Sleep Apnea Device Overview

By Ashley McAdams

Sleep apnea devices come in a myriad of different forms. Whether it is the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines or dental devices that are designed to open the airway, you should know what choices are out there in the market today.

Sleep apnea surgery will only be recommended by your physician if your sleep apnea condition is easily fixable. Otherwise, more than likely, the physician will recommend one of the many different sleep apnea devices that are available on the market.

You may find that a device that may work for someone else that you know, may not necessarily work for you. As with any other disorder, sleep apnea and the cause of sleep apnea is different in each and every patient that it affects; therefore, treatments in each patient will also vary. This is one of the reasons why there are so many different sleep apnea devices available on the market today.

Sleep Apnea Machines

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines such as the BIPAP, VPAP and Bilevel machines are specifically designed to help with your breathing during nocturnal hours. They help through IPAP or Inspiratory positive airway pressure and Expiratory positive airway pressure or EPAP. With the different modes that are offered on these machines, you will be able to set them to either kick in just in case you are not breathing fine on your own (timed), or to respond after your in-respiratory breathing triggers the machine (spontaneous), or both (uses spontaneous first and then, if needed, it has the backup timed option).

Sleep disease Pillows

If you have to use a sleep disease machine that contains a mask, hose, straps, etc, then you will want to invest in a sleep disease pillow. This pillow is specifically designed to help release the pressure of the mask off your face which will help your comfort level and to allow you to move freely while you are sleeping without the hose getting in your way.

Oral breathing devices

These devices help to reposition your tongue and jaw while you are sleeping in order to help open up the airway, which in turn will help you breathe better. You can purchase these over-the-counter, but before you try anything, consult with your physician.

The mandibular advancement device is the most common used dental device that is used in the treatment of sleep disease. This device resembles a sports mouth guard and causes the lower jaw (mandible) to be pressed down and slightly forward in order to keep the airway as open as possible.

The tongue retraining device (TRD) is basically a splint that helps to hold your tongue in place while you sleep so that your airway remains as open as possible.

No matter which type of device is recommended to you by your physician just remember that it will help you in the long run. It may be uncomfortable or awkward at first but you can get used to it. You should not give up on it in the beginning; it may take a little time.

Go to Sleep Apnea Zone to get your free eBook on Sleep Apnea at Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea Zone also has information on Sleep Apnea Devices along with a lot of other free information. Come by our new Sleep Apnea Community site today for free eBooks and other free information that can help you today.

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Sleep Apnea Devices and Their Side Effects

By Antoinette Boulay

Unlike many disorders, for those afflicted with sleep apnea, the sufferers are often the people with whom they sleep. Bed partners have to lie awake listening to their irregular breathing patterns and worry that they may not take their next breath. Of course, those who are afflicted also contend with symptoms that make life difficult, particularly in their waking hours when they are dealing with tiredness and lack of concentration as a result. Sleep apnea devices are designed to assist the patient to breathe properly and thus, hopefully ensure a good night's sleep. Unfortunately, not all sleep apnea devices work for all sufferers so it can be a case of trial and error until the most appropriate device is determined.

CPAP devices

Some cases of the disorder are remedied with surgical solutions whereas others are more readily treated with sleep apnea devices designed to help the airways remain open during sleep. These can include, CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure - devices, dental appliances, jaw adjustment devices and even the administration of oxygen during sleep.

CPAP sleep apnea devices provide safe and effective, immediate relief. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP machines are portable air generators that operate to deliver oxygen at low pressure to the patient via nasal tubing or a full face mask. The job of the air pressure is to push the patient's tongue forward and open the throat so that air can flow more easily into the lungs.

Side effects

Unfortunately, CPAP sleep apnea devices are not without their own side effects. Some patients report dry eyes, headaches, soreness on the bridge of the nose, skin breakouts around the perimeter of the mask, skin dryness, dry mouth, dry nose and stomach wind. Still, for some patients, not using one of these machines presents more health issues than the associated side effects and could even make the difference between life and death.

Types of machines

CPAP machines are not all the same. There are those that are self-adjusting, some that are adjusted manually and some that are bi-pressure. Some include heated dehumidifiers. Understandably these kinds of sleep apnea devices require a prescription so that the correct machine can be purchased for the patient's particular requirements. It is important to develop a relationship with your machine retailer because they will stock all the necessary masks, hoses and other accessories that will need to be replaced periodically. Your retailer will be specially trained in the functioning of the machines and will be able to advise on maintenance as well as be able to answer all of your questions.

APAP machines

The APAP sleep apnea device is a machine that operates automatically to adjust the pressure required on a breath by breath basis, to keep patients' airways open as they sleep. APAP machines are more advanced, and therefore more expensive, than CPAPs but for severe apnea sufferers, the extra expense means enhanced peace of mind.

Dental devices

For those who are fortunate enough not to require comprehensive machinery, there are dental sleep apnea devices that are quite effective. They are portable so ideal for travel and in some instances, they are actually more successful and effective than surgery for some kinds of airway obstructions.

A dental sleep apnea device prevents the patient's tongue from falling back into the throat and causing the patient to stop breathing, however temporarily. The device simply holds the patient's lower jaw forward using two full arch acrylic devices that cover the teeth and that are attached to each other. Different models offer different degrees of advancement but medical professionals recommend at least 50% movement for success.

Side effects

Side effects of dental sleep apnea devices include soreness, build-up of saliva, possible damage to the jaw, teeth and mouth and even a permanent alteration to the position of the teeth or jaw. Again, the side effects must be weighed against the benefits achieved to determine the best solution.

Considering the degrees of severity of sleep apnea and the results achieved by some of the sleep apnea devices available to patients, sufferers should invest time in being diagnosed properly. Therapy for the condition is not a one-size-fits-all situation and solutions must be tailor-made for the individual.

Visit medopedia.com for more on the sleep apnea mask and sleep apnea tests

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