Sleep Apnea and CPAP Supplies

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been with us for a number of years now and through all those years treatments have been evolving to keep pace with the needs of sleep apnea sufferers. Several companies have been at it for years, engineering the CPAP supplies and equipment that are being used successfully today. Apnea therapy has grown to become quite a large business.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (otherwise known as “CPAP”), has been the main treatment for apnea sufferers since the early 1980’s. CPAP machines and CPAP masks combine to make up the delivery system. The devices have come a long way since the 1980’s. They’re no longer loud and difficult to work with. In fact, today’s, devices are quiet, comfortable, and relatively inexpensive too.

Sleep apnea sufferers experience interruptions to their breathing almost every night. While they sleep, obstructions form in their upper airways usually caused by the relaxation of their throat’s soft muscle tissue. And these interruptions occur for protracted periods of time too – sometimes several seconds or more. When that happens, the brain receives less oxygen and the body less rest. If the condition is not treated, the apnea can have serious health effects. For instance, obstructive sleep apnea has been known to contribute to the onset of congestive heart failure.

But CPAP is an effective therapy for sleep apnea. It works by creating a positive stream of compressed air that lifts the upper airway tissue, supporting it, and preventing it from causing an obstruction. Then, with the airway open, the apnea sufferer can breathe normally all night and get the rest they need.

A small, electric CPAP machine works throughout the night supplying compressed air to a fitted CPAP mask (note that the sleep apnea patient wears the mask all night). The machine usually is positioned out of the way, next to the sleeper on a night stand or on the floor under the bed. The mask and machine are connected by a slender flexible hose that can be made to conform to normal sleeping positions. 

Masks come in three basic types. They either cover the nasal area only, they cover the nose and part of the face, or they cover the entire face. Masks are the most personal of CPAP devices.

Wearing the mask takes some getting used to. After all, it’s not exactly normal to sleep with a device covering your face. And for that reason, masks need to be fitted correctly for comfort. But the fit is also important for air-flow – if it doesn’t promote and produce the proper air-flow, the therapy will fail.

If the air-flow is maximized though, CPAP therapy can produce almost immediate improvement in sleep. Patients will reach a comfortable, deep sleep and stay asleep too. And when that happens, they have better energy and higher cognitive levels the next day.

There are a wide variety of CPAP accessories and supplies but the basic big three are the CPAP machine, the CPAP mask, and the flexible hose that connects them.

Remember, the object is a good night’s sleep so first and foremost, a CPAP machine needs to work quietly. Some of the better ones have motors that almost purr which sort of acts like a “white noise” sleep assistant. Of course, you also want to be confident that the machine will be able to run night after night and consistently perform. For that reason I recommend sticking with brand names like Respironics or ResMed because they have the best track records. 

And don’t ignore the connection hose. You want one (actually more than one) that’s very flexible. The more flexibility, the easier it is to find a comfortable sleeping position. And the reason you want more than one hose is because over time they will stiffen and ultimately crack and leak which will defeat the therapy. Fortunately, hoses are the least expensive of all CPAP supplies so you can always have an extra one on hand.

Finally, there’s the CPAP mask. As I said before, they are the most personal of the devices so take your time to find the right one. Since they come in a variety of styles, don’t be afraid to take more than one for a “test drive.” Stores that sell masks usually have some you can try out for one or more nights. It’s vital that you find one that fits your face and head comfortably. You’re going to be spending a lot of time wearing it so don’t skimp on comfort.

Make no mistake about it, CPAP therapy is serious therapy. That’s because obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition. So finding the right supplies is important for success, but using those supplies is even more important. 

Not everyone that begins a course of CPAP therapy sticks with it. It’s cumbersome in the beginning and it takes some discipline to get used to using the mask and machine. And then there’s the fact that you need to spend time cleaning and maintaining them as well. It is a major change.

On the other hand, when CPAP therapy is successful, patients realize a new world. They experience days filled with much more energy and they rediscover the ability to concentrate and focus. For many sleep apnea sufferers the inconvenience is well worth it.

Then write for Hubpages? It's easy...and it's FREE TOO!.

              -- Join Hubpages Now --