I have sleep apnea,Is the cpap machine the best way to treat this.It is so hard to get use to this machine.?
by Sarah Aniston
Filed under Sleep Apnea Books
Is the cpap