Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

Several types of sleep apnea exist, but the most common type is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep.

The most noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring, although not everyone who has obstructive sleep apnea snores. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and you feel tired even after a full night’s sleep. If you think you might have sleep apnea, see your doctor.

Treatment is necessary to avoid heart problems and other complications. Anyone can develop obstructive sleep apnea, although it most commonly affects older adults. It’s also especially common in people who are overweight.

If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, you may benefit from a machine that delivers positive air pressure (PAP) through a mask placed over your nose while you sleep.

The most common type is called continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP (SEE-pap). With this treatment, the pressure of the air breathed is continuous and somewhat greater than that of the surrounding air, which is just enough to keep your upper airway passages open. This prevents apnea and snoring. Alternatively, your doctor might prescribe Auto-adjusting Positive Airway Pressure (APAP). APAP works much the same as CPAP, except with APAP the pressure delivered throughout the night adjusts according to your needs rather than delivering a consistent pressure throughout. This can result in a more comfortable therapy experience.

Although PAP is the most consistently successful and most commonly used method of treating sleep apnea, some people find it cumbersome and uncomfortable at first. With some practice and help from our CPAP Specialists, most people learn to adjust the mask to obtain a comfortable and secure fit. You may need to try different types to find a suitable mask. If you’re having particular difficulties tolerating pressure, there are machines that have special adaptive pressure functions to improve comfort. Some people also benefit from using a humidifier and/or heated tubing along with their CPAP system.

Disassemble the mask components (refer to the mask user guide for instructions). Patients using a nasal pillows mask should disassemble the pillows from the frame.

Thoroughly handwash the separated mask components (excluding headgear and soft sleeves) by gently rubbing in warm water (approximately 30°C/86°F) with mild soap. To optimise the mask seal, facial oils should be removed from the cushion after use.

Use a soft bristle brush to clean the vent, or any rotating parts on your mask such as the swivel, swivel ring or ball joint that require cleaning.

Inspect each component and, if required, repeat washing until visually clean. Rinse all the components well with drinking-quality water and allow to air dry out of direct sunlight.When all components including the vent are dry, reassemble your mask (see the mask user guide for instructions).

If any component remains unclean after cleaning, or if there is visible deterioration of a system component (cracking, discolouration, tears, etc.), that component should be replaced.

Clean Headgear: Handwash the headgear, including the soft sleeves if these form part of the mask. Rinse well and allow to air dry out of direct sunlight. Please note that the headgear can be washed without being disassembled and that the dye used in the headgear may run during the first wash.

Clean Water Chamber: Wash the disassembled water chamber lid, plate and base in warm water using a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly in clean water and allow them to dry away from direct sunlight.

Clean Tubing: Remove the air tubing from the therapy device and mask by pulling on the finger grips on the cuff, then wash the air tubing in warm water using mild detergent. Rinse the tubing thoroughly, hang it up in a clean, dry place, and allow it to dry.

3 Months

Machine Filters and Tubing

6 Months

Mask and Water Chamber

5 Years

Machine