mindmingles, Author at Smart Health Shop

Casino gambling: Thrill or addiction?

For as long as the human race has existed it has loved gambling, and if you don’t believe us just have a look at some of the recent fossils that have been uncovered, pointing to very rudimentary gambling games that were played by the earliest homo sapiens. The main reason we love to gamble so much is that feeling of adrenaline that hits when we play – it can be hard to get enough!

This is all well and good, however – in recent years especially – gambling can also have a very sinister side, turning from thrill to addiction in a very short space of time. It is undeniable that gambling can be an addiction just like it can be a relatively harmless thrill, and in many cases this will depend on the personality and will of the gambler in question. Regardless, does the casino offer of gambling more of a thrill or an addiction? Read on to find out our verdict.

Thrill?

One thing is absolutely certain here: to say that casino gambling isn’t a thrill is completely baseless and at the end of the day extremely false. Just take a look at the face of somebody playing roulette, for instance, and try and tell us that it is not a thrilling game – not possible. Most of this thrill comes from the combination of potentially winning a huge sum of money, and also potentially losing it, a duopoly that can help to release a massive amount of adrenaline.

This is mainly where the thrilling aspect comes in to casino gambling, however there are also a variety of games that are thrilling just on their own. Take the dynamic game of roulette, for example, or the tense and psychological practise of poker. All of these games are thrilling by themselves even without the allure of money, and it is why they are often played without any money on the table at all.

Addiction?

There is no denying that casino gambling is a thrill, but in many cases it is also difficult to argue against it being an addiction too. Gambling addictions are getting far too common these days, something that has been intensified by the insane practicality that online casino brings to the table.

Problem gamblers are on the rise, and these people are characterised by the inability to stop gambling, even if they do not have any money left. You cannot say that this doesn’t constitute an addiction, and it is something that exposes the dark underbelly of casino gambling.

Thrill vs. addiction: Which one wins?

So, is casino gambling more of a thrill or an addiction? Well, although this question is very much subjective at the end of the day, it does seem as though more people enjoy the thrilling aspect of casino gambling than suffer the addictive consequences of it. For this reason we are inclined to label casino gambling more of a thrill, but this does not mean you should ignore the addictive aspect to it.

Different categories of online slots

Online slots are even more popular today than they have ever been in the past. They are ideal for those who would otherwise not be able to play due to location or time restraints, and they mean that anyone is able to at least try them out if they want to see why people enjoy playing them. Yet the term ‘online slots’ actually encompasses many different types of slots, so it’s useful to know just what kinds of games you might be playing when you log into an online casino like www.slotzo.com/live-casino.

Three Reel Slots

Three reel slots are the original kind of slot game, and they are based on the fruit machines and one armed bandits of old – the originals. These are the simplest kind of online slot, and are a great place to start if you’ve never played before or if you just prefer things to be a little less complicated.

As you might expect, three reel slots have got three reels (which means three rows and three columns). These reels contain a variety of different symbols, and when the same symbol lines up across the middle row – which is called the payline – you’ll win something. Depending on the symbol, this might be money, free spins, or even the chance to play a bonus game if there is one.

Five Reel Slots

Five reel slots – also known as ‘video slots’ are the next step up from three reel slots when it comes to playing these games. It’s incredible, but just by adding two additional reels, you can have hundreds of paylines rather than the single one that you get with three reel slots. This can be off putting for some since it means you’re often unable to spot whether you have won or not, and the excitement level of seeing the symbols fall into place exactly where you want them is therefore missing. However, others love five reel slots because it gives them so many more chances to win.

Five reel slots usually include extra symbols too. These are the scatter and the wild. These symbols offer even more chances of winning, and are another reason why the five reel slots are more popular and produced more often than three reel slots. The downside to five reel slots is that they can become expensive; you are getting on each payline, not each spin, so bear this in mind or your budget might disappear quickly.

Feature Slots

We briefly mentioned the bonus features that you might be able to enjoy with an online slot above, but now we’ll go into more detail since these slots are a category on their own. Feature slots are slots that have bonus games and additional features that you don’t get on a standard game. Bonus rounds can be unlocked by landing a certain set of symbols, and when you play these games – which can be linked to the original game or something different entirely – you will get more chances to win more money.

