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Sleep Apnea Machine
Sleep apnea machine? Never heard of it? Well, if you are a person with sleep apnea, a sleep apnea machine could change your life. The proper term for a sleep apnea machine is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. A CPAP is a small machine that can be placed beside your bed as you sleep. A flexible tube from the machine can be connected to a mask or breathing device worn over the nose and/or mouth of the sufferer. 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 are required to prescribe them. The public cannot buy sleep apnea machines without a prescription. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating sleep apnea machines (CPAP).
Typically covered as a rental or a purchase by insurance companies 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 picking the model that is best for you. Enquire with your insurance company about any restraints or cost limits before renting or purchasing a CPAP machine.
Consider 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 electricity supplies
==> Direct Current (DC) operation via car battery
==> Heated humidifier
==> Ramping (allowing gradual increases in pressure)
Some CPAP machines have the capacity to record any breathing complications or episodes where a sleeper has stopped breathing in spite of 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 obtaining sufficient amounts of deep sleep. This is valuable information for 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 prevent the irritation caused by the dry air.
It can be very hard to get accustomed to the masks, straps, and sensations when using a CPAP machine for the first time. Most people 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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