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Top Tips for CPAP Therapy During Summer

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Summer is fast approaching, and what can already be an uncomfortable slumber for sleep apnea sufferers, can potentially become even more unbearable as the humidity rises.  In fact, a 2012 MedScape article discovered that roughly 50% of individuals who have been prescribed CPAP therapy are either not interested or terminate their CPAP treatment, with comfort cited as one of the most common concerns. At Biomed, we are a leading medical manufacturing company, best known for creating high-quality CPAP masks with our patented medical grade fabrics for ResMed. With extensive experience in developing superior CPAP supplies, here are our top tips to stay comfortable and maintain your CPAP masks this summer season!

CPAP masks play a vital role in sleep apnea treatment. It is responsible for delivering pressurised air to the passageways in order to prevent blockages and encourage a restful sleep. However, during the warmer months silicone CPAP masks can often trap heat around your face, making you feel sweaty and uncomfortable which ultimately impacts the quality of sleep.

However, not only will perspiration make you feel uncomfortable when you’re trying to rest, but excessive heat can also hinder the effectiveness of the CPAP accessories. For example, wearing a silicone mask during the warmer months may increase the amount of oils that your skin secretes in that area. Build-up of this oil can impact the quality of the CPAP mask and become a breeding ground for a bacteria, which is further exacerbated by the warm and humid conditions. Evidently, consistent wear of a bacteria-filled mask can expose you to a range of illnesses that can really dampen the summertime spirit. Some patients even experience symptoms of skin irritation and breakouts around the mask area as a result of increased humidity, perspiration and excessive release of the skin’s oils.

Luckily, these issues can be easily managed to improve a patient’s quality of sleep in the warm weather. First and foremost, CPAP masks and other accessories should be carefully washed on a regular basis to maximise effectiveness and minimise the build-up of bacteria. To do so, gently wash the mask by hand with warm water and soap. Harsh cleaning products filled with chemical should be avoided where possible as it can potentially damage the CPAP mask or result in harmful residue. The mask should be left to air dry on a flat surface to keep its shape and direct sunlight should also be avoided.

Furthermore, at Biomed, we supply high quality, antibacterial and medical grade fabrics which are used in the construction of CPAP masks and other CPAP supplies. Our allergen free, latex free and antibacterial materials that are used in the construction of CPAP masks help to minimise the occurrence of skin related issues and other summertime allergies commonly cited by sleep apnea sufferers. Our fabrics are also comfortable and breathable to maximise overall comfort for the wearer. We’re dedicated to providing solutions that ensure patients get the most out of their CPAP therapy, regardless of the season.

As a leading medical fabric manufacturing company, we are dedicated to providing superior technical textiles and medical grade fabrics that are valuable for a vast range of industries. Our team has a longstanding partnership with ResMed to supply medical textiles with hypoallergenic properties in order to create superior quality CPAP masks that maximise patient comfort. Our fabric range also has the potential to provide exceptional benefits beyond the medical industry and we can create tailored solutions that meet specific requirements. For more information on CPAP manufacturing, medical fabrics or other technical textiles, please do not hesitate to contact the professional Biomed team on (02) 9758 3855.

Keeping Cool with Self Cooling Fabrics

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With warmer weather on its way, sweltering through sizzling Australian summers could be a thing of the past. In fact, technology advancements in the textile industry have seen the implementation of technical fabrics with self-cooling properties that help regulates skin temperature by managing heat and moisture.

Evidently, cooling fabrics can be extremely effective in minimising heat to keep individuals comfortable in warm conditions. However, self-cooling textiles have an abundance of applications that can benefit a multitude of industries. As a leading fabric engineering company, our team at Biomed Technology Australia offers self-cooling fabrics that are valuable for industries including sporting, medical, trade businesses, emergency services and many more. Some studies even suggest that self-cooling fabric has the potential to reduce air conditioning consumption.

Advanced heat regulating technical textiles use unique fabric construction to assist the bodies natural cooling process. In warm environments, our bodies core temperature elevates. In response to this, the body naturally perspires in order to help the keep individuals cool and ensure body temperature is regulated at a safe range. In order to enhance this, self-cooling textiles utilise active wicking to allow perspiration to pass through materials and provide greater comfort for the user, while also helping draw body radiated heat through the fabric, therefore keeping the body cool. By doing so, these technical fabrics are practical to keep individuals cool and comfortable in a vast range of environments.