The bonus features are what can make or break an online slot, causing one to be more popular than another, and it’s these extra games than people enjoy perhaps more than the slots themselves.

Progressive Jackpots

When playing most slots, there is a jackpot for each individual game which, if you win it, doesn’t affect any other game at all. Then there are progressive jackpots where that idea is no longer true. Progressive jackpot slots are linked up to games all over the world, and every time someone plays, the jackpot increases until it is finally triggered and someone wins. By this time it might be in the high hundreds of thousands, or even in the millions. The more players who play, the bigger the jackpot will be.

How to Get a Free Quote from Roofing Companies in Your Area

When there is a problem with your roof, it immediately becomes an urgent issue. You can’t afford to leave a leak unrepaired or live with a damaged roof for very long. Sometimes, this can lead to a hasty hire of the first available contractor. While this is understandable, it is important to know what the different roofing companies in your area bring to the table.

We’ll tell you everything you need to know to get a free quote from roofing companies in your area, including what to look for, questions to ask, and things to know before getting a quote.

What To Look For When Getting a Quote From Roofing Companies

With so many different roofing companies out there, it can be hard to know where to begin when looking for a quote. Don’t get overwhelmed at this stage. There are some important things you can keep in mind to narrow down your search.

Start by taking a look at online reviews. See what kinds of experiences other customers had. This can help give you an idea of what to expect from different roofing companies. You may also get an idea of what they charge as compared to other roofing companies.

Things To Know Before You Get A Quote From Roofing Companies

Another thing to look for is what elements are included in the contractor’s bid. All of the quotes from roofing companies should include the following elements:

The terms of payment and the expected start and completion date
Both material and labor costs.
Any costs associated with permits or cleanup needs
Information on the quality and type of product they plan to use, including any warranties they provide.
Proof of roofing or contractor’s license (if required in your city or state)
Proof of both workmans’ compensation and liability insurance

If any of these are missing from the contractor’s quote, you should follow up on this. These are basic things you need to know so you can make an informed decision about your hire. They should already know this and should provide you with all of this information.

Questions To Ask Roofing Companies When Getting a Quote

Once you do reach out to a contractor, there are some questions you can and should ask. Getting answers to these, in the beginning, will help you make an informed decision about which contractor to hire.

How long has the company been in business?
When will they be able to start the job?
How long will it take for them to complete?
What precautions are in place for the safety of the workers and your home?
Will they need any permits for the job? Is there a cost associated with that?
Do they have any past customers that you can talk to?

You may also want to ask them about who will actually be doing the job. Some companies have employees that do the work, while others will hire sub-contractors. It is important to know this up front, as it could affect the quality of the job. If you’re able to visit a job site where the company is working already, that can be extremely helpful, as well.

Things To Watch Out For When Getting a Quote From Roofing Companies

We wanted to make sure we highlight a few red flags to watch out for when getting a bid from a contractor. These may not necessarily mean you’re dealing with a low-quality company, but they can be a sign that you should do some more research before making a decision. You’ll first want to Find Roofing Companies for Free.

Most importantly, never pay the full cost for the job up front. Most roofing contractors will not charge you more than 10% in a down payment if any cost at all. This is because the costs can change throughout the project depending on the specific work that’s needed.

You should also make sure that the company is able to provide proof of both licenses and insurance. We mentioned this before, but it is absolutely vital. You may not expect anything to go wrong, but you need to be prepared just in case. The last thing you want is for there to be an accident, but the contractor should be prepared for this.

Lastly, make sure the company is prepared and qualified for the needs of your specific job. Any decent roofing company should come and do an inspection of the damage before quoting you a price. You want to be sure that they are certified to do the specific work needed before you hire them.

Find Roofing Companies for Free

When it comes to actually getting quotes from the roofing companies in your area, the easiest way is with GetYourQuote.com. GYQ has an extensive network of contractors across a variety of industries. Each of them is pre-screened before being listed on GYQ for your peace of mind.

