Using CPAP devices to help ease your sleep apnea and some breathing difficulties might seem overwhelming, especially for first-time users because there will be a device beside you the whole night, with some straps, tubes, and a mask that will go over your nose, mouth, or both. But, once you know what you should do to adjust, you can sleep well with this machine.

What is sleep apnea?

It is a sleeping disorder that can become a serious condition if not prevented. Your breathing will repeatedly stops in a few seconds, then starts again when you’re sleeping. If you’re feeling tired, experiencing insomnia, gasping for air during sleep, and snores very loud during your sleep, you might have this disorder.

These are the types:

1. Central

Is a condition that happens if the person’s brain doesn’t give command signals to the muscles that is responsible to your breathing.

2. Obstructive

Happens when the muscles in the throat relax, and is the most common type of sleep apnea.

3. Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome

It’s a sleep apnea that has a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.

If you’re experiencing one of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s better to see your doctor immediately to help prevent some other complications that it might bring, and also to ease the symptoms you’re experiencing.

What is a CPAP machine?

A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP devices are a type of therapeutic device that applies mild pressure of air to the upper airway to keep it open, so that the person suffering from sleep apnea or other breathing problems can be relieved and can normally breathe again while they are sleeping.

Parts of a CPAP machine

Here are the three major components of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine to further understand how it works:

CPAP Hose

This transports the air coming from the motor to the mask. Most hoses have a length of six feet, but it’s diameter can differ from one another, based on what type of machine you will be using. To reduce the accumulation of water condensation that comes from the humidifier, most hoses are being heated.

CPAP Mask and Straps

Not every person is comfortable with wearing the same type of mask, so masks are available with different shapes and sizes. Finding the mask that suits your level of comfort is very important. Here are the three types of masks that you can choose from:

  • Nasal mask that goes over the nose
  • Full mask that covers both your nose and mouth
  • Nasal pillow mask that can fit under your nose

The CPAP will be effective as long as the mask is put properly, or is sealed enough so the pump of air pressure stays constant. You should try every mask type to find the best fit for you.

CPAP Motor

It’s a small compressor that draws and gently pressurizes air in the room in order to perfectly deliver a sufficient amount of air pressure needed to clear the obstruction in your breathing. It has a filter, which is replaceable, that screens out impurities and particulates that may enter your body.

Some CPAP devices today have a small water tank that provides moisture in the air you’ll breath once it’s turned on and heats up. These are suited for people who wake up with dry nasal cavities, throat, or mouth.

Effectiveness of CPAP

With lots of research being conducted about the relationship between CPAP and sleep apnea and its relief on breathing obstructions, there is evidence that proves that it is effective, and CPAP is considered as a standard treatment for sleep apnea, although the research and studies about the effectiveness of its treatment is limited.

A common problem with it, though, is if you don’t use it every night or you’re taking the mask off in the middle of the night because you feel uncomfortable wearing it. Keep in mind that you will feel sleepy the next day if you don’t use it even for one night. Using it on a daily basis is important, so you won’t feel the symptoms often.

Have a consultation

Before buying CPAP devices, it is better to consult your doctor first, to know the right action that you should do about your condition. Getting the right treatment is important, especially in cases like this, because it’s about breathing problems. Thorough research is also important for you to have a background about these machines, in case you’ll feel uncomfortable with it at first, and to know if the treatment is really working for you.