what is a cpap machine – Smoke Free Lungs

CPAP machine is one of the most commonly-seen devices that people barely know their essence. Amusingly, most people don’t even know its name. Meanwhile, the life-assisting machine is efficient enough to promote sound and healthy living. Could this machine be the eventual solution for your health issues? Let’s have a detailed check on this device. This comprehensive guide will expose you to the types, uses and benefits of CPAP machines.

What is a CPAP Machine?

First, CPAP means Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. Hence, cpap machine is a device that helps send a constant flow of (pressurized) air into the nose and mouth while people sleep. The essence of this practice is to keep users’ airways open, helping them breathe normally all through the night. Click here for essential questions to ask a CPAP machine supplier.

CPAP machine is mostly prescribed for people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) which causes hindrances in their breathing. OSA occurs when the airways or throat collapses or becomes temporarily blocked.

Everything You Must Know About CPAP Machine To Maximize Usage

When you start to notice you have difficulty in breathing while sleeping, CPAP machine could be your best solution. The machine allows you to have a sound sleep at a stretch without waking up at intervals. Not only that users are guaranteed to wake up feeling energized and refreshed.

Are you considering buying a CPAP machine? That’s a good idea! But, before you dash to the market, it is important for you to have a comprehensive knowledge of the machine to make an informed decision and understand how to use it for the best result.

How CPAP Machine Works

CPAP machine features a compressor which generates a steady flow of pressurized air, carrying it through an air filter to a supple tube. The tube supplies cleansed air a well-fitted mask sealed around the nose or mouth

If the machine is in your nose or mouth, it pushes airstream against any obstacles in your airways, creating a free-flow passage to allow plenty of oxygen travel into your lungs. When there’s a smooth inflow of oxygen into your lungs, it helps you have a continuous breathing while sleeping.

No doubt, CPAP machine works efficiently helping you have a comfortable night rest without itch. However, how best it would work for you depends on the type of the mask used. Does that mean the machine comes with different types of masks? Absolutely! And, the type of mask you use has impact on how comfortable you breathe. More so, each type of mask works for different types of Sleep Apnea Disorder (SAP).

So, what are the different types of masks available?

CPAP machines come with a three major varieties of masks. Your healthcare provider would prescribe the best for you based on the level of your SAP. Here’s the breakdown of the different types of CPAP machine masks and their unique functions:

Nasal Pillow Mask: This mask comes with a little cushion that covers only your nostril area to deliver properly channeled pressurized air into the appropriate place. Sometimes, it can also feature prongs that fit well into your nostrils which makes it more productive. This type masks is best for users who has the habit of relaxing in their bed wearing eyeglasses. Since it doesn’t occupy much space in the face, you can easily wear your eyeglasses when the machine is fixed to your nose. This type of mask is also good for users with facial hairs which doesn’t allow larger masks to fit perfectly.

Nasal Mask: This is another cushioned mask that caps the nose area perfectly. It supplies good quality and high-pressure airstream into your airways. This mask doesn’t occupy much space and give users a comfy feel all through the night. This type of CPAP machine mask is good for people that doesn’t stay in a position when sleeping.

Full Mask: this mask comes in a triangular shape and it’s large enough to cover the nose and mouth sufficiently. Meanwhile, this kind of CPAP machine mask is not always recommended except for users that breathe through their mouth while sleeping. It is also the best option for people who have blockage in their noses.

CPAP machine is not the only device available for solving sleep apnea disorder issues. There are a few of other options in the market. These machines are not just alternatives, they differ in functions. Here’s a simple breakdown of how other breathing machines work:

APAP machine: This Automatic Positive Airflow Pressure device helps to check and monitor how you breathe all through the night. You don’t have to bother about frequent adjustments. As the name implies, this machine automatically adjusts the airflow as you change your sleeping position. In case you are on medications, this machine can also the air pressure to compensate for the change in breathing which be caused by the prescribed drugs.

BiPAP machine: The Bi-level Positive Airflow Pressure has two pressure settings: one for inhaling and the other for exhaling. This device is best for people who can’t cope CPAP machines or those with much carbon dioxide in their blood. BiPAP machines also feature a backup respiratory rate which works best for people with central sleep apnea. The backup respiratory rate helps the user to breathe excellently.

Meanwhile, CPAP machine doesn’t operate automatically. It has been programmed to deliver pressurized air at a steady level. if you need to make any changes in the air pressure supply, the only option available is to reset the machine settings and reconfigure the flow according to your preference.

What are the health benefits of CPAP Machine?

CPAP machines has numerous health benefits for users. The most recognized is their ability to supply a continuous flow of oxygen to the body while sleeping to prevent the provoking interruptions in breathing while sleeping. This machine also helps improve ability to sleep soundly and lowers the risk of having stroke, heart attack or other cardiovascular event.

Finally

CPAP machines help solve the problems of sleep apnea by supplying a flow of oxygenated air into your lungs through a tube and a mask to help you breathe more conveniently and adequately. It’s also a sure solution to getting sound sleep that rejuvenate the body. Note that CPAP machine can work according to your needs. You only have to reset to your taste.

