A CPAP Machine May Help Sleep Quality
by Andy West
(USA)
by andywest
It is estimated that 12 million people in the United States of America suffer from sleep apnea. We are fortunate enough to know that this condition can be treated with the help of a CPAP machine. CPAP stands for continuous positive air pressure. It was first created specifically to assist in the treatment of sleep apnea. Professor Colin Sullivan was the first individual to create the device in the 1981 at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia. Sleep apnea is a condition that, in its most abstract form, is categorized by pauses in the breathing of an individual who is sleeping. These pauses may vary in length, but they are typically so long that one or more breaths are missed and most pauses are estimated to last at least ten seconds in length. Five or more episodes of these substantial pauses in breathing throughout sleep are found in most individuals who suffer from sleep apnea.
The most common type of sleep apnea causes the throat muscles to relax so much that during sleep the sufferer has obstructed breathing. Oxygen levels are reduced and sleep is interrupted. The body naturally goes through four to five stages of sleep. If you suffer from sleep apnea you are missing out on the natural stages of sleep and therefore wake up lethargic, drowsy and uncomfortable. Most people are unaware that they are having any type of problems breathing when they sleep, but the condition definitely takes a toll on the body and a toll on productivity.
Sleep depravation and oxygen depravation are the end result of sleep apnea. Your natural progression into the stages of sleep may be very broken and many times the sufferer will wake up in a sweat and gasping. This is not healthy for your body! If a body does not get enough sleep, the person will most likely become irritable when they are awake. All of this can add up to increased stress in the life of the sufferer.
Sufferers might also snore often and loudly, which can be disruptive to themselves and their families. In severe cases of sleep apnea death is a concern and a possibility. Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea is treated most commonly with a CPAP machine. This device ensures that the body is getting enough oxygen so the sufferer can have a restful sleep. While, in the beginning, they were uncomfortable for many individuals to use, recent advancements to the apparatus have resulted in increased comfort and, therefore, more continuous use for improvement of the condition.
The CPAP machine works to provide a continuous supply of air pressure in the throat of the sufferer, either through a nasal mask, full mask or CPAP pillow. While most sufferers require a pressure of six to fourteen centimeters of H2O, most common machines provide pressures up to twenty-five or thirty centimeters of H2O if you are in need of a more concentrated amount of oxygen. This is good news since it means that most people, if not all, will be able to benefit from a CPAP machine no matter the extent of their apnea.
A CPAP machine is what is necessary for your sleep apnea treatment so you can go back to living your life. Most individuals who suffer from sleep apnea will notice a better quality of life immediately and, of course, a better quality of sleep from just a single night's use. However, this is not the case for all individuals and it is important for sufferers to understand that it can be a more lengthy process. You can benefit too but you must choose to continue usage no matter what and also use it in the proper, directed manner as advised by your physician. Stop feeling tired in the mornings and see your physician right away so you can get back on track.
About the Author
CPAP-Supply offers great products to help the unfortunate sufferers of sleep apnea. They provide supplies for any CPAP machine. For more information please visit CPAP-Supply.com.
