Your Whole Health Blog

Learn how to effectively clean and maintain your CPAP supplies with our expert tips and resources. Keep your equipment germ-free and extend its lifespan with proper cleaning techniques. From daily maintenance to deep cleaning, we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step. So, breathe easy and get the most out of your CPAP equipment with our help.

Chronic respiratory failure is a condition that makes it difficult for your body to maintain normal oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Many diseases may contribute to chronic respiratory failure, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), thoracic restrictive diseases (TRD), and neuromuscular diseases (NMD). Non-invasive ventilation may assist with minimizing symptoms associated with these respiratory disorders and assist with improving your health-related quality of life.

Discover what to expect during a PAP class. Our expertly designed PAP classes can connect you with other users who share in your challenges and experiences, providing you with a valuable educational experience. Join our PAP class today and take the first step towards better sleep and a healthier, happier you!

Handwashing is crucial for maintaining health and preventing the spread of diseases. Proper hand hygiene can help reduce the risk of infections and diseases, especially those that can be transmitted through hand-to-hand contact. It is essential to know the right techniques for washing your hands to get the best protection.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common but serious disorder characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, leading to low oxygen levels in the blood.

May is Better Sleep Month, a time to focus on the importance of good sleep habits and the role they play in our overall health and well-being. Getting enough sleep is essential for both physical and mental health, and it can have a significant impact on our daily lives.

As a parent, it is never easy to see your child struggling to breathe.

An oxygen conserving device (OCD) regulator is a medical device that attaches to an oxygen tank and can help patients conserve the amount of oxygen they are using in place of a traditional oxygen flow regulator. OCDs are particularly useful for people with respiratory illnesses such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, or other lung diseases that affect the body’s ability to take in oxygen.

As your sleep therapy partner, we celebrate all you do in the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which affects one in every five Americans.

While many of us love our furry friends and cannot imagine our lives without them, it is important to keep in mind that they do pose a threat to your home medical device. If your device is not stored properly or placed out of reach from your pet, your device could be at risk. Cords could be chewed; devices could be knocked off of lower tables or your device could be covered in pet hair or slobber.

The Lincare team is excited to announce our new Patient Portal coming in 2023. As always, our staff is committed to providing the best customer service and care available. The Patient Portal will help you better manage your treatment with everything you need in one place.

Whether it's a hurricane or severe thunderstorm that knocks your power out, the effects it can have on your continued use of your home medical device, if not prepared properly, can be problematic.

Have you ever had a question about how to use your home medical device? Maybe even how to clean your device? You're not alone. When operating and maintaining your device, it is common to have questions.

Lincare's Remote Connected Care helps healthcare providers detect patient health problems early, improving diagnostics and early intervention.

Early intervention is critical in preserving the cardiac health of at-risk Americans. A cardiac monitoring device allows your practitioner to record your ECG in order to diagnose abnormalities. These devices enable you to be monitored at home, while maintaining your normal daily activities.

Oxygen Therapy presents an effective treatment option that can help relieve and manage symptoms, and make meaningful contributions in the lives of individuals with symptoms of various respiratory conditions - both acute and chronic, requiring oxygen therapy on either long or short-term basis.

There is no question that living with congestive heart failure can be challenging. Your heart must work harder to pump more efficiently and prevents your body from circulating the proper oxygen and nutrients needed to remain healthy.

With millions of children suffering from respiratory disorders in the United States, recognizing the signs and symptoms in children and infants can help.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) draws out fluid and bacteria from a chronic wound to help it heal. Your practitioner might recommend NPWT if you have a wound that either has not healed or has worsened over several weeks.

Sleep should be a time for recharging your body. However, when you suffer from sleep apnea, that can be challenging. CPAP and Bilevel devices are proven to help you breathe better while you sleep and alleviate your apnea symptoms. Still, it can take time to adjust to sleeping with a CPAP machine.

