How to find the right CPAP machine without breaking the bank (and why cheap machines are a bad idea)
Are you feeling tired when you wake up in the morning? Hazy throughout the day? And tired of the morning recap of your evening of snoring from your frustrated partner? If you are dreaming of getting back to a good night's sleep, you are in the right place.
Chances are, somewhere along the way, somebody has suggested that it's possible you have sleep apnea, or you may have already been diagnosed with the condition and are starting to research treatment. Sleep apnea is a sleep condition which causes your breathing to stop and start throughout the night repeatedly. Sleep apnea causes a restless night's sleep and has serious health implications if left untreated. The good news is sleep apnea is a highly treatable condition when you undergo the right treatment.
Sleep Apnea Treatment - CPAP Therapy
The most common and effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP therapy. CPAP therapy involves a CPAP machine that is used to deliver continuous positive airway pressure (where CPAP comes from) through a face mask while the user sleeps. This air delivery keeps the upper airway open and stops the user from stopping and starting breathing (and the gasping and snoring often associated with it).
Although standard CPAP machines are the most commonly discussed and recommended treatment, there are several options for positive airway pressure, including CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure), APAP (Automatic positive airway pressure), and BiPAP (Bilevel positive airway pressure). All positive airway pressure machines aim to maintain continuous breathing by keeping the airway open by delivering air through a mask. A BiPAP, APAP, or CPAP machine is about the size of a lunchbox. These devices come with a mask, nasal mask, or nasal plugs, as well as an attachment tube. When choosing a mask attachment, it's crucial to make sure it's comfortable for you - if the mask doesn't feel comfortable, you probably don't have the correct size. As you will wear this every night, comfort is paramount. You can read more about the different machines here.
How to choose the right machine for you
Finding the best machine for you is essential; everybody is different, and it may take a little experimenting to see which device provides you with the best night's sleep. Some considerations for choosing a CPAP machine include your health, medical conditions, and personal comfort-based preferences. Choosing a reliable machine that will suit your needs is essential.
While it is true that a new sleep apnea device can be expensive, having a solution that will work for years to come is worth the expense. As such, you can purchase a used or cheap CPAP machine, but it's worth remembering that a CPAP device is medical equipment critical to your health and well-being. Opting for a cheaper machine/looking into second-hand devices is almost always a bad idea. Treating sleep apnea is an individualised experience. Using a machine that hasn't been set up for all things YOU is unlikely to provide the same level of treatment as one that has been. Technology is constantly updating; the newer the machine, the more accurate the data and the quieter the machine. On top of this, buying a new device means you have access to experts who can help guide you through your treatment rather than bootstrapping the process and not knowing precisely what you are doing.
Participate in a sleep study
Another way to determine which treatment is best for you is to participate in an at-home sleep test. This requires you to rest the device on your fingertip for three nights. The test kit can be shipped to your home. Once you set up the activation code for the 'companion' app, you can record your sleep by following the easy instructions. You will receive a sleep report within 3-5 days. A phone consultation with a sleep expert is also included in the initial cost so that you can determine the next appropriate step for you.
Trial a CPAP machine
If it is your first time trying CPAP therapy, we recommend trialling a standard CPAP machine to see how it feels for you. Testing a CPAP machine would be a valuable opportunity to see how it affects your sleep. You can find more about this here. We invite you to schedule an appointment to test a CPAP machine in our clinic. CPAP machine trials are a convenient way to ensure that your requirements and needs are taken into account before purchasing a machine.
If you're unsure about your next move forward and need a little help from a team of experts, give us a call or drop by our store today!