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SEPTEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER

2011-08-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

SEPTEMBER 2011
CPAP/BIPAP NEWSLETTER
Wheelchairs Etc. 2660 East Common Street New Braunfels, Texas 78130
210.599.6330 or 830.626.5400 (business office) 830.626.6606 (retail location)

Our Web site: www.wheelchairsetc.net

Tip of the month

Avoiding Electrical Shock

Never plug your CPAP unit into an electrical outlet that is being used to supply power to another appliance.
Plug your CPAP unit into an electrical outlet that is NOT being used to supply electricity to other appliances. If you need to use the same outlet that is shared by other equipment, make sure the other appliances are NOT being used at the same time.
Never use your CPAP unit with an extension cord.

Upgrading: Replacing your existing CPAP or BiPAP with a new Model

Under Medicare guidelines, you are eligible for a new machine every 5
years. If your CPAP/BiPAP was purchased prior to September 30, 2006,
and you are interested in receiving a new one, please call us and we will be
able to provide you with a new unit that is probably smaller and quieter as
well. If you aren't sure of the purchase date of your machine, just call
and we will let you know.

If you are a former client of Dr. Rod Elliott-Mullens before he relocated,

and are looking for a Physician who is Board Certified in Sleep Medicine, please call

us...we can help you locate a Physician in your area!

August newsletter

2011-06-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

AUGUST
CPAP/BiPAP Newsletter

Wheelchairs Etc. 2660 E. Common Street New Braunfels, Texas 78130

830.626.6606 or 210.599.6330

Sleep tip…

Get some sun... which isn't hard to do around here!

Our natural body clock is set to natural amounts of light and darkness. Getting sun helps sustain this rhythm, just as a dark room helps signify to our body that it is time to sleep.

~THREE WAYS TO GET MORE FROM YOUR MACHINE~

Turn On Special Settings.

Most machines offer "ramping" capabilities, which give you the ability to gradually reach your pressure setting instead of starting your air flow on full blast. Additionally, "Auto On / Off" features detect when you remove your mask, and start or stop your air flow accordingly. This means you don't have to turn off your machine when you get up in the middle of the night. If you have trouble finding these settings, contact us.

Use a Humidifier.

Humidifiers are a great way to moisten air and protect air passages from drying out. Our machines offer integrated humidifiers. When using a humidifier make sure to always empty the water chamber when you move it to avoid water damage. Using distilled water whenever possible will help prevent build up on the heating plate.

Ensure Fresh Air Flow. Always remember to change air filters as instructed in your machine manual for your machine. Just like air or water filters in your home, filters on your machine also need to be changed. Be conscious of air enters your machine and make sure it is not obstructed or dusty. Filters should be changed each month with your tubing and insert.

If you would like to contact us, you may do so by calling Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm or e-mailing us at: wcetcdme@aol.com. Please let us know if we can help you with your CPAP/BiPAP equipment, or if you have any questions concerning sleep apnea.

July 2011 Newsletter

2011-06-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

July 2011 Sleep Apnea Newsletter Wheelchairs Etc~2660 E. Common Street~New Braunfels, Texas 78130~830.626.5400 or 210-599-6330 web address:www.wheelchairsetc.net wcetcdme@aol.com

Many of our clients ask this question, so I thought it would be a good one to look in to. This response comes from Dr. Frankie Roman, Center for Sleep Disorders in Masillon, Ohio. ~ Dea Reddell, RRT. Wheelchairs Etc.

Is it harder for someone with sleep apnea to lose weight?
There was speculation many years ago that sleep deprivation slows your metabolism, which, in dramatic cases, slows to the point where you couldn't lose weight. Science is showing that it's true. There is a tremendous physiological insult to your body including insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and elevation in blood pressure. I tell my patients, that being treated for obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure, the most common treatment for OSA) is not weight loss equipment. But our hope is that if we can control your sleep apnea you will get more consolidated sleep so you won't have these fluctuations in hormone levels. You will rest better, you will be more motivated to proceed with an exercise program, and you will have more energy to proceed with a weight loss program. We hope that [by using CPAP] it starts a chain reaction. Hopefully you will be more mentally and physically prepared to undergo the weight loss and that in itself will lead to more health benefits.

Attention Medicare Clients: You may have noticed a change in the time of the month in which you received your supplies. All Medicare supplies will be shipped out between the 25th and 27th of the month to ensure that the billing to Medicare matches with the shipment of the supplies. Please call with any questions that you may have regarding this change. Thank you!

June 2011 Newsletter

2011-05-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

June 2011 Newsletter

Wheelchairs Etc.

