CPAP MachineCPAP Guide For Patients with Sleep Apnea Learn what is a CPAP machine and how does it work to treat sleep apnea. Discover the best rated CPAP machines and their benefits and side effects. Learn how to prevent the most annoying problems, to improve your therapy.
What is CPAP?Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea known today. However, CPAP therapy is designed to manage apnea, not to cure it. The machine must be worn throughout each night to provide maximal benefit. Using a mask and a hose (tubing), the CPAP machine is able to provide a continuous airflow into the back of the throat. This pressure splints the throat airway open, and allows for normal breathing.
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Benefits of CPAP Therapy | |
Before Using CPAP | After Using CPAP |
From excessive sleepiness during the day | to daytime alertness |
From being easily annoyed | to being more calm |
From having headaches in the morning | to not having them |
From having memory and concentration problems | to being more focused |
From having high blood pressure | to reduce or cancel the use of medication, |
From depression | to improved quality of life. |
From having weight gain problems | to helping lose weight. |
From sexual problems in bed | to healthy sexual activity |
For more on positive aspects of using the CPAP, see CPAP benefits.
How do CPAP Machines Work?
CPAP is used to treat mild, moderate and even severe cases of sleep apnea.
However, for complicated cases of central apnea, mixed apnea or Cheyne-Stokes respirations, the treatment requires the use of high-end technology devices, such as bi-level PAP device (BiPAP) or auto-adjusting device (APAP).
The air pressure setting from CPAP machine may differ from patient to patient. To find what is the best pressure to open your airway without causing side effects, you need a sleep study.
Having the correct air pressure from your CPAP
Higher than necessary CPAP air pressure can trigger central apnea events, which will aggravate your sleep instead of improving. The settings from your CPAP must be changed by a qualified person, not by yourself.
The CPAP machine has some features that help you increase the comfort when you sleep, such as:
| Important Features in High Quality CPAP Machines |
ramp feature - allows a gradual increase of the air pressure from a low level to the final prescribed air pressure. This feature is useful mainly for patients who need a high pressure to maintain the airway open. |
humidifier - to prevent the nasal passages or the throat to become stuffy or dry. This feature is useful for every CPAP user. |
memory card - to record the information from your sleep. This device records the necessary data for your doctor to analyze your sleep quality. |
air filter - to clean the air before entering into your airways. |
exhalation relief - to make exhalation against the CPAP pressure easier. |
software - reporting of all compliance, pressure, leak and AHI parameters. |
Helpful Video - How does CPAP machine work?
CPAP Manufacturers
Here are the most common CPAP brands:
- Philips Respironics,
- ResMed,
- Fisher and Paykel,
- Puritan Bennett,
- Devilbiss,
- Aeiomed - which doesn't sell CPAP machines since Oct 2010, but still provides customer support.
Learn More
Adverse Effects of CPAP Machines
Although CPAP is a simple therapy, many patients have difficulties using the machine every night. Research has shown that 50% of those who do use CPAP will not be using it after 4 years. Other patients use the machine only a couple of hours in the night, instead of whole night.
CPAP users give up their machines because they don't know how to confront the side effects. These CPAP problems are very common, and learning how to manage them can improve the success rate. Here are some examples:
- dry mouth and nose irritation from air pressure,
- swallowing air and bloating,
- chest discomfort and even pain,
- claustrophobia.
The next video is about a positive experience with CPAP. This man explains very nicely how things work, from his own experience:
There are patients with sleep apnea who gave up the CPAP machine just because they have not seen any positive result. Learn from their mistakes with help tips for CPAP users.
CPAP Chin Strap - Do You Sleep With Your Mouth Open?
CPAP users who have air leak problems receive a low level of pressure, so their therapy is ineffective.
If you sleep with your mouth open and you don't use a full face mask, the CPAP therapy will fail. A chin strap was created to help you sleep with your mouth closed, and is a great helper in this situation.
For more on problems with CPAP therapy, see CPAP Problems.
How to Choose the Best CPAP Machine
If your doctor prescribes a CPAP, you need to find one that is good for you. Do not rush at the first CPAP shop. Take your time. Think about buying a car: you need to compare many dealers and products before making a choice.
However, your breathing machine is more important. You will spend more time with your CPAP than with your car, and you should start using your breathing machine soon as possible.
For more on how to choose a CPAP from a shop, see Best CPAP Machines.
CPAP for Travel
Are you planning a holiday overseas? Do you want to travel abroad? If you suffer from sleep apnea, you need to take your CPAP with you.
Read more about how to choose a CPAP for travel.
Cleaning your CPAP equipment can prolong the life of your machine, and protect your health from mold, dust, and bacteria.
Our Readers Have Questions:
| Still tired with CPAP treatment. Why?. I use my Cpap machine every evening, but I still am tired during the day. What is wrong? |
| Can I die if the CPAP power goes out?. I use a full face mask and have heard I could die if I don't wake up when the power goes out. Is thais true? |
| I have been using the cpap machine for a while and it has been drying out my mouth and throat. I have a lot of allergy problems and I'm wondering if there is a way [...] |
(Detailed questions have the highest priority to be answered for FREE!) | |
Summary
Bottom line... The CPAP machine will eliminate the symptoms of sleep apnea, but it doesn't mean you will be cured. So, don't assume that you are treated just because you feel better. If you stop your treatment with CPAP, sleep apnea will return.
Related Articles
More Sleep Apnea Articles:
- CPAP Alternatives: If you can't use CPAP.
- Dental Devices for Sleep Apnea: Effective therapy with oral devices.
- CPAP Condensation: How to prevent water in CPAP or rainout.
