Continuous positive airway pressure, known as CPAP, is a common therapeutic treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend a CPAP machine to help you. This machine works to keep your airways open whilst you are asleep.
A tube connects to the mask, which you wear over your nose, and sometimes over your mouth as well. Although CPAP machines are quite common, people still know very little about them. CPAP machines also present problems that few people know about.
Here is what you need to know about CPAP machines.
What Is a CPAP Machine?
A CPAP machine is often prescribed to people with obstructive sleep apnea. When dealing with sleep apnea, your airways may become blocked or collapse during sleep. When air squeezes through the blockages, it directly correlates to loud snoring, breathing issues, and serious sleep disruption.
That is where the CPAP machine comes in. It should keep your airways open using mild pressure. When the increased pressure from the machine flows into your throat, your airways will have a much harder time collapsing.
The Pros of CPAP Machines
- Better sleep – When suffering from sleep apnea, your body usually only wakes when returning your breathing to a normal rhythm. This means that sleep apnea can often result in poor sleep quality and exhaustion during the day. When using the CPAP machine, your body may fall into a deep sleep.
- Treatment – More often than not, sleep apnea is very dangerous if left untreated. CPAP machines can treat your sleep apnea.
- Quality of life – CPAP machines can improve your quality and length of life significantly. When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to heart disease, diabetes, strokes, and a shortened life span. The CPAP machine can help you avoid these diseases.
The Cons of CPAP Machines
- Discomfort – Many people say that CPAP machines are extremely uncomfortable and they can’t easily get used to them. Some people even feel claustrophobic while wearing the mask.
- Bloating and gas – Sometimes CPAP machine users will swallow air while they sleep. This can then lead to bloating and increased gas.
- Noise – CPAP machines are loud, making it even harder to sleep.
- Dry mouth – While sleeping, the CPAP machine blows dry air into your mouth. Because of this, many people report extreme dry mouth when they wake.
- Cancer – Some of the parts in specific CPAP machines can leach cancerous toxins into your system.
Adjusting to Your CPAP Machine
It can take a while to get used to a CPAP machine. At times, you may feel a little off, sleeping with a mask and breathing in pressurized air. If you have trouble, just try the mask periodically without the air. Then, begin using it with the air for only an hour or two at a time.
Slowly, you can increase wear times, which will help drastically with the transition. Sometimes it takes time to get used to the CPAP machine. Once you become comfortable with it, endeavor to use it every time you sleep, even for naps. If you don’t use your machine consistently, you will not see all the benefits.
Dealing with Claustrophobia
Claustrophobia is incredibly common when using a CPAP machine. To avoid claustrophobia, wear the mask, even when you’re awake. Try holding it up to your face without any of the other additional parts. Once you become comfortable with that, you can move on to adding the other parts.
Try also holding the mask, along with the hose, near your face. Then turn the machine on. Once you’re comfortable, add the straps. The final step is to sleep with the mask and machine on.
Relaxation exercises may help reduce general anxiety and claustrophobia. If your claustrophobia continues, speak to your doctor or a CPAP supplier. Sometimes, the mask or mask style causes your issues.
Current Recalls
Recently, the Philips CPAP recall lawsuit has made headlines. Researchers on the project found an alarming amount of disintegrating polyurethane foam in Philips brand CPAP and BIPAP machines.
This then poses the risk of asthma, breast cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, and pancreatic cancer. If you’re ever worried, speak to your doctor about any issues with your CPAP machine. Addressing these problems will make you feel better, sooner.
If you have the Philips brand CPAP machine, you may pursue compensation for any ailments it caused you. Seek legal counsel from an experienced attorney.
Sibley Dolman Gipe Accident & Injury Lawyers out of Florida tell us that if your Philips CPAP machine is one of the following models, talk to your doctor and then seek legal advice today:
- All Philips CPAP devices (manufactured before April 26, 2021)
- All Philips BiLevel PAP devices (manufactured before April 26, 2021)
- E30 model continuous ventilator
- DreamStation non-life supporting continuous ventilator (Models ASV, ST, and AVAPS)
- SystemOne ASV4 model continuous ventilators, non-life supporting
- C Series continuous ventilator, non-life supporting (Models ASV, S/T, and AVAPS)
- OmniLab Advanced Plus in-lab titration device
- SystemOne Q series (Models of non-continuous ventilators)
- DreamStation CPAP, Auto CPAP, and BiPAP ventilators
- DreamStation Go CPAP and APAP (Models of non-continuous ventilators)
- Dorma 400 and 500 CPAP (Models of non-continuous ventilators)
- REMStar SE Auto CPAP (Models of non-continuous ventilators)
- The Trilogy 100, Trilogy 200, Garbin Plus, Aeris, and LifeVent continuous ventilators
- The A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto and Hybrid A30 continuous ventilators
- A-Series BiPAP A30 and A40 non-life supporting continuous ventilators (Not sold in the U.S.)