CPAP therapy is used for the treatment of medium-severe obstructive sleep apnea, here are some CPAP tips on pressure, type and size of the mask.

If you have already been screened, you have a diagnosis and give a conclusion on the need for CPAP therapy, you can go directly to the selection of equipment. Please note that to configure the purchased equipment must have concluded with the selected treatment pressure, type and size of the mask.

To select a specific model appropriate to answer several questions:

1. What class of equipment to choose or how much you are willing to spend to purchase the device?

2. Which company and which model preferred?

3. What kind of mask you choose?

4. Do you need a heated humidifier?

What class of equipment to choose and how much you are willing to spend to purchase the device?

The cost of a standard set for CPAP therapy, which includes machine, heated humidifier, mask, snorkel, shipping the parts bag and an annual filter ranges from 1500 to 3000 dollars, depending on the class of equipment such as masks and the manufacturer.

The cost of the actual device for CPAP therapy is in the range 1000 – 2000 dollars, depending on the class of equipment. Briefly we can say that there are three classes of equipment: III – the most simple apparatus without additional functions, II – vehicles with compensation for medical pressure, I – machines with automatic pressure and a memory block on the outcome of treatment (Auto-CPAP). For more information on the comparative characteristics of the equipment can be found in a textbook on CPAP therapy.

Before you stop for any class of equipment, check out some thoughts about this. The principle of choice is quite simple and is very similar to purchasing a car. If you go on foot, and then got “Lada”, then your life will seem like paradise. However, reseeding behind the wheel of a Mercedes, you will understand what it is comfortable and safe ride on a modern car. So with devices for CPAP therapy. Anyone, even the most simple device of class III with moderate or severe sleep apnea will give a sufficient effect. However, the use of modern systems of class I (Auto-CPAP) provides significantly greater comfort, efficiency and safety of treatment. This is ensured by the functions avtovmaticheskoy setting pressure relief on exhalation of breath and maintain therapeutic options. Class II devices are intermediate in clinical effectiveness, but significantly inferior to Class I apparatus on opportunities for treatment monitoring.

The difference between the CPAP devices from cars is that the difference in price, “Lada” and “Mercedes” in the tens of thousands of dollars, and the difference between the simplest and most perfect device for CPAP therapy is not more than 1200 dollars. Given the resource of the device (8 years), should be weighed, are you willing to spend an additional approximately 0.5 dollars per night in order to ensure a more comfortable and effective sleep. But we emphasize again that even the most simple equipment can be effectively used in patients with sleep apnea.

Which company and which model preferred?

So, you’ve already decided on the class system. Now turn to the choice of firms and models. In our market officially comes five equipment companies (listed in alphabetical order): Breas (Sweden), Resmed (Australia), Respironics (USA), Tyco Healcare (USA), and Wienmann (Germany). Each firm produces the entire line of vehicles, respectively, in each of the classes there are at least 5 models of vehicles of various businesses.

Fundamental differences between the models in the second and third grades there, as this equipment has no significant additional features. Price devices also differ very insignificantly in the classroom (within 150 dollars).

As for systems with automatic pressure (I class), here the differences can be quite substantial. This article will analyze the current Auto-CPAP systems:

• Auto Set S8 Vantage, Resmed (Australia)
• iSleep 20i, Breas (Sweden)
• Sandman Auto HC, Tyco Healthcare (U.S.)
• RemStar Auto M-series, Respironics (USA)
• Somnobalance e, Weinmann (Germany)

All machines have enough kompatnye dimensions, vstraevyemye heated humidifiers (optional) and mass within 1.3-2.1 kg (complete with a humidifier). The most lightweight model – Sandman Auto HC – especially convenient for travel. The most ergonomic design of the apparatus have Auto Set S8 Vantage. The most powerful algorithms for automatic adjustment of pressure, including the differentiation of obstructive and central apnea, now have the machines Sandman Auto HC and Somnobalance e. These models also provide the most detailed reports for treatment, which is especially important for dynamic monitoring of treatment efficacy. The function to facilitate exhalation, providing additional comfort of breath, have almost all modern machines, except apparatus Sandman Auto HC. However, devices Auto Set S8 and iSleep 20i can use this function only in the case disable the automatic adjustment of pressure, which to a certain extent reduces the advantages of these devices. At the same time sets RemStar Auto M-series and Somnobalance e fully realize the automatic adjustment of pressure in conjunction with the function to facilitate breathing on exhalation. The most quiet machine on the market now is Somnobalance e.

