How to Know If You Need a CPAP Machine

by | | CPAP

How to Know If You Need a CPAP Machine

CPAP Machine exists to better improve the lives of those who are struggling to breathe during sleep, but when exactly do you need to use it? Don’t worry, let me guide you and tell you about the CPAP machine.

So, how to know if you need a CPAP machine? You need CPAP machine if you experience shortness of breath or have a sleeping condition called “sleep apnea”. Check these 10 symptoms of sleep apnea that needs CPAP for treatment.

  1. When you snore heavily
    • Maybe, it can be a sign of fatigue but snoring loudly and usually can be a sign of sleep apnea.
  2. Sudden weight gain or loss
    • Losing control of your weight can be a sign of sleep apnea.
  3. Gasping for air during sleep
    • The feeling of drowning without knowing it and suddenly you’re out of air.
  4. If you have insomnia
    • Having trouble going to sleep because you have breathing problems that you may not notice
  5. If you experience hypersomnia
    • Having trouble staying awake in the morning because you were unable to sleep well due to your sleep apnea
  6. Waking up with a headache
    • Sleep apnea can disturb your body’s “charging” state. Since you can’t sleep well, your body will use energy for means that can help you breathe which may lead to headaches.
  7. Waking up with a dry mouth
    • With sleep apnea, the person tends to snore and keep their mouth open when gasping for air which leads to a dried up mouth once we awaken.
  8. Decreased ability to focus
    • Sleep apnea can give lack of sleep which will also result in difficulty to focus on anything
  9. Feeling uncomfortable
    • Your lack of energy due to sleep apnea can make you feel uncomfortable and irritable without your knowledge
  10. Suddenly stop breathing during sleep
    • Your housemates should notice this and tell you about it. Sleep apnea can disrupt breathing that may last for up to 10 seconds which is already risky.

You must also keep in mind that a formal medical check up or a sleep study can be done to properly determine if you have any sleeping condition that requires the help of CPAP machines.

Why you need a CPAP machine

  1. Lessen daytime sleepiness
    • Sleep apnea can make it difficult to fall asleep at night. If you use CPAP, you may prevent this.
  2. Anti-snoring device
    • Using a CPAP mask can control snoring tendencies.
  3. Avoid morning headaches
    • Sleep apnea also causes headaches. CPAP users report better mornings without headaches after using CPAP.
  4. Avoid heart failures
    • May lead to fatal conditions such as brain damages or even death, CPAP can prevent heart failures caused by sleep apnea.
  5. Avoid heart attacks
    • Sleep apnea can trigger heart attacks and can also be severely threatening however, this can be prevented by using the CPAP machine.
  6. Stop irregular heartbeats
    • Worsens the ability to breathe
    • Can trigger anxiety
    • CPAP can bring your heartbeat pattern back to normal.
  7. Prevent stroke
    • Can leave permanent damage
    • May lead to paralysis
    • Sleep apnea can also be the cause of stroke but the help of CPAP machine can lessen the risk of stroke.
  8. Avoid depression
    • Not an easy condition to treat, sleep apnea can cause mental problems but CPAP can prevent that
  9. Avoiding the risk of diabetes
    • Leaves you prone to more heart attacks
  10. Avoiding high blood pressure
    • Aside from your physical health, this can also affect your mental health and relationship with people around you including your work. CPAP treatment can prevent this.
  11. Avoid worsening ADHD
    • Sleep apnea reduces your ability to focus which is what happens when you have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
    • Having a lack of control to focus can lead to frustration
  12. Wake up with full energy
    • With sleep apnea, your energy will be reduced since you are unable to sleep well. The CPAP machine can fix that for you.
  13. Avoiding the risk of seizures
    • Sleep apnea patients are more prone to seizures during sleep compared to epilepsy patients without sleep apnea.

How CPAP machine works

The CPAP machine is short for “continuous positive airway pressure”, it provides the air to keep the patients breathing during sleep because sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction in the airway or inability to breathe.

It happens when the brain fails to send the right signals to your muscles that enable you to breathe. This is called “central sleep apnea”.

If your difficult breathing is caused by your anatomical features such as a narrow throat which can make breathing difficult, it is classified as “obstructive sleep apnea”.

