This page is a collection of common questions we receive from patients everyday. We hope this guide is useful as you seek questions about Sleep Apnea and cpap supplies.
Does My Insurance pay for products on the site?
You can submit a claim to your insurance company when you purchase your equipment at our site (this may vary from insurance to insurance). If you need instructions on how to submit an insurance claim, feel free to give us a call and we can help. At CpapGuys.com we do not accept any insurance payments for our equipment. We are a direct to patient company and in order to keep our costs low we only sell direct to patient.
Do I need a prescription?
For cpap masks and machines a valid prescription is required prior to the shipment, the appropriate prescription, by a physician licensed to practice in the US for the use of such products, will be verified. If you do not have one please give us a call and we can help you obtain one from your doctor. You will only have to do this once and we will keep your prescription on file for the future. Please give us a call for assistance. Please fax your prescription to 888-819-2643. Once your prescription is recieved, we will ship your product.
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DIscount Codes:
All discount codes will apply to all products with the exception of Resmed Corporations Products.
Shipping policies:
All products will be Shipped after a valid prescription is recieved and or verfied (if on file).
Cpapguys.com sells our products to patients in the United States. We do not ship to third parties and/or other businesses.
Warranty and Returns:
Cpapguys.com will return any item that is unopened within 30 days of purchase less a 15% restocking fee and shipping charges. Any product that is opened cannot be returned.
We want to make sure that you recieve the right product every time. If you have any questions or need help please give us a call at 1-800-556-2747.
For all Warranty issues please call us to obtain an RA#. Once you recieve your RA#, write an explination of the problem and send product to:
Cpapguys.com
Att. Returns
347 SW Main Blvd.
Suite 101
Lake City, FL 32055
What is OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea)?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder characterized by the periodic cessation, or markedly diminished breathing during sleep due to partial or complete collapse of the upper airway. This syndrome is defined as 5 or more apneas or hypopneas per hour of sleep associated with daytime sleepiness. These intermittent periods of airway obstruction during the night result in characteristic signs and symptoms.
What are some symptoms of OSA?
The most characteristic symptoms of OSA include excessive daytime sleepiness, unexplained by other factors, and two or more of the following: Loud, disruptive snoring. Nocturnal (night time) gasping and choking, often resulting in a resuscitative snorting sound when the apnea is broken, or apneas typically witnessed by the bed partner as snoring interrupted by periods of breath holding or silence. Many patients complain of sleeping a lot, but still feeling unrefreshed during the day. There are often times when the patient may only complain of general fatigue. In severe cases, a frequent overwhelming desire to sleep may occur while talking, eating or driving. Patients may complain of intellectual deterioration that presents as a lack of concentration or as poor judgment.
What is the Epwoth Sleepiness Scale?
Click here to view our Epwoth Sleepiness Questionnaire.
What do I do If I suspect I have OSA?
Once OSA is suspected, ask your physician to prescribe a sleep study. Polysomnography is a sleep study test commonly used to diagnose OSA. Standard polysomnography is performed in a sleep center by a trained polysomnographic technologist. Polysomnography typically measures brain wave activity, eye movement, chin, arm or leg activity, airflow, chest and abdomen movement, oxygen saturation and ECG. There are approximately 2,000 sleep centers in the United States, and the number is growing daily. Proper patient selection and trained sleep medicine professionals are critical factors for the success of portable testing for OSA
What is a Sleep Study or Polysomnography?
Using polysomnography, the patient is typically studied for one full night to confirm the diagnosis of OSA. When the diagnosis is made, the patient is then studied the next night to determine treatment. Some sleep centers can perform the diagnostic and treatment studies all in one night. The patient however, must meet specific criteria that indicate the presence of OSA early enough in the night’s study to allow for enough time for appropriate treatment to be tried. The physiologic parameters monitored determine the type and severity of the sleep disorder and the effects of treatment.
What are the Different types of Apneas?
(OSA) Obstructive Sleep Apnea; Central Sleep Apnea; Mixed Apnea; Obstructive Hypopnea;
What is a Central Apnea?
Central apnea is the cessation of airflow for 10 seconds or longer because there is no effort to breath.
What is a Mixed Apnea?
Mixed apnea is defined as cessation of airflow for 10 seconds or longer that usually starts as a central event and progresses to an obstructive pattern
What is Obstructive Hypopnea?
Obstructive hypopnea, which can be identified by the reduction of airflow with respiratory effort present, followed by a significant desaturation. An arousal from sleep ends the hypopnea. Obstructive hypopneas merit the same treatment as apneas.
What is Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI).
This index identifies the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep. In sleep labs, sleep technologists are looking for the presence of these respiratory events and also quantifying them by establishing the AHI. The AHI is used to quantify the severity of sleep apnea and to help determine proper treatment options.
Does Oxygen Therapy eliminate OSA.
Oxygen therapy alone is generally not effective in reducing the AHI or sleep fragmentation. Supplemental oxygen may be useful in conjunction with positive pressure therapy
What are the Consequences of untreated OSA(Obstructive Sleep Apnea)?
It is important that the medical community increase identification and treatment of OSA patients, as it is not a benign condition. Potential physiological consequences of sleep apnea include: Hypertension - approximately 50% of patients with OSA Coronary artery disease Heart attack Stroke It has been estimated that 38,000 cardio-vascular deaths occur each year from sleep apnea. Increased death rate has been linked to the AHI. Mortality rates have been shown to increase in patients with severe OSA, defined as an apnea index greater than 5.
