Treating sleep apnea with CPAP
There can be no doubt about the fact that good sleep is essential to maintaining good health. But so many factors contribute to sound sleep. Most prominent among these is effortless breathing. Interruptions in the breathing process create disturbances in sleep, which may even be life threatening. This disorder in breathing is called Sleep Apnea. A number of measures and practices are followed to correct this potentially critical disorder. The Treatment's background Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is such a treatment, which was first formulated for correcting Sleep Apnea. But currently it is also used for patients who require intensive care and in those with respiratory failure and chronic pulmonary diseases. Advantages The advantage of a CPAP Sleep Apnea device is that it can easily be used in the home, treating the patient during their normal sleeping process.. It provides a continuous supply of oxygen through a mask and tube, which are connected to the machine.
The mask is fitted on the face of the patient. This continuous supply ensures smooth airflow through the nose. The method is preferred for both obstructive and central Sleep Apnea. In patients with Sleep Apnea, the muscles of the nose will often be almost rigid restricting the flow of air through the nasal track. This rigidity repeatedly wakes up the patient disturbing his/her sleep. When CPAP is used this distress is eliminated with the invariable & continuous supply of air. The CPAP device applies pressure and changes the position of the tongue. This opens up the throat and providing adequate space for air passage. After thorough examination of each patient, a pressure value is prescribed for the CPAP Sleep Apnea machine.
A typical CPAP machine provides pressure up to 4 and 20 cm. This type of treatment is better for people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Since CPAP is a medical device, it should only ever be considered after seeking proper medical advice. The face mask and the pressure of the air supply being unfamiliar most patients take time to adjust to the machine. CPAP devices of different types and prices are available according to the requirement of the patient and the advice of the doctor. Advantages: Other methods of treatment can be followed if the patent is not fully satisfied A CPAP machine can be used alongside other treatments for other ailments Instant relief from Obstructive Sleep Apnea Disadvantages of CPAP: Dryness in nose and mouth Usage of the mask can cause uneasiness.
Blockage in the nose The mask can affect the skin and nose The air pressure applied may obstruct deep sleep in some patients. Leakage in the air supply Stuffy nose Sometimes the masks are found to be irritable as they cover both the mouth and nose. CPAP nasal pillows are the latest face masks, which fix to the nose only and have been found by many sufferers to be easier & more comfortable to use.. A number of CPAP machines are available nowadays. Some of these are: Auto- adjusting CPAP: this adjusts the pressure according to the intensity of snoring thus providing comfort to the patient. Standard CPAP machine: this works at a constant pressure and does not have the capacity to adjust according to the needs of the user. As with all medical conditions seeking medical advice is essential prior to any treatment.
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Toby Russell and his website - http://www.sleepapneainfoguide.com aims to offer basic advice for those suffering with sleep apnea and sleep deprivation illnesses.