CPAP 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Better Sleep

Having problems getting a good night’s sleep? It is a question being asked by more individuals who wake up tired after spending eight hours in bed. If you ever feel like you are choking on your breath while sleeping or your partner tells you that you have been making a lot of noise from snoring, then perhaps you need to worry about something more serious than bad habits. Such signs can indicate that you are suffering from sleep apnoea, wherein you experience difficulty breathing during sleep.

What Is a CPAP machine?

source: cpap.co.uk

The CPAP machine refers to a medical device that is used in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea through the provision of continuous pressure air to the user via a mask while asleep. It is derived from the abbreviation of ‘Continuous Positive Airway Pressure’. Its main function is that of acting as an ‘invisible splint’ to the throat. In people with sleep apnoea, their airway muscles tend to relax excessively, leading to the constriction of their airway and blocking their breathing process.

Today’s devices are incredibly silent and small, easily accommodating a bedside cabinet without occupying much space. One of the most sought-after devices is the CPAP fisher paykel device due to its excellent humidification features and user-friendliness. These devices are quite technologically advanced when compared to old, clunky models. They include smart sensors that detect your breathing pattern and will usually adjust the airflow accordingly throughout the different sleep stages.

In using such machines, you basically keep a constant supply of oxygen to your body. By doing so, you avoid triggering the fight or flight reaction that comes when your brain detects that you are not breathing. You do not have to experience an increase in heart rate and adrenaline for your system to come out of its state of relaxation because of the lack of breath. These are tools to help you overcome a problem in your body’s physiological processes through a less aggressive approach.

Components

source: respshop.com

The CPAP device has three key components that come together in order to give you your therapy. The first component is the motor. It is the primary housing of the CPAP device.

The function of the motor is to draw air from the surroundings, filter it to eliminate any dust and allergen particles and pressurise it to the required settings recommended by your physician. In most of the current motors, a humidifier has been incorporated into their design. This helps keep your nose or throat moist, thereby preventing any discomfort.

The second piece is the hose, which transports the air, under pressure, from the CPAP machine to the mask over your face. The tube is often made from a flexible and light material and is typically two meters in length. Sometimes the tubes are warmed so that the air will maintain a constant temperature and avoid moisture from accumulating. It is important to have a good quality tube because it maintains pressure and provides adequate space while sleeping.

Advantages

source: rockinghamcpap.com.au

The most obvious advantage of CPAP use is the dramatic increase in the quality of sleep. As the airways stay open throughout the night, the constant need to wake up and take another breath is alleviated.

You will finally get to enjoy the deeper phases of sleep that promote brain functioning and memory formation. You should feel a sudden burst of energy after a week of CPAP use. The constant drowsiness during the day will begin to fade, and you won’t have to drink several cups of coffee to start the day.

Apart from the general improvement in your life, CPAP therapy offers amazing health advantages. The most significant effect is reduced strain on your cardiovascular system. During an apnea event, blood oxygen levels drop dramatically, causing additional pressure on the heart.

Regular breathing keeps the blood oxygen levels normal, lowering the chance of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes. CPAP therapy is beneficial for managing blood sugar levels and maintaining a proper weight because sleep-deprived bodies have slower metabolic processes and lack appetite regulation mechanisms.

Factors to Consider

As you are just beginning your use of CPAP treatment, there are some things to take into account if you want to stick with it regularly. First, you will have to choose the mask that fits properly. As you will wear it every day, it makes sense to try out different types until you settle on one that is right for you. If you sleep on your side, you may have to opt for a mask that has a lower profile since it can move around when you sleep on your side.

Another consideration is the pressure that your machine delivers. Typically, one’s journey will begin with what is called a titration study, where an expert establishes precisely how much air pressure is required to maintain an open airway. If you discover that the pressure feels too strong when the machine is turned on, then check whether it has a ramp function. This lets the device start working from an extremely low pressure that increases gradually over the course of about twenty minutes.