If you’re one of the many people struggling to get a good night’s sleep and have been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, know you’re not alone. Sleep apnoea is one of the most common sleep disorders. It affects 1 out of 3 people, both men and women. However, the fact that it’s common doesn’t make it less serious. Recent research has shown that SA can decrease life expectancy and take a toll on the body when left untreated.
Although there isn’t a cure for sleep apnoea, there are a few very efficient and effective treatments. Whether you’ve been diagnosed recently or had sleep breathing problems for some time now, you’ve probably heard of CPAP therapy. Read along to learn how beneficial it is and how important it is to choose the right machine for you.
How Beneficial Is CPAP therapy?
To understand CPAP therapy, it’s important to know what sleep apnoea is. There are three main types of sleep apnoea: obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), central sleep apnoea (CSA) and mixed apnoea. Either kind of condition requires using a CPAP machine.
The most common type of SA is OSA. For people with OSA, the muscle in their throat relax so much that they cause the airway to become narrowed and blocked. As a result, the airflow gets reduced or completely stops. In simple words, they stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer. Additional symptoms include loud snoring, fragmented sleep and regular headaches in the morning.
The lack of oxygen in the body can lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, depression and accidents caused by fatigue.
So, how does CPAP therapy work? Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are devices that help people with sleep apnea breathe better. They contain a mask connected to the machine that a person has to wear while sleeping. The machine blows air into their nose and mouth, which keeps their airways open.
How effective are CPAP machines? It’s confirmed to be the most successful treatment by now. A recent study has shown that using the CPAP mask was tied to a 62% decline in the odds of death over 11 years of follow-up.
Since there are different types and brands of CPAP machines today, choosing the right one is crucial. What to look for when selecting the best device for you? And what makes the CPAP ResMed range so exceptional?
How to Choose the Right CPAP Machine for You?
Types of CPAP Machines
There are four types of CPAP machines:
- CPAP or one-pressure machines. These deliver one consistent airflow pressure that your doctor sets.
- APAP or auto-adjusting pressure machines. They change your airflow pressure level throughout the night. The changes are based on your sleep position and the stage of sleep you’re in.
- Bilevel or two-pressure machines. These are ideal for people who have difficulty adjusting their pressure levels. Bilevel machines include two pressure level settings: a higher one when you inhale and a lower one when you exhale.
- Portable or travel-friendly machines. These offer the same benefits as the traditional machines but are smaller and more convenient. Perfect if you travel a lot or switch places of sleep regularly.
The Importance of Prescription
Once you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, your sleep specialist or general practitioner will likely prescribe you a CPAP machine so you can start therapy. The prescription usually lists a pressure setting based on the results of your sleep study.
During your appointment with your sleep specialist, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask them about the different machines and the various airflow and pressure settings, or questions like how many hours should you use a CPAP overnight. Make sure to get involved in deciding what will be most comfortable for you. You can even request a specific model of a ResMed CPAP machine. That’s why it’s essential to know about this leading brand and the variety of premium ResMed products.
Why ResMed?
Rich History
Over 30 years ago, ResMed began its journey in helping people with sleep apnoea by inventing a machine that helps people breathe easier and sleep better. Today, the journey continues to develop digital health solutions that help people stay out of the hospital.
Innovation Driven
ResMed is leading the way in cloud-connected medical devices, transforming care for people with sleep apnoea. Its software platforms support the professionals and caregivers who help people stay healthy in the home and hospitals.ResMed makes more comfortable, easier to use, and more connected products than ever so everyone can sleep, breathe and live better.
A Purpose for Life
The team of over 8,000 ResMedian workers has the unique purpose of positively impacting millions of lives every day. And they manage to do this in more than 140 countries. It’s easy to see they’re passionate about being accountable to the communities around the world. They’re proud to announce they have changed over 137 million lives in the last year, with over 17 million cloud-connectable devices on the market and over 4 million users signed up for the myAir app that connects with instruments to track the airflow and quality.
ResMed has an environmental policy that promotes waste and pollution reduction, the use of reduced-impact materials and fair labour practices across the globe. Its strategy is to change the lives of 250 million people in 2025.
An Award-Winning Brand
ResMed is among the most awarded healthcare companies. It’s one of America’s most responsible companies and ranks #105 (#18 among its Health Care/Life Sciences peers) on the prestigious list of “Management Top 250” companies presented by the Wall Street Journal.
The Importance of Finding the Right Supplier
Once you decide on a machine from the CPAP ResMed product range, finding the right supplier is essential. Opt for a store that provides the premium quality CPAP equipment, service and support to maximise individual therapy outcomes.