purification, hospital cleaning and hotel housekeeping.
To read an efficacy report about the SoClean system, click here.
Adapters
The Lumin UV Light Sanitizing Device from 3B Medical is a safe and effective alternative to the ozone type sanitizer. It concentrates a powerful amount of UV light inside a fail-safe chamber to kill bacteria in just five minutes. This UV light is strong enough to kill 99% of bacteria, pathogens, and fungi present on items placed inside the device.
This type of UV light is such an effective disinfectant, it is used in a variety of ways in the health industry including hospitals.
The Lumin requires no replacement supplies whatsoever. The Lumin relies on a UV bulb that is rated to easily outlast the life of the device and should not require changing. In the event the bulb is damaged or does require replacement, low cost replacement bulbs are available.
The best features of the Lumin is how quickly it can have items ready for use: FIVE MINUTES!
Compatible with all CPAP masks:
Lumin is compatible with all brands of CPAP and BiPAP masks and accessories.
Simply slide out the machine’s polished aluminum cleaning drawer, place your equipment inside, and you’re ready to go! To ensure user safety, Lumin has a built-in shutoff mechanism that automatically turns the UV light off whenever the cleaning drawer is opened.
Added Benefit:
Although a great way to clean CPAP masks and water chambers, the Lumin is not limited to sanitizing only CPAP items. Any non-living item which can fit inside the Lumin tray can be sanitized. This includes common items that require cleaning such as dentures, toothbrushes, hearing aids, and many more.
Easy-to-Use Design with No Replacement Parts
The Lumin sanitizer does not require any ongoing maintenance or replacement parts. The body of the device and tray can be wiped down if needed with a soft, non-abrasive cloth if it becomes dirty, but otherwise, the Lumin does not require extensive upkeep. The UV bulb inside the Lumin can be replaced but is intended to last the lifetime of the Lumin.
Please Note: The Lumin is intended to be a supplemental part of a regular cleaning schedule and does NOT sanitize the PAP device.