CPAP Breathing Machine: Complete Guide

Nov 6 , 2020 by PrimeClean

Today we are going to analyze the CPAP machine, why it is used, when do you need one, and also all the rest related to this matter. CPAP Breathing Machine is something that millions of people have been using for years and they will continue using it. If you believe that you need a machine of this kind, this page is just for you.

CPAP: What is it?

CPAP refers to a machine and itis an acronym that stands for continuous, positive airway pressure. This is a machine that will push pressurized air through your airways and prevent them from collapsing. It is used to treat sleep apnea, a condition that collapses your airways when you sleep. CPAP Breathing Machine will basically keep airways open and allow you to breathe.

The first models were based on vacuum cleaners and therefore used the same or at least similar methods. New models are far more advanced, sophisticated, and come with countless, additional features

Modern machines are extremely quiet, come with amazing advantages and they are designed to be used all over the globe, as portable devices. Some are very small so they can fit any luggage.

CPAP machines will pressurize the air and via a tube, connected to a nasal or full-face mask direct it towards your airways. They will then force open the airways and provide a sufficient amount of air to the lungs and therefore allow you to breathe. Most people prefer full-face masks because they are more comfortable and offer better performance.

Are Oxygen Machines And CPAP The Same Thing?

These are actually two completely different things. Now you already know what a CPAP machine is so we will try to define the oxygen machine more. Oxygen machines are prescribed to Emphysemapatients and also those with COPD. They are not something you can easily get without a prescription. IN a nutshell, an oxygen machine will generate oxygen and provide it to your lungs.

CPAP machine will simply pressurize the air inside a room and push it towards your lungs. Now you can see the clear difference between these two machines. As always, make sure to contact your healthcare provider before you decide to use one of these machines. In addition, they can be used combined, but this is a complicated matter.

Purpose Of CPAP Machines

The most common application of these machines is to treat sleep apnea. This is a condition that collapses your airways while you sleep. As such, your body will need more oxygen in the blood and this issue can cause a variety of other complications. Keep in mind that CPAP treatment cannot be used to cure sleep apnea. It is used to decrease the symptoms. There are other procedures you can use as well. For instance, losing weight can help or surgery to remove tissue that is responsible or collapsing the airways.

Types Of CPAP Machines

CPAP is a machine that allows patients to get PAP or positive airway pressure treatment. Although you may believe that there is just one type of these machines, there are many variations. We will discuss these below.

CPAP

All CPAP machines are capable of providing a pressure setting between 4 and 20. If you need more or less, you will need a different type of machine.

APAP

APAP machines are a bit more complex. They are known as Automatic Positive Airway Pressure and their pressure rating is still between 4 and 20. But, they are able to adjust the air pressure needed, according to how a patient breathes. This makes them more appealing toa specific type of patients.

BiPAP

BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure machines have air pressure settings between 4 and 25. They are more capable than CPAP machines and they can be used for treating more complex and more advanced forms of sleep apnea. One of the most important advantages is that these models have two different settings. One set is used when a patient inhales, while the other is used when a patient exhales.

Advantages And Benefits Of Using CPAP Treatment

As some of you may know already, there are several benefits and advantages of using CPAP treatment. They are usually all present among all patients and they come with amazing, positive effects on the lifestyle. Anyway, some of the benefits are:

Better mood
More energy
Longer sleep
Decreased blood pressure
Better health
Lower risk of stroke and heart attack

In general, this treatment is very effective and works well in most cases. However, the data and the treatment itself must be optimized for each patient. This is mandatory in order to get all of the aforementioned benefits and also new ones that may be specific for you. That’s why it is essential to have regular visits to your doctor and to discuss all potential issues or problems and solve them.

Possible Side Effects

As with any other treatment, there are some side effects, we must mention and explain here. They are rare and usually, they are easy to fix, but we will still have to explain them. Keep in mind that if you notice any issue with the ones we will list below you need to solve it as quickly as possible.

Leaks

One of the most common issues is a leak in the system. Typically this happens when a hose or a mask is damaged or when the mask is not tight enough against the face. Keep in mind that CPAP is a pressurized system so losing air will make the entire system ineffective. Replace damaged components or tight down the mask.

Water Found Inside The Hose

If water is found in the hose, you will get splashes through the night. This is a rare issue and can be easily solved. All you need is to purchase a heated hose or a hose cover that will solve the problem.

Dry mouth The Morning

If you breathe using your mouth while you sleep, you can experience dry mouth in the morning. The solution is to add a humidifier to your system. This will make sure the problem is completely solved.

Cleaning The CPAP Machine

Your CPAP Breathing Machine must be cleaned on a regular basis and this is mandatory. There are two things you need to worry about in this case scenario. The first one is that you can use wet cloth and tissues to wipe down the mask and all the rest. This is done to remove dead skin cells and oils that are present on the mask from your skin.

The second thing you will need to know is that mask and a hose must be sanitized. One solution for that is PrimeClean. This is an ozone cleaner that obviously uses this medium to kill all bacteria, germs, and viruses. It can kill the COVID19 virus as well. The bacteria and germs can cause various issues such as infections, irritations, and even more severe conditions. Cleaning the machine is extremely simple and needs one hour. You will place the mask and the hose in the bag, connect PrimeClean, turn it on and leave it for 30 minutes. Let the system convert ozone to oxygen (this takes 35 minutes) and you are all set. Repeat the process at least 3-4 times per week, but during the pandemic, you can do it every day.

Conclusion

Using CPAP Breathing Machine isn’t something you will love, but it is something that can have a huge, positive effect on the quality of your sleep and therefore your life. Visit a sleep specialist and they will prescribe you the treatment you need. Use it, maintain the machine and you will lead a long and happy life.