Not only that, but GYQ does the hard work for you. All you need to do is reach out to them with details of your project, and they can sift through all the different roofing companies in your area. After that, they reach out to you and let you know the best companies to choose from and can get a quote completely for free.

In addition, getting your quote through GetYourQuote.com means you’ll be getting some of the most competitive prices on the market. Regardless of the needs of your specific roofing project, GYQ can help match you with the perfect contractor for your needs.

Impact Of Prolonged Slot Gaming

Gambling has been around for centuries. It can be seen as harmless fun or a hobby that can spiral out of control. In recent years gambling has moved to online platforms such as easyslots and exploded in popularity. This is mostly down to the fact that it is more accessible than ever before and the public can now bet at home anonymously.

Another major draw are online casinos and they have proved to be a massive hit with the public around the world. There are a huge number to choose from and all you need to access them is a computer or mobile device that can hook up to a reliable internet connection.

This has brought games such as slots and popular table games like Roulette and Blackjack to the masses and people that where never before interested in gambling, have decided to give casino games a try.

Gambling will always produce winners and losers but some do not just lose a bet, they lose everything. Addiction to gambling is on the increase and it is clear to see why. Not only is it far more accessible, but studies also show that when you gamble your body releases adrenaline and dopamine flood the brain. Players can literally get a high from gambling.

The Need For Control

When it games to slots the chances are that the longer you spend at the game, the higher your chances are that you will lose. Slots all have a slight house edge otherwise they would not be profitable to casinos. Therefore the odds are already against you. The best strategy is to walk away after a decent win.

This is easier said than done as slots offer immersive entertainment that is tremendous fun. However, prolonged slot gaming means that you neglect important everyday things like chores, work and social commitments.

Signs Of Addiction

People have been known to be late for work or underperform due to tiredness from lack of sleep. Their everyday interactions with loved ones can also be compromised, as they prefer to hide away and spin the reels instead of spending time with friends and family.

Then there are financial problems to deal with. If you win and don’t bank your winnings then you are heading for a financial catastrophe. A prolonged losing streak will send you down the same road. This will mean that bills will be left unpaid and everyday items such as food and clothing will become unaffordable. This inevitably leads to having to lie about your financial situation to friends and family and even having to borrow from them to make ends meet.

Final Thoughts

If you intervene before these problems kick in and get to the root cause of your need to constantly play slots, then gambling can remain fun without becoming problematic and leading to financial problems and further stress. The ideal situation is to play slots as an occasional treat and to place deposit limits on all your accounts that are well within you gaming budget and never chase your loses either.

Online Slot Player Terminology

If you want to play slots to win, knowing the terminology associated with the game is very important, especially if you are a new player who is still looking around to find the best slots. Reviews are a great source of information on slots at King Casino you want to try out and more often than not they used slot terminology. It would thus be in your best interest to familiarise yourself with these terminologies.

Credits: The unit that coins are converted into, once they are inserted into the slot.

Bet Max: The amount of credits that a player can bet per spin on a slot machine.

Bet One: When a slot player bets only one unit or credit per spin.

Betting Units: Also known as credits, they refer to the units used to place a bet. This is determined by the slot machine that you are playing. Betting units are the same as credits.

Basic Slots: Also known as straight slots are slot machines with only one single pay line and jackpot that remains the same.

Big Hit: When a player hits the jackpot combination on the slots.

Bonus Feature: Features beyond the basic. They include wild cards or symbols and free spins.

Cash back: The rewards players receive.

Certified Slots: Slot machines; with a guaranteed payout of 98%-100%.

Cold Slots: Slot machines that rarely pay out.

Collect: The button or option on the slot machine enabling the player to convert credits into cash.

Console Slot Machines: More ergonomically designed slots. The machine is usually angled down towards the player.

Doubles: Symbols that double or triple the winning amount when they come up two or three at a time.

Fixed Value Slots: Slot machines; with fixed betting amounts and coin sizes. These machines are one coin per spin and one denomination.

Free Spin: Literally a free spin. They are usually offered as a bonus feature.

