CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure is the best non surgical treatment which is available for people who suffer from sleep apnea. While it is very effective in stopping sleep apnea, due to the use of the air with a high level of pressure continuously over prolonged periods of time a number of side effects are encountered by CPAP users. The side effects normally encountered are:
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Nose irritation
- Tiredness
- Nasal congestion
- Dry airway
- Irritation
- Swelling
To lower these side effects, APAP or Automatic Positive Airway Pressure machines have been developed.
APAP-The Science behind It
An APAP machine functions completely automatically with regards to the pressurized air. This machine will automatically adjust the pressure level on a breath by breath level, thereby using only the least amount of pressure required to keep your airway from closing. This will allow the machine to provide you with the ideal amount of pressure when you sleep.
These machines due to their function are much more advanced than traditional CPAP machines in terms of internal hardware and software. These machines normally track information of breathing and also provide increased comfort features.
An advantage of this machine is that since it is only a CPAP which has been improved upon, when required, the APAP can be made to simply blow the same level of pressurized air like a traditional CPAP machine. However while it is possible for an APAP machine to be used as a CPAP, it is not possible the other way around due to the advanced machine parts of the APAP.
Due to the advantages stated above, the cost of the APAP machine is usually higher than a normal CPAP machine.
Why Purchase an APAP?
There are two main advantages to using this machine over a CPAP. Firstly, it will be more pleasant and easier to breathe by using an APAP since while exhaling the pressure in the air will be automatically lowered, thus no resistance will be encountered. This is unlike a CPAP where the pressure will be the same throughout the time of usage (even though the actual requirement for the pressure is only for a fraction of a second while inhaling). Secondly, due to the lowered pressure many of the side effects discussed earlier can be prevented.
Thus you will be able to get a good nights sleep without any problems on waking up. Happy sleeping!
