maintain your sleep health

It is important to follow up with your health care provider regularly to make sure your OSA treatment is working.

• Tell your health care provider if the treatment is causing side effects you can't handle. This is especially important if you're getting PAP treatment. It takes a while to adjust.

• If you're not comfortable with your PAP or it doesn't  seem to be working, tell us. You may need to switch to a different machine or mask. Or, you may need treatment to relieve PAP side effects.

• Try not to gain weight. Excess weight can worsen sleep apnea and require adjustments to your PAP device. Weight loss may relieve your sleep apnea or reduce the pressure needed to treat it.

• Until your apnea is properly treated, know the dangers of driving or operating heavy machinery when you're sleepy.

• If you're having surgery that requires medicine to put you to sleep, let your surgeon and doctors know what you have sleep apnea. They might have to take extra steps to make sure your airway stays open during the surgery.

Note: It is important to your health to replace your PAP mask, tubing and filters on a regular basis. Replacement masks and supplies may be covered by your insurance plan and Medicare.