Sleep Apnea Machine
Sleep apnea machine? Never heard of it? Well, if you are a sufferer of sleep apnea, a sleep apnea machine could change your life. The correct term for a sleep apnea machine is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. A CPAP is a small machine that sits beside your bed as you sleep. A flexible tube from the machine connects to a mask or breathing device worn over the nose and/or mouth of the sleeper. A CPAP machine pushes air at the prescribed pressure through the airway passage, preventing the sleeper from ceasing to breathe.
A sleep apnea machine is a medical device, so physicians must prescribe them. The public cannot buy sleep apnea machines without a prescription. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates sleep apnea machines (CPAP).
Typically covered as a rental or a purchase by insurance as prescribed medical equipment, home health care companies provide CPAP machines. There are many types of CPAP machines. Renting a sleep apnea machine at first gives you the option of choosing the model that is best for you. Check with your insurance company about any restrictions or cost limits before renting or purchasing a CPAP machine.
Think about the features you may want or need in choosing your CPAP machine. Features commonly needed include:
• Altitude Adjustable
• Auto-Adjusting (automatically senses the air pressure you need)
• Bi-Level Pressures (higher for inhaling, lower for exhaling)
• Carrying Case for Travel
• Constant Pressure for Inhaling
• Convertible to Foreign Currents
• Direct Current (DC) Operation Via Car Battery
• Heated Humidifier
• Ramping (allowing gradual increases in pressure)
Some CPAP machines have the ability to record any breathing problems or episodes where a sleeper has stopped breathing even while using the machine. This usually means the pressure needs adjusting. This information is not available with CPAP machines that do not have the ability to record. A CPAP machine can also record whether you are getting sufficient amounts of deep sleep. This is valuable information to your physician.
Side effects of using a sleep apnea machine include dry mouth, dry nose, stuffy nose, skin irritation, and discomfort. A humidifier, attached to your CPAP machine or a stand-alone model, can help the user avoid the irritation cause by the dry air.
It can be difficult to get accustomed to the masks, straps, and sensations when using a CPAP machine for the first time. Most users reach normal sleep patterns and comfort within a few days.
Sleep apnea machines are valuable in dealing with and overcoming the perils of sleep apnea.
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