If you are someone who suffers from sleep apnea, you may have a hard time traveling. Sleep apnea is a medical condition categorized by lapses in breathing while an individual is asleep. Untreated it can be life-threatening, though most often it causes an awful night sleep with very frequent waking episodes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Some people with less severe sleep apnea simply leave their equipment at home and take the risk of sleeping without it, since it can be such a hassle to pack. However, individuals with severe sleep apnea must figure out a way to bring all of the things that they will need, sometimes while meeting weight requirements for an airline. Fortunately, there are ways to make the use of a CPAP machine easier for travel. Here is a list of things you may want to acquire in order to make it easier for you.

Travel Machine

CPAP machines come in many different sizes and strengths. Most commonly, the at-home models are quite large and stationary. They are designed to be used each and every night, often for years at a time without breaking. A travel machine, on the other hand, is very small and can be used on an airplane, on a train, or in a car. Both models require distilled water in order to function properly, though a travel machine requires much less. 

Water for Travel

No matter which type of machine you have, getting the water for it is one of the big challenges with traveling. If you are going to a destination that you are unfamiliar with, you may not know where you can find distilled water. However, if you bring your own, it can weigh a lot and be quite costly in a checked bag. If you are traveling by air, you will only be able to bring three ounces with you on the plane. If you get a note from your doctor describing your condition and need for additional water on the flight, your airline may allow it. There are specialized distilled water bottles that are an excellent way to store cpap water for travel while you are traveling. 

In conclusion, sleeping well while traveling with sleep apnea is possible; it just takes some planning and preparation. Talk to your doctor or local medical equipment store staff to figure out what you need and how to get it all before your trip. Sweet dreams!

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