CPAP via face mask: A full face mask is placed over the nose and mouth with a good seal. It can be used for those that are mouth breathers, or for pre-oxygenation in spontaneously breathing patients prior to intubation.
Expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) therapy: EPAP machines work by using air pressure resistance when the person exhales to improve OSA symptoms. Instead of a mask, the EPAP attaches to the nostrils using valves.
In cases when non-invasive treatments fail, a surgical solution might be necessary. Your otolaryngologist will be able to advise you on the treatment options.
Each of these items are designed to help you fall asleep and stay asleep, giving your body the rest it needs so you can wake up feeling refreshed. Be aware that you may experience some minor CPAP side effects when starting therapy, which is normal and may require adjustments to your mask size or pressure settings, the use of nasal congestion products, or the addition of comfort items like a heated humidifier.
Alternatives to fixed CPAP Generally speaking, most CPAP devices are set at a fixed pressure. This pressure is the one that will control at least 95% of all events during the night. However, you may find it uncomfortable to breathe out against a fixed pressure or find it difficult to tolerate.
Getting used to sleeping with CPAP therapy can be difficult, but it does get easier with time. If you’re still tired after CPAP therapy, it’s worth investigating solutions that may help. There are plenty of products designed specifically for providing comfort for CPAP users, which can help you limit or eliminate CPAP fatigue.
Reducing alcohol and tobacco use may be helpful for lessening the symptoms of OSA. Drinking alcohol before bed can worsen OSA, promote snoring, and depress the central nervous system.
Nasal masks – these are the most common type of mask. They sit over the nose and are held in place by a strap around the head. However, they are not very useful if you cannot breathe through your nose particularly well.
The ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet checks all of the important boxes when it comes to comfortable CPAP therapy. Highlights include automatic pressure adjustments based on your breathing, a heated humidifier, up to an hour of ramp-up time.
Using the built-in AutoSet algorithm, the machine adjusts pressure settings to help you comfortably breathe in and out throughout the night.
There are several surgeries available to help keep airways open by removing tissue or repositioning jaw bones. These surgeries include:
Most CPAP machines represent a significant financial investment, but some are more affordable than others without sacrificing quality or performance. Take the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet Connected with HumidAir and ClimateLineAir, which is loaded with helpful features but still falls well below average in terms of pricing. The machine is particularly inexpensive compared to other APAP devices on the market today.
In the long term, a CPAP machine can help prevent high blood pressure, risk of stroke, risk of heart attacks and reduce memory decline, all of which can be side effects of untreated sleep apnea.
Oral appliances are devices made by a dentist and customized to check here an individual’s mouth shape and size. There are two types of devices: mandibular repositioning mouthpieces, which hold the lower jaw in position, and tongue-retaining devices, which hold the tongue in position.