3 ways Sleep Apnea Therapy Apps support your Treatment Success

Published on September 15, 2022

4 minutes

Sleep Apnea

Are you getting the most out of your sleep apnea treatment? Sleep Apnea Therapy Apps can reveal your sleep score, mask fit and much more…to get you the sleep you deserve!

As a sleep apnea patient, you may be wondering how you can wake up feeling more refreshed, energetic and focused throughout the day. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most effective non-invasive treatment for sleep apnea. CPAP therapy can improve your symptoms and overall well-being, if you stay on track with your sleep.

So…how do apps help you stay on track? Advancements in technology have enabled sleep apnea patients to take charge of their therapy at home using their smartphones. Several CPAP manufacturers understand the importance of self-monitoring in overall therapy success and consequently launched sleep apnea therapy apps like MyAir and DreamMapper. These apps have been proven to improve compliance with sleep apnea therapy and increase comfort through self-monitoring tips and guides.

How well is my CPAP therapy going?

Just like you, many patients feel well-rested after starting CPAP therapy. How do you track your quality of sleep when using your CPAP device every night? Downloading your device manufacturer’s sleep apnea therapy app can help you receive valuable information about your therapy progress:

Quality of Sleep

The number of hours that you used your CPAP device, highlighting the number of hours you slept well. If you sleep between 7-9 hours at night, you will feel refreshed the next morning.

Mask fit

Reveals if your mask is too tight or too loose. If your mask doesn’t seal well and is loose, it can cause leaks that impact the effectiveness of your therapy. You will also be notified if your mask came off in the middle of the night. Over time, your mask, headgear, and/or cushion wears out, becoming loose, which affects therapy success. You will also be notified when it’s time to replace your mask and other accessories. Stay informed of your mask and accessory replacement milestones.

Apnea Events

Your Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) reveals the number of times you stopped breathing at night due to an obstructed airway. A higher AHI score reveals several events when you stopped breathing at night indicating a problem with your therapy. If you notice many events, contact our clinical team and seek support. We can adjust your therapy, check mask fit and provide you with guidance to improve your quality of sleep.

Guidance on CPAP Mask Fit

I’ve been on CPAP therapy for the past few months. During the first 6 months, I saw much improvement in my sleep and overall energy, but now I'm feeling not as well rested. My CPAP mask has started to become uncomfortable, and my app notified me of leaks. I get cold spots that irritate my skin, so I take it off at night! What should I do?

If you find yourself relating to this patient, you may need to replace your CPAP mask or order replacement accessories. Your sleep apnea app will provide your mask seal score and the number of times you removed your mask at night. Mask fit is essential for successful therapy. Our sleep therapists can provide you with guidance so you can get a perfect fit on your CPAP mask.

You need to consider the following factors before choosing the right CPAP mask:

Sleeping position
Open or closed mouth while sleeping
Facial hair
Skin sensitivity

The sleep apnea therapy app provides automated, personalized coaching and support in the form of guides and videos based on your mask and CPAP device to improve therapy success. Contact us if you have any questions about your CPAP device or accessories or want to discuss your mask fit with our sleep clinicians. You are also able to order your CPAP supplies on our website.

CPAP Cleaning or Replacement Reminders

Over time your device and accessories can begin to show wear and tear. A sleep apnea therapy app will provide you with cleaning and inspection reminders at timely intervals based on best practices and manufacturers guidelines. You will receive notifications when it is time to “clean your mask” or “replace your filters”. Staying on top of your CPAP and accessory cleaning & replacement schedule is important to therapy success. Regular maintenance helps you benefit from good quality sleep for longer hours, and reduces frequent infection.

Contact us to speak to our team about your personalized replacement schedule. Order replacement parts or supplies through our Order Supplies page. At VitalAire, your therapy success is important to us, so we can provide advice for CPAP cleaning products and we can help you with replacement accessories based on the condition of your device or accessory.

Download the app corresponding to your device manufacturer to take charge of your sleep apnea therapy today!

ResMed

MyAir App

Philips

DreamMapper App