Getting a good night’s sleep is undoubtedly one of the key factors to having a productive day. If you don’t get enough rest, you’re unable to go about your activities as you normally would. You’re inevitably hindered by poor performance due to tiredness and exhaustion. And that’s definitely not a good sign. The only thing you’re probably looking forward to is to come home at the end of the day and rush to lay down in bed.
There’s been much commotion around the circumstances behind such scenarios, with possible explanations being insomnia, anxiety and a plethora of other conditions. But perhaps the most annoying cause of disturbed sleep is due to sleep apnea. If you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re a part of a group of thousands of other people that are going through the exact same thing. Luckily, there is a way for you to fight back – it’s as simple as getting a cpap bipap machine to help you breathe more easily. Stick around to find out what you can do.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
There are plenty of reasons why obstructive sleep apnea occurs. Generally speaking, the most common cause is obesity and excess weight. Other, less common factors include having a narrow throat and a round head, allergies, smoking and drinking alcohol.
In any case, when you go to sleep, the muscles of your throat and tongue become less tense. This relaxed state can cause the soft tissue to fall back and block the airways that lead to your lungs. As a result, you might end up snoring or stop breathing altogether for a brief moment. Sounds pretty dangerous, don’t you think? Stick around to find out how you can prevent this from happening.
How Can a Bi-PAP Machine Help With Sleep Apnea?
Once you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend a range of treatments. One of the most effective methods to treat this condition is getting a bipap machine. Essentially, it’s a compact box with a built-in motorised fan that blows pressurised air into your lungs. The air finds its way into your body through a tube that’s attached to either a face or nasal mask that matches your sleeping position.
One of the things that make bipap machines stand out from other forms of treatment is its bi-level airway pressure feature. This means that it can alternate between two types of air pressure – a higher one when you breathe in and a lower one when you breathe out. This, in turn, makes using the cipap bipap machine much more convenient because it mimics the natural way air flows through your lungs.
An important thing to note here is that there is a specialised air filter whose main function is to eliminate dust, smoke and all sorts of other small particles from finding their way to your windpipe. Read through the instruction manual included in the package regarding information on how often you should replace this filter to ensure maximum functionality.
How Long Do You Have to Use a Bi-PAP Machine?
Before I answer this question, you might be pleased to hear that you can fully recover from sleep apnea with continuous use of a bipap machine. Most professionals in the field recommend using it for at least four hours while you sleep. You’ll probably end up using it for longer periods of time anyway since hardly anyone sleeps that little. The more, the merrier, right?
But seeing as sleep apnea can occur in virtually any scenario where you’re relaxed enough to fall asleep, such as after finishing your meal or watching some late night TV, you might want to consider using it outside of the bedroom as well. It’s not a strict rule per se but it’s definitely something worth thinking about.
In the long run, the length of time in which you practice wearing the bipap machine on a daily basis may vary depending on the circumstances that caused the condition in the first place. If it occurs during pregnancy, it’ll probably go away in a few months. But if it’s caused by persistent allergies, it might take a little longer. Evidently, the specific details of the situation are a major factor in determining the length of use. It’s best if you talk to your doctor about the expected duration of treatment to help you ease your mind.
Key Considerations When Using a BI-Pap Machine
Adjustment Time
Going from sleeping freely to wearing a mask and tube every day is surely not an easy change. Adjusting to those new circumstances doesn’t happen overnight. The adjustment period varies from person to person but in general terms, you’ll probably need at least a few days to get used to the machine. Because of this, you can expect the first couple of nights to be waking and restless but it’s a small price to pay for the multitude of benefits you’ll experience in the future.
Cost
I’m going to be completely blunt here, bipap machines are a costly investment but they sure do live up to the expectations. No price tag is too big when you’re trying to resolve health issues and make life more bearable. Don’t cut down on your life just because you’re not willing to cut down on your budget.