Hammer A Machine: When a player plays the same slot for a long period of time.

Hit and Run: When a slot player plays a single pay line slot at max bets for just a few spins, quickly moving on to the next one it doesn’t payout.

Hit Frequency: How often a specific slot machine pays out.

Hot Slots: Slot machines that pay out more often than others.

Near Miss: When a player just misses a winning combination. E.g. one symbol off.

Jackpot: The top prize that a slot machine pays out.

Linked Progressive Jackpot: When the progressive jackpots of plus 2 slot machines are linked.

Loose Slots: Slots that pay out regularly.

One Armed Bandit: Slang for a slot machine.

Onesies: Slot players; who plays just one coin or credit per spin.

Pay line: The line on which the winning symbol combinations need to land in order to win the payout amount.

Multi-line Bonus Slot Machine: A slot machine with more than one pay line. Some can have as many as 50.

Multiplier: A bonus slot machine feature that multiplies payouts.

One Liner: A slot machine that has only one reel and where players only need to line up 3 symbols in order to win.

These are just a few of the terminology that new slot players need to familiarise themselves with.

How To Prevent Hoarseness_ A Specialist’s Guide

Before you read this article, should you experience similar difficulty, do not hesitate to seek professional medical help. My strong advice for myself is I would immediately seek an ent specialist near me, and get myself checked.

Most Americans regard hoarseness as an inconvenience. The condition often begins as an itchy throat that gradually gives you a raspy hoarse voice or dysphonia. The American Academy of Otolaryngology reports that hoarseness affects almost one-third of the population.

Dysphonia or hoarseness typically occurs when the folds of your larynx (voice box) or vocal cords get affected by certain problems such as reflux, allergies, or colds. However, chronic hoarseness can be a sign or symptom of a more serious health condition.

Understandinow your Larynx Works

How does your larynx or vg Hoice box produce sound? When you breathe, your vocal cords relax so the air can pass smoothly to your windpipe. Your muscles are the ones pushing the air up from your lungs and through the narrow gap of the vocal cords. The action makes the cords vibrate that is responsible for producing sound. The irritated vocal cords or throat makes it impossible to complete the process.

Causes of Hoarseness

Take note and keep in mind that hoarseness is not an illness or disease, but it is a symptom of an illness that can be simple or life-threatening. Even if the symptom is treated, the underlying cause will remain as a threat to your health. In this regard, it is important to consult an ENT (ear, nose, and throat), doctor. He is the only professional who can conduct proper examination and diagnosis so he can design the most effective treatment plan for your case.

Upper respiratory infection or cold is one of the most typical causes of hoarseness. There are many other possible causes, which include:

– Intubation

– Smoking or secondhand smoke exposure

– Spasms of vocal cords

– Side effects of the medicines you are taking

– Inflammation caused by allergies

– Excessive use of vocal cords

– Laryngitis or the swelling of the vocal cords

– Heartburn

Hoarseness is prevalent among those who rely on their voice to make a living, such as teachers, coaches, singers, and call-centre agents. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, a lot of those folks over 65 years old or boys from age 8 to 14 also experience hoarseness.

A lot of cases of hoarseness are not life-threatening, but don’t neglect it. Hoarseness can be linked with severe illnesses such as:

– Multiple sclerosis

– Lou Gehrig’s disease

– Rheumatoid arthritis

– Cancer of the larynx

– Parkinson’s disease

– Head and neck cancer

Length of Time that Hoarseness Last

If your hoarseness is caused by upper respiratory infection, cold, or allergy, it could last between seven and ten days. If your hoarseness is not showing any improvement within two weeks of acquiring it, you need to consult an ENT doctor right away. You could be suffering from a serious disease. Other signs of a more serious health condition include:

– Severe changes in your voice

– Breathing difficulty

– Pain when you are swallowing

– Coughing up blood

– Presence of lump in your neck

Effectual Remedies to Try

Here is a list of five simple, effective remedies that you can try in treating hoarseness:

Giving your voice the needed rest.
Using a humidifier in your home.
Taking in lots of water, especially if your residence is situated in a dry area.
Avoiding actions like clearing your throat every now and then and coughing excessively.
Giving yourself a voice therapy to modify how you use your voice, especially if your line of work requires you to talk or speak for long hours.