What kind of mask you choose?

Here the answer may be quite simple. If you have already conducted trial CPAP therapy, it should have been picked up by a comfortable size and type of mask. Only necessary to equip your vehicle picked up before the mask.

Each company produces its own mask. At the same apparatus and masks all firms are mutually compatible. That is, for example, the apparatus Somnobalance e firm Weinmann (Germany) can be equipped with a mask Mirage Activa company Resmed (Australia). It should be noted that there are no bad or good masks. There are individually comfortable and uncomfortable mask. And even a very good mask that fits a significant percentage of patients who can not quite fit the individual patient. For example, the mask Mirage Activa (Resmed) provides dynamic protection against leakage of air from under the mask during movements in sleep, which gives extra comfort. But this mask is not acceptable for patients with claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces), as it is large enough compared with other masks. In these patients need to use nasal cannula Mirage Swift (Resmed). If the patient concerned noise from the discharge of air through the port of the mask, then the best solution is to use masks Joyce (Weinmann) with a unique quiet exhaust system reset.

Sometimes the problem lies in the fact that some local Somnological laboratory uses only one type of masks. This is justified from an economic point of view, but sometimes leads to the fact that the patient may experience some discomfort from a particular type of mask. In leading laboratories, the patient usually tries to 2-3 types of masks or nasal cannulae and selects the most comfortable. If you have experienced any discomfort from the mask in the trial treatment, and other masks you have no choice, it is advisable to go through the procedure of selecting the most comfortable mask on the acquisition device. This process can take place in and our office.We use a nasal mask Joyce (Weinmann), Mirage Activa (Resmed), Ultramirage (Resmed), Comfort Select (Respironics), nasal cannula Mirage Swift (Resmed).

Do you need a heated humidifier?

Contact with the jet of dry air on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract can lead to runny nose, cough, dry mouth. Using heated humidifier can effectively address these problems and provide additional prevention of respiratory infections. In this connection, we recommend that all patients to use the heated humidifier.

If the patient refuses originally from a humidifier in order to save , it can be treated without it. In some patients, it does not cause side effects. If within a few days or weeks of treatment the patient noted significant problems with the stimulating effect of dry air, the humidifier can be purchased separately.

Having analyzed the possible causes of snoring, you can talk about the existing methods of treatment. Here we provide common snoring cures reviews.

The most common cause of snoring is the weakening of the muscles of the soft palate and tongue. On the surgical method will tell a little later. First, we must wean ourselves to sleep on their backs, when the cause of snoring is sink language. By your own will, naturally, to retrain your body will not work. This is usually advised to proceed as follows:  for the night putting on pajamas with embroidered on the back of a ball for tennis. Wait until your body is reconstructed, will have about a month. Comfort during sleep, of course, would suffer. Still, if you consider it important to cure snoring alone, without drugs and surgery, it is one of the best solutions.

But, unfortunately, sleep on your side does not always produce a positive effect. The result may be such as to get rid of snoring does not succeed, but only diminish its power. Then, in addition to the above technique you can use a set of exercises to strengthen the muscles of the tongue of the soft palate and tongue.

First, the movement language. First, try to stick his tongue forward, as it does when you show your doctor a sore throat. The more you make the effort the better – you should feel how tense the muscles at the base of tongue. Repeat this exercise 30 times. Then, in contrast, so many times try to make the language of movement back toward the throat.

