Archive

Posts Tagged ‘Humidifier’

Humidifiers for CPAP Machines

May 23rd, 2011 No comments

CPAP machines increasingly feature humidifiers. This is one of many changes which have been implemented in the design of the machine over the past two decades intended to make the treatment more comfortable for more patients. Other changes have included machines becoming quieter and smaller.

In fact, CPAP machines do not require the humidifier and the devices can treat sleep apnoea just as well without one. However they do play a role in the treatment of those patients who struggle to become accustomed to the treatment. A simple humidifier therefore can make the whole difference between the success and failure of CPAP treatment. Other changes such as quieter equipment have ensured that CPAP is more accessible than ever before to a wider range of patients.

Humidifiers were first introduced to CPAP machines because conventional devices tended to dry out the nasal passages and throats of patients. Before the flow of air caused the throat to dry out. In many patients, this caused sore throats and nose bleeds. The humidifier stops the air from being too dry.

CPAP machines with humidifiers are similar to standard devices except that they feature a water tank. The air passes over the surface of the water before being inhaled, collecting evaporated water droplets and ensuring that it is adequately humid. So that adequate water can evaporate, the tank tends to be either heated or have a large surface area.

Some people mistakenly believe that humidifiers blow warmer air into the throat. Although it may feel this way, this is not strictly true. In fact, the air feels warmer simply because it is more humid than the air outside the CPAP machine.

Although humidifiers aren’t strictly necessary for the success of the treatment, they can make a significant difference. Despite all of the success stories associated with CPAP, its major downfall is that many patients find it hard to get used to. If the humidifier is the simple piece of technology which inexpensively and simply makes CPAP treatment that bit more accessible than perhaps it is the answer to every sleep apnoea sufferer’s dreams.

Maintenance of CPAP Machines

May 17th, 2011 No comments

CPAP machines are a well-known treatment for sleep apnoea. They are powered by mains electricity and provide a flow of pressurised air to the windpipe via a length of plastic tubing and a face or nasal mask. The pressurised air holds open the windpipe so that blockages and interruptions to the breathing cannot occur.

CPAP machines are not without fault and many patients report finding them uncomfortable, noisy and difficult to get accustomed to but they do work. When lifestyle changes and weight loss don’t remove the problem, doctors turn to CPAP machines.

The devices should be prescribed by a doctor, who will calculate the appropriate pressure through a sleep study. The device is supplied directly by the manufacturer. CPAP machines must be cleaned regularly to prevent dust getting into them and into the patient’s throat.

Make sure you clean the face mask and nasal pillows every day. This requires warm soapy water and a thorough rinse. They should then be allowed to dry completely before being replacing on the CPAP machines.

The machine itself needs to be cleaned weekly with a damp cloth. Unplug the machine before doing so. Also remove and clean the filter at the back of the machine each week too.The filter must be replaced at least once a year.

Many modern CPAP machines now feature humidifiers to prevent sore throats and nose bleeds. The humidifier should be cleaned each week.

Once a year the machine should be taken back to the hospital, stockist or manufacturer for servicing. This ensures the machine is set to the right pressure and that it is in good working order.

Why CPAP Machines are Better than Ever

May 9th, 2011 No comments

CPAP machines are used in many cases of sleep apnoea. They consist of a box, powered by mains electricity or battery, a plastic tube and a mouthpiece or mask which is worn over the nose and mouth. CPAP devices generate a flow of pressurised air which does not stop all night and which is pumped into the windpipe via the mask and tubing, holding open the windpipe and preventing it from collapsing.

Even though most professionals consider CPAP machines to be the ultimate sleep apnea treatment, sufferers do not always agree. Some sufferers claim they are wonder treatments and others simply cannot get used to them. Complaints about CPAP machines have included the obvious: their use is uncomfortable. Patients report discomfort from the mask on the skin, dry throats and nasal passages and even nose bleeds from the flow of air. Other patients find they are unable to fall asleep because of the noise they cause and find them too bulky.

Still, because patient comfort is high on the agenda of the medical device manufacturers, the machines are constantly updated to improve them. Today’s models are smaller than they ever have been before, as well as being quieter, minimising disruption to the patient and their partner’s sleep.

Manufacturers have also worked hard to address the problem of discomfort. Some machines now have a feature allowing the air pressure to begin low and gradually increase, so that the patient is already asleep before the high pressure begins. Some feature a humidifier which prevents nose bleeds and sore throats by preventing the throat from drying out. Similarly, a bigger variety of masks are available than ever before meaning that patients are more likely to find one that they can become accustomed to quickly.

Patients who have discarded CPAP machines in the past are now being encouraged to give them another try. Patients who manage to persevere with their CPAP treatment do report an improvement in their general wellbeing and quality of their sleep in only a few days.

