CPAP Machine: Things to Know
While the importance of quality sleep is well known by now, as well as why we all need a good night’s sleep every night to be able to function normally and count on outstanding well-being, not many of us manage to catch all the z’s.
Snoring is one of the main culprits that don’t only mess up your sleep but your relationships too, taking a toll on your partner’s sleep during the night and while it can be annoying there are times when there’s a serious problem behind it also, as in the case with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) so it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
The number of people dealing with this problem in Australia keeps increasing, currently thought to affect about 9% of women and 25% of men, and certainly the increased number of overweight and obese individuals has something to do with it.
Source: Cpapvictoria
This isn’t to say, however, that only people with weight issues are likely to have trouble with OSA, there are other risk factors that can contribute to it, such as large neck circumference, excessive smoking and alcohol consumption, certain medications like sedatives, as well as facial abnormalities in the example of small chin, small jaw, elongated soft palate among others.
If you’re dealing with instances of gasping and choking throughout sleep, then wake up feeling fatigue, lethargy, lacking energy and finding it difficult to concentrate, chances are you’ve got OSA but great news is it can be treated with a therapeutic intervention called CPAP, short for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, with the help of a specialised CPAP machine.
Consisting of a nosepiece or a hose and a mask, plus the machine, it’s used to deliver steady and constant air pressure to the throat thus preventing the airway from collapsing throughout the night. In other words, these machines are designed to provide you with easy and regular breathing so you can have a better sleep.
Variety of Designs
Source: Cpapvictoria
The variety is so vast nowadays, you can even find ResMed travel CPAP machine to accompany you during your trips, meaning you no longer have the excuse not to travel because of your OSA or not to improve your sleep out of fear the machine is too bulky so you end up travelling without one – with the latest machines you won’t have to compromise on lifestyle or portability.
Likewise, there’s no more the worry of the machine being too loud because the advanced models with small and quieter motors are created for comfort to the point of even offering you great control over your sleep, allowing you to monitor through a specialised app that you can activate on your devices and customise the settings and find the mode that best suits you, or use the one your sleep doctor recommended.
Moreover, with the nicely designed pieces, specifically the full face mask, you won’t have to worry about discomfort throughout the night. Even if you find it difficult to sleep with a mask on, not being able to get used to it, you could always look for the alternatives, the nasal mask or the nasal pillows that aren’t just user-friendly but lightweight also.
It Takes Time
Source: Sleepzoo
You’ve gotten your ResMed travel CPAP machine, and you find it difficult to fall asleep with the mask or nasal pillows on; now what? Well, it’s normal to feel weird at first because after all it’s something new, which is why it’s advisable not to despair and just give yourself time to get used to it. If necessary, try wearing the mask or the nasal pillows for some time during the day while you’re at home, relaxing.
As soon as you see you’re okay with it, not feeling any discomfort or constantly focusing on its presence, you can try using the whole machine for some time, for days if needed. Considering using the machine as opposed to not relying on it, you’d see you’re better off with it because not only would you get to improve your sleep, you’d improve your health and well-being too. When not using the machine, there’s always the threat of high blood pressure, heart diseases and even death in the sleep because of sudden cardiac arrest.
What to Know Before You Go
Source: Cpapstore
When preparing for a flight with your ResMed travel CPAP machine, it’s good to know a thing or two before getting to the airport. If you decide to send your machine in the checked baggage, have in mind your machine can be damaged, stolen or lost. Now, if you do decide to carry it in your carry-on, be aware it’s going to have to pass through the X-ray in which case it’s best to have a bag with you to place the machine in and maintain it clean at all times.
In the case of having to go through a more thorough examination, such as that of being checked for explosives, you might want to ask the official to be more mindful with the machine, specifically its hygiene, so it would be best to use a new pair of gloves. A word of advice if you plan on using the machine on the plane is to check in with the airline whether you’d require to bring your own plug adapters and additional cables.
