Every part of your CPAP device is vital for your comfort. If one thing isn’t working correctly, it likely leads to other components malfunctioning, hampering your treatment. One of the more fragile pieces is the tube that connects to your mask. Follow these four tips for managing your CPAP machine tubes for the best results.
Handle With Care
Although tubing is solid and sturdy, you must be careful when handling it because even the slightest bit of damage can create a bigger problem. The most common mishap is a punctured hole in the hose, which lets the air escape.
If the hole is minuscule, it may take some time for you to notice there is a problem. An excellent way to check your tube is by turning on your machine and covering up the open end with your hand to see if any air is leaking. You will know if there is an issue by running your other hand along the hose to feel for air.
Choose a Sleeping Position
There are two ways to sleep with your CPAP machine, and both may affect the condition of your tubes. The tube-down technique means you have the tube with you in bed. It may not be as cozy as a stuffed animal from your youth, but it does help you get a good night’s sleep. To avoid any irritation from the tubes, put it under the sheets with you. This way, you don’t feel the tubing, and there isn’t any mask irritation.
The tube-up technique will have the tube going over the bedframe and underneath the mattress, essentially keeping it out of your way while sleeping. Both methods may cause some wear and tear from rubbing against materials, so you need to test for holes often.
Use Heated Tubing
The best investment to make is opting for heated tubing to get the most out of your tubing. It’s not uncommon for folks to have a dry throat, irritated skin, nosebleeds, and congestion when beginning their therapy. Fortunately, there are ways to limit those side effects with heated CPAP tubing.
Heated tubes allow for moisture in the airflow, which also significantly decreases the amount of condensation that accumulates in the tubes. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about washout with heated tubes because the air won’t cool down enough to drip on your face.
Wash and Rinse
Like any piece of equipment, it helps when you thoroughly clean your CPAP equipment daily. If you want to ensure the quality of your tubes, you should clean them daily by following this process:
- Unplug the CPAP machine.
- Remove the hose from the mask.
- Rinse the entire tube, inside and out, with soap and warm water. Do not use strong detergent because it will damage the tube. Soft dish soap will suffice.
- Give it one final rinse.
- Let the tube air-dry out of direct sunlight.
These four tips for managing your CPAP machine tubes go a long way in caring for the condition of your machine’s accessories. Pairing a clean tube with CPAP masks for sale will have you on a dream street, so check out our store at CPAPnation to upgrade your device today!
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