2660 East Common Street New Braunfels, Texas 78130

210.599.6330 or 830.626.6606

Our Web site: http://www.wheelchairsetc.net/

e-mail: wcetcdme@aol.com

Getting back in sync with your body’s natural sleep–wake cycle—your circadian rhythm—is one of the most important strategies for achieving good sleep. If you keep a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, you will feel much more refreshed and energized than if you sleep the same number of hours at different times. This holds true even if you alter your sleep schedule by only an hour or two. Consistency is important.

Set a regular bedtime. Go to bed at the same time every night. Choose a time when you normally feel tired, so that you don’t toss and turn. Try not to break this routine on weekends when it may be tempting to stay up late. If you want to change your bedtime, help your body adjust by making the change in small daily increments, such as 15 minutes earlier or later each day.
Wake up at the same time every day. If you’re getting enough sleep, you should wake up naturally without an alarm. If you need an alarm clock to wake up on time, you may need to set an earlier bedtime. As with your bedtime, try to maintain your regular wake–time even on weekends.
Nap to make up for lost sleep. If you need to make up for a few lost hours, opt for a daytime nap rather than sleeping late. This strategy allows you to pay off your sleep debt without disturbing your natural sleep–wake rhythm, which often backfires in insomnia and throws you off for days.
Be smart about napping. While taking a nap can be a great way to recharge, especially for older adults, it can make insomnia worse. If insomnia is a problem for you, consider eliminating napping. If you must nap, do it in the early afternoon, and limit it to thirty minutes.
Fight after–dinner drowsiness. If you find yourself getting sleepy way before your bedtime, get off the couch and do something mildly stimulating to avoid falling asleep, such as washing the dishes, calling a friend, or getting clothes ready for the next day. If you give in to the drowsiness, you may wake up later in the night and have trouble getting back to sleep.

If you are interested in chatting with others who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, or would like information on sleep apnea and products, this is a great site: www.apneasupport.org. It offers live chat, questions and answers, etc.

We have updated our website: www.wheelchairsetc.net. All newsletters are available on this site, as well as information about us and the products and services we offer. Please call with any questions or concerns you may have. We are open Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm.

May 2011 Newsletter

2011-04-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

Wheelchairs Etc.

2660 E. Common Street New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830.626.6606 or 210.599.6330

May 2011 Newsletter

Don't Be Fooled By Sleep Myths.....

MYTH 1: Men and women require
the same amount of sleep
TRUTH: The way women think causes more activity in the cerebral cortex, a part of the brain that requires more deep sleep to recover

MYTH 2: Exercising makes it easier
to fall asleep
TRUTH: While exercise may help you sleep,
doing so too close to bed time
can make it harder to fall asleep

MYTH 3: Alcohol helps you fall asleep
TRUTH: Alcohol might make you feel sleepy,
but it prevents you from getting
the restorative sleep you need to feel rested

Humidity Questions and Answers
Q: How much water should a humidifier use during a night?
A: The amount of water needed varies from one humidifier to the next, from one patient to the next, and with the temperature and humidity of the bedroom.

Q: My humidifier sometimes runs out during the night and most other nights is 3/4 empty by the morning. What is going on here?
A: If you mean "why does it vary from one night to the next?" it may be that you are mouth breathing or have mouth leak. If you breathe through your mouth, you let lots of air escape from your mouth. All the extra air that escapes uses up your water more quickly.
If you have questions about your humidifier, or your other equipment, please don't hesitate to call. Understanding the equipment and how it works helps clients stay more compliant...and healthy!

If you have changes in your insurance, phone number or address, please remember to call and let us know ! Thank you!

April 2011 Newsletter

2011-03-29T15:57:00.000-07:00

Wheelchairs Etc

2660 E. Common Street New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-626-5400/210-599-6330

April 2011 Newsletter

THREE WAYS TO GET MORE FROM YOUR MACHINE

Turn On Special Settings.

Use a Humidifier.

Please let us know if we can help you with any questions that you may have with your machine. We are available Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm.

We are on Facebook--visit us there for updates on products and meet others who are CPAP users.

our new e-mail address: www.wheelchairsetc.net

December 2010 Newsletter

2011-03-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

December 2010 Newsletter

Wheelchairs Etc.

2660 E. Common St

. New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-626-6606

http://www.wheelchairsetc.net/

November 2010 Newsletter

2011-03-21T07:45:00.000-07:00

November 2010 Newsletter

     Wheelchairs Etc.