There are times, depending on the underlying cause, when surgery is the best option to take. This is especially true if you have mass in your neck. Your doctor may recommend biopsy, CT scan, or MRI to determine the best treatment options.

Preventing Hoarseness

The following are the things that you can do to help prevent hoarseness:

– You need to avoid using your voice excessively.

– If you experience seasonal sinus infections, you must consult your doctor for the right allergy treatment.

– Don’t drink beverages that can cause dehydration, such as caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.

– Don’t smoke or avoid places where there are a lot of people smoking.

– Don’t patronize any type of tobacco products.

– Don’t eat spicy foods.

Remember that you need to consult an ENT doctor for proper diagnosis.

Ways To Improve Your Health In 2020

For 2020, many people have set goals they want to accomplish before the end of the year. One of the most common is ways to improve your health. Read on through a comprehensive look at mindfulness when committing yourself to having a healthy year.

The first thing to do to improve your health is to quit smoking. For every 20 cigarettes you smoke, your life will ultimately be one day shorter. Whether you need medicine, psychological support or both, you can quit smoking if you commit yourself to it. There are many treatments available to help you quit smoking and you should find the one that is right for you.

Losing weight is the second most important thing you can do for your health. Heart conditions and other ailments are often brought on, in part, by being overweight. Ideally you want to set a goal of losing two or three kilograms per month. To do this, your biggest meal should be breakfast. A smaller lunch and even smaller dinner are the best ways to still eat while not endangering your own health. Avoid drinks with empty calories in them in favor of more pure drinks. Fill your diet with whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and raw nuts.

Everyone needs to drink more water. This is one key to staying healthy. Dehydration is a big risk when you don’t drink enough. You can avoid it by also relying on drinks that are water based, like juice and even coffee. While you are at it, drinking more water isn’t enough; you also have to drink less alcohol. Moderate amounts of alcohol on a weekly basis are safe, but it is easy to drink too much and not realize it. Experts recommend limiting yourself to 14 units a week. This translates to a pint of beer equaling two units. Each glass of wine you drink counts as one unit.

Staying active is another way to improve your health. Three times a week you should be incorporating exercise into your daily routine. Workout sessions should ideally last for a half hour. If you lead a busy life, you can squeeze in some walking time during your lunch break from work. Avoiding the lift in favor of climbing the steps is also an easy way to exercise while you are busy. The other option is to park your car as far from your office as possible.

These are just some of the things that you can do to improve your health in 2020. By incorporating all of these things into your life you will find that your health will get better. When you are in good health, you have much more freedom to live your life. Doing things to help maintain your health is the perfect way to get as much out of life as possible. These changes are ones that almost everyone needs to make at some point in his or her life.

8 Point Guide to the Dangers of Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs can prove to be even more harmful than other drugs because they are mostly considered innocuous by most of us. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that almost 2.7 percent of Americans abuse prescription drugs both intentionally and unintentionally.

Therefore, there is a mandatory precaution that should be exercised while handling prescribed drugs, whether you order them online or buy directly from a pharmacy. Even pharmaceutical companies, like the makers of Zantac, are getting sued for harmful medications. Hence, if you are going through an unregistered effect of Zantac, you should consult a Zantac Attorney immediately.

Every day, more and more people are falling prey to prescription drug overdoses as there has been an evidential increase in such fatalities. Therefore, in the wake of such dreadful statistics, we have listed an ultimate guide for you that describes the dangers of prescription drugs comprehensively.

Addiction

Like any recreational drug, prescription drugs, if taken beyond a prescribed quantity, can make you crave for them. Therefore, it is mandatory to take a prescribed medication according to the instruction of the doctor.

Tolerance:

Like mentioned before, prescription drugs have the same effects as recreational drugs. The only difference is the former’s therapeutic effects, which get diminished when the drug is taken in unadvised quantities.

