The most successful sleep apnea remedies are positive airway pressure sleep apnea machines.
There are a number of different types to choose from including CPAP, BiPAP and AutoPAP. They each vary in how the airflow is controlled during the treatment. What is consistent however is that they each utilize a face mask and hose to deliver some degree of air pressure directly into the patients airway while they are sleeping. The mask is held in place by straps that go around the head.
Someone who is afflicted with sleep apnea intermittently stops breathing several times throughout the night. Their throat collapses cutting preventing their oxygen intake. A sleep apnea machine is prescribed to correct this.
While the treatment can take some getting used to, the risks of doing nothing can be quite severe. It truly is a life threatening condition as the apneas, or periods of held breath, cause blood pressure jumps. This increases the risk of stroke and heart attack. If you are someone you know might suffer from this condition it is important that you take a sleep apnea quiz as soon as possible.
Aside from the above, as you are constantly waking up during the night you are not getting a proper, restful sleep. Consequently you are tired and are sleepy through out the day. This definitely has a detrimental effect on your quality of life and can negatively impact job performance and family relationships.
Sleep apnea machines can come with some or all of the following features.
Bi-level pressure – In older models the air pressure was constant at one level. Bi-level machines allow for a lower pressure when you exhale and a higher pressure when you inhale. Some machines call this option C-Flex. It is designed to make it easier to exhale.
Ramp feature – This allows you to gradually increase the pressure over a period of time when you first turn on the machine. It gives you an opportunity to get used to the pressure before it reaches full force.
Heated humidifier – This helps to stop your airways from drying out.
The level of pressure required to prevent the apneas may be determined during a two-part overnight polysomnography sleep study. The setting is measured in centimeters of water (cm H20).
Prescriptions are usually provided by a sleep specialist or pulmonologist, however you can request one from your primary care physician provided he is familiar with the condition, its symptoms and you as a patient. In this circumstance an automatic CPAP is likely the best choice as there is not a recommended pressure available from a CPAP titration study.
Popular sleep apnea machine brands include REMstar, GoodKnight, ResMed and Respironics.
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