Article Surfing Archive

Habitual snoring and sleep apnea are two of the most common sleeping problems encountered by Americans today. People with sleep apnea often snore but not all snorers are suffering from apnea. Either way, they have one thing in common. The CPAP.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common mode of treatment for snoring and sleep apnea. This is also used to help neonates and critically ill patients who are suffering from respiratory failure. This is a more convenient alternative to tracheostomy, a surgical procedure done to apnea patients before the advent of CPAP.

A CPAP machine delivers air with a predetermined amount of pressure to your airway through a nasal mask keeping the airway open and free of obstructions while you sleep which allows sufficient amount of air to enter the lungs and preventing apnea episodes and constant wakefulness. A hose connects the mask to the blower or the machine that delivers the pressurized air.

Common features found in today's CPAP machines, which are purchased separately and may not be covered by insurance, are: air humidifier, ramp (pressure adjuster), exhalation pressure relief (makes it easier for the user to breathe), and data logging (records pertinent data for later evaluation). These additional features help increase treatment compliance among patients. You can either rent or purchase a CPAP machine from a durable medical equipment (DME) company.

Other positive air pressure devices are the BiPAP and autoPAP. A bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) provides two air pressure levels, one for inhalation and a lower pressure level for exhalation. That way, breathing out would be more comfortable than when using a CPAP without an exhalation pressure relief. An automatic positive airway pressure (AutoPAP) automatically regulates the amount of pressure on a breath-by-breath basis.

Choosing the right machine for you comes after you have been evaluated. Your medical history, current medications and your lifestyle will be thoroughly evaluated by your doctor. He will also have you go though an EENT examination and a polysomnography or sleep study to evaluate your apnea and to determine the appropriate CPAP pressure for you. If it is apparent that you need to be on CPAP treatment, choosing a mask with the right fit, the right machine and the optional features follows.

Since the main consequence of sleep apnea is sleep disruption, a CPAP machine is used mainly at home to help with the breathing problems at night. It is also important that you know the proper maintenance your machine requires. The company where you got it from always gives out a detailed instruction manual for a specific unit. It is important that you keep the machine and its parts clean, and always have them checked for wear and tear to ensure optimal functioning.

A CPAP machine is undoubtedly an effective treatment for snoring and sleep apnea, but we cannot always rely on machines to do the job for us. CPAP is not as effective as when coupled with significant lifestyle changes like regular exercise, weight loss, and alcohol and smoking cessation. A positive attitude and a responsible mind will help us achieve wellness in no time