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices can help those diagnosed with autism who are nonverbal or minimally verbal improve their expressive communication. Explore how AAC devices for autism can help people of all ages.

A well-balanced diet is crucial to maintaining good health and promote healing when you are sick.

For many of us, undergoing treatment for a very serious but manageable illness means finding the best provider for your needs. As we understand patient’s needs may vary, we encompass a collective approach to ensure that the burden of obtaining your medication is lifted. 

Explore what Bilevel is and if this form of sleep therapy may be more suitable for you.

Early intervention is critical to patient well-being.

Communication is key to closing the gap between healthcare providers and patients.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that blocks airflow in your lungs. It makes breathing difficult and can prevent your body from getting the oxygen it needs. 

The symptoms of COPD are usually constant and can slowly progress over many years. Learn about the common symptoms and risk factors of COPD.

Because it can be difficult to cough up mucus—especially with a weakened cough reflex—it is important to drink enough fluids to keep your mucus thin and loose. Check with your practitioner to determine how much fluid you should drink daily to keep your cough effective.

A simple cough during your day hardly warrants a second thought but coughing up blood with mucus should give you pause. It can be a frightening experience, especially if it has never happened to you before.

If you are like most people, the thought of setting up a ventilator in your home may cause some anxiety. What exactly is a ventilator? How big is it? What happens when you are on a ventilator? These questions are typical for those learning about home ventilation care.

It’s pretty safe to say that anyone who’s familiar with the world of discharge planning from a skilled nursing facility is acutely aware of the obstacles that skilled facility and nursing home discharge planners face on a daily basis.

Individuals with COPD can receive several benefits from proper nutrition. Depending on your condition, it can also influence the severity of COPD, so be sure to ask your practitioner which foods are best for you. Changing your eating habits will not cure COPD, but it can help you feel better mentally and physically.

Heart disease is one of the leading health problems affecting Americans. Millions of people take anticoagulants such as Warfarin to protect their hearts and reduce the risk of blood clots and heart attacks.

Whether you have COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, or another respiratory condition, nebulizers are an effective way to administer respiratory medications. 

Staying healthy is more important than ever for patients with chronic lung diseases. Some every day rules to help you stay healthy and minimize the risk of exposure to viruses and infections include washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds , sanitizing between washes, quit smoking, caring for your teeth and gums, avoiding germs, and considering vaccinations like the flu shots. There are even more considerations you may not have thought of to help you stay healthy.

In today's world, undergoing oxygen therapy doesn't mean remaining housebound. With a range of portable oxygen treatment devices now available, you can carry your supply with you wherever you go, including in the air. 

At Lincare, when we contact our patients via telephone or portal about treatment and/or reimbursement (billing), we always ask you to verify two unique identifiers of your protected health information (PHI). That helps safeguard your privacy and ensure you get the best care. Correctly identifying you is the first step in delivering the safest treatment possible.

Home oxygen therapy is an effective therapy option for a variety of chronic respiratory conditions.

Navigating Your Statement.

Disease management programs hold the promise of putting practitioners and patients back on the same page.

Few things can interrupt your health as much as insufficient oxygen levels. Every cell in your body requires it, and many different issues can make it difficult for you to breathe and circulate enough oxygen.

You have probably noticed when shortness of breath occurs in an athlete during periods of exercise—they tend to blow the air out of their mouths by puffing out their cheeks . You may have also done this when you’ve exerted yourself. This is a normal response to shortness of breath, and it provides for a quick and easy way to improve breathing patterns.

The following relaxation techniques can help relieve the tension and anxiety that can accompany difficulties with breathing.

If you use a CPAP machine to help your sleep apnea, irritation caused by allergic reactions can significantly disrupt your therapy. While certain allergies can impact you year-round, others are seasonal and can hit you hard at particular times of the year. 

