You’ve probably heard the term a few times and are wondering what a CPAP machine is? Well, you have come to the right place, as we outline the inner workings of a CPAP machine and its uses. CPAP stands for Constant Positive Airway Pressure and this device is used to treat sleep apnea. The patient wears a face mask and the pressured air is delivered, which usually eliminates instances of interrupted sleep.
Sleep Apnea
This is when a person’s airway is blocked and the inability to breathe wakes up the person, who grunts, moves and tries to get back to sleep. This might not sound like much of an issue, but the person might be woken up 15-20 times per night, which can have serious implications, because not getting enough sleep causes a person to have mood swings and they find it hard to focus for long periods.
Two Types of Sleep Apnea
There are two types, namely Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), the former is usually caused by the throat airway closing, stopping the breathing process. Central Sleep Apnea, on the other hand, occurs when the brain does not send the message to breathe, which is a different issue altogether.
The Benefits of a CPAP Machine
There are CPAP machines for sale by an approved Australian supplier and many people find that using the machine results in quality sleep time.
The benefits include:
- Programmable – It can feel a bit strange to have air directed down your throat and a state-of-the-art CPAP machine is programmable; you can set a low-pressure setting and when you drift off to sleep, the pressure increases, which ensures your airways are not blocked.
- Built-In Humidifier – The machine has a built-in humidifier, all you need to do is fill up the water reservoir, put on the mask, turn on the machine and a great night’s sleep awaits. Some units have a humidifier that does not require a water tank; check the supplier’s website for full details.
- Expiration pressure relief – This feature automatically reduces the pressure when you exhale, which makes breathing feel more natural.
- Mask alert – Should the mask fall from your face during sleep, an audible beep alerts you.
- Leak compensation – Should the mask not be seated correctly and air leaks, there is an automatic compensation with more air pressure, which means your sleep will not be interrupted.
- App control – Most units are programmable by a mobile app; download, install and explore the features. The app can tell you if you had any incidents during the night and even tell you how many instances you had.
- Sleep data collection – The latest generation of CPAP machines can record all sleep data; some CPAP machines upload the data to a sim card and your sleep analyst can see your data.
There are also CPAP machines specifically for women, as females have slightly different sleeping habits, so manufacturers have designed the algorithm specifically for women.
