CPAP machines are devices which are used in the treatment of OSA, or Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. The abbreviation stands for continuous positive airway pressure. This is considered to be the best available treatment for sleep apnoea.
A common disorder, sleep apnoea affects and interrupts the breathing of an individual whilst they are asleep. The breathing is interrupted when the airway collapses as a result of excessive relaxation of the muscles and tissues which surround the windpipe. Fortunately, the brain is able to recognise that breathing has been interrupted and subsequently forces the sufferer to wake momentarily, resuming breathing.
The problem with this is that it can happen hundreds of times over the night, restricting the amount of time that the sufferer spends in the deep phase of sleep. We all know how we feel after a bad night of sleep. For those people with the disorder, tiredness, lack of energy and headaches can become normal. Years of suffering with the disorder can cause problems such as stroke or heart disease, as well as other serious issues. It is therefore very important to try and treat sleep apnoea.
CPAP machines are very effective at treating the disorder, with many sufferers reporting a vast improvement after their first night’s use. The machines resemble oxygen masks which are worn over the nose and mouth. CPAP machines provide a continuous flow of pressurised air which works like scaffolding to hold open the airway and prevent interruptions to the breathing. Previously, users struggled to get used to CPAP machines because they were heavy and bulky, but they are much more user friendly nowadays. They are also much quieter and more comfortable to use than ever before, thanks to technological developments.
There are also some lifestyle changes which many sufferers find helpful, either in addition to or instead of CPAP machines. However, lifestyle changes are often only effective in cases of mild sleep apnoea. Examples include avoiding alcohol or sleeping pills and trying to sleep on one’s side rather than on one’s back.
