The Machine:
The CPAP machine has three main parts, the motor, the hose, and the mask. The motor takes in room temperature air and pressurizes it. This way, air at the best pressure for the patient is delivered. Most newer machines have a built-in humidifier. These machines are great for patients who wake up with a dry mouth or throat.
The hose is the part of the machine that transports the pressurized air from the motor to the mask. The CPAP mask is the part of the machine that delivers the air to the patient’s airway. Masks come in different shapes and sizes since not all people will feel comfortable wearing each kind of mask.
There are three main categories of CPAP masks:
- Nasal pillows: lightweight and smallest and are ideal for claustrophobic people
- Nasal masks: triangular shaped mask that fits over the nose
- Full face masks: covers the nose and the mouth
Getting Set Up With CPAP:
From the patient visits I have been in with Dr. Qureshi and Dr. Arora, I have seen that the first step in getting CPAP is having a sleep study (polysomnogram) done at a sleep clinic. The results from this study will tell the doctor how severe the sleep apnea is.
If the doctor determines CPAP is the best option, then he orders a follow-up sleep titration sleep in which the patient sleep at a sleep clinic overnight. There, he tries on different types of CPAP masks and uses different machines to see which one best fits his needs. The technician determines at which pressure the patient’s AHI is the lowest.
After getting a CPAP machine, the patient must make sure he uses it regularly (every night). If he stops using it, the symptoms of sleep apnea can return.
Results:
CPAP is really effective for treating sleep apnea. It decreases the amount of daytime sleepiness the patient experiences and improves the overall quality of sleep. It also prevents serious health conditions like cardiovascular diseases and lowers blood pressure during the day and night. As I mentioned in my last post, studies have also shown that CPAP therapy has also reversed tissue loss in different areas of the brain.
CPAP is really effective for treating sleep apnea. It decreases the amount of daytime sleepiness the patient experiences and improves the overall quality of sleep. It also prevents serious health conditions like cardiovascular diseases and lowers blood pressure during the day and night. As I mentioned in my last post, studies have also shown that CPAP therapy has also reversed tissue loss in different areas of the brain.
Source: Reite, Martin, Michael P. Weissberg, and John Ruddy. Clinical manual for the evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub., 2009. Print.
Hi Shubhangi! The reverse tissue loss is really amazing! Is it relatively easy for patients to get used to wearing the mask while they sleep? And are they only allowed to sleep on their back?
ReplyDeleteHey Avani! That is a great question! It really depends on the person. Some people are claustrophobic and really uncomfortable with a big mask on their face. They might try the nasal pillow. Sometimes, the sound of the motor can be a disturbance. They can try getting a newer machine that makes less noise. Getting used to wearing the mask really depends on the patient himself.
DeleteTo answer your second question, there are different kinds of masks suitable for different positions. Breathing-related sleep problems get worse if the patient lies on their back. However, sleeping on the side while wearing a certain CPAP mask might place more pressure on one side of the mask, increasing the leak rate. In this case, the patient should wear a mask that allows movement while sleeping.