Everything You Need to Know About Sleep Apnea Treatment

People that suffer from sleep apnea have low-quality sleep. This sleeping disorder can affect anyone and it’s characterized by breathing pauses, loud snoring and consequent lack of energy. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to more serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart diseases, constant headaches, insomnia and fatigue.

The Importance of Using a CPAP Machine

The CPAP sleep apnea machines are the course best treatment for your problem. If there’s anything that can normalize your breathing and help you sleep without disruptions again, it’s the CPAP Australia mask range. The sleep apnea treatment with a CPAP machine is non-invasive and the most effective. At present moment, you have many new and improved versions of the CPAP machines that promise to help you sleep in utmost comfort.  

What’s so special about the CPAP machine? CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. The machine has a compressor that creates pressurized air. That pressurized air is what helps you fill out the breathing gaps and avoid situations in which you’re gasping for air during the night. The CPAP machine purifies the air, warms it up and makes it humid so that you don’t feel even the slightest bit of discomfort while breathing in. 

You can adjust the temperature and humidity levels on your own. But you need to be careful with the temperature because high temperatures may cause condensation inside the tubes and surely you wouldn’t want water dripping on your face while you sleep. Then again, machines without a humidifier aren’t as comfortable so taking all into consideration, the humidifier wins. You just need to find the best temperature level.

Sleep apnea happens because of blockages in the airways. To counter that, the airstream from the CPAP machine pushes the blockages allowing oxygen to freely enter the lungs. In a way, the CPAP assists your breathing and helps you get a good night’s sleep. And you don’t even have to go through the trouble of turning the machine on and off. The newer models have sensors and start working automatically when you place the mask on your face and vice versa. This is actually a good thing because if the mask gets displaced while you sleep, the machine will stop working instead of continuing to work in vain.

CPAP machines are small and compact. They don’t take up much space and work in silent mode so that your partner’s sleep doesn’t get disrupted (and yours as well). Also, the brightness of its LCD screen is adjustable and it can record data and transfer it wirelessly. This is a very useful feature. It allows you to track your progress and share your data with a professional.

People that regularly use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea treatment notice great improvements over time. They sleep through the night without waking up and get up in the morning well-rested and full of energy, have normal blood pressure and no headaches. And best of all, they don’t feel the need to sleep during the day. 

Sleep Apnea Mask

The sleep apnea mask is part of the CPAP machine. It’s attached to it with a tube and works as a link between the machine and your airways. The mask goes over your mouth and nose. It has security straps that allow you to fasten the mask in place and make sure it stays that way while you’re asleep. Although face masks may not sound like the most comfortable thing, they are designed to fit you nicely and allow you to sleep both on your back and sideways.

What you need to take into consideration when choosing a sleep apnea mask is the shape, the materials from which it is made and the adjustability. After all, the mask is the one that needs to adjust to your needs, not the other way around. You can’t sleep on your back forever because that’s the only way the mask stays in place. You need to find a mask that allows you to sleep in whichever position you prefer and still get the most out of the CPAP treatment.

Also, the design and materials from which the mask is made have a lot to do with its longevity. If you want a mask that’s going to last for some time, pick wisely. It is best if the mask you choose is made from hard and durable plastic along with a silicone cushion for comfort. Then again, if you notice that the mask is damaged or doesn’t work properly you should immediately replace it because it can have an impact on the quality of the treatment.  

The Bottom Line

Taking all into consideration, the CPAP machine along with the mask is the best solution to your sleep apnea problem. There isn’t anything else quite as effective and simple to use. You can always get new sheets, a new mattress, pillows and a new bed, but that won’t make the problem disappear. You can sleep like a king but still struggle to take a breath during the night. Sleep apnea isn’t something you can solve by taking medication or by practising yoga and meditating. And leaving it untreated isn’t an option either. That can have a negative effect on your overall health.

So, instead of bending over backwards to stay focused and not sleep during the day, you can start the CPAP machine treatment and get back on track with your daily activities. It will make you forget all about drinking dozen of coffees a day and having power naps more often than not. If you look at the bigger picture the sleep apnea treatment can improve your daytime alertness, prevent you from developing diabetes, suffering a stroke or being the reason a motor vehicle accident happens. 

Author: Christina Stone

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