Choosing the Right CPAP Machine for Effective Sleep Apnea Treatment 

 Sleep apnea is a severe medical condition seen in millions of individuals across the globe, which results in disruption of breathing during the night, sleep deprivation, arousal and numerous other complaints. One of the best available treatments used is the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy which enables a person to take continuous and uninterrupted breath during the night. But the selection of the proper and suitable CPAP machine is one of the key factors of the successful therapy and constant comfortable state. Besides, there are quite distinct kinds of models and it might prove quite difficult to ascertain which of the models served the intended purpose and would be most appropriate to be used. Here is what is going to be covered in this guide to ensure you have the perfect criteria of choosing the best sleep apnea therapy CPAP machine.

 Understanding CPAP Machines

 First of all, let’s learn how a CPAP machine is used, to better understand which features are important to consider. It is a device that provides continuous and consistent positive airway pressure, through a facial or nasal mask while you are asleep eliminating pauses of breathing due to OSA. Effectiveness of oxygen delivery is another important parameters observed where the need is to maintain a continuous and interrupted uninterrupted flow of oxygen throughout the night to alleviate snoring, tiredness, and other sleeping disorders.

 The types of CPAP equipment are; the conventional continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equipment, auto-titrating continuous positive airway pressure (APAP) equipment, and BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) equipment. Each one of them has different characteristics, and you decide on the choice depending on your condition and your way of living.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a CPAP Machine

 Type of CPAP Machine

• Standard CPAP Machines: These machines dispenses a constant pressure during the course of the night. The are perfect for those who have been assigned a specific pressure level for therapy. There are some down sides to these models however; namely, that, while it is safe to say that they are one of the most consistent pieces of CPAP equipment, some users may find it difficult to adapt to a constant pressure level, when their breathing at night for example is not constant.

• APAP Machines: CPAP machines which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure have features such as Auto-Adjusting which mean that the flow of air changes according to your breathing. This means that in the case of pressure swings it is able to provide additional pressure that is needed as well as reducing pressure that is not needed as we sleep. APAP machines are more beneficial especially to patients who need different pressures depending on their sleeping cycle or their position.

• BiPAP Machines: While there is a difference between the styles of operation of CPAP and BiPAP machines, the latter actually has two levels of the air pressure that is higher when the patient is inhaling and lower when the patient is exhaling. Most of the BiPAP machines are usually used for patients with a severe form of sleep apnea or those who find it difficult to breathe out in opposition to the constant force provided by the most common CPAP machines.

 Comfort and Fit

 Comfort is an essential aspect that has to be considered in order to significantly encourage patients to stick to CPAP therapy. That is if the CPAP machine or mask is uncomfortable, one is not going to use it at night as required. Think about those which have Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR), which decreases the pressure of the air getting out of a person’s lungs during exhalation. This feature can enhance the user customers’ experience for a variety of times especially in therapy and especially if one has just switched from the traditional means to this one.

 With temperatures, however if it comes to the masks it was found out that the fit as well as the design is very crucial. more options for the mask covers exist and they include nasal pillow, nasal mask, and full face mask. This is because the right mask depends on your sleeping style, level of comfort and any ailment you may be having such as if you breathe through your mouth or nose, full face mask may be appropriate for you.

 Humidification

 Most of the CPAP machines that are available in the market have in-built humidifiers or they come with separate humifiers. Ionization can help reduce static and add moisture to the air which is nice because the constant airflow can cause dry mouth and sore throat and sore stuffy congested nostrils. It is especially important if you live in a dry climate or ‘re you a person who suffers from congestion. Other brands of humidifiers that can be used with other portable machines are the ResMed’s HumidX technology that does not require the use of water chambers to offer comfort to the user.

 Portability and Travel-Friendly Features

 If one is a frequent traveler, he or she may be lucky to find a CPAP machine that is small in size and easy to carry around. There are many portable CPAP machines available in the market with improved lightweight features such as ResMed AirMini and the Philips DreamStation Go. It comes with factors such as waterless humidification and battery power addition since it can be useful in airplanes and regions where there might be no source of power.

 Remember to look at if the machine you are interested in is certified for flight usage by the FAA if that is necessary for your plans.

 Noise Level

 Although most of the modern CPAP machines are manufactured with low noise output, there is always a distinction in the level of noise made by the different models. Low noise also means you can have an uninterrupted sleep without template noise produced by the organ coming in between and waking you up (or your bed partner). It is recommendable to go for machines that operate at a high level of quiet, which is 30dB and below.

 Data Tracking and Connectivity

 Some of the latest models of the CPAP machines have a Data feature that tracks the information on the number of hours you slept, mask fit and the therapy delivered to you. Some machines such as ResMed AirSense 11 connect with mobile applications where you can monitor your therapy, check on the progress and even share with the doctors. These features can assist to make sure your therapy is approverted and it will also be simpler to alter settings if required.

 Budget and Insurance Coverage

 There are cheap and expensive CPAP machines which are differences with some additional features and brands. But if one is looking for some high-end features such as auto pressure control and monitoring then there are some comparatively cheaper models that are also quite effective. Before embarking on the purchase of exercise machines you should consult with your insurance provider to find out which machines are allowed under your policy and whether or not you are entitled to be reimbursed.

 Conclusion

 Selecting the right CPAP machine for your sleep apnea therapy can help to determine the effectiveness of the treatment and better nights sleep. By a machine type, comfort, humidification requirement, portability and cost, one can effectively identify the right device that meets the requirements. It does not matter whether you choose a standard CPAP machine or an APAP device or opt for a BiPAP machine always seek advice from you healthcare provider. By getting the appropriate CPAP machine, the patient is capable of regaining control of his or her sleep apnea and sleep.