A CPAP breathing machine is a medical device used to treat the symptoms of sleep apnea. They blow air at a high enough pressure to keep your airways open during sleep, enabling you to breathe properly. CPAP breathing machines tend to alleviate most of the symptoms of sleep apnea, but they do come with some side effects of their own.
All CPAP machines comprise of the CPAP breathing machine itself, a tube, and a CPAP mask. The air gets delivered from the machine, through the tube and into the mask. The type of CPAP mask you have will depend on your specific sleep apnea symptoms and how severe your apnea is, and the type of CPAP breathing machine you are given will depend on whether you’re suffering from obstructive sleep apnea or central sleep apnea.
What Type of CPAP Breathing Machine is Best For Me?
There are a huge number of CPAP machines on the market and the type you go for really depends on your personal needs – for example, you can buy machines that weigh very little, that are small enough for you to take travelling and machines that have a number of software features, like data readouts and pressure adjustments. You can also buy machines that are quiet, that have an integrated battery and that are designed to prevent rainout, a problem whereby moisture can run down the tube connecting machine to mask, giving you a damp face.
The type of machine you buy depends on what your personal needs are, so even though someone may recommend a machine to you, take a look around for yourself before you commit to buying one. Because sleep apnea is a very personal problem, what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another.
If you’re unsure of what breathing machine you need, speak to your doctor. They can point you in the right direction to the machine that’s perfect for you. You should also speak to your insurance company as some of them offer trial periods of CPAP machines, meaning that you can try a machine out before committing to buy it.
Recommended CPAP Breathing Machines
One of the best lightweight travel CPAP machines is the Zzz-PAP Silent Traveller. It’s the size of a small loaf of bread and the space it takes up on a table is only the size of a CD case. It has a two year warranty and comes with many of the same features as a larger CPAP machine, but it’s half the price of most of the larger machines which is a big bonus.
For rainout reduction, you can either buy heated tubing or you can buy a CPAP machine that has a built-in humidifier. One of the best CPAP machines with the rainout reduction is the SleepStyle 604 Thermostart CPAP machine with built-in humidifier by Fisher & Paykel. The manufacturers are well-known in the sleep apnea field and their machines are very well received. This machine offers optimum air pressure, less risk of mouth leaks and because it is more comfortable, it leads to improved patient satisfaction and compliance.
For a good all-round CPAP machine, try the IntelliPAP Standard Plus CPAP Machine with Smartflex. It’s quiet, easy to use, provides easy breathing and it also offers an advanced readout. It also provides exhalation relief along with smooth pressure when it’s needed. This machine is made by DeVilbiss and it retails for $349.95.
For more information on the different types of CPAP machines and some general information on CPAP breathing machines, go to www.cpap.com and scroll down to the CPAP FAQs.