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Do you feel tired during the day?
Are you possibly
overweight? Do people tell you you snore? Then you need to
consider the possibility that you have sleep apnea.
If you have sleep
apnea, the doctors at the sleep center will write a prescription for treatment,
which might include a weight loss program. If the apnea is severe, the doctors
will probably prescribe a sleep apnea machine such as a CPAP.
If you avoid treatment,
your life will be shortened—sleep apnea causes blood pressure spikes during held
breath, and leads to increased risk of stroke and heart attack. You’re deprived
of oxygen, and your mental functioning may suffer. In addition, the quality of
your life will remain under par—you’re sleepy all the time. So it’s time for
you to find out all about these machines. Once you get one, plan to use it every
night, even when traveling.
The CPAP is a small
electric blower that pushes air into a hose. The hose is
attached to a mask, held on by straps. The hose supplies
enough air pressure (as determined by the sleep center) to keep your
airway from collapsing as you sleep.
The doctor
probably won’t prescribe the exact model of CPAP machine. Your
insurance company will probably steer you toward a few models. But
hopefully you will have some leeway to pick features:
*Mask. The mask
is the single most important feature. Get it right, or you
may be tempted to back out of the treatment plan later. The mask
needs to fit you well. Sleep apnea sufferers are told to sleep on
their sides. But sideways pressure from your pillow may cause
your mask to slip and let
air leak out. Users report that this is a noisy event, particularly
annoying to your bed partner. It is important that you spend some
time trying on masks and pushing on them from the side, to imitate
the sideways force that would come from your pillow as you move your
head around in sleep. More mask tips: go for smaller, not larger,
because larger masks are more likely to leak. Like to read yourself
to sleep? Be sure to choose a mask that’s low over the bridge of
the nose. Like to breathe through your mouth? There’s a mask that
delivers the air to your mouth, not your nose. Here’s a tip: buy two
masks of different types and alternate them, so your skin doesn’t
get chafed too much.
*Bi-level
pressure. The pressure can be continuous, as in older models, or
bi-level. With bi-level, the pressure is lower when you exhale.
This feature is also called C-Flex. Without it, you may be
laboring to exhale.
*Pressure
ramping up slowly. Many models increase pressure every five
minutes for 30 minutes, until the full pressure is reached.
This gives your body a chance to adjust gradually to the
machine. Some have a ramping control that you can adjust.
*Integrated heated
humidifier, to keep your airway from drying out. Some manufacturers
say their models inhibit condensation from forming inside the
tube and mask.
*Battery pack.
You should ask whether it contains enough power to get you
through eight hours of sleeping on an airplane, with the
humidifier/heater on. For most models, the heater will
bring the time down below what you'd like.
*Altitude
adjustment, automatic or manual. Will you be traveling to
high places? Flying in airplanes? Some models have an
automatic altitude adjustment. Others are manual. Some go to
7,800 feet or 11,000 feet. Do they work in an airplane at
40,000 feet? You need to ask that.
*Data storage.
Many units capture data that can be sent to your sleep center.
he data includes recording any apneas, and monitoring whether
you are getting enough sound sleep. The doctor can use the data
to make pressure adjustments. How much data can be stored--one
night or nine months? That's the range available.
How do you send the data? Some use a data card; others hook to
your PC. Figure out a method that works for you.
*DC or direct
current adapters, to hook to your car battery if you are camping.
*AC adjustment,
so you can use it in America (120 V) or Europe (240 V).
*Hose length.
The standard hose length is six feet. Hoses longer than 12 feet won’t maintain the pressure from the
machine, and will require increased pressure. To avoid getting
tangled in the hose as you sleep, you can plan to drape the hose
over the headboard of your bed, or over an object (such as a chair)
that you set up for that purpose.
With proper
planning, your sleep apnea machine will provide you with better
health and longer life. So choose wisely, and make sure you
USE it!
Sleep Apnea |
Sleep
Centers | Sleep Apnea Machines |
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