Continuous positive airway pressure Machine (CPAP)
June 20th, 2008 by Gideon George
What is continuous Positive Airway pressure (CPAP)?
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) is a device that uses a machine to help a person who has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to breathe more easily during sleep. The Nasal CPAP delivers air into your airway through a specially designed nasal mask or pillows while the flow of air creates enough pressure when you inhale to keep your airways open.
A CPAP machine is usually about the size of a shoebox but can be smaller. A flexible tube connects the machine with a mask or other interface device that is worn over the nose or mouth. CPAP is considered the most effective non-surgical treatment for the alleviation of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, it is the first treatment choice and the most widely used.
As a sleep apnea patient you are required to wear the nasal mask every night.
CPAP does not cure your sleep apnea completely but it has been found to be nearly 100 percent effective.
There are several CPAP manufacturers that offer different types of machines with different features.
In deciding which CPAP machine to use, think about what features you want or need. Options include
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A carrying case, the ability to convert to foreign currents (automatically or with additional equipment),
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The capability to adjust for different altitudes,
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An attached heated humidifier,
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Ramping (which allows for a gradual increase in pressure),
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D.C (direct current) operations via a car or boat battery
Bi-level devices with two different pressures–one for inhalation and a lower pressure for exhalation–are also available.
Some machines can monitor how often you use the CPAP, while others can also record if you had any apneas while using the machine (this can indicate a need to adjust the pressure).