Sleep apnea is prevalent in as many as an estimated 18 million American?s. This is only an estimation as many cases of sleep apnea go undiagnosed. A diagnosis of sleep apnea is important in order to obtain necessary CPAP supplies. CPAP supplies improve both the quality and safety of sleep for those with sleep apnea. If you are recently diagnosed or suspect sleep apnea, you will find the following medical steps and recommendations to be useful.

Speak with your physician
Sleep apnea is a medical concern and you should always work with your physician. If you have a primary physician, bring up your concerns of sleep apnea as soon as possible. Your physician may look at your symptoms and make a diagnosis or they might send you to a sleep specialist for additional testing. Testing might include sleep studies which measure the amount of oxygen you are receiving during sleep. This is an important part of the diagnosis process and will be necessary to obtain CPAP supplies, should you need them.

If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, your medical care will not stop there. Sleep apnea can lead to many other medical conditions, some of which are serious. Your physician will want to check up with you frequently. They will also want to monitor your health along with the use of CPAP supplies. Make sure you keep up with these appointments as they are a crucial part of your health.

Look into sleep apnea supplies
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, it will likely be recommended that you use CPAP supplies during the night. However, there are also BIPAP machines and supplies. You will want to compare BIPAP vs CPAP and work with your physician on choosing the machine that is best for you. According to the National Commission on Sleep Disorders, approximately 38,000 deaths occur on an annual basis that relates to cardiovascular problems that in one way or another are connected to sleep apnea. Your BIPAP or CPAP machine is an extremely important part of your sleep apnea treatment.

Try on different supplies for comfort
As many as 80% of patients who say they use their CPAP machine do not use it enough to keep them safe. Not using your CPAP machine and supplies on a regular basis can be very dangerous. One of the most common reasons for avoiding use is the discomfort of the CPAP supplies. Make sure you try on different CPAP supplies to find ones that you can handle. For example, there is a CPAP full face mask that some might prefer, while others might prefer a smaller mask. It is not possible to say that one single CPAP machine is the best CPAP machine. It really depends on a person?s personal comfort preferences.

Remain consistent with CPAP usage
Your CPAP machine cannot improve your sleep apneas if you do not use it enough. It is very important to continually use your CPAP machine for safety purposes. If you find it uncomfortable, discuss it with your physician who will look for alternatives. Sometimes using auto CPAP machines can improve the frequency of use. If the cost of a CPAP machine is a problem, work with your insurance provider or discuss your financial troubles with your physician. There are programs that can help you get the CPAP machine and CPAP supplies that you need.

Millions of Americans deal with sleep apnea on a nightly basis. Sleep apneas not only reduce the quality of sleep, but they also can be very dangerous. If you are recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, the most important thing that you can do is to regularly use your CPAP machine and CPAP supplies and to keep in touch with your physician. Find a comfortable way to utilize your CPAP machine every single night for optimal safety.