Secondly, you can work the jaw. After about 30 movements of the lower jaw forward and back, you also will promote the strengthening of weak muscles. Then take in the teeth of any object and hold the force for 5 minutes.

Do not expect quick results from these exercises. But if you repeat every day, morning and evening, will definitely improve the visible. When the way you cure snoring, but in future you should only do these exercises periodically to maintain the necessary muscle tone.

To cure snoring were also invented devices, which are placed inside the mouth. Some of them are somewhat similar to a pacifier for children. The effect of this method of treatment of snoring is based on the idea that language is constantly trying to touch a foreign object located in the mouth, and thus be in tension.

The second device like a protective box with the boxers. But unlike her insertion of snoring is produced for each person so that the lower jaw was constantly thrust forward. This is necessary in order to increase the size of the respiratory tract. However, such an insertion is quite expensive to manufacture (up to three hundred dollars).

Important note about the intraoral appliances. They are best used to treat snoring only when it manifests itself in mild form, without any complications. And if you have any problems with breathing through your nose, then their use is inefficient and generally undesirable.

If you snore because of difficulty breathing through the nose there are several solutions. If your doctor determines that breathing difficulties arise from the curvature of the nasal septum, in most cases will be sufficient to correct this shortcoming. If the problem lies in the narrowness of the nasal passages, then one effective solution is to use extenders nose in the form of special springy stickers on the wings. In order to facilitate breathing through the nose, and thus cure snoring, it is sufficient to maximally-apart wings of the nose glued to a label.

To temporarily relief snoring can be used and special tablets. Their reception is very good, so as not to disturb the other during the night, for example, when you go to the hospital to hospital. But these pills are contraindicated for pregnant. Effects of pills is usually noticeably after the first dose, but the main result of the treatment of snoring is only a few days. Therefore possible to start taking pills from snoring preferably in advance. But doctors do not recommend ever using such a method of treatment of snoring, recommending acceptance of such tablets in a period of not more than a month. After a necessary pause for the same period.

What kind of treatment in each individual case must be decided by a doctor on the results of polysomnography, which allows you to determine the effect of snoring on the body. And then, on this basis, the decision whether to surgery on the soft palate. Without going into the course of the operation, we can say that it leads to a reduction in the size of the soft palate, thus eliminating its sagging under palsy. In this case, it is almost painless and takes about 15 minutes. But do not rely solely on the operation. Unfortunately, the surgery helps to stop snoring is not in all cases, even repeated her conduct does not solve the problem. Conversely, some patients are possible complications after surgery.

Possible causes of snoring can be several, so it is important to correctly set up to advance the use of any method of treatment of snoring. For example, for people suffering from obesity than as yet, and snoring may be enough to lose a few pounds. And then the problem of snoring eliminate itself. For these questions, we recommend that you seek professional help.

As you can see, there are many snoring cures. But for whatever reason it occurs and how it is a problem for the individual can understand, in consultation with the specialist.Because snoring may be more serious problems such as lack of oxygen, and even stop breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea). And this should be a problem not only for the person snoring, but for anyone that prevents snoring. The person who snores, can not tell about your problem, since he had it might not feel, therefore, need the assistance of close friends.

Nevertheless, we hope that many snoring not becomes a symptom of some more serious health problems. And get rid of it would be without the intervention of a doctor.

How to use a CPAP for sleep apnea effectively, in this connection great importance are the correct choice of machine, operating mode, a convenient mask.

In the process of using the device you are likely to arise several questions. To help you navigate to find the correct answer,  we analyzed our experience and that of patients who already have long histories of CPAP therapy, and below you will find answers to questions frequently asked.

1. Do I need to use the CPAP machine therapy every night during the entire time sleeping?

As it turned out, with severe disease (apnea index value / gipopnoe> 30/hour) patients are often themselves observe such a regime, because this immediately improves sleep quality, decrease daytime sleepiness, and improves quality of life. We advise you to focus on their well-being, remember that the interruption of breathing during sleep are likely to worsen after taking alcohol, sleeping pills, hard day.