The CPAP is a sleep apnea machine that helps control and pushes out any unwanted piece blocking the easy flow of air in the airways. So, in this article, we will explain in detail the essential things you need to know about the cpap machine for sleep apnea. However, your hundred percent attention is required. Hence, before we dive into facts about cpap machines, it would be nice to kick start with the meaning of sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

SA is a dangerous sleep disorder in which breathing is affected. With sleep apnea, the breathing breaks and flinches repeatedly. On the other hand, one is considered to use cpap machine if one snores noisily during sleep. We can’t describe sleep apnea (SA) without seeing its types. Seemingly, there are three categories of SA. They are; obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome. Also check out: Is LASIK long-lasting

Essential things you need to know about cpap machines for sleep apnea

The obstructive SA happens when the throat muscles relax. It occurs when the muscles in the back of one’s throat relax disproportionately to allow normal breathing. Also, central sleep apnea occurs when one’s brain doesn’t send the appropriate signal to the muscles that control breathing. And once the powers holding breathing fail to receive the proper signal from the brain, central sleep apnea will occur.

Hence, what is complex sleep apnea syndrome? Complex sleep apnea syndrome is also known as treatment-emergent central SA. It occurs when one has both obstructive SA and central SA. In other words, it is the combination of the first-mentioned two types of SA.

However, there are common symptoms of this sleep disorder. It could be morning headache, loud snoring, irritability, insomnia, hypersomnia, and difficulty staying asleep. You might be wondering if loud snoring is among the symptoms of sleep apnea. Some people assume that snoring is a natural case that cannot be controlled. That’s not true. When one snores loudly, something is wrong. Of course, such a person might be suffering or battling sleep apnea.

What is a CPAP machine?

CPAP means continuous positive airway pressure. It is a machine commonly prescribed for treating sleep apnea disorders. CPAP is specifically designed to treat and regulate airflow in the airways. Remember, we mentioned obstructive sleep apnea as the most common type/cause of sleep apnea. So, OSA causes interruptions in one’s breathing because one’s throat is temporarily blocked. Hence, a CPAP machine helps to send a steady flow of air into one’s nose and mouth while asleep. This incredible machine is a medical tool that normalizes the flow of pressurized air into one’s nose and mouth. It helps to keep one’s airways open; then, one can breathe normally.

How does the CPAP machine work?

A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine’s compressor (motor) produces a continuous stream of hassled air that journeys through an air filter into a flexible tube. This tube transports purified air into a mask wrapped around your nose or mouth. So, as you sleep, the airstream from the continuous positive airway pressure machine impulses against any obstructions. Also, it opens your airways, so your lungs receive abundant oxygen.

Without anything hindering this stream of oxygen, your breathing doesn’t break in proceedings. So, you don’t recurrently wake up to recommence breathing.

Basic components of CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure machines have the same essential components. In any CPAP machine, you’ll see the same essential elements. All continuous positive airway pressure machines have a mouth housed in a base unit, a cushioned mask, and a tube that connects the motor to the mask. Not only that, but all CPAP machines also come with a headgear frame, elbow pieces that act as joints, and adjustable straps. That adjustable strap allows one to customize the fit of the device.

Types of CPAP masks

There are different types of continuous positive airway pressure machine masks. Firstly, let us talk about the work of the mask in CPAP. Of course, mask styles vary with several continuous positive airway pressure machines. So, the mask you put on depends on your breathing habits. Also, the type of SA you have will determine the mask you’ll put on. However, below are the types of CPAP masks;

Nasal pillow mask: This mask has a small cushion that caps over the nostril area. A nasal pillow mask has prongs that fit into one’s nostrils. This CPAP mask allows one to wear one’s glasses quickly. This unique CPAP mask performs well if one has lots of facial hair.
Nasal mask: This mask is a cushioned mask that covers one’s whole nose area. It is a better option for those that are not always stable, that is, maintaining a position while sleeping. So, a nasal mask is the best option for people that can’t do without moving around while sleeping. Also, a nasal mask is the best type of CPAP mask that can deliver a high-pressure airstream.
Full mask: This CPAP mask is triangular. It covers one’s mouth and nose. Doctors used to prescribe this CPAP mask for people who breathe through their mouths while sleeping. On the other hand, CPAP full mask can be recommended for people with a blockage in their nose. A full mask is a most-used mask over the years. For the past ten years, many people have found it hard to breathe normally. So, doctors prescribed full mask CPAP to them.

Now, the difference between CPAP and APAP

You’ll be curious to know the difference between automatic positive airflow pressure and continuous positive airflow pressure. CPAP is designed or programmed to produce pressurized air at one steady air pressure level while automatic positive airflow pressure checks one’s breathing throughout the night. The APAP adjusts the air pressure to compensate for the change in one’s sleep position.

Closing thought

Dear reader, we hope you’ve seen something informative here. This article contains the meaning of SA and every other essential fact you need to know about CPAP. Finally, you can have a question(s). Please feel free to ask. We will surely respond to all questions regarding this topic.

Everything You Must Know About CPAP Machine To Maximize Usage