HomeHealthCPAP:  Machines to Help Breathing: CPAP

CPAP Provided with Machines

Cpap machines have revolutionized the way sleep apnea is treated because they have provided a viable way to deal with this sleep disorder and prevent problems caused by it. Sleep apnea, a sleep disorder whose main symptoms are constant fatigue and snoring, affects millions of people across the country and many of them do not even realize it. Characterized by temporary cessation of breathing at repeated intervals throughout the night, sleep apnea occurs when the airway collapses or becomes obstructed, preventing air from reaching the lungs. The body naturally corrects this problem by awakening itself to restore breathing function, but the continual awakening throughout the night interrupts the normal sleep cycle and causes the body to remain unrested and tired.

CPAP Machines Offer Help for Apnea

Cpap machines are such an effective treatment option because they generally eliminate nearly all problems associated with the disorder with a minimal occurrence of negative side effects. A cpap machine functions by providing a pressurized stream of air into the lungs, keeping the airway constantly open as it is supported by the strong, unbroken airflow. A small bedside unit is the central piece of cpap machines, and it pumps the air into the lungs through tubing and a breathing mask worn by the sleep apnea sufferer while sleeping.

Although the general function of the cpap machines are all the same, there are different varieties and otions that can cater to the different needs of users. Some cpap machines have only one speed or pressure of air that remains the same at all times. There are other machines, however, that are able to be customized to provide different pressures of air depending on what is needed by the individual. Some people prefer to choose the pressure themselves, while others prefer their machines to have automatic adjustments based on sensors in the cpap machines. BiPAP machines are very similar to cpap machines, but they provide different air pressures for exhalation and inhalation, which makes it easier for many people to breathe more naturally.

Cpap machines have been effective in treating all degrees of sleep apnea in over 98% of all cases. However, this treatment option is not without disadvantages or side effects. People who use cpap machines on a regular basis often complain of dryness of the throat and nasal tissues caused by the lack of moisture in the air pumped by the cpap machine. Additionally, the masks themselves can also be problematic because they can cause some people to feel claustrophobic or they can disrupt sleep when they become dislodged or uncomfortable. However, there are solutions for each of these problems, and people with sleep apnea are encouraged to look for ways to deal with the side effects constructively instead of discontinuing the therapy.

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