2. What if the fact of sleeping in a mask disturbs sleep, although it noted a clear positive effect on daily activities and a number of other symptoms.

In this situation, we recommend:

• Use a nasal cannula to reduce the sensation of a closed space.
• Use the machine on a daily basis during the first 3-4 hours of sleep, when there is more deep sleep and virtually no external stimuli are concerned. And in the morning, when sleep becomes more shallow, the mask can be removed and sleep now without it. The positive effect of treatment (decrease in the intensity of snoring and sleep apnea) is retained for the rest of the night.
• Use the device intermittently. The device can be used in those days, when fatigued or need to sleep for a short time. It is particularly important to provide treatment, if last night adopted a substantial dose of alcohol (more than 100 grams of vodka) or sleeping pills. With intermittent treatment is desirable to use the apparatus at least 50% of nights, especially in cases where there is concomitant hypertension or other cardiovascular disease.

3. Where should I place the apparatus for CPAP therapy?

Preferably, the apparatus to put on a stable, fixed base, which helps to reduce the noise from his work at the level of the bed or slightly below.

4. What if the mask came from skin irritation, especially in the back of your nose?

• Check for proper size selection of masks. Usually smaller masks better tolerated.
• Check for proper installation of catch or gaskets that provide the degree of pressing the mask to the back of the nose.
• Adjust the tension of the fixing belt to reduce pressure on the back of the nose.
• Place cotton pads (circles make up remover) in the contact mask with the nasal bridge.
• Use other types of masks or nasal cannula.
• Perhaps you are allergic to silicone, and then you can use the older vinyl mask.

5. What if the air with the noise comes from under the mask?

In this case we are talking about air leakage, so the mask fits tightly to the face.In this case, you should:

• Check for proper installation of the mask and its size. Usually smaller masks provide less leaks.
• Check for proper installation of catch or gaskets that provide the degree of pressing the mask to the back of the nose.
• Adjust the tension of the fixing belt. It is desirable to provide a minimum pressing, which would eliminate leaks, especially those directed at the eyes. Small leaks in the area of the upper lip can be ignored. They usually do not interfere with sleep and do not reduce the effectiveness of treatment. Excessive pressing can increase the leakage and cause skin irritation.
• Use modern dual-layer types of masks, minimizing leakage.
• To verify the adequacy of the apparatus for treatment of pressure (that it was not too high).
• Use the apparatus with automatic therapeutic pressure (auto-CPAP), or vehicle with two-level positive airway pressure.

6. What if opens his mouth during CPAP therapy?

• Apply nosorotovye mask.
• Ensure normal nasal breathing
• Use special chinstraps, fixing the lower jaw in the closed position.
• Observe the lateral (side on) position during sleep.

7. What to do if worried about dryness of the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and pharynx.

• Use room humidifier
• Apply installed in the breathing system heated humidifier.
• Ensure normal nasal breathing

8. What to do if you have a stuffy nose.

• Adjust the installation of the masks, as its poor fixation can lead to irritation of the nose and runny nose.
• Install an additional hypo-allergenic filter device for CPAP therapy. This is especially useful when concomitant pollinosis.
• Apply installed in the breathing system heated humidifier.
• Use room humidifier.
• Use nasal decongestant (for Nos Ksimelin, Otrivin, etc.). Duration of treatment should not exceed 5.3 days.
• Use a nasal spray with sea water, such as Aqua Maris Morenazal etc., or to prepare for washing nasal saline solution (1-2 g of salt per 100 ml of water). Type the solution in the pipette and fill in each half of the nose 1-3 times. Clean the nose. Repeat until the resumption of nasal breathing.

9. What if the mask is removed involuntarily during sleep.

• To minimize the discomfort of the mask.
• Conduct a short test treatment calming / sleeping pills.
• Use devices for CPAP therapy with alarm disconnected masks.

