Suffering from or watching a family member suffer with sleep apnea can be troubling and anxiety producing. It can be scary for anyone to awake with lack of oxygen. You may feel like you are drowning or that you simply cannot get a good night of sleep. Many sleep apnea sufferers are not even aware that they are not receiving enough oxygen supply during sleep. If you suspect sleep apnea or have been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, consider the following technological tools to assist you with getting a better night of sleep.
CPAP or BIPAP machine
The most common machine used to treat the oxygen symptoms of sleep apnea is either a CPAP or BIPAP machine. The specific BIPAP vs CPAP differences are minimal, however you should discuss the best option for you with your medical provider. They will evaluate your specific sleep apnea symptoms and choose CPAP supplies that work best for you. Either way, it is important to have some type of sleep assistive device as people that have an untreated case of sleep apnea face a risk of stroke that is four times as likely as those who are not afflicted.
Electrical generator
Most CPAP and BIPAP machines work on electrical. Therefore, if you were to lose power in the middle of the night, your CPAP or BIPAP machine could stop working. Although some of the best CPAP machines have backup power CPAP supplies, lower models or affordable manual CPAP machines may not. If you do not have some type of a backup power provider, consider equipping your house or the machines with a backup power generator. Sleep apneas can be very dangerous and on the average night?s sleep, a sufferer of obstructive sleep apnea may experience 60 apneas per hour. Just a couple hours of reduced CPAP supplies usage could put you in danger.
Comfortable CPAP supplies
Studies show that about half of all people prescribed CPAP machines stop using them in one to three weeks. The most common cause for reduction in use is discomfort. If you are not used to sleeping with CPAP supplies or a BIPAP machine, it make take a while to get used to it. When it affects sleep quality, people tend to put it off. Instead, attempt to find CPAP supplies that are more comfortable to you.
One of the most common complaints of discomfort is with the mask part. It can be hard to adjust to putting something over your face throughout the entire night. If facial masks are difficult for you to get used to, consider using a minimal contact full face mask. These masks touch less of the face and are made with a lighter material. Over time, you may even forget that it is on your face.
Durable CPAP supplies
Another common cause of misuse in CPAP machines is when the mask is not secured properly enough. If you do not secure it tightly and then roll over in the middle of the night, it may become unattached. If you move frequently during sleep or tend to sleep on your side, you may want to use the best full face CPAP mask for side sleepers. The full face mask lightly covers the entire face, creating a better hold for side sleepers or those who move a lot.
CPAP machines and CPAP supplies can be literal life savers for those suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea sufferers experience multiple periods of reduced or no oxygen throughout the night. The reduction in sleep can lead to serious medical complications. Although CPAP machines can successfully reduce these sleep apneas, many people stop using them after short use because of discomfort or lack of attachment. Purchase the best accompanying CPAP supplies for a better fit and a more comfortable fit. It could end up saving your life.
