Debunk Myths About CPAP Therapy Here
One of the most efficacious non-invasive means to handle obstructive Sleep Apnea is CPAP therapy. However, although it is effective, many are thinking a little more about beginning CPAP therapy. And this is largely because of many popular myths about this sleep apnea treatment method.
However, it is time to break these myths and truly grasp CPAP therapy so that more people begin to take it and get better sleep quality.
Every CPAP machine is identical
• Fixed CPAP: maintains an air pressure level all night long
• Automatic CPAP: Adjusts the level of air pressure flexibly by sensing conditions of the body. For example, it decreases the pressure if you breathe easily in a specific night.
• BiPAP: The machines offer a higher iPAP during inhaling and lower EPAP while exhaling two different press levels.
All CPAP machinery maintains an ongoing air pressure flow, so that the airway does not collapse while sleeping. That's how you normally respire and don't experience apnea episodes that regularly wake up your brain. However, you can choose or be advised for various kinds of CPAP machines based on your requirements:
There are also portable, easy-to-carry and easy-to-use CPAP machines, such as ResMedAirMini. Devices can also be controlled and managed for easy use with the corresponding mobile apps.
Every night you do not have to use the CPAP system.
OSA is caused due to sleep-closing muscles in your airway that cut off the brain's oxygen supply. Your brain stirs waking to send your body signals to open the airway, causing sleep disturbances during the night.
No surgery can permanently fix the collapse of the muscles. So the only other way is by 'managing' your OSA using non-invasive procedures such as CPAP therapy if you don't choose an operational option. Your airway is kept open by continuous air flow. If you decide not to use the device every night, the airway will return to the declared collapse. The result is recurring apnea and sleep disturbance. So every night you must actually use the CPAP unit to follow the sleep apnea treatment.
After some time you can stop CPAP therapy
Some think the long-term use of the CPAP device will treat the problem and stop it as soon as it feels relieved. But CPAP manages the root cause of OSA only, as discussed above, but does not "heal." It is therefore always recommended to consult with your doctor / sleep coach, even after decreased symptom severity, before you stop using the CPAP machine.
I will no longer need to use CPAP if I lose weight
It is true that loss of weight lowers the severity of symptoms of sleep apnea. Sometimes doctors recommended that after a dramatic loss of weight CPAP therapy be stopped since this has no longer been required.
However, you should not stop using the CPAP device if you reach your defined weight loss targets of involuntarily losing weight because of other diseases. The best way to do this is to consult your doctor/sleep coach in order to evaluate your OSA status to advise lower pressure settings on your device or to stop the treatment altogether.
CPAP Can Trigger Infections
One known side effect of CPAP therapy is dry or stuffy nose during use, particularly in early days. Many people believe that extended use of the device can lead to sinus infections.
The truth is that the viruses or bacteria are the reason behind sinus and not the machine. However, it is likely to make an infection of the sinus worse.
Contact OKOA for sleep apnea treatment with CPAP therapy. See us at Oklahoma now by booking your schedule.
**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.