CPAP Masks Safety From a Heart Attack
It’s both discomfort and frightening: waking up in the middle of the night, wheezing, gasping for air.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be like this.
Sleep apnea affects roughly 18 million Americans. It is a sleep disorder. Those afflicted experience shallow breaths during sleep or interrupted breaths. The interrupted breaths last from seconds to minutes. They may happen up to 30 or more times per hour.
It is strenuous. It is difficult. And it also is life threatening.
One in 50 individuals with sleep apnea go undiagnosed. And the statistics show the danger of this situation:
- They face a stroke risk four times higher than average.
- They face a risk of heart disease three times more than average.
- They face: An increased risk of diabetes, heart attack, blood pressure spikes.
- Arrhythmias. Known as an irregular beating of the heart.
The National Commission on Sleep Research tells the toll: 38,000 deaths yearly, related to cardiovascular problems influenced by sleep apnea.
Fortunately, for the men and women who suffer in silence while their breaths struggle as they try to sleep, there is a solution. It’s called the CPAP machine and it saves lives.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP. The machine does what its name states: It provides air pressure, continuously, into the mouth and nostrils of a sleep apnea victim, impeding the effects of breaths that are interrupted and life-threatening.
CPAP units come with certain parts: A flow generator, a hose to transport the air, and the mask, which rests on a sufferer’s face while they sleep. Air is pumped through the mouth and nose, providing oxygen. The pathways in the throat and lungs do not close up.
The hose is the easiest part to understand and rarely varies according to which CPAP machine is used. Two parts–the generator and the mask–do change slightly according to which CPAP machine is bought.
There are three masks:
- The CPAP full face mask
- The CPAP nasal pillow
- The CPAP masks for mouth breathers
What you want is what you’ll purchase.
It’s a choice–full face, nasal pillow, or the mouth breather. Full face covers both the mouth and the nose. It may be constraining and a discomfort while falling asleep. The nasal pillow resembles two tubes hooked up to each nostril. It is more comfortable but hits only the nose pathways. The mouth breather hits the mouth.
What you want is what works, for your sleep. This means comfort, effectiveness of the mask, what is economical, what is useful.
The generator is the last tool. The machine comes in different brands. Different features.
- The weight
- The ramp
- Data/Software
- Battery operable
- Humidification (or not)
To whit, here’s a look at the Remstar Plus. Use of the C-Flex plus, which softens the transition from inhalation to exhalation. Heated tube humidifier, for ridding the tube of skin and germs. Dry box to prevent water from entering into the system.
The Remstar Plus also has connectivity to an app. Results come in, showing you sleep patterns.
The Remstar Plus is an example of products being offered to sleep apnea sufferers. They have high end technology, connectivity to mobile applications, sophisticated engineering, and optional humidifiers to make caring for the system a cinch.
Do not suffer in silence. Take the chance and see the doctor. Your health, and a good night’s sleep, is worth it.
