Do you suffer from a sleep apnea problem? Don’t lose sleep over it and turn to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. These are essential medical devices for treating sleep apnea, a condition characterized by repetitive pauses in breathing while sleeping. The best treatment for sleep apnea is through CPAP machines which can improve cognition, lower high blood pressure and minimize the risk of stroke, in addition to improving sleep quality.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous sleep disorder in which breathing frequently stops and starts again. These pauses can range from a few seconds to several minutes and occur several times throughout the night. You may suffer from sleep apnea if you snore loudly and still feel exhausted after a full night’s sleep. The two basic forms of sleep apnea are:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): It is the most common type of the condition. It happens when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much, partially or completely blocking the upper airway. This blockage can cause snoring, choking, or gasping for air while you sleep.
Central sleep apnea (CSA): It is a less common condition in which your brain misdirects the impulses intended for the breathing muscles. It is not often linked to snoring, unlike OSA.
What are the causes of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax. These muscles provide support to the tonsils, soft palate, uvula, tongue, side walls of the throat, and the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate.
When you relax your muscles, your airway narrows or closes as you inhale. You are not getting enough air, which can cause the oxygen level in your blood to drop. Your brain detects that you are having trouble breathing, waking you up quickly so you can open your airways again. Usually this revelation is so fleeting that you don’t remember it.
You might choke, sniffle, or gasp. Throughout the night, this sequence may repeat 5 to 30 times or more every hour. This makes it a challenge to enter the deep, restorative sleep phases.
Also read: Is it sleep apnea or insomnia? Know the difference
What is a CPAP machine?
One of the most recommended and reasonably priced therapies by doctors for obstructive sleep apnea is the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine.
CPAP machines come in two varieties: manual and automatic. While automatic CPAP machines automatically adjust pressure in response to changing needs throughout the night, manual CPAP machines provide air at a constant pressure all night long.
Best 5 CPAP or Sleep Apnea Machines in India
When it comes to comfort and a good night’s sleep, choosing the ideal CPAP or sleep apnea machine can be difficult. Here we have listed some of the best sleep apnea machine brands available in India.
1. Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset
One of the best sleep apnea machines in India is the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset as it has unbeatable advanced technology. This automatic CPAP machine has two operating modes: autoset and CPAP. Moreover, the company also offers a two-year warrant. The mask must be purchased separately. Resmed Airsense has Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR), which makes it easier to exhale against pressure. Intelligent event detection with climate control, auto-ramp, easy humidification settings and an ambient light display with quick access to sleep data are some of the machine’s additional key features.
2. Philips Dreamstation Auto CPAP
If you trust reputable brands, Philips Dreamstation CPAP is perfect for you. The machine sends you daily feedback reports, which you can access via the DreamMapper app. The machine has an EPR and an Autoramp. It weighs approximately 1.33 kg and has a noise level of 26.1 dB. With different humidification settings and a preheating function, the heated humidifier is removable. The machine is compatible with the heated tube.
3. OXY-MED BPAP machine with CPAP
The OXY-MED machine has gained immense popularity in the Indian market. The comfort and longevity are attributed to the German Turbine and Swiss Sensor. The unique detachable design of this sleep apnea device offers customers the utmost convenience and makes it an ideal travel choice. The user experience is further enhanced with a heated, removable humidifier, which also eliminates the need to remove the chamber for refilling. This design choice improves usability. The machine has all the high-end features including CSA detection, preheating, leakage compensation (up to 60 ml/min), automatic on/off ramp time and pressure relief up to 3 cm H20.
4. BPL Medical Technologies Auto CPAP Machine
The BPL Harmony CPAP device has a simple control display and a unique body design. The machine weighs 1.55 kg and has a noise level of 28 dBA. The device has all the necessary settings, including a preheat mode that allows you to warm up the humidifier before using it. Due to the lack of a heated pipe, the machine lacks climate control. However, the humidification level can still be kept between 0 and 8. It can be included in a list of the best CPAP or sleep apnea machines due to features such as automatic height and automatic humidification levels.
5. BMC GII Auto CPAP Machine
BMC GII Auto CPAP Machine is one of the budget-friendly machines. Some of the key features of this machine include auto on-off, EPR, and a 60-minute ramp duration. Furthermore, the BMC GII Auto CPAP also offers a QR code scanning function for the iCode app to obtain sleep data. However, features such as height compensation and leakage compensation are not available. In combination with the humidifier, the device weighs approximately 2.5 kg. It is a bit noisy due to the noise level of 30 dB.
How to choose a CPAP machine for sleep apnea?
Before you decide to opt for a particular model, consider the factors below:
As altitude increases, the air becomes thinner. Because a CPAP machine does not have enough ambient air, the patient receives air at a lower pressure than specified. If you travel often or live in an area with high altitude, make sure you purchase a CPAP machine with a high-performance altitude.
With some machines, purchasing a humidifier is an option, but with others it may not be available at all. Before purchasing the machine, make sure that the provider has the desired accessories.
The constant air pressure entering a patient’s mouth or nostrils can make breathing difficult. A ramp time option on some CPAP machines can help you with this problem.
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