CPAP Machines for Patients
A CPAP machine is a kind of electro-mechanical ventilator. It’s been around since 1985, and has helped as many as one in three people with sleep apnea. But how do you know if you need one, and how can you make sure that the equipment you purchase is safe? This article will walk through the process of finding your best option for a CPAP machine.
Sleep apnea is a common condition that leads to repeated episodes of brief, shallow breathing during sleep. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease and high blood pressure. It is estimated that almost 8 million people in the US suffer from sleep apnea, including many children.
CPAP stands for “continuous positive airway pressure”. It is a large machine that requires a special mask to be worn while sleeping. The machine has two parts: an air pump and a heated mask. In general, the best cpap machines are used by people with obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep disorder, and it can lead to symptoms such as snoring or loud breathing noises occurring throughout the night.
While CPAP machines aren’t a cure for sleep apnea, they are an effective treatment. By providing extra air pressure to the airway, they can help prevent obstruction and as a result reduce symptoms. This can be done through either a manual or an automatic machine depending on the person’s needs.
Manual
These machines have been around since the 80’s. They’re manually controlled and usually have some kind of pressure gauge on them. The advantage of a CPAP machine is that it can be adjusted quickly and easily according to changes in the patient’s sleep pattern. However, it requires a commitment from the patient to monitor the device regularly, and the air pressure has to be changed manually.
Automatic
These machines were introduced at the beginning of this millennium as a way to improve on manual monitoring systems. Automatic devices are connected to a computer or mobile device such as an iPad or mobile phone that allows for easy monitoring by physicians.