Managing sleep apnea using a CPAP machine involves getting the device's pressure right and ensuring it fits comfortably. Throw springtime allergies into the mix, and you face a new set of challenges.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you need to understand CPAP usage compliance and insurance requirements for your treatment. 

Patients with respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema often enter long-term care (LTC) facilities to receive the support they need.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a disorder that interrupts your breathing repeatedly- potentially hundreds of times-while you sleep. Common symptoms include snoring, headaches, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty paying attention.

Cardiac health is among the top concerns of healthcare providers in the United States. 

Enteral Nutrition Therapy refers to the utilization of a feeding tube to deliver nutrition directly into the stomach or small intestine when a patient is unable to get adequate nutrition and hydration by mouth but still has a functioning gut.

Hospitals provide care in an acute environment. Due to advancements in healthcare, at-home non-invasive ventilator care is now readily available and an effective option for patients.

Whether your practitioner has given you a prescription or you're researching possible treatments for a respiratory problem, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the essentials of nebulizer therapy, also sometimes referred to as nebulization therapy.

If you suffer from a chronic wound, such as a diabetic ulcer or pressure ulcer, your practitioner might recommend treating it with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). This guide explains what negative pressure wound therapy is and how it can help. 

Receiving a respiratory disease diagnosis can be life-changing. These conditions are common and often debilitating to those who suffer from them. Fortunately, oxygen therapy is an effective treatment option that can help control the symptoms of respiratory illness.

Continue reading to learn more about oxygen therapy, including how it works, who may benefit from it, and best practices for treatment.

Heading out on vacation is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable. But for those who use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, traveling with their device can be an unnecessary source of stress. Fortunately, traveling with a CPAP does not have to be complicated. All you need is a little extra planning and preparation to ensure your trip goes smoothly. 

Signing up for Medicare at 65 is a standard process for many Americans, particularly those already retired. As you approach the enrollment period, you will likely have questions. It is essential that you understand the process and how switching to Medicare can save you time, energy, and, in certain instances, money.

If you recently began taking a blood thinner and completing regular INR testing, the prospect of traveling can be intimidating. Being far from your practitioner could be worrisome when it comes to your heart health. However, with today's advanced healthcare technology, mobile INR testing is a readily available and accessible solution. With an INR monitoring kit, you can track your levels anywhere.

Sleep apnea can be frustrating and disruptive, especially if left untreated. Fortunately, CPAP machines provide an effective treatment to help you breathe better during the night and relieve the side effects caused by sleep apnea.

Start with short walks to strengthen your breathing and walking muscles.

If you are at risk for heart disease, your practitioner might recommend using a Holter heart monitor to test your cardiovascular health. Learn how a Holter monitor works and what it can do to help your cardiovascular health.

Your lungs consistently produce mucus. Production of mucus by your lungs , which is commonly amplified by respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis, or neuromuscular diseases such as Muscular Dystrophy and Cerebral Palsy. Mucus is essential to helping our bodies fight infections and inflammation. However, too much mucus in our airways can trap harmful bacteria, make it hard to breathe and successfully take inhaled medications.

Keeping your COPD under control requires ongoing effort. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to manage it. 

Dozens of respiratory and neuromuscular diseases impact millions across the United States. If you are one of those affected, you know how difficult it is to
breathe freely and live life to the fullest with these conditions. They can cause mucus build-up in the lungs, blocking the airways and impeding treatment. One effective home therapy for clearing your lungs and improving your breathing is high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO).

Anticoagulants help reduce the risk of blood clots and heart attack but increase your risk of complications such as bleeding or stroke. Performing regular PT/INR testing from home can help you manage and prevent these dangerous side effects.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be frustrating to live with, but it is a highly treatable condition.

Modern healthcare must evolve to meet the changing needs of patients and long-term care facilities.

Using your PAP machine is critical to treating sleep apnea, enjoying better quality sleep, and improving your overall health. Taking proper care of your device and its accessories is essential to your health. This includes knowing when to replace your PAP supplies.