Because then the whole exercise becomes more about quenching the addiction than about feeling the therapeutic effects. Moreover, such chronic bodily dependence has severe withdrawal symptoms, which can have life-threatening complications.

Out of hand:

In the face of addiction and chronic body dependence, leaving such drugs becomes a virtually impossible task for the user. Therefore, they essentially give up and resign themselves into this life of wretchedness.

Poor Decision-making skills:

Chronic abuse of prescription drugs adversely affects decision-making ability, and consequently, the poor decisions taken under the influence can change or finish the life of the user forever. For example, a user can suffer from an STD or get pregnant after engaging in unprotected sex, or a user can have a fatal accident while driving under the influence.

Financial Issues:

Prescription drugs cost good money, and if you get into a habit of abusing them, your finances can take a severe hit. Moreover, chronic drug abuse will also negatively affect your work performance due to diminished cognitive, motor, and decision-making skills.

Resultantly, you may find yourself without a job because no employer will be welcoming towards an incompetent employee, and eventually, you will not have any money to address your addiction.

Criminal Activities:

In the absence of money and the presence of severe withdrawal symptoms, the user will find himself with no option other than resorting to illegal activities to earn quick cash. In a nutshell, once the user gets trapped, he finds himself deeper and deeper into the world of trouble.

Relationships Disintegration:

Familial relationships and friendships disintegrate once you become a victim of drug abuse because none of your beloveds will be able to put up with your impulsive behavior and instability.

Overall Health Problems:

Prescription drugs are harmful even in prescribed doses, but they are medically advised after gauging benefits against the risks. Therefore, in unlimited amounts, these drugs have the ominous potential of wreaking havoc in the human body and can consequently cause deadly health disorders.

Therefore, we must develop a sense of caution around the usage of prescription drugs and shall use them under prescribed conditions only after exhausting all other options.

6 Most Common Causes of Varicose Veins

Our bodies thrive on the circulation of the blood because that is how cells, tissues, and bodily systems derive oxygen to work efficiently. But, our sedentary lifestyles have made it difficult for our bodies to remain healthy because we have to deal with various resultant maladies.

What are varicose veins?

One such disease is called varicose veins, and it is so common that one in four Americans suffer from this condition. It is the swelling up of veins in the legs and ankles that can lead to bleeding and ulceration in extreme cases.

You may find various ways of treating varicose veins, but there exists a popular method called venaseal, and you can click here to know all about it.

But, as they say, that prevention is better than a cure; therefore, you must be familiar with different causes of varicose veins so that they can be prevented. Here, you can find the six most common causes of varicose veins.

Obesity:

Being overweight increases the weight on the latter part of your body, especially the legs and ankles, and therefore causes the veins in the legs to bulge and twist under the pressure of extreme weight. With obesity on the rise, you must always look to incorporate exercise in your daily routine because it can cause damage way beyond the varicose veins.

Long periods of standing and sitting:

If your job demands you to stand for long periods, then make sure that you move around or flex your legs after a while because extensive bouts of standing increases the risk of developing varicose veins.

Even sitting for long periods stresses the veins in your legs and can result in varicose veins, therefore avoid remaining sedentary in a single position for an extended amount of time.

Pregnancy:

Pregnancy is an additional cause of varicose veins in women because weight gained in this condition puts a lot of pressure on the veins in the legs, causing them to swell up. Moreover, pregnant women have increased blood flow for the healthy growth of the fetus inside them, which also makes their veins bulge and become more tortuous.

Aging:

Like the valves in our washrooms control the flow of water, valves in our heart control the flow of blood in our veins. Moreover, as the body wears out due to age, valves also start to lose control and results in the accumulation of blood in the body.

The accumulation due to valve leakage leads to varicose veins, and they can appear in any part of the body, but their most common dwelling site is legs.

Poor skincare routine:

Cuts and bruises are a part of life, but they can also disrupt the circulation of blood and cause varicose veins if you avoid moisturizing and massaging your skin.

Wearing high heeled shoes:

Walking is excellent for the blood circulation in the lower leg muscles, but it can cause varicose veins as well if you do not protect your feet with appropriate shoes. Shoes like high heels limit the movement of your ankles and calves because they are locked in a single position, and resultantly blood movement gets limited as well. Therefore, avoid wearing such shoes too often to prevent varicose veins.