Questions and Tips About CPAP/Masks
Do you have problems with your CPAP or mask? This is the place where you can ask a question about any aspect of using the CPAP machine and mask issues, and I will give you an answer or help you solve the problem. It's free and it's easy to do.
Just fill in the form below, then click on "Submit Your Question".
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
CPAP Tubing condensation
There is condensation building up in the tubing that runs from the humidifier to my mask & I get doused with water when I turn over or shift positions....
CPAP treatment and heart rate
My grandmother is supposed to be sleeping with a CPAP machine, unfortunately she does not use it every time she is napping or nightly. Lately her heart ...
High Leak Session Message on Resmed Elite II
Following message appeared on my Elite II machine : "High leak in last session".
Does that mean the machine is disfunctional?
Answer The ResMed ...
CPAP gas problem - aerophagia?
I get a tremendous amount of gas every morning from my cpap machine, so much so that I do not want to continue using it. Neither the company I got the ...
Question: How long before you find relief from the cpap machine?
How long before you find relief from the cpap machine?
Answer
Unfortunately I think there is no "right" answer to this question. Every person is ...
Question: Still tired with CPAP treatment. What is wrong?
I use my Cpap machine every evening, but I still am tired during the day. What is wrong?
Answer
There are a lot of problems that can appear ...
CPAP Addiction
I have been told by a friend that people can get addicted to the CPAP and have to use oxygen all the time and to avoid the CPAP at all costs. Is this true?...
Changing pressure of CPAP machine?
My husband had been told to have his machine set at 7cm, he is only averaging 3 hours sleep and has been using the machine for 2 weeks, he struggles for ...
Therapy stops with my auto pap during use
I went to Mayo Clinic and it was determined my sleep apnea had worsened. Since 2009, my downloads indicate i average 4 hours sleep a night, even though ...
Using CPAP nasal mask or CPAP full mask
Not rated yet
Just started using CPAP nasal mask about a week ago. After I get it set, it seems to hold a seal for about 4 hours and then it looses it. I have readjusted ...
Stomach bloating with CPAP
Not rated yet
I was dianosed with mild sleep apnea, and have been using my cpap more lately with lots of gas and bloating, now here's my question it came with a chin ...
What To Do With CPAP Machine Not Needed?
Not rated yet
I have had two sleep studies. In the first study I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and was given/sold/whatever a CPAP machine.
The short of it is ...
How often to replace the CPAP machine?
Not rated yet
Do you need to replace your CPAP machine periodically?
Answer Is a good practice to replace the CPAP machine periodically, but that doesn't mean ...
Is c-pap benificial while using awake?
Not rated yet
I have A C-PAP machine that I will not get use to for sleeping. The nurses are telling me just to go ahead and wear it 2 hours in the morning and 2 in ...
CPAP chest or lung pain
Not rated yet
Some mornings when I wake up my lungs actually hurt. The pain goes away within a few minutes after taking off my cpap full face mask. But I have to wonder ...
Low CPAP air pressure
Not rated yet
I have been using the CPap for almost 10 years and recently, I have been having trouble getting a breath through it at the start of my sleep but, by morning ...
CPAP mask broken
Not rated yet
I have a full face mask it has been ok until now. When I breath the air was escaping and making all sorts of noises like rasberry blow etc.
I found ...
Questions on CPAP
Not rated yet
How much does the CPAP machine cost? Are there many types of CPAP machines? Where can i buy the CPAP? Do I need a doctor subscription?
Answer How ...
recovery
Not rated yet
How long does it take for the apnea machine to help you feel better, ie, energy, less fatigue, cognitive function improvement?
Answer Dear Patty,...
REMstar Plus User Manual
Not rated yet
I stopped using my REMstar Plus C-Pap a few years back.This was a bad mistake. Where can I learn how to start back using my REMstar plus again.
Answer ...
Resmed S8 Elite II, how long do they normally last?
Not rated yet
wondering what the lifespan of a Resmed S8 Elite II is on average.
Answer Most xPAPs, including Resmed S8 Elite II, are warranteed for 2 years and ...
Can't sleep and have sleep apnea!
Not rated yet
My main problem is staying asleep. I have tried Ambien and Lunesta. They seem to be too short term. I tried Clonazapam in the past but had terrible side ...
Dry mouth problems with CPAP
Not rated yet
I have been using the cpap machine for a while and it has been drying out my mouth and throat. I have a lot of allergy problems and I'm wondering if there ...
What lubricant do I use for a squeaking mask?
Not rated yet
My mask squeaks at the plastic swivel connection where the hose connects to the mask. What type of lubricant should I use to eliminate this?
Answer ...
sleeping without CPAP machine
Not rated yet
My husband removes the cpap during the night if it gets bothersome. I listen and many times he does not take a breath for 2-3 minutes. What permanent ...
Question: Will the Cpap machine help with Migraine Headaches?
Not rated yet
If you are prone to Migraine Headaches will using the cpap machine help with Migraine Headaches or increase the migrain headaches?
Answer
Debbie,...
Question: Custom fit full face CPAP mask
Not rated yet
Where can I buy a custom fit full face CPAP mask please? I have tried 3 masks but struggle to get a seal I need to buy a custom fit mask, any ideas ?
If ...
Question: CPAP lip leaks
Not rated yet
I have had my cpap machine for about 3 months...nasal mask seals good but some nights i keep blowing air out of lips even with chin strap on. As soon as ...
Question: Travel CPAP and distilled water supply
Not rated yet
What do I do if I am going on a 3 week China cruise vacation? My concern is not being able to take a 3-week supply of distilled or demineralized water ...
Question: Can I die if the CPAP power goes out?
Not rated yet
I use a full face mask and have heard I could die if I don't wake up when the power goes out. Is thais true?
Answer
Can power outage kill you ...
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