Treating Sleep Apnoea: CPAP Machines

April 13th, 2011 No comments

Strictly speaking there is not cure for sleep apnoea, so we can’t call CPAP machines a miracle cure. Rather they offer a very effective treatment. So much so that in medical circles they are recognised as the gold standard in helping sufferers beat their condition.

Doctors recommend lifestyle changes to patients with only mild cases of the disorder. It is understandable that patients may feel disappointed when sent away from the doctors with only such suggestions. However, in the case of sleep apnoea, the improvement that can be brought about through weight loss and avoidance of alcohol cannot be denied.

Nevertheless, in more severe cases, these changes may not be enough and this is where CPAP machines come in to their own. For those people who aren’t familiar with them, they are small machines, around the size of a tissue box. This is then connected through a plastic pipe to a nose and mouth mask. The machines then use mains power to force pressurised air into the windpipe to hold it open as the patient sleeps.

If you think that sounds less than comfortable you’re not alone. Many patients are unable to get accustomed to their use and give up. The mask often irritates the skin of people’s face and the flow of air has been known to dry out the throat and nasal passages causing nose bleeds and sore throats.

However, CPAP machines aren’t so highly praised for no reason. When patients do persevere, they report better sleep and wellbeing  in a matter of days or weeks. Many modern CPAP machines come complete with a humidifier so the throat is not able to dry out. These and other developments are making CPAP machines more accessible than ever.

More Snore Remedies to your Snoring Issues

October 24th, 2010 No comments

You may think it cute to hear your baby snore. Besides that nothing could be worse than getting decent sleep with a partner in bed who snores like a freight train. Most people are quite desperate in looking for ways to stop this irritating sound but some people have found their own remedies. It’s good that quite a number of snore remedies have been made available in medicine form and some of them are natural as well.

To sleep on the sofa or in a separate room is not a choice at all. You can’t afford to do this forever if only to avoid this deafening sound. Try to do the following non-invasive solutions as it may work with you or the person who snores.

1. Avoid from alcoholic drinks before you go to bed because it relaxes the throat muscles and blocks the airways.

2. Stop your smoking because it increases nasal congestion that restricts the airflows as well.

3. Find time to rest or nap in between of the day to somehow lessen the stress from your work.

4. Stay away from going to sleep right away after a heavy meal especially when you’re full.

5. Have a healthy diet in order to drop some of your weight especially the fatty tissue on the neck part that causes you to snore.

6. Sleep on your side as much as possible or try to change your sleeping positions since when you sleep on your back it causes the muscles in your throat to relax and at the same time block the airway.

7. Elevating your head using a nice and comfortable pillow would help too.

8. Make use of a humidifier or steam inhalation because it lubricates the throat and reduces the amount of congestion. This helps in reducing nasal congestion which often results to snoring.

9. Have a sleep pattern or sleep regularly at the same time every night and complete the eight hours of sleep.

10. You can also have throat exercises through pronouncing vowel sounds and curling the tongue in particular ways or just sing. Through this, the upper respiratory tract is strengthened and therefore reduces the snoring.Snore remedies like that of using dental applications and undergoing surgery can be effective but it can cause discomfort and it can be painful and expensive too. There are also over-the-counter anti-snoring pills, throat sprays and nasal strips to prevent throat and nose tissue from swelling that results a more open and smoother airflow that helps reduce snoring.

Age is also a contributing factor why people snore and you need to understand that they themselves loathe the deafening sound. The best thing to do is help them cope with the issue or give ideas on what to do.

Stop Snoring Treatment Plan

May 23rd, 2010 No comments

No matter how much of a burden snoring may well be on your living and also sleep, it is crucial you actually think about the natural stop snoring remedy there are out there before jumping for medical operation.  You don’t have to get surgery because you will discover alternative ways of check into.  Here are a few stop snoring remedies the  natural way.

You might have to change yourself a lttle bit to stop snoring.  While you’re consuming alcoholic beverages and also sedatives prior to bedtime, it is crucial you stop right away.  Both drinking and sleeping drugs work to relax the muscles as a consequence suppressing your breathing drive.

Following on the list for stop snoring remedies is actually nasal strips.  Nasal strips might be very much helpful at giving momentary relief from congestion and any mucus that has built up.  Using these strips it’s going to open the nostrils allowing you to inhale and exhale much better.

One more drug free remedy to take into account can be breathing in steam before going to bed.  Breathing steam may help with the break up of congestion as well as mucus that may have accumulated.  If you are having a problem with mucous and congestion, you might want to give some thought to investing in a humidifier and sleeping next to 1.

In the event that You are looking for Stop Snoring Therapy You can find numerous of differentthat are all natural.  It will allow you to correct an issue with no directly reverting to a surgical procedure and / or medication.