2006-10-28 12:06:07 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
I use a CPAP, very similar. I've used it for about 16 years. I have two models, my original and a portable that I can use on any electric current, making it good for travel. I have the manual for the portable and learned where the secret buttons, and I do mean hidden secret, are at for adjusting the pressure. When my original was serviced a few years ago the company left the back panel off, allowing me to see the simple pressure adjustment knob. A few years ago I took a chance on throat surgury to correct my sleep apnea. It didn't work, but after the surgury I tried to wean myself off of the machines. Turned out surgury wasn't at all effective, and I had to return the pressure settings to their original settings. When my wife complained I was snoring again and I had the terrible dreams that awoke me from a state where I wasn't breathing, I upped the pressure slightly.
I don't know of any evidence that too much pressure will hurt your lungs. It may put pressure on your sinuses and give you a headache, but I don't see how it can hurt your lungs. I am not a doc, just a longtime user of a similar machine. If you have the insurance, let someone else do it. If you prefer to experiment, find the manual for your particular machine and make minor adjustments. I respect physicians, but sometimes they're more interested in the office charge than the patient.
2006-10-28 12:46:55 · answer #1 · answered by csunharleyrider@yahoo.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you are a trained professional you shouldn't adjust the pressure at all. If you feel you aren't getting enough pressure you need to call the health care company who provides the bi pap machine and ask their respiratory therapist to come out and make the adjustment. The same if you feel you are getting too much pressure.
If you adjust the pressure too high it can cause problems such as diminished blood return to the heart, and increased mean airway pressure, which in turn could cause pneumothorax. If you adjust the pressure too low it could cause the persistence of sleep apnea symptoms, ventilatory issues, and a decrease in oxygen.
There is a reason why these professionals go to school. If people in the medical profession thought it was safe for patients to adjust the machines on their own, they would show them how. It just isn't safe. Please address any questions and concerns you have with either your physician or RT.
2006-10-29 09:47:54 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not a good idea to set your pressure. The pressure is adjusted according to your history throughout the night which is recorded on the machine. Take your machine in and get the tech to make the adjustment.
2006-10-29 10:43:59 · answer #3 · answered by crspac 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
JR is totally correct. Too much pressure can and will do irreparable damage to your lungs. Too little or the incorrect setting and you might as well not use it. In this case it's best to stick with an experienced professional.
2006-10-28 19:17:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can; but the tech has the prescription from the doctor on how much pressure you need. If you feel it's not set correctly, call your doc and have them come set it again. How to set it would depend on the model. Godloveya.
2006-10-28 19:08:04 · answer #5 · answered by Sassy OLD Broad 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you need the corect settings. To much pressure could ruin your lungs, and too much will not give you the benefits your are looking for.
2006-10-28 19:14:45 · answer #6 · answered by JR 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