Sleep apnea machine? Never heard of it? Well, if you are a sufferer of sleep apnea, a sleep apnea machine could 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 sits beside your bed as you sleep. A flexible tube from the machine connects 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, assisting the sleeper to breathe.
A sleep apnea machine is a medical device, so doctors 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 to start with gives you the option of choosing the model that is best for you. Check 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 currents
==> 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 problems or episodes where a sleeper has stopped breathing in spite of using the machine. This usually 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 obtaining adequate 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 independent model, can help the user avoid the irritation caused by the dry air.
It can be difficult to get used 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 very efficient in dealing with and overcoming the perils of sleep apnea.
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