Travel Easy with Sleep Apnea
Traveling can be stressful enough on its own, and managing sleep apnea and snoring on the go can add another layer of frustration. For some the idea of leaving home can bring a sense of dread, whether it's the hassle of packing a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, the embarrassment of snoring around others, or concerns about staying compliant with treatment, these challenges can put a damper on travel plans.
Thankfully, with the right solutions and mindset, you can manage your Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and enjoy your travels to the fullest.
In this blog, we’ll be breaking down some of the most common challenges of traveling with sleep apnea and sharing our favorite tips and solutions to help you stay rested, healthy, and stress-free on the road. Whether you're headed on a weekend getaway or a long-haul flight, these strategies will ensure your sleep apnea treatment fits seamlessly into your travel plans.
The Challenges of Traveling with Sleep Apnea
CPAP Machines: Portable but Still a Pain
While CPAP machines remain a gold standard for OSA treatment, traveling with one can feel burdensome. Though manufacturers have made strides in creating smaller, more travel-friendly CPAP machines, users often report challenges such as the equipment & attachments being bulky, finding distilled water for the humidifier, and keeping the device clean. For many, these inconveniences make CPAP use while traveling feel like more trouble than it's worth.
Embarrassment About Snoring
Another obstacle to traveling with sleep apnea is the fear of disturbing others. Whether you're sharing a hotel room with friends, staying at a family member’s house, or sleeping on a plane, loud snoring or noise from a CPAP machine can cause anxiety and embarrassment. This worry alone may discourage people from traveling or opting for overnight stays with others.
Navigating New Environments and Sleep Disruptions
Unfamiliar hotel rooms, uncomfortable beds, and noisy surroundings can disrupt sleep quality, making it harder to stick to a consistent treatment routine. For those crossing time zones, jet lag can throw off their body clock, further complicating adherence to sleep apnea therapy. Additionally, travel often leads to late nights, irregular schedules, and increased alcohol consumption, all of which can exacerbate symptoms. These disruptions not only impact energy levels, but also make staying compliant with treatment more difficult.
Solutions for Making Travel with Sleep Apnea Easy
Despite these challenges, there are ways to manage your OSA or snoring and keep your travel dreams alive:
1. Consider a Custom-Made Oral Appliance
For those looking for an alternative to CPAP machines, custom oral appliances are a game-changer. These compact devices fit easily into your luggage and don’t require power, making them ideal for travel.
- Comfortable and Discreet: Custom oral devices are designed to fit your mouth perfectly, offering a quiet, easy-to-use solution.
- Proven Effectiveness: These devices reposition your jaw to keep your airway open, effectively reducing or eliminating snoring and treating OSA.
Daybreak offers a fully at-home solution to diagnose and treat sleep apnea with a custom-made oral appliance. From the convenience of at-home sleep testing to receiving your tailored device, Daybreak ensures that your treatment is as stress-free as possible.
2. Maintain Good Sleep Hygiene
Travel can disrupt your sleep schedule, but sticking to good sleep habits can help you manage sleep apnea and/or snoring and stay rested:
- Stick to a Schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same timeeach day, even when changing time zones.
- Pack Sleep Essentials: Bring an eye mask, earplugs, or a white noise machine to create a comfortable sleep environment.
- Avoid Alcohol and Heavy Meals Before Bed: These can exacerbate snoring and OSA symptoms.
Preparing in advance by packing sleep essentials like (i.e. earplugs, eye mask) and maintaining a stable bedtime routine can help create a more sleep-friendly environment, no matter where your travels take you.
Travel Confidently with Daybreak
We understand the unique challenges of living—and traveling—with sleep apnea. That’s why we’ve developed a convenient, fully at-home solution to help you manage your condition with ease. From an FDA-cleared at-home sleep test to a discreet, custom-made oral appliance, we’re here to ensure your treatment fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Don’t let sleep apnea hold you back from your next adventure. With the right tools and mindset, the world is yours to explore—restfully and confidently.