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Your Guide to
Sleep Apnea Therapy
Re-Supply
PAP therapy is the gold standard for treating sleep apnea, offering smaller, quieter, and more advanced devices for optimal comfort and compliance. Our goal is to match patients with the perfect PAP device and mask, ensuring effective, personalized treatment.
Introduced over 30 years ago as the only non-surgical treatment for OSA, PAP devices have become smaller, quieter and provide many more features to enhance compliance. Referred to as the gold standard since its introduction, PAP (Positive Airway Pressure) is the most common and effective method of sleep apnea treatment. PAP devices have multiple components; to use the device, a small comfortable mask or nasal pillows are fitted over the nose leaving the mouth uncovered. Patients must sleep with their mouths closed, aided by a chin strap or a full face mask that covers both the nose and mouth, while the device gently blows air into the nose at a pressure slightly higher than the surrounding air pressure. The first form of PAP therapy was CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) and when introduced these devices were bulky and awkward.
Today, PAP devices are smaller, quieter, and more comfortable. While there were once only two types of masks to choose from, today there are 40, meaning with proper assistance patients are sure to find a mask that fits comfortably and securely on their faces, one of our main priorities is to match patients with appropriate PAP devices and masks. We provide each patient with an advanced featured Auto PAP device that can be set to CPAP mode but is more comfortable in the Auto mode where it responds to snoring and flow limitation on a breath by breath basis to treat a majority of the forms of obstructive sleep apnea. We offer a 30-day guarantee on all masks.
Treatment Options
A proper mask fit is one of the most important components of PAP therapy. Our trained sleep specialists will show you a variety of mask options to ensure comfort and maximize the benefits of your therapy. Guardian Sleep Medical offers a 30-day mask exchange program to help you stay comfortable and compliant.
CPAP Therapy
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the most effective treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, delivering a steady, fixed air pressure to prevent apnea events. Auto CPAP adjusts air pressure within a set range for greater comfort. Your doctor will determine your pressures after completing a Sleep Study.
BiLevel Therapy
BiLevel therapy provides two separate pressure settings: inspiratory pressure for inhaling and expiratory pressure for exhaling. This allows for a more customized and comfortable therapy experience.
ASV Therapy
ASV (Adaptive Servo Ventilation) is a non-invasive ventilator designed for the treatment of both obstructive and central sleep apnea. It adapts to your breathing patterns to provide the most effective treatment.
When Should I Replace My CPAP?
Replacing your CPAP supplies regularly, even if they appear fine, helps keep your equipment clean and functioning optimally. While insurance often determines replacement schedules, understanding the expected lifespan of your supplies is key. Guardian Sleep ensures you stay on track with replacements, recommending updates as often as insurance allows.
Common items that may need replacing include the mask, headgear, chinstrap, tubing (heated or standard), filters (disposable or reusable), humidifier water chamber, and the CPAP device itself.
If you need to order supplies, call (877) 507-9599.
Replace your mask every 3 months.
The mask is the harder plastic portion of your interface. Replace the softer plastic cushion insert or pillows that actually touch your skin more often.
Replace the mask cushion or nasal pillows as often as 2 times per month.
This is the part of the mask that actually touches your face. If it is a piece you can separate from the rest of the mask’s harder plastic framework, chances are you will replace it independently. If you have a full-face mask, plan to replace this cushion once per month.
In general, replace headgear every 6 months.
Neoprene is the stretchy material that helps to accommodate the shape of your head to ensure an optimal mask. As it repeatedly stretches, it may start to give too much and not keep a proper seal. In addition, oils from your skin or hair may also accumulate. If the headgear appears discolored or no longer holds a seal, it is time to replace it.
Replace your chinstrap every 6 months.
Much like the headgear that keeps the CPAP mask in place, a chinstrap may gradually weaken and become overly stretched. The Velcro may also become less effective over time.
Replace CPAP tubing, whether it is heated or standard, every 3 months.
Tubing gets dirty over time, with condensation increasing the risk of contaminants that could enter your lungs. Small holes that form as the plastic of the tubing breaks down reduces the treatment’s efficacy.
Your CPAP machine may have two types of filters, both of which require regular replacement. Keeping these relatively inexpensive components as clean as possible will ensure the purity of the air you breathe as well as the long-term functionality of your device.
The older Respironics machines have a gray foam filter you should rinse often and replace every 6 months. Beneath it, there is a white paper filter you replace every 2 weeks. The newer DreamStation has two integrated filters that can be replaced with this same frequency.
The ResMed AirSense™ machines have a white-colored filter you replace every 2 weeks.
Replace the water tank that functions as the humidifier every 6 months.
If your CPAP has an integrated or attached heated humidifier, clean and occasionally replace the water chamber. Not using distilled water may lead to further problems with keeping the water reservoir clean.
Insurance allows a new CPAP machine every 5 years. If you change insurance or pay out of pocket, you may be able to replace the unit sooner. If there are problems within the first 2 to 3 years, it may be replaced or repaired under the manufacturer’s warranty. A malfunction that occurs between the third and fifth year of use may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by your supplier.
There may be some variability in how often you are eligible for supply replacement, so speak with your durable medical equipment provider, board-certified sleep medicine physician, or insurance company to clarify your schedule as needed.
Our online store is now live!
Our online store is now live, so you can purchase your sleep apnea therapy supplies from the comfort of your home. Plus, enjoy free shipping on orders over $99!
