What Is A CPAP Breathing Machine ?

A CPAP breathing machine is a specialist piece of equipment that is used by sleep apnea sufferers to manage their sleep apnea symptoms. Read on and find out how they could help you.

Sleep apnea is an fairly common sleep disorder. with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common of the three varieties of the condition.

There is the potential for some serious health problems with sleep apnea, and deaths have even been attributed to the ailment in serious cases.

How A CPAP Breathing Machine Can Help

A CPAP breathing machine is one way that sufferers of sleep apnea can get relief from their symptoms, and avoid the potentially harmful consequences of this sleep disorder.

Used mainly for chronic sufferers, and those with moderate to severe sleep apnea, these machines provide a positive pressure airflow to the sufferers lungs throughout the night.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that consists of apnea 'episodes' whilst the patient sleeps. The soft tissues of the throat and soft palate can become over relaxed and partially or completely block the airway of the sleep apnea sufferer. The sleeper can stop breathing for over 10 seconds at a time, and have many 'episodes' during a single night. The sufferer will often gasp as they are semi wakened by the lack of air. An apnea episode results in physiological arousal and often, a reduction on blood oxygen levels.

These episodes are often spotted by the patients sleeping partner, but the patient may well have experienced daytime drowsiness and fatigue, loss of concentration, with no explanation. Raise blood pressure, heart conditions and stroke can all have an increased risk for the sleep apnea sufferer.

There are a number of reasons why sleep apnea occurs, but obesity is one important factor. You don't however, need to be overweight to sufferer from sleep apnea, structural factors such as a unusually narrow airway can be the cause. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines can help the patient, providing effective ventilation of the airway, and added piece of mind too.

The CPAP breathing machine helps to keep the airway open, due to the positive air pressure it delivers. The cpap machine is fully adjustable, and the air pressure, humidity of the air etc, can be adjusted to meet the exact requirements of the user. Some cpap units will sense the pressure levels required, and automatically adjust.

When buying cpap machines, you will get a mask and cpap hoses with the unit. The cpap mask can be replaced with a higher quality model when needed, to provide additional comfort. CPAP hoses need to be checked regularly for signs of wear, and replaced as required.

There are a range of cpap mask option. The cpap full face mask is the more common type, but there are also the nasal mask, and nasal pillow mask. a CPAP nasal mask is essentially a half sized mask that just fits over the nose, keeping the mouth free. A nasal pillow mask fits just around the nostrils, and is a good bet for side sleepers. Many people prefer these cpap nasal masks as they feel less confined when wearing them.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, it is essential that you visit your doctor for an examination, appraisal, and possibly, a sleep study. A prescription may be needed for a cpap machine to be issued, but they are available online. Some stores even supply used cpap machines. It is imperative, however, that you get the correct diagnosis before using cpap.

We hope this brief overview has been helpful to you. Check out our online store for sleep apnea breathing machine and sleep apnea mouthpiece products. You'll get great relief and better sleep with a cpap breathing machine.

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