To treat sleep apnea, many Surrey and Vancouver Island doctors prescribe a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (or CPAP) machine to their patients. As the name suggests, this device prevents the patient’s airway from collapsing by applying a steady stream of pressure. The CPAP machine is currently the most effective way to manage sleep apnea for Canada residents. It can prevent the development of other life-threatening diseases and improves the patient’s quality of life.
Types of CPAP Machines
There are a few different varieties of CPAP Machines available, including the well-known full-face mask, the nasal pillow mask (which is made to fit under the patient’s nose), and the nasal mask. The basic components that make these machines work are all the same. Every CPAP machine has a motor that sits beside the bed and is connected to the face mask with a hose. The hose is made specifically for transporting humidified air to the mask. The machine requires constant care and maintenance, but fortunately, this is often covered by insurance.
Troubleshooting Side Effects
Occasionally, the machine can become uncomfortable and may cause a few issues like dry mouth or claustrophobia. However, certain methods can help prevent or ease these effects. One approach is to resize the mask, which can sometimes be too large. An improperly sized mask can lead to dry mouth and a runny nose in the morning, as well as longer-lasting side effects, such as irritated skin and pressure sores. These issues are typically caused by wearing a mask that is too large, which causes air leakage. Air leakage lowers the humidity in the mask and causes the flow of air to hit the sides of the face.
There are also psychological issues that may arise while using a CPAP device. One such issue may occur when a patient is unable to become accustomed to the machine and experiences claustrophobia. A recommended solution is to have the patient wear their mask during the day while they are awake. This can help the patient to become better accustomed to wearing the mask. The patient can also perform relaxation exercises to manage claustrophobia.
