|
Common Sleep Apnea Equipment Options |
|
|
|
Sunday, 06 May 2007 |
|
The most widely used treatment for sleep apnea is to use physical sleep apnea equipment to provide positive airway pressure, where a breathing machine pumps a controlled stream of air through a mask worn over the nose, mouth, or both. The additional pressure splints or holds open the relaxed muscles, controlling the airway passages.
Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, in which a controlled air compressor generates an air stream at a constant pressure, is the most common style of sleep apnea equipment. CPAP sleep apnea equipment is available that slightly reduces pressure upon exhalation to increase patient comfort and compliance. CPAP is the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Another treatment that uses sleep apnea equipment is VPAP, or variable positive airway pressure, where an electronic circuit is used to monitor the patient’s breathing and provides two different pressures, a higher one during inhalation and a lower pressure during exhalation. This sleep apnea equipment system is more expensive, and is sometimes used with patients who have other coexisting respiratory problems or who find breathing out against an increased pressure to be uncomfortable or disruptive to their sleep.
APAP, or automatic positive airway pressure, is the newest form of such treatment utilizing sleep apnea equipment. An APAP machine incorporates pressure sensors and a computer which continuously monitors the patient's breathing performance and adjusts pressure continuously. Pressure is increased by the sleep apnea equipment when the user is attempting to breathe but cannot, and decreasing it when the pressure is higher than necessary. Another type of sleep apnea equipment is a mandibular advancement splint, which is essentially a mouth guard similar to those used in sports to protect the teeth. For apnea patients, it is designed to hold the lower jaw slightly down and forward relative to the natural, relaxed position. This position holds the tongue farther away from the back of the airway, and this sleep apnea equipment may be enough to relieve apnea or improve breathing for some patients. |