Both can be improved by the CPAP machine so if you have any of those sleeping conditions, immediately consider the use of CPAP machine.

The machine comes with a mask which can be different depending on the user. It can be a half or full-faced mask. It is attached to the machine using wires that is long enough to ensure the user can move.

However, this is the problem found by most of its users that cannot tolerate the mask is attached to the wire. For them, it makes sleeping even more difficult.

In this case, you may also learn about the other options you can use for treating conditions such as sleep apnea.

What are the alternatives to CPAP machine

  1. Rapid Maxillary Expansion
    • For children with obstructive sleep apnea. This process places an expandable brace on the roof of the mouth that increases the width of the upper jaw (maxilla).
    • Over time, parents can adjust the brace using a special key to increase the amount of pressure for the teeth.
  2. Jaw Advancement Surgery
    • For teenagers and adults. This process will surgically break the jaw bones, moved forward and then fixed properly with screws and plates and will change the person’s facial structure or profile.
    • It might take months to recover.
  3. Surgical Airway Advancement
    • Similar to the 2nd example. Bones of the upper and lower jaw will be repositioned in a way that will relieve airway obstruction.
  4. Nasal Strips
    • Nasal strips are one of the earliest tools used to treat sleep apnea and its symptoms such as snoring. Nowadays, there are newly developed nasal strips that you can try.
  5. Oral Appliance
    • Oral pieces can help with sleep apnea, they are custom made to make sure it prevents the obstruction in the airways and counter sleep apnea.
  6. Lose weight
    • Being overweight or obesity can be a cause of sleep apnea. You can potentially get rid of sleep apnea by getting plenty of exercises and maintaining a healthy, balanced diet.
  7. Stop or avoid smoking too much.
    • Excessive smoking can cause or worsen sleep apnea. Reducing your smoke intake per day will also reduce the risk of getting sleep apnea. If possible, quit smoking to potentially get rid of sleep apnea.
  8. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
    • Drinking too much alcohol before sleeping can cause and worsen sleep apnea just like smoking.
  9. Avoid sedatives before going to sleep
    • Certain sedatives can cause sleep apnea. Consult a medical expert to determine what type of sedative may be the cause.
  10. Maintain a proper sleep routine.
    • Sometimes, we end up getting exposed to sleep apnea since we simply don’t sleep at the right time. Try to avoid staying up late and sleep early.
    • Try to keep a proper sleeping position as well. Try to sleep with your head elevated or sleeping in a recliner chair.
  11. Stop overworking yourself.
    • Going to sleep exhausted can make us a lot more prone to sleep apnea. It’s important to relax a little bit at first before going to bed to lessen the risk of sleep apnea.
  12. Treating chronic allergies
    • Some allergies can trigger obstruction in your body’s airways and may cause you to have sleep apnea. Treat or avoid triggering your allergies to prevent sleep apnea.

How much is the CPAP machine?

CPAP machines can cost between $500, $850 up to $3000 depending on the brand and place where you live.

The newly invented CPAP machines are smaller which can provide more comfort and can adjust to the user’s breathing pattern for better treatment.

The older CPAP machines have a fixed air pressure that it can provide and comes in larger sizes which is why more and more people are looking for alternatives if they cannot afford the new CPAP machines.

It is suggested to check with your insurance company if they can cover the costs for CPAP machine treatment to save money.

How long CPAP machine can last

A properly cared for CPAP machine can last up to seven years. Machines tend to last longer as long as it is properly maintained but if you want to be safe, it is usually replaced once every seven years.

Related Questions

How much is an airing CPAP?

Airing CPAP’s average price starts from $3.00 if not covered by insurance but the prices may be different depending on your location and selected brand.

Some places may not sell CPAP yet as it is still under development and it is not completely approved by the FDA yet. Though, users that have tried the device claim to experience the same relief a traditional CPAP provides.

Can you lose weight by using a CPAP machine?

Indirectly, yes. Sleep apnea disrupts the patient’s body and causes it to produce more hormones that make you want to eat more and gain weight uncontrollably.

With the help of CPAP machine treatment, the body’s system will be regulated once again and help the users lose weight or maintain their weight.