Sleep Apnea Treatments Reviewed and Rated
Most experts agree, that the key to staying compliant with CPAP and/or Bipap Therapy is having a comfortable Apnea Mask.
CPAP therapy is helping millions of people each year treat their sleep apnea by finally allowing them to get a good night's sleep. However, it does not come without its issues, studies show that compliance rates can be as low as 40% - 50%.
That is why I started this webpage, to help you discover why the right apnea mask and clinical assistance can make all the difference in your care of sleep apnea and improving compliance rates up to 70% - 80%.
CPAP therapy is helping millions of people each year treat their sleep apnea by finally allowing them to get a good night's sleep. However, it does not come without its issues, studies show that compliance rates can be as low as 40% - 50%.
That is why I started this webpage, to help you discover why the right apnea mask and clinical assistance can make all the difference in your care of sleep apnea and improving compliance rates up to 70% - 80%.
The type of apnea mask and sizing could be the most important aspect in the treatment of sleep apnea. Most Respiratory Therapists agree that the proper apnea mask type and sizing is critical to obtaining CPAP sleep apnea therapy compliance. An uncomfortable mask will not only make it difficult to sleep, but, will make you not want to wear it.
On the surface of it, the problem may appear simple because a few seconds of pause in breathing is something the human system easily rectifies itself. Still, a consistent pattern of this sort of breathing can be quite harmful and after a certain stage may lead to serious health problems. Anyone who has a problem of disturbed sleep, or snoring, should fully understand the implications of the predicament.
The inherent dangers of sleep apnea:
The symptoms of apnea are manifested by insufficient sleep and lack of oxygen absorption.
1. Insufficient sleep:
Apnea sufferers basically have what can be termed as superficial sleep, characterized by recurrent breaks in sleep. They never get the full quota of sleep that the human body requires to recuperate. The result is that their days are peppered with irritation and exhaustion.
Sleep apnea victims may inadvertently slide into sleep during the daytime. While it is bad enough if they do it when they are reading a book or dusting the house, the repercussions can be far worse if it happens when a person is driving a vehicle. Available statistics show that there are more car crashers among those with an apnea problem, than among those who do not have it.
Sleep deprivation can also lead to general fatigue, clumsiness, and insufficient focusing on the task at hand. This will affect the individual’s workplace or academic performance, and make him less result oriented, and unproductive.
Sleep deprived people tend to overeat. This is likely to make them obese if they are not already so. The combined effect of all these will make a person anxious and irritable. He will have mood swings and will remain depressed and worried much of the time.
2. Oxygen deficiency:
Sleep apnea also interferes with the body’s oxygen absorption. Since breathing is frequently obstructed in the case of apnea victims, and will not be sufficiently deep the rest of the time, the necessary amount of oxygen will not get absorbed into the body.
To compensate for the lack of oxygen, the cardiovascular system will be put under extra strain in an attempt to balance the oxygen equation. This will contribute to the patient developing high blood pressure that could lead to other cardiovascular problems, heart attack, or a stroke.
Researches have proved that undiagnosed apnea could easily lead to cardiovascular problems. Arrhythmia, or sudden cardiac death due to abnormal heart rhythms, while a person is asleep, has also been found to be prevalent among people with apnea. Though SCD or sudden cardiac death can happen to non-apnea sufferers also, in their case it happens when they are awake.
Whenever there is the slightest hint of a sleep disorder, it is best to get the problem checked immediatley by your doctor. It is a treatable condition, and there are many therapies to cure it, including surgeries. The most common curative device used to quell the apnea problem is Continuous Positive Air Pressure device or CPAP machine and apnea mask worn over the nose-mouth area while sleeping.
Because sleep apnea is not conspicuously troublesome, people often neglect there problem and eventually end up paying a high price in the form lasting ill health or sometimes even fatality. With devices like a CPAP machine a proper fitting apnea mask, treatment is not too difficult.
The inherent dangers of sleep apnea:
The symptoms of apnea are manifested by insufficient sleep and lack of oxygen absorption.
1. Insufficient sleep:
Apnea sufferers basically have what can be termed as superficial sleep, characterized by recurrent breaks in sleep. They never get the full quota of sleep that the human body requires to recuperate. The result is that their days are peppered with irritation and exhaustion.
Sleep apnea victims may inadvertently slide into sleep during the daytime. While it is bad enough if they do it when they are reading a book or dusting the house, the repercussions can be far worse if it happens when a person is driving a vehicle. Available statistics show that there are more car crashers among those with an apnea problem, than among those who do not have it.
Sleep deprivation can also lead to general fatigue, clumsiness, and insufficient focusing on the task at hand. This will affect the individual’s workplace or academic performance, and make him less result oriented, and unproductive.
Sleep deprived people tend to overeat. This is likely to make them obese if they are not already so. The combined effect of all these will make a person anxious and irritable. He will have mood swings and will remain depressed and worried much of the time.
2. Oxygen deficiency:
Sleep apnea also interferes with the body’s oxygen absorption. Since breathing is frequently obstructed in the case of apnea victims, and will not be sufficiently deep the rest of the time, the necessary amount of oxygen will not get absorbed into the body.
