Good point! I do agree that a heated humidifier can be a boon to comfort and quality of sleep, and we presented that as an important option in "Sleep Apnea--the Phantom of the Night." So I can understand that you would only choose a new unit for travel if it included a heated humidifier (and assured you of good sleep, like your regular unit).
My purpose in the article was to give readers a sense of the range of options to enable each person to research what would best meet their needs. Several of the units mentioned in the article in fact can be ordered with a humidifier. One would need to research the units and compare them as to: total size and weight including humidifier, and confirm that both can run from a battery or other non-mains electrical source. Perhaps I can add that information in a follow-up. You might want to consider getting a duplicate of your current CPAP unit in order to have one in each of your homes, so you would not have to carry one back and forth.
I'm not sure what the clinical practice word is on re-studies. As far as I can see, and according to a review article by experts writing for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, no research has been done that would provide guidance as to when or how frequently to do followup studies. Nevertheless, both short-term (in the weeks after beginning treatment) and long-term followup is recommended "...to address mask, machine, or usage problems."
Certainly you would consider having one if your fatigue and other apnea-related symptoms returned. Another possibility would be to ask your doctor about using an APAP, i.e., a unit with automatic pressure regulation that constantly titrates (regulates) the pressure according to the quality of your breathing. In any case, if you have any concerns about your own treatment, do consult the sleep specialist who did your sleep study.
References:
Kushida CA, Littner MR, Hirshkowitz M et al. Practice parameters for the use of continuous and bilevel positive airway pressure devices to treat adult patients with sleep-related breathing disorders. SLEEP 2006: 29(3):375-380
Evaluation of Positive Airway Pressure Treatment for Sleep Related Breathing
Disorders in Adults. A Review by the Positive Airway Pressure Task Force of the Standards of Practice Committee of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Peter Gay, MD; Terri Weaver, RN, CS, FAAN2; Daniel Loube, MD; Conrad Iber, MD
SLEEP: 2006 29(3):381-401
Portable CPAP units with Humidifiers & Restudies
Ralph,
Good point! I do agree that a heated humidifier can be a boon to comfort and quality of sleep, and we presented that as an important option in "Sleep Apnea--the Phantom of the Night." So I can understand that you would only choose a new unit for travel if it included a heated humidifier (and assured you of good sleep, like your regular unit).
My purpose in the article was to give readers a sense of the range of options to enable each person to research what would best meet their needs. Several of the units mentioned in the article in fact can be ordered with a humidifier. One would need to research the units and compare them as to: total size and weight including humidifier, and confirm that both can run from a battery or other non-mains electrical source. Perhaps I can add that information in a follow-up. You might want to consider getting a duplicate of your current CPAP unit in order to have one in each of your homes, so you would not have to carry one back and forth.
I'm not sure what the clinical practice word is on re-studies. As far as I can see, and according to a review article by experts writing for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, no research has been done that would provide guidance as to when or how frequently to do followup studies. Nevertheless, both short-term (in the weeks after beginning treatment) and long-term followup is recommended "...to address mask, machine, or usage problems."
Certainly you would consider having one if your fatigue and other apnea-related symptoms returned. Another possibility would be to ask your doctor about using an APAP, i.e., a unit with automatic pressure regulation that constantly titrates (regulates) the pressure according to the quality of your breathing. In any case, if you have any concerns about your own treatment, do consult the sleep specialist who did your sleep study.
References:
Kushida CA, Littner MR, Hirshkowitz M et al. Practice parameters for the use of continuous and bilevel positive airway pressure devices to treat adult patients with sleep-related breathing disorders. SLEEP 2006: 29(3):375-380
Evaluation of Positive Airway Pressure Treatment for Sleep Related Breathing
Disorders in Adults. A Review by the Positive Airway Pressure Task Force of the Standards of Practice Committee of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Peter Gay, MD; Terri Weaver, RN, CS, FAAN2; Daniel Loube, MD; Conrad Iber, MD
SLEEP: 2006 29(3):381-401
These and other reports by the AASM are available online: http://www.aasmnet.org/PracticeParameters.aspx?cid=102