When you have sleep apnea, your breathing is interrupted during sleep. As a result, you could experience difficulty waking up in the morning, irritability and other symptoms of tiredness throughout the day. The best cpap machines are effective for many sufferers of sleep apnea because they can provide continuous air flow to help keep your airways open.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep disturbances are common for those who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is where certain muscles in the throat relax during sleep and block or significantly narrow the upper airway passages or decrease pharyngeal collapsibility. The resulting blockage can cause breathing to stop or slow, which can lead to fatigue the following day. It’s important to note that while you may be getting adequate rest, you may still have sleep apnea if your apneas are interrupted or if you have other issues causing your sleep to be interrupted.
How Does CPAP Work for Sleep Apnea?
The two most common types of CPAP devices are nasal cannulas and full CPAP. In the nasal cannula, a small plastic tube goes from the mask (which is worn over your nose) into the nose so that it fits perfectly in place like a toothbrush. The mask works to provide a cushion between the airway and the face, while the tube forces air through a tube and into the back of your throat to prevent snoring.
In the full CPAP system, a mask is worn over your nose to help keep it from moving in sleep and covers your mouth when you are sleeping so that you don’t suck in any second hand oxygen. The mask has two side pieces for nose breathing. The sides can also be used for keeping your head upright or as extra protection by covering both nostrils if needed. The full CPAP straps hold you in place so that the air is forced through tubes that are placed around your neck or head, providing high pressure throughout your nasal passage.