10. What to do if you do not have enough air flow and disturbs a need for air?

• You may not correctly chosen value of the initial comfort of pressure.
• Disable a gradual increase in pressure (immediately begin treatment with the “working” pressure).
• Check the work of the staff for technical failure.

11. What to do if you’re concerned about the strong flow of air, difficulty breathing?

• Use function gradually increasing pressure until the working level.
• Use Auto-CPAP device or with two-level positive airway pressure.
• To solve the question of reducing the pressure treatment (improvement of eligibility due to some inefficiency).
• Check the work of the staff for technical failure.

12. What to do if you were snoring when using a CPAP machine?

• You should quickly contact your doctor and to control cardio-respiratory monitoring or polysomnography to clarify the adequacy of therapeutic pressure.
• Check the work of the staff for technical failure.

13. What to do in case of acute respiratory infection?

• You should consult your doctor. Perhaps he will advise you to temporarily lift the CPAP therapy for 3-5 days.
• Every day, wash in soapy water mask and snorkel.

14. How to disinfect the mask?

If using a mask and you alone, it is usually enough to wash it daily with warm soapy water.

CPAP is one of the most effective therapy fo sleep apnea, here talk about what is CPAP therapy ? How to set cpap pressure, and how it work ?

CPAP Therapy

The CPAP therapy has been successfully used to treat respiratory arrest, sleep apnea during sleep. In the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) treatment, the respiratory system by light pressure to pneumatic splint and prevents the respiratory arrest.

Sleep

In sleep, the sleep of the patients studied by polysomnography. During the night, various vital functions, such as Brain waves, eye movements, breathing, muscle tension and oxygen saturation recorded. The next morning, the results are evaluated by a sleep specialist. The second night sleeping, the patient, if necessary, with a CPAP device. It is tested with the pressures of the sleep apnea can be reduced to a minimum.

CPAP Devices

Detailed records of the data in the device memory to help the doctor to monitor the success of the treatment. The useful life is saved, leaving substantial conclusions on compliance.

Oxygen mask

The most important link between the device and patient’s CPAP mask. They come in various designs and sizes. A distinction between the nose masks, nose masks, olive, and Oralmasken Full face masks. The CPAP mask has to fit to the anatomy of the user, since otherwise there will pressure points and leaks. You can prevent this by choosing the correct size and type of CPAP mask.

Heated humidifier

Due to the continuous flow of air in the CPAP therapy, the airways dry out. If you have already suffered prior to the CPAP treatment in dry air passages, a heated humidifier can bring relief.The Atembefeuchter is inserted between CPAP therapy equipment and breathing tube and moisten the airways during treatment. In the case of using a heated humidifier needs to be given compulsory hygiene, germs otherwise humidifiers, breathing tube and mask.

Douche

Snoring is an enormous burden for the body of the person concerned / affected due to the lack of oxygen, here we talk about proven cure for snoring .

1. Nose clip and nose patch

Nose clip and nose patches are available in all pharmacies. They can be used to assist in mild to moderate snoring. Both follow a similar principle – by affixing the nose or the nose patch clamp the nostrils are widened. In this way, and breathing becomes easier. The advantage of the nose patch is the more convenient use. The nose clip is a bit strange.

2. Anti-snoring spray

The anti-snoring spray is applied locally in the throat. Most are made of water, oils, lipids, glycerol, trace elements, and preservatives. By applying the soft palate to be consolidated and temporarily make it pliable.

3. Snoring surgery

An orthodox surgery is the snoring surgery. There are different variants. The plastic change of the soft palate, but rates are used. It is either a classic style with a scalpel, or carried out some careful with laser or radio waves. However, one should consider the health risks and side effects of such an operation before thoroughly.

4. Homeopathy and naturopathy

Gently, gently and without side effects can help homeopathy and naturopathy. There a number of nasal sprays, creams and revenge are on natural remedies basis. The Regena therapy used homeopathic drugs and aims at a holistic-cell regeneration. An old tried and tested home remedies out of generosity is an herb tea made from linden blossom, arnica and sage leaves, which should be consumed before sleep.