What is the average life of a cpap machine

Getting a new CPAP machine is also an opportunity to take advantage of new comfort features and technology that may not have been available when you received your current machine. Recent advances include:. Check with your insurance provider to see if you are eligible for a new CPAP machine. Otherwise, you can recycle it the same way you would other electronics like a computer or a TV. Skip to content. Article Contents. Add a header to begin generating the table of contents. Why You Should Routinely Replace Your CPAP Machine Like most everyday items, consistent use of your CPAP machine contributes to the overall deterioration of performance over time—even with a strict cleaning routine, older machines can still cause respiratory or sinus infections and other ailments from built-up contamination.

Quieter—performing accessories: Improvements made to masks and motors over the last few years, like built-in diffusers and multi-directional openings, help you and your partner sleep more peacefully.

Enhanced humidification: Lighter and more compact than ever, new integrated humidifiers are easier to fill and clean, take up less space, and may include improved heated tubing that prevents water from condensing in the tube. Merritt Wakefield.

Luckily, there are some common signs that you can look out for. Both the recommended replacement schedule and the insurance guidelines agree: the average lifespan of a CPAP machine is 3 to 5 years. First, you should rule out air leaks in your CPAP mask or cracks in your tubing.

These parts should be replaced every 3 months, and are usually covered that frequently by your insurance. If you need help finding or updating your original prescription, your Aeroflow Sleep Specialist can contact your doctor to take care of it for you!

But before you point fingers at your machine there are some other fixes you should test first:. That said, snoring during CPAP use may also be caused by lifestyle changes or the need to adjust your air pressure, so you should always discuss this with your doctor or healthcare provider. As with snoring, you should try to rule out any other reasons that may contribute to a loss of air pressure.

The apnea-hypopnea index AHI indicates the number of breathing disruptions that occur per hour of sleep. If the AHI is greater than 5, as can sometimes be provided on the CPAP display in the morning or with associated apps, the pressure should be increased. If you experience these difficulties, you should speak with your sleep doctor about having the pressure adjusted.

Some people notice a significant improvement with the use of CPAP in a matter of days or weeks. This may be experienced as fewer awakenings, more refreshing sleep, decreased daytime sleepiness, or improvements in concentration, short-term memory, or mood. If the symptoms that prompted your evaluation for sleep apnea return, this could suggest that the CPAP is not working optimally and you should speak to your healthcare provider.

The most common complaint would be the return of excessive daytime sleepiness , often manifest by prolonged or frequent daytime naps. This could be due to unrecognized mask leak or even an inadequate treatment pressure.

Weight gain, alcohol use near bedtime, and aging may all lead to the need to increase CPAP pressures. Therefore, if you find that your symptoms have recurred , check in with your sleep doctor to see if things can be improved by adjusting your setting. Unfortunately, CPAP machines do not last forever. These devices do have some degree of built-in obsolescence, meaning that they will gradually begin to fail and require replacement with a new device. Therefore, if your CPAP is old enough and it is not working well, a replacement is due.

Fortunately, newer models often are quieter, have enhanced features, and are often easier to use compared to the older generations of equipment. If you believe that your CPAP machine is not working properly, don't suffer in silence. Call your equipment provider or sleep specialist and get your treatment back on track. Tossing and turning night over night can have a big impact on your quality of life.