Worldwide CPAP shortage continues to affect Canada

Dec 16, 2022 | News

People suffering from sleep apnea are waiting longer for their life-saving machines. Machines are being recalled because of the possibility of soundproofing foam disintegrating and cancerous materials entering the devices’ air pathways.

Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes people to start and stop breathing in their sleep, often caused by unhealthy weight gain and obesity.

According to the Canadian government webpage on chronic diseases, this can lead to further complications later in life such as a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, motor vehicle accidents and depression.

The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machine (CPAP) is a device that pumps forced air through a tube attached to a mask that straps to a user’s face. This forced air helps regulate oxygen in the lungs and is a common treatment for sleep apnea.

Those with sleep apnea will have to wait longer for their specific Philips CPAP machine to put themselves at further risk.

According to the Philips website, the machines were recalled when it was noticed that a polyester-based foam that reduces noise and vibration began to break down. Philips Respironics is recalling affected devices manufactured between 2009 and April 26, 2021.

While the end to the shortage of these machines is not known, Philips estimates it could be in 2023.

Philips and the U.S. FDA say the injuries can be life-threatening, cause permanent impairment, and may “require medical intervention to preclude permanent impairment.”

Philips Respironics said it has received several complaints about black debris and particles within the airpath circuit. The resulting medical conditions that Philips has received reports about include headaches, upper airway irritation, coughing, chest pressure and sinus infections.

“The potential risks of chemical exposure due to off-gassing include headache/dizziness, irritation (eyes, nose, respiratory tract, skin), hypersensitivity, nausea/vomiting, toxic and carcinogenic effects,” Philips Respironics said in its media statement.

Laurie Davis, a clinical manager at Westpark Healthcare Centre in Toronto, said the shortage will end depending on replacement speed.

“I mean, the equipment that was recalled, there are some changes that have to be made to parts in the equipment and that all depends on how quickly the company can turn that around,” Davis said.

Investment advisor Mike Monette, a 58-year-old Canadian who uses a CPAP machine after he was diagnosed with sleep apnea nine years ago, said the problems relating to getting a good night’s rest can be rough.

“The challenge is you’re constantly waking up,” Monette said. “Because you stopped breathing after a while, your body awakens you so that you start to breathe again.”

“Depending on how serious the apnea is…I mean, I was having 30 or 40 episodes an hour, which sort of meant you’re not really getting any sleep,” he said.

Monette said his CPAP has a microchip inside that helps track his sleep.

“So, I can go back and get a report of the history of my sleep report history. And I can go back and there is a one month to three months and a one year history about how well I slept and what my sleep score was,” he said.

Davis said one of the factors that can help mitigate the effects of sleep apnea is changing certain daily and night routines. This includes reducing alcohol consumption, losing weight and sleeping on your side rather than your back.

“We would tell people to try and do things from a lifestyle perspective,” she said. “To help mitigate how much sleep apnea you’re having at night.”