2660 E. Common Street New Braunfels, Texas 78130
830-626-5400 or 210-599-6330
                                                 www.wheelchairs-etc.net
Inspirational Words for New Users…
“One thing that OSA does (besides causing heart damage, triggering strokes, and causing weight gain) is mess with your mind. It can cause symptoms very much like depression. As a result, even small things can seem hard for you right now and a change like using a CPAP can seem overwhelming. Let me assure you that once you get started your brain fog will lift and you will end up being best friends with your CPAP. It becomes your new normal. Once you get your optimism back and energy returns to your body, you will be very enthusiastic about the whole thing. There is nothing that boosts your attitude more than getting a good night of sleep.”
*e-mail us your advice or positive experience concerning CPAP therapy at: wcetcdme@aol.com

Important Reminder To All Supply Customers Concerning Hospitalizations

If you are hospitalized and receive CPAP supplies on a regular basis, Medicare will not cover those supplies if your “billing date” is during the time that you are in the hospital. Although we know it is a lot to ask, and you have more important things on your mind… if someone from your family could call our office to inform us, we would greatly appreciate it. The correct course of action would be to bill the client for the supplies when we are not informed of a hospitalization. Although this situation has occurred several times each year over the years, we have never billed any client for supplies. When you have to go into the hospital, we are probably not the first people you think of…but it would really help us if you or someone in your family could let us know. Thank you for your continued business!
stolen.

2010-10-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

If you find that your nose and mouth start to “dry out” more as the weather starts to change~even with the use of your heated humidifier, try using a saline nasal spray before putting your CPAP/BiPAP on each night. Over-the counter saline spray solutions are safe to use and can relieve dry nasal passages as cooler weather approaches.
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September Newsletter 2010

2010-09-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

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If you were a former client of Dr. Rod Elliott-Mullens before he relocated and are looking for a Physician who is Board Certified in Sleep medicine, please call us-we may be able to help you locate a Physician in your area!

Please let us know if we can help you in any way with your machine or supplies. Our business office hours are Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm. Our number is: 210-599-6330 or 830-626-5400.
Our Retail location hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm. That number is: 830-626-6606

KEYS TO CPAP/ BIPAP SUCCESS

2010-09-01T19:38:00.000-07:00

KEYS TO CPAP/ BIPAP SUCCESS

CPAP is not a quick fix for your problem. It involves a long-term commitment to improve your sleep and your health. Stay in close communication with your Sleep Physician and your Primary Physician. Ask a lot of questions and seek help when you need it. Use CPAP all night, every night, and for every nap. You will receive the maximum health benefits from CPAP when you use it every time that you sleep. This will also make it easier for your body to adjust to the treatment. Your adjustment to CPAP will be easier if you are able to connect with others who use the same treatment. Ask your Sleep Specialist if there is a support group in your area for people who have sleep apnea, or look for one on the Internet. Change your mask, tubing and headgear on a routine basis. Put this time in your schedule so that you don't forget to do it. Check and replace the filters for your CPAP unit monthly. After your first month of treatment, continue to make a daily commitment to use your CPAP all night, every night and for every nap. CPAP is a long-term commitment, one that could make a dramatic improvement in your quality of life.

CPAP THERAPY

2010-07-01T20:03:00.000-07:00

CPAP THERAPY

Things to Do
When getting a CPAP machine, keep in mind certain things that you will have to do when using it. Fully understand that this is a long-term treatment commitment. When consulting your physician, ask questions and request any advice for using the CPAP device. This will help you fully understand how the machine works and its benefits.

To maximize your benefits, you need to wear the CPAP mask every single time you sleep, for two reasons. First, that will allow your body to adapt quickly to the machine. Second, your sleep will improve.

Things Not to Do
Keep in mind several things NOT to do when using a CPAP machine, things that would complicate your treatment. An ill-fitting mask can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. The most important thing to have is a properly fitting mask. a wide variety of different styles and sizes, are available and it is crucial to choose the best one for you.
The noise of a CPAP device and difficulties getting to sleep are key hurdles, but they should not deter you from using the machine. Newer models often function quietly. It takes several days to get used to a CPAP machine. Just because there are some minor difficulties, that should not keep you from using the machine.

