Sleep apnea machine? Never heard of it? Well, if you are a sufferer of sleep apnea, a sleep apnea machine may just 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 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 sleeper. A CPAP machine directs air at the required pressure through the airway passage, assisting the sleeper to breathe.
A sleep apnea machine is a medical device, so doctors must prescribe them. The public are not allowed to 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 a number of types of CPAP machines. Renting a sleep apnea machine initially 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 electricity supplies
==> 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 complications or episodes where a sleeper has stopped breathing in spite of using the machine. This quite often means the pressure needs adjusting. This information does not come with CPAP machines that do not have the ability to record. A CPAP machine can also record whether you are getting adequate amounts of deep sleep. This is valuable information for your doctor.
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 independent model, can help the user avoid the irritation caused by the dry air.
It can be very hard to get used to the masks, straps, and feelings when using a CPAP machine for the first time. Most people attain normal sleep patterns and comfort within a few days.
Sleep apnea machines are valuable in dealing with and overcoming the dangers of sleep apnea.
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