CPAP Treatment For Sleep Apnea

CPAP treatment stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. The most common indication for it is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a type of breathing disorder that occurs during sleep. It occurs when the soft tissues in the human airway around the throat collapse as a result of relaxation during sleep. Left untreated, it can contribute to daytime sleepiness at least and at worst, it can cause hypertension, heart failure, stroke, diabetes and, ultimately, death.

There are three basic parts to the apparatus. A positive airway pressure (PSP) machine generates a flow of air to keep the airway patent (open). A hose connects the airflow generator to a mask or other patient interface, which may also be a lip-seal mouthpiece or nasal pillows. The system works best when the user and the equipment technician work together as a team to achieve maximum comfort and benefit.

There are a few side effects associated with PAP therapy. It may cause a dry, stuffy nose or a sore throat. It may also cause skin irritation or headache. If the airway pressure is not adjusted correctly, it can lead to discomfort and bloating in the stomach. If the mask is not fastened securely, the patient may unconsciously rip it off during the night.

Certain optional features may be added for better comfort and improved patient compliance. The addition of a humidifier, with or without heat, reduces the side effects associated with the dryness of compressed air (stuffy nose, sore throat). A pressure regulator can reduce flow pressure while the patient is awake, making it easier to do things like exhale and speak. A cloth liner for the mask may reduce irritation to the skin and improve the seal between the mask and the patient’s face.

One of the factors that sometimes reduces patient compliance is having positive airflow pressure while they are awake. It makes it virtually impossible to speak without having to remove the mask. Exhalation pressure relief can eliminate this problem. Breathing through the mouth increases dryness and diminishes the effectiveness of the air stream; flexible chin straps can correct this. A data logger allows the doctor and the technician to monitor patient compliance.

PAP ventilation may also be used in intensive care units for people with who are extremely ill with respiratory failure. It is also sometimes used on neonatal units to help premature infants with their breathing. Patients with neuromuscular disease may also benefit from treatment. In some patients, it can eliminate the need for tracheal intubation, a risky procedure requiring a high level of special training.

The treatment was invented at the University of California in San Francisco by a team of neonatologists. A modification of the system was developed by a group of physicians in Australia.

There are a number of other indications for CPAP treatment in a hospital setting, such as chronic lung problems or certain types of heart failure. CPAP Masks Toronto are also used for exacerbation of asthma, community acquired pneumonia or hypoxia. It should not be used for anyone with a compromised airway or whose consciousness is impaired.

A CPAP Supplies Toronto machine was initially used mainly by patients for the treatment of sleep apnea at home, but now in widespread use across intensive care units as a form of ventilation. For more info, visit CPAP Toronto.

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