Read more: Best Way - Tips on Using CPAP | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5705842_tips-using-cpap.html#ixzz0raaXpH1r

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New CPAP Research

2010-06-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

www.wheelchairsetc.net

2660 East Common Street New Braunfels, Texas 78130 210-599-6330 or 830-626-5400Pasted Graphic 16
CPAP Newsletter JUNE 2010

New CPAP Research

By now you have probably already experienced many of the benefits of CPAP therapy such as better sleep patterns, more alertness during the day, improvements in productivity, and decreases in stress levels. In addition to the perceivable results, a recent research study by the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine has concluded that CPAP machines can also positively impact the nighttime glucose levels of type II diabetics. How? When one has an apneic event, stress hormones are released, hormones that are known to increase glucose levels. Utilizing a CPAP machine helps eliminate these episodes, keeping users' glucose levels constant throughout the night and has been theorized to help with heart functions and the lowering of blood pressure. Diabetics suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), who used the machines for just one to three months showed dramatic decreases in their glucose levels, all the while keeping everything else (diet and diabetic treatments) the same. By keeping glucose levels consistently lower diabetic patients are less at risk for eye complications and even death. These advancements indicate a better long-term prognosis for type II diabetic patients suffering from OSA, and demonstrate just a few benefits of CPAP treatment.

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If you have any questions about CPAP/BiPAP therapy or questions about your equipment, PLEASE don’t hesitate to call us!

Traveling Tips for CPAP users

2010-05-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

It does not count towards your carry on bag total since it is medical equipment. There is also much less of a chance of your CPAP machine being lost or damaged. Be sure to include your contact info inside the CPAP bag just in case it gets lost or stolen.
Travel Light
Most CPAPs come with detachable Humidiifiers. While humidifiers crucial in maintaining humidity when continuous pressure is used, you may be able to use a nasal saline spray for a short trip, and leave your humidifier at home. If you DO take your humidifier, make sure the water chamber is emptied out and dry before packing.

Many people have found this CPAP Medical Equipment Carry On Luggage Tag to be helpful. One such as this one may be used.
If Possible, Bring Your Prescription
Bring a copy of your Prescription or a Letter of Medical Necessity provided by your physician. While not required, it may be useful in proving your need for the CPAP if ever in question.

Always Carry On Your CPAP Machine.

Carry On Luggage Tag

April 2010 Newsletter

2010-04-01T19:55:00.000-07:00

THREE WAYS TO GET MORE FROM YOUR MACHINE

Turn On Special Settings.Most machines offer "ramping" capabilities, which give you the ability to gradually reach your pressure setting instead of starting your air flow on full blast. Additionally, "Auto On / Off" features detect when you remove your mask, and start or stop your air flow accordingly. This means you don't have to turn off your machine when you get up in the middle of the night. If you have trouble finding these settings, contact us.Use a Humidifier.
Humidifiers are a great way to moisten air and protect air passages from drying out. Our machines offer integrated humidifiers. When using a humidifier make sure to always empty the water chamber when you move it to avoid water damage. Using distilled water whenever possible will help prevent build up on the heating plate.Ensure Fresh Air Flow. Always remember to change air filters as instructed in your machine manual for your machine. Just like air or water filters in your home, filters on your machine also need to be changed. Be conscious of air enters your machine and make sure it is not obstructed or dusty. Filters should be changed each month with your tubing and insert.
Check us out on Facebook!!!

We are attempting to put together an informational site on facebook and have a website in the works…
You can log on to facebook and type in Wheelchairs Etc. It should be improving in the next few weeks!

March CPAP newsletter

2010-03-01T19:53:00.000-08:00

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It’s A Nice Month for a Walk…
With the warming of the weather in Texas comes a perfect opportunity to improve your health and your fitness level in just a few minutes a day. Walking is great exercise and has many benefits besides weight loss. Walking can actually help you look better and sleep better!
One of the safest and most effective ways to improve your cardiovascular fitness is by walking.
Walking is an ideal low impact aerobic exercise. If done regularly, it can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, lower total cholesterol, raise healthy HDL cholesterol and lower blood pressure. It can help maintain healthy bones and muscles, stabilize blood sugar, improve immunity and relieve some of the stress in your life. Thousands have realized the physical and psychological benefits of walking. That’s why walking has become one of the most popular ways to stay fit. Another reason is because it—s inexpensive–– all it takes is a little motivation and a comfortable pair of shoes.
The Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health noted the following benefits of exercise:

February CPAP Newsletter

2010-02-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

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Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are our nation's No. 1 killer. To urge Americans to join the battle against these diseases, since 1963 Congress has required the president to proclaim February "American Heart Month." I thought it may be worth looking at how Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular disease are very closely related--even more reason to really put forth an effort to making your CPAP something you use every night! Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help with the adjustment to your equipment! Dea Reddell, RRT Wheelchairs Etc.

Using CPAP can help keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of heart-related injury!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

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Sleep Tips

2009-12-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

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