Sleep Apnea Equipment

Sleep apnea (apnea coming from the Greek for “without breath”) is a life threatening disorder involving frequent pauses in breathing during sleep.  If left undiagnosed and untreated, sleep apnea can have serious consequences.  Fortunately, several machines and devices are available for both diagnoses and treatment.  Sleep apnea equipment for the purpose of diagnosing the disorder are those associated with the sleep studies required to delineate the type and severity of the disorder.  The patient undergoes an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram.  During this test, the patient’s brain waves are read via EEG electroencephalogram, to measure neurological arousal shifts. 

Other sleep apnea equipment measures blood oxygen desaturation.  A 3 second or greater shift in EEG, or a 3-4 percent desaturation of blood oxygen is a reliable indicator for sleep apnea. 

Once diagnosed, several different types of treatments are available.  The most common therapeutic intervention uses sleep apnea equipment known generically as CPAPs, or continuous positive airway pressure.  CPAP come in three main varieties, the CPAPs themselves and VPAP, variable positive airway pressure, and APAP, automatic positive airway pressure.  This sleep apnea equipment consists of a medical pump about the size of a shoebox, a long flexible tube and a mask to be worn over the face, either over the nose, over the mouth, or over both. 

Certain features of sleep apnea equipment can increase patient comfort, and verify effectiveness of treatment.  Ramps are a piece of sleep apnea equipment that allow the patient to begin the night’s sleep at a lower pressure and “ramp” it up later. Heated humidifiers provide warm, moist air, easing breathing.  Compliance motors measure if the patient is experiencing any apnea events while using the sleep apnea equipment.  Other features of sleep apnea equipment include telephone modems to download data and gauges to monitor patient intake, to adjust pressurized accordingly.

Of all the sleep apnea equipment listed, the mask is perhaps the most important to effectiveness of treatment.  Masks come in several types and must not only fit securely, but also must fit comfortably for the patient to continue treatment.  When securing sleep apnea equipment for treatment, the mask should be fitted, possibly rented and used for a few nights to test comfort and efficacy.

Included in sleep apnea equipment are several less invasive items.  A special pillow holds the sleeper’s head in a cradle, in a position to tilt the head back and extend the neck, easing breathing.  Other sleep apnea equipment includes an inflatable back cushion, which discourages the patient from sleeping on his/her back.  Oral devices, much like a mouth guard worn in sports, holds the tongue forward to prevent blockage of the airway. 

Back cushions and pillows can be purchased at will, other sleep apnea equipment requires a physician’s prescription.  The CPAP machines must also be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they can be sold.  Oral devices, too, must be FDA approved before use.  Their website lists over fifteen different types of FDA approved oral sleep apnea equipment.  

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