What is a cpap machine used for?

Answer 1

Treatment of Sleep Apnia, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It keeps the airway open while you sleep.

I use one and it's changed my life.

Answer 2

A CPAP machine is used in treatment of sleep apne. CPAP stands for Contiuous Positive Airway Pressure. Here's some info. from wikipedia:

"A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is used mainly by patients for the treatment of sleep apnea at home. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the the upper airway becomes narrow as the muscles relax naturally during sleep. This reduces oxygen in the blood and causes arousal from sleep. The CPAP machine stops this phenomenon by delivering a stream of compressed air via a hose to a nasal pillow, nose mask or full-face mask, splinting the airway (keeping it open under air pressure) so that unobstructed breathing becomes possible, reducing and/or preventing apneas and hypopneas. This has the additional benefit of reducing or eliminating snoring.

The CPAP machine blows air at a prescribed pressure (also called the titrated pressure). The necessary pressure is usually determined by a sleep physician after review of a study supervised by a sleep technician during an overnight study (polysomnography) in a sleep laboratory. The titrated pressure is the pressure of air at which most (if not all) apneas and hypopneas have been prevented, and it is usually measured in centimetres of water (cm H2O). The pressure required by most patients with sleep apnea ranges between 6 and 14 cm H2O. A typical CPAP machine can deliver pressures between 4 and 20 cm H2O. More specialized units can deliver pressures up to 25 or 30 cm H2O.

CPAP treatment can be highly effective in treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. For some patients, the improvement in the quality of sleep and quality of life due to CPAP treatment will be noticed after a single night's use.

Prospective CPAP candidates are often reluctant to use this therapy, since the nose mask and hose to the machine look uncomfortable and clumsy, and the airflow required for some patients can be vigorous. Some patients adjust to the treatment within a few weeks, others struggle for longer periods, and some discontinue treatment entirely.

Therapy compliance on the part of the patient can be improved with support from a durable medical equipment (DME) provider,[citation needed] including allowing the patient his or her choice of PAP devices. PAP manufacturers frequently offer different models at different price ranges, and PAP masks have many different sizes and shapes, so that some users need to try several masks before finding a good fit."

Answer 3

Positive airway pressure (PAP) is a method of respiratory ventilation used primarily in the treatment of sleep apnea, for which it was first developed.

PAP ventilation is also commonly used for critically ill patients in hospital with respiratory failure, and in newborn infants (neonates). In these patients, PAP ventilation can prevent the need for endotracheal intubation, or allow earlier extubation.

A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is used mainly by patients for the treatment of sleep apnea at home. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the the upper airway becomes narrow as the muscles relax naturally during sleep. This reduces oxygen in the blood and causes arousal from sleep. The CPAP machine stops this phenomenon by delivering a stream of compressed air via a hose to a nasal pillow, nose mask or full-face mask, splinting the airway (keeping it open under air pressure) so that unobstructed breathing becomes possible, reducing and/or preventing apneas and hypopneas. This has the additional benefit of reducing or eliminating snoring.

I hope it helps!

Answer 4

It can be used for all sorts of respiratory problems. It's amazing how a little bit of positive pressure seems to help breathing.

Recently (last few years), CPAP machines have been very popular for the treatment of sleep apnea (temporarily stopping breathing while asleep). When the breathing stops, sufferers typically come half awake, take a few breaths, then go back to sleep. That cycle can repeat many times during a night of sleep, so that they never get well rested. A CPAP can help them sleep through the night and get their rest.

Answer 5

I am on the net today trying to solve a very bad ear problem. I have used a CPAP machine for many years and love it. The first night I got the best sleep that I had in many years. But, over the years, I have become deaf in my right ear. The left ear is having a little problem too. It may be time to have the pressure rechecked. I have heard that there are machines that automatically adjust the pressure. I plan to check these out. Also, I don't know that the machine is involved in the problem. I would like to discontinue using it for a while to see if my hearing improves but, I don't want to give it up. The ENTs can't seem to find the problem but, suggest that it might be associated with the CPAP.

Answer 6

The treatment of sleep apnea. CPAP is continuous positive airway pressure. People with sleep apnea close their upper airway when the sleep, causing airway obstruction. They wake up short of breath when their airway obstructs and don't get good sleep. As a result, it interferes with deep, REM, sleep and they suffer from fatigue, daytime somnolence, headaches, and potentially other problems. By providing CPAP during sleep, their airways are made to stay open when their soft tissue relaxes during sleep. They are then able to get REM sleep and relief of their symptoms. However, the CPAP machine is not well tolerated by many patients because they often find it uncomfortable to use.

I am a physician. With the epidemic increase in morbid obesity, we are seeing more people affected with sleep apnea and more people using CPAP.

Answer 7

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What is a cpap machine used for?