About CPAP Machine
A CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure machine) is a device that gives respiratory ventilation to people suffering from sleep apnea or other types of breathing difficulties. CPAP machines are widely becoming popular as home treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) caused by constriction in the airways. The machine enables the patient to breathe without difficulty and get rid of the discomfort he/she experiences during night.
Sleep apnea can become life threatening if left untreated. Among the several treatment methods available, CPAP machine is the most popular because it gives immediate relief to patients suffering from the disease. Other measures include life style changes or surgery. If sleep apnea is caused by obesity, the patient can recover from the illness if he/she reduces the weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. On the other hand, if the cause of sleep apnea is more complicated, like the enlargement of tonsils or adenoids, the patient may have to undergo surgery to repair the airway. For many patients, these methods may not prove practical due to a number of reasons. For them, a CPAP machine is the only treatment option available to relieve their sleep discomfort.
CPAP machine is of two types. They are Nasal CPAP and Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines. The nasal CPAP machine delivers continuous airway pressure during both inspiration and expiration. BiPAp machine, on the other hand, has a mechanism to adjust the pressure during expiration. BiPAp machine is usually used to treat sleep apnea in children. This applies to children suffering from collapsible airways, small lung volumes or muscle weakness.