Don't Let Patients Lose Sleep Over Vacation

A guide to traveling with a CPAP machine

By Meg Herndon

For many, the summer means high temperatures, vacations that are frequently bracketed by stressful travel and trying to find time to unwind. What happens when you add having to manage sleep apnea and a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to the mix?

Dr. Carleara Weiss, sleep science adviser for Aeroflow, explained some of the ways traveling can exacerbate sleep issues for people who use a CPAP machine. She spoke with us about how to prepare patients so they can spend time relaxing on vacation rather than losing sleep.

76%

76% of people with sleep apnea use their CPAP at least some of the time while traveling. 10% don’t use it on trips and 10% don’t travel.

1. You can (and should) take it with you.

Some CPAP users think they can ditch their device when they travel. It’s vacation, so why should they have to worry about lugging extra baggage around? According to Weiss, this is the wrong mindset to have.

“It’s really important to emphasize, if you’re traveling on vacation, please bring your CPAP,” Weiss said.

Make sure to emphasize to users that bringing along a CPAP will only help them as it maintains compliance and allows for proper sleep through their trip.

“You want to go on vacation to make sure that you rest and enjoy yourself,” Weiss said. “If you don’t bring your CPAP, you’re not going to have that restful sleep. So, you’re going to come back from vacation feeling worse than when you went.”

2. Don’t get left behind.

If CPAP users decide not to bring (or use) their CPAP while traveling, these are possible impacts:

A decline in compliance could impact how a patient’s insurance company handles their CPAP. Weiss said it’s difficult for patients who don’t travel with their CPAP to go back to the minimum hours needed for compliance.
Reports of side effects such as headaches, dry mouth, irritability and daytime sleepiness.

57%

More than half of those with apnea say having a CPAP machine doesn’t affect their travel decisions, while 28% say they only travel to places where they can easily use their CPAP.

3. Add to your packing checklist.

Make sure CPAP users know what to bring when they travel:

Their CPAP machine, gear and mask
A reliable power supply/battery
Humidifier
Distilled water
Necessary plug adaptors

4. Fly the friendly skies.

When traveling by air, CPAP devices should be treated as carry-on luggage and should not be checked. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “A nebulizer, CPAP, BiPAP and APAP must be removed from its carrying case and undergo X-ray screening. Face masks and tubing may remain in the case. You may provide a clear plastic bag to place the device through the X-ray.”

Most airlines allow passengers to bring their CPAP and use it on the flight. Airlines that do allow CPAPs to be used on flights typically require the user bring their own power supply or battery. Sometimes, airlines request early notification while booking the flight; other airlines just ask that you bring a doctor’s note to show before using it during the flight. Additionally, airlines will not count the medical device as one of the passenger’s carry-on items.

42%

42% of people with OSA think it’s a hassle to pack and carry their CPAP. 10% say they’d rather stay home, but 29% say it’s no trouble to travel with it.

5. Consider a travel version.

Travel CPAP machines offer more flexibility than a typical CPAP machine such as:

Portability
Lightweight
Some do not need a humidifier
Quieter

Travel CPAP machines are great solutions for people who find themselves on the go a lot. Weiss said people who travel a lot for work or vacation would be great candidates for travel CPAP machines. Weiss recommended users check with their medical providers and insurance to see what their best options are.

6. Make sure they know before they go.

Providers should remember that traveling for anyone can be tough, and traveling with additional baggage, such as a CPAP machine, can make everything feel heavier—physically and mentally. Weiss said providers should be nonjudgmental and flexible with patients and should share any available resources with them.

“I work with older adults; [they] sometimes think it’s a hassle to bring their CPAP machine, until I tell them about the options for a portable one, and how they can bring it as a carry-on item,” Weiss said. “It’s important to have that openness to discuss the possibilities and options, and make sure that the patients feel open to tell us what they have in mind, so we can share the benefits of traveling with the CPAP machine.”