Sleep Apnea Machine Selection

Choosing a VPAP, BiPAP, APAP or CPAP Machine Depends on Your Sleep Apnea Type

What is the best sleep apnea machine to use if you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea? Before answering that question, it probably would be a good idea to understand a little bit more about sleep apnea.

The main sign, although not conclusive, related to the condition is snoring. Thus, sleep apnea occurs when an airway is blocked, causing an interruption in breathing. This can last for as long as twenty seconds and occur over 100 times in a night! This common form of sleep apnea is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA.

Another less common reason for the disturbance is the brain’s inability to signal the muscles that handle breathing. This is referred to as Central Sleep Apnea or CSA. Therefore, a sleep apnea machine is medically advised in most instances to resolve the problem.

Sleep apnea can be readily treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure equipment or a CPAP machine, which is one of the more common types of equipment used for OSA. However, you do have other options, depending on your needs.

Another sleep apnea machine is the Variable Positive Airway Pressure (VPAP) machine, also referred to as a BiPAP machine. This is an ideal apparatus to use on patients suffering from respiratory illnesses besides sleep apnea. The BiPAP is also an excellent choice for obese individuals as well as people with a neuromuscular disorder.

Sleep apnea can also be treated with an advanced piece of equipment known as an Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) machine. The computerized sleep apnia machine automatically adjusts the air pressure as it tracks one’s breaths.

Probably the most well-known sleep apnea machine though is the CPAP machine. Used primarily for those individuals diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA, the CPAP machine has three primary parts. The device has a motor, mask and tube. The tube delivers a continuous flow of air to the mask, so you can “breathe easier” and subsequently sleep more peacefully too.

All three machines offer a humidifier should you require one. Many times, the air flow coming from a machine tends to dry up the mucus secretions in the nose making it very dry. A humidifier, when added to a sleep apnea machine modulates the moisture so the drying effects caused by the machine are minimized.

If you select, for instance, a CPAP machine as your choice for a device, you’ll need to have the air pressure set by your health professional. This way, you’ll experience optimum comfort while asleep. Usually, with regards to renting or buying a sleep apnea machine, the better option, by far, is to buy as you’ll be using the machine, normally, for a long time.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can lead to even more serious health problems as a stroke or heart attack. Therefore, it’s important to make a long-term commitment with respect to use of the equipment. It goes without saying, then, that buying a sleep apnia machine is really the only choice or way to proceed when it comes to finances. It can then better serve you in giving you the treatment you need to be in ideal health.

Once your machine is tested and set, it’s imperative you use it every night. Don’t glide over using it one night, or you’ll feel just that much more tired the following day.

If your sleep apnea machine is well-maintained, you’ll also be “well-maintained” and will be able to enjoy its use for many years.

Sleep apnea is a condition that can be conquered by selecting the right equipment. Your doctor, of course, will help you with your decision and instruct you on its use. Nevertheless, it’s nice to understand your options beforehand. That way, you’ll be confident in knowing the sleep apnea machine you choose, whether it be a CPAP machine, a VPAP, or an APAP machine, is the right one for you.