The Basics Of A CPAP Machine

Posted on: 19 November 2020

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or some other obstructive airway disorder, you will probably need a new continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP for short. A CPAP works by constantly pushing air into your airway while you sleep, allowing you to breathe easily through the night. There are many parts of a CPAP machine, all of which you will need to become familiar with in order to maintain your machine.

The Mask

There are many types of masks that you could use. Instead of picking the one that you think looks the most comfortable, your doctor will tell you which one to get. This is due to the fact that they are each used to treat different types of sleep apnea. For example, if you have obstructive sleep apnea where your tongue or something else blocks your airway while you sleep, you will probably need to use a mouth and nose mask. If you simply forget to breathe while you sleep, you may be able to use the nose only mask. Some people do not do well with either of these types of masks, so they require a full-face mask for their needs.

Tubing

There is usually one main tube that goes from your CPAP machine to your mask, which can sometimes get a little dirty. Instead of using harsh chemicals, make sure to use just warm, soapy water to clean this tube, so as to maintain its integrity.

Filters

There is also a filter in your CPAP in order to ensure that you are getting clean, quality air. Washing this filter monthly with warm, soapy water can ensure its cleanliness.

Humidifier

The humidifier works to keep the air that is going into your mouth and nostrils from being too dry. Dry air can cause your nose to crack and bleed and can be generally very uncomfortable. The humidifier needs to be filled with distilled water in order to work efficiently. Make sure that you keep a supply of this water on hand.

In conclusion, the more you know and understand about your CPAP machine, the better you will be able to care for it. If you have any questions, you can ask your doctor, though a better resource will probably be the store where you purchased the equipment. Sleep apnea may be hard to deal with, but a CPAP machine will make it dramatically easier.

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