When you are diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the diagnosis can be overwhelming. There are so many ways to treat the issue and without testing, it can be hard to know what will work best for you.
Let’s take a look at the many PAP device choices:
What Is A Positive Airway Pressure Device?
These devices – the most common being the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine – are the most common form of treatment. Each is a machine attached to a mask. Worn overnight, the machine supplies pressurized air that flows continuously or intermittently into the sleeper’s throat. The risk to OSA sufferers that do not use a device is the collapse of their airways due to a lack of oxygen through breathing. (https://www.sleepapnea.org/)
There Are Various Types Of Pap Devices:
- The CPAP that we previously mentioned, provides air to the user continuously at one pressure level. If the pressure needs to be changed, the user needs to make that setting change directly on the machine.
- The APAP (automatic positive airflow pressure). The APAP measures the user’s airflow pressure and adjusts automatically throughout the night.
- The BiPAP or Bilevel (Bi-level positive airflow pressure). The BiPAP is for OSA sufferers as well as patients that have central sleep apnea. This machine delivers different pressures for inhaling and exhaling. There are sometimes sleep apnea patients that cannot use CPAP machines due to elevated carbon dioxide levels in their blood and this machine is a better fit for those patients.
How to know which machine is best for you.
Your Doctor
When you receive a diagnosis of OSA, your doctor should have recommendations for treatment that usually include a PAP machine. That’s the first person to ask as they know your full medical history. Be sure to be upfront and open about other medications you’re taking, your smoking history, and any medical concerns.
Your Insurance/ Your PAP provider
At Advanced Homecare, we work with patients and their insurance company to provide the best machine for their needs. It can sometimes be frustrating to realize that insurance will not pay for the supplies you think you’ll need, but our team is available to walk you through the process, the reasoning, and how to get started with your new device. We can also help you with out-of-pocket products to help you feel more comfortable, or to keep your machine clean and running well.
There are other forms of treatment besides a PAP machine, so please be sure to check our list of articles to read more about the following:
Oral Devices