Self-Cooling Textiles for The Sporting Industry

Currently, self-cooling textiles are most commonly applied in the sporting apparel and fashion sectors. Designed to maximise performance and provide superior comfort for athletes of abilities, sporting fabrics have long adopted a scientific approach to help provide a competitive edge. Just look at Olympic regulations surrounding swimwear construction, it is easy to see that technical textiles in sport are often quite valuable. Therefore, it is no surprise that recent advancements in the textile industry have been concerned with how heat regulation textiles can aid athletes and improve their performance.

During periods of exercise, the body converts energy into heat, therefore raising the overall body temperature. As aforementioned, the body then emits perspiration as a way to help cool the body down. However, poorly designed apparel with ill-equipped textiles can trap body heat, therefore hindering the natural cooling process and lead to adverse effects. When body heat is trapped and obstructs the natural cooling process, more sweat may be excreted to compensate.

However, raised body temperature and excessive period of sweating can lead to dangerous heat-related illnesses and dehydration, severely impacting performance. For example, heat-induced illnesses can result in painful muscle cramps, dizziness and exhaustion often confused with exercise fatigue.

Cooling textiles for sport are so important to prevent these illnesses from arising in the first place. By using breathable technical textiles for sporting headgear and performance wear, athletes can remain comfortable and adequately regulate their body temperature, focusing on performance instead.

Heat Regulating Fabric Manufacturing for The Medical Industry

Less commonly acknowledged, self-cooling technical textiles provide immense benefit for the medical industry, particularly in the treatment of heat-related illnesses as discussed above. Infections, exercised induced conditions and chronic illnesses can all result in elevated body temperatures and fever. While the body naturally raises its core temperature slightly to fight infection, excessive temperatures or prolonged periods of fever can be an indication of something more serious, and potentially life-threatening. Furthermore, in some injuries, an increase of blood flow causes heat and swelling. First aid, usually stipulates ice cold cooling as an effective method to help alleviate such symptoms.

In order to effectively treat such conditions, ice cold towels may be used. However, after periods of exposure to heat, such materials may lose their ability to remain cool, thus requiring excessive use of resources. However, self-cooling fabrics can be used in the construction of cold towels to help maintain cool temperatures for longer, therefore helping treat common conditions without wasting vital medical resources.

Self Cooling Technical Fabrics for Trade Industries

Consisting of landscapers, electricians, carpenters, scaffolders and more, employees in the trade industry are often required to complete outdoor tasks, potentially exposing them to the perils of heat-related illnesses. Not to mention, uniforms and work attire that is required to be worn on job sites are usually not lightweight, therefore obstructing the body’s natural cooling process and potentially exacerbating heat-related conditions.

Similar to athletic performance apparel, uniforms for outdoor workers should be breathable and self-cooling to prevent elevated body temperatures. Excessive physical work, particularly in the summer heat, can be detrimental, therefore ensuring comfort and adequate heat regulation will limit this risk. Not to mention, increased comfort particularly in warm climates, can lead to improved productivity on the job site.

Heat Regulating Technical Textiles for Emergency Services Personnel

For emergency services personnel such as firefighters, self-cooling technical textiles can provide immense benefit. Although current firefighting uniforms are non-flammable and offer superior protection, warm environments that firefighters face can still be experienced and elevate body temperature, which can impact efficiency, endurance and potentially cost lives.

However, the use of self-cooling fabrics in undergarments can reverse these adverse effects. By effectively regulating body temperature and keeping the wearer cool in heated climates, firefighters can remain more comfortable – therefore impacting productivity, maximising endurance in difficult environments and prevent heat-related illnesses that could be life-threatening.

Self-cooling fabrics and technical textiles have proven to be valuable for a numerous range of industries. Including the industries mentioned above, self-cooling fabrics can also provide immense benefit for the production of linen, pet care bedding and accessories and hospitality. The applications of such a product are unlimited and can deliver exceptional to both the wearer and the economy.

As a leading fabric engineering company, we are dedicated to providing superior technical textiles that are valuable for a vast range of industries. For more information on how self-cooling fabrics can benefit your industry or to see how our team could help you manufacture self-cooling products, please do not hesitate to contact the professional Biomed team on (02) 9758 3855.