You’ve been using your CPAP machine for a while now, and it just doesn’t seem to be working out. You’ve switched out masks, you’ve adjusted the setting, and you started using a humidifier, and still you can’t fall asleep while wearing it.

This is not an unfamiliar plight to many CPAP users, and it contributes to a high rate of non-compliance. However, it might not be you—it might be the machine. And the good news is, CPAP is not the only thing that can treat sleep apnea.

The treatment we will focus on today is Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure, or BiPAP.

BiPAP machines are ideal for those who need to use higher air pressure to treat their sleep apnea. One of the things that keeps people from falling asleep while using a CPAP is the constant pressure. A BiPAP machine has two pressure settings: one for when you inhale and one for when you exhale. They’re known as IPAP and EPAP

• IPAP stands for inspiratory positive airway pressure. When you inhale, the machine goes into this mode and pushes a higher level of air through your throat.
• EPAP stands for expiratory positive airway pressure. When you exhale, the BiPAP machine goes into EPAP mode and gives a lower level of pressure.

This constant relief of pressure makes it much easier for those living with sleep apnea to fall asleep. It can also be ideal for those who are living with another type of respiratory condition or with congestive heart failure.

When you get your BiPAP machine, you may notice that it looks a lot like a CPAP machine. Both use masks, tubes and headgear. However, the functionality differences can be the deciding factor in how well you sleep. Brevard Medical carries BiPAP supplies in our online catalog. Be sure to talk to a physician or respiratory therapist before you change your treatment options.

Your home is your castle. Home is where the heart is. There’s no place like home. So why is it that so many Older Americans are faced with the prospect of moving out of the place where they’ve spent so many years and made so many memories?

Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to make your home the place of comfort you’ve always known it as. Today’s blog will focus specifically on how to make the bathroom a more accessible place:

• Shower chairs. These are great if you have trouble standing for a long period of time or if you need to use a cane to get around. You simply put the waterproof chair in your tub or shower and voila! You can now sit down and let the water flow over you. It also eliminates the need to sit at the bottom of tub to get clean, because if you have trouble standing up, chance are, getting out of the tub can be a real pain as well.
• Handheld shower wands. These are equipped with a handy on/off button, so you can control the water flow from your shower chair. It means you don’t have to lean forward to turn the water on and off. Such motions can be really detrimental if you have had recent hip surgery.
• Elevated toilet seats. These make it so that you don’t have to lower yourself so far down when you use the commode, which can be a real saver for your knees and hips. Many of them also come with grab bars, so it makes it easier for you to get up when you’re done.

Brevard Medical wants to help you remain independent for as long as possible. That’s why we carry these and other bathroom safety supplies in our online catalog.