Sleep Apnea Machine Accessories For People With Diabetes

Sleep apnea can take your breath away – literally. People living with the disorder stop breathing or start breathing less deeply while asleep, and these events can happen 30 times or more per hour. About 23.5 million adults in the United States suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea. When left unchecked, the disorder can have serious consequences. Making matters worse, there’s scientific evidence suggesting a connection between sleep apnea and diabetes.

Fortunately, people who have obstructive sleep apnea (the most common form of the disorder, in which a person’s upper airway is blocked in part or in whole) have solutions. For instance, treating it with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. A good way to treat obstructive sleep apnea is with these machines that provide a constant flow of pressurized air to people while they sleep. At US MED, we offer a line of accessories that can help make your sleep apnea treatment regimen more effective than ever.

Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea

While you read the sentences in the list below, ask yourself: How well do these statements describe your current situation?

• Your partner tells you that you snore in bed. 
• You feel tired even after sleeping all night. 
• You often wake up with a dry mouth, sore throat, or headache. 
• You experience mood swings and/or have difficulty paying attention during the day. 

If any of these statements sound familiar, you might have sleep apnea, and it’s possible that a CPAP machine could help. To get a prescription for a CPAP machine, you’ll need to go through a sleep test in a laboratory or at home. Depending on the results of your test, you may be diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and given a prescription for a CPAP machine; at that point, you’ll be able to get a machine through a participating Medicare supplier.

Can Sleep Apnea Cause Diabetes?

The combination of sleep apnea and diabetes is far from rare – in fact, research has shown links between obstructive sleep apnea and insulin resistance/gluten intolerance. Living with sleep apnea symptoms and the symptoms of diabetes can be difficult for people that have both conditions.

At US MED, we are highly committed to serving the needs of diabetes people. With the sleep apnea/diabetes connection in mind, we’re glad to be able to provide many different items that can make it easier for you to live with these conditions.

If you have sleep apnea and diabetes, our wide range of products can be used along with your sleep apnea machine can help.

BiPAP vs. CPAP: How To Find The Right Mask For You

Masks are one of the most important parts of any sleep apnea machine – after all, they are responsible for connecting sleep apnea people with airflow from their machines provide. Because of that, it’s crucial to make sure you’re using the mask that’s right for you. At US MED, we have a variety of CPAP/BiPAP pillow nasal masks, nasal masks, and full-face masks available for purchase.

If you have sleep apnea but aren’t sure you’d be comfortable sleeping with a mask on, pillow nasal masks are a lightweight option that could be ideal for you. These masks consist of nasal pillows that are inserted into your nostrils, minimizing skin contact and maximizing comfort. Pillow nasal masks available from US MED include the Rio II, the Wizard 230, and the Brevida.

Looking for a standard nasal mask – that is, a mask that rests over your nose – to use with your CPAP machine? We offer those, as well. Here are just a few of our popular nasal masks:

• The Wisp Nasal Mask is designed to bridge the gap between pillow nasal masks and standard nasal masks. 

• The Wizard 210 is a straightforward standard nasal mask that gets the job done as comfortably as possible.
• The Sleepnet Ascend Gel uses the patented AIR°gel® to avoid pressure and skin irritation. 

Finally, full face masks go over your mouth and nose. These masks – including the Simplus Full Face Mask, the Numa, and the Dreamwear, the latter of which is actually a hybrid option that goes under the wearer’s nose and over their mouth – are perfect for people who tend to lay on their side or breathe through their mouth while sleeping. All of these masks can be purchased from US MED.

Nebulizers and CPAP Machines: Similar, But Different

Though they can look similar to CPAP machines, nebulizers belong to a different product category entirely. These machines, which are often used to help treat conditions like asthma, can deliver liquid medication in the form of a mist. If you have asthma, COPD, or another lung disorder, the nebulizers and related products we sell may be able to help you.

US MED offers the Respironics Innospire Essence Nebulizer, a device from Philips Respironics that quickly and effectively delivers aerosol drugs. We also have two types of medications that can be used with this machine: albuterol, which is used to help counteract the effects of various lung diseases, and DuoNeb, a combination of albuterol and a similar drug known as ipratropium.

Help Is Just A Phone Call Away

At US MED, the role we play in your sleep apnea treatment plan doesn’t stop at selling CPAP machine accessories. We’ll continue to support you in your efforts to deal with this disorder, as well.

US MED offers a full-time staff of state-licensed respiratory therapists who can provide assistance as you begin and continue your sleep apnea treatment regimen. We can remotely monitor your therapy to ensure everything is going according to plan, and we can provide consultation during business hours.

Need sleep apnea support services outside of US MED’s business hours? We also have a staff of part-time licensed respiratory therapists working after hours to provide the same services. (Please note that after-hours services are callback or by appointment only.)

Your Source For Sleep Apnea Accessories

Dealing with diabetes is hard enough on its own – treating this condition can require people to make major changes to their lifestyle. Needless to say, adding sleep apnea to your list of health concerns can make things even more difficult.

You’re not on your own – US MED is here to help. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with sleep apnea or you’re an avid CPAP machine user, the products we sell and the consultation services we provide make it easier for you to effectively treat your sleep apnea. Click the links included throughout this article to find out more today!