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CPAP Machines
If you have recently been diagnosed by a
doctor with sleep apnea, a CPAP machine (Continuous
Positive Airway Pressure) may have been suggested
as a home remedy to help you stop snoring
and breathe more normally as you sleep. These
units have a face mask and a blower that
detects when you breathe in and gently pushes
air in as you inhale. This keeps your air
passageways open and prevents snoring.
There are three basic types of
equipment:
- The basic CPAP machine provides positive
pressure at all times. Bi-level
machines
provide two levels of air pressure:
one for
inhalation, and a lesser pressure
for exhalation.
Auto-titrate models (the newest)
can dynamically
adjust the air pressure as
you breathe: more
when you need it and less when
you don't.
- Some units mix in heated, humidified air,
which also cuts down on snoring.
Better units
automatically detect the amount
of moisture
you exhale to adjust breath
by breath the
amount of humidified air to
mix in.
- Recording units can keep track of your breathing
patterns and even detect occurances
of sleep
apnea. The recorded data can
be downloaded
and reviewed by your doctor.
- If you go camping, there are CPAP units that
run on 12VDC. And international
travelers
will want to look for a unit
that includes
internal power adaptors for
other countries.
Masks
Choosing the mask type is also
important.
Sometimes the mask that fits
best will be
from a different company than
the manufacturer
of the CPAP machine. Most masks
are strapped
to your face from behind your
head and are
triangular shaped covering the
nose, or mouth,
or both. Issues of fit (leakage),
comfort
and style are the leading criteria
when choosing
a mask.
Choose from masks made of silicone,
synthetic
rubber or vinyl based on comfort
and any
allergies you may have to these
materials.
There are also pillow-masks,
cannula-style
tubing and special needs masks,
such as for
supplemental oxygen delivery. |
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