Sleep Apnea Devices

Posted in Sleep Apnea Devices on November 7th, 2009 by Sleep Apnea Devices – Be the first to comment

People who suffer from sleep apnea are fortunate enough to have solutions available to them. As a matter of fact, more sleep apnea devices can be found nowadays compared to before.

Sleep apnea refers to a common sleep disorder that is characterized by quick interruptions in breathing while one sleeps. Such sleep interruptions are called apneas and generally last around ten seconds, though they can occur numerous times throughout one’s entire night of sleep. People who suffer from sleep apnea oftentimes wake up during the night because they struggle in trying to catch their overall breath. Most of the time, however, they will not remember these events in the morning.

CPAP Machine
One common sleep apnea device would be the CPAP machine. CPAP refers to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and is a kind of therapy, which produces steady streams of flowing air into a person’s lungs to allow unobstructed airways and uninterrupted breathing during sleep.

This can be done with the help of a face mask and a CPAP machine. The machine will pump steady air flows into the face mask that will keep the throat free during the night. This will result in less snoring, a common sign of sleep apnea.

CPAP sleep apnea devices should always be used during sleep, even during naptimes. Although such devices can generally lower the overall amount of apneas during the night, it will not cure a person from it completely. It merely lets people sleep better and offers more REM sleep. A lack of REM could be a highly destructive result of sleep apnea.

Several people find trouble when it comes to CPAP devices since they can be noisy and uncomfortable. In several cases, people even awaken to stuffy and dry noses in the morning, though devices do exist with heated humidifiers that could reduce this problem.

Oral Appliances
One other common device of sleep apnea would be an oral appliance. Initially, oral appliances were created to reduce snoring incidences and they worked marvelously at doing so. However, with more design improvements, they have also become useful for sufferers of mild and moderate types of sleep apnea.

Various oral appliances exist for sleep apnea, but the most well-known ones would be the MAD (Mandibula Advanacement Device) and the splint. MADs look like sport mouth guards which athletes use for protection. These force the lower jaw backwards, allowing lots of space for air to flow and encouraging one to sleep on their back. It improves air flow to and from the lungs. Splints keep tongues in certain positions during the night to let air passages stay clear and open.

These two sleep apnea devices happen to be the most popular ones out there are also happen to be extremely effective when it comes to their jobs. If you suffer from a condition of sleep apnea, consult your doctor regarding the ideal treatment for you within certain situations.