Therefore, avoid the activities mentioned not only to prevent your legs and ankles from blue sores and inflammation but also to sidestep other associated illnesses. Enjoy a healthy life!

How TO Clean Your CPAP Mask

After you put in the effort to be tested and treated for sleep apnea, don’t put your health on the line again with dirty CPAP supplies. The dangers of using a dirty CPAP include fatigue, getting sick, and the failure to receive enough oxygen for restorative rest.

Why You Need To Clean Your CPAP

You and your CPAP have a pretty personal relationship as regular use introduces your equipment to the oils and dead skin cells on your skin every night. Plus, your warm breath spreads vapor droplets that may contain germs and bacteria.

Your CPAP machine also pulls in air from the surrounding area and as a result can pick up dust, allergens, and harmful pathogens, making it easier to send them directly to your lungs. Plus, your humidifier creates the optimal environment for molds, bacteria, viruses, yeast, and more to flourish.

All of these factors increase the risk of catching infections such as pneumonia, sore throat, sinus infections, bronchitis, and irritated airways.

Aside from preventing illnesses and irritation regularly cleaning your supplies can prolong their life, saving you money because you won’t have to replace them as often.

So now that you know why it’s important to keep your CPAP clean let’s take a look at how to clean it.

How To Clean CPAP Supplies

As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to clean your CPAP equipment about once a week, unless you’re sick. Then you will need to clean your supplies daily to get rid of germs and harmful pathogens until you feel better.

You only need a few items that you probably already have at home to get started:

A source of warm water
A mild dish soap
Clean, dry towels
Vinegar
Room to allow your equipment to dry

How To Clean Your CPAP Hose and Mask

Completely disassemble your hose and mask.
Set your cloth headgear aside (Do not place it in the washing machine).
Place each mask and hose part in a sink or bucket filled with warm water with a few drops of soap.
Swirl the pieces around for about five minutes.
Thoroughly rinse them in clean water.
Set each item on a dry, clean towel and hang your hose up to dry.
Allow each piece to completely air dry before reassembling your mask and hose.

How To Clean Your CPAP Filters

Note: Disposable filters need to be replaced according to their recommended resupply schedule.

Reusable filters should be washed about once a week depending on how much dust, pollen, animal dander, and other debris they collect. Cleaning them will help them continue to operate at peak performance by catching particles before they enter your CPAP hose.

Remove your filters from your CPAP.
Rinses them out under warm, running water.
Squeeze them to remove excess moisture.
Blot them dry with a clean towel.
Lay them about to completely dry before putting them back in your CPAP.

How To Clean Your CPAP

Be sure to unplug it FIRST.
Wipe the body down with a clean, damp cloth.
Dry it with a clean towel.
Do not plug it back in until it’s 100% dry.

How To Clean Your CPAP Humidifier

If you have a CPAP with humidifier, it needs to be cleaned once every two weeks.

Carefully detach the humidifier from your machine and empty out any remaining water.
Then place the humidifier chamber in a solution that contains 1 part vinegar and 5 parts water to soak for 30 minutes.
Next, thoroughly rinse it and place it on a towel to completely dry.

Note: Refer to your CPAP manual to see if it’s safe to place your humidifier in the dishwasher.

How To Disinfect Your CPAP

About once a month, your hardened CPAP supplies such as the mask and hose need to be fully disinfected.

Disassemble your mask and hose and place them in a vinegar solution for 30 minutes.
Thoroughly rinse them with warm water and set each part out to completely dry.
Dispose of the vinegar solution after every user.
Do not clean softer items such as your headgear or filters with vinegar.

Happy CPAP Cleaning!

Enjoy fully benefiting from your sleep apnea treatment, prolonging the life of your equipment, and preventing yourself from getting sick by keeping your CPAP nice and clean. If you don’t have the time to wash your equipment by hand, consider using a CPAP cleaner such as Lumin or SoClean. Either way, you’ll sleep better.