To compensate for the lack of oxygen, the cardiovascular system will be put under extra strain in an attempt to balance the oxygen equation. This will contribute to the patient developing high blood pressure that could lead to other cardiovascular problems, heart attack, or a stroke.
Researches have proved that undiagnosed apnea could easily lead to cardiovascular problems. Arrhythmia, or sudden cardiac death due to abnormal heart rhythms, while a person is asleep, has also been found to be prevalent among people with apnea. Though SCD or sudden cardiac death can happen to non-apnea sufferers also, in their case it happens when they are awake.
Whenever there is the slightest hint of a sleep disorder, it is best to get the problem checked immediatley by your doctor. It is a treatable condition, and there are many therapies to cure it, including surgeries. The most common curative device used to quell the apnea problem is Continuous Positive Air Pressure device or CPAP machine and apnea mask worn over the nose-mouth area while sleeping.
Because sleep apnea is not conspicuously troublesome, people often neglect there problem and eventually end up paying a high price in the form lasting ill health or sometimes even fatality. With devices like a CPAP machine a proper fitting apnea mask, treatment is not too difficult.
Lots of people mistakenly think that sleep apnea is nothing other than a snoring habit. It is true that the condition is evinced through snoring but the malady is more deep seated than simple snoring. The problem consists of suspension of breathing, even though the period of suspension is typically very brief. In rare instances it could extend even to a minute.
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Apnea Mask Replacement: The good news is that most insurance companies will typically allow for mask cushion replacement every 90 days and a complete new apnea mask system every 6 months. Typically after six months of use most mask cushions start to deteriorate causing the material in the mask to become too soft to hold a seal.
It is generally recommended that you should replace pillows or cushions as soon as they start to soften. Additionally, be on the lookout for mask air leaks because they may reduce the effectiveness of CPAP sleep apnea therapy and try to avoid headgear that is too tight which has known to cause facial sores at pressure points.
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Most patients are initially fitted for an apnea mask at the sleep laboratory. However, CPAP mask sizing can be an imperfect process. Make sure that you only use a specialized Medical Equipment Professional (usually a Respiratory Therapist) when getting “sized up” for a mask and who has been trained by the Mask Manufacturers to insure a proper fit.
Listed below are the various apnea mask types that are available today. Please note, it is very possible that the Sleep Lab where initial testing and fitting takes place may not of had all of these mask types, so check them closely to make sure you have a clear understanding of all of the different mask options.
Listed below are the various apnea mask types that are available today. Please note, it is very possible that the Sleep Lab where initial testing and fitting takes place may not of had all of these mask types, so check them closely to make sure you have a clear understanding of all of the different mask options.
Nasal or Nose Apnea Mask: It is held in place with straps or headgear and seals around the entire nose. The Nasal apnea mask is typically recommended for first-time CPAP users.
Full Face Apnea Mask: It is also held in place with straps or headgear and seals around both the mouth and nose. The full Face Mask is recommended for people who regularly breathe out of their mouth.
Nasal Apnea Mask
When someone is a “mouth breather”, their mouth stays open during sleep. This causes the CPAP air pressure blowing through the Nasal Mask to escape. Thus, rendering the CPAP sleep apnea therapy ineffective as the pressure meant to hold the airway open flows out of the mouth instead of into the airway.
The Full Face Apnea Mask creates an environment that equalizes the pressure in both the mouth and nose. The Full Face Apnea Mask also works well for someone who suffers from cases of nasal blockage or congestion from common colds or allergies.
The Full Face Apnea Mask creates an environment that equalizes the pressure in both the mouth and nose. The Full Face Apnea Mask also works well for someone who suffers from cases of nasal blockage or congestion from common colds or allergies.
Nasal or Nose Cushion Mask: This sleep apnea mask works in a similar fashion to the Nasal Mask using a nose cushion that seals over both nostrils, but it differs in the fact that it also fits under the nose instead of around the nose. Additionally, the cushion does not rest on the bridge of the nose or fit over tip of the nose. There are numerous sized cushions available for easy fit.
Nasal pillows: These devices seal against the outside edge of each nostril. The pillows open into the nostril but are not inserted inside. Nasal pillows are useful for people who sleep on their stomach or side, or for those with mustache or beard.
Nasal Prongs: This device is inserted into each nostril and rather than sealing around the outside edge of the nose, it seals the inside.
Oral Apnea Mask: This device fits into the mouth to deliver the CPAP air pressure. It is available in only one size and is intended to fit any user. When this device is used, the CPAP air is not conditioned by the mucous membranes in the nose which results in drying out the mouth. As a result, the Oral Mask requires the use of a heated humidifier attached to CPAP Machine.
Total Face Apnea Mask: This mask works in a similar fashion to a Full Face mask except that it covers every opening on the face in areas where air might leak out. A total face mask makes a seal over the entire area of the face, down the sides, under the chin, and at the forehead. It is exclusively used for someone who sleeps on their back. In fact, this is typically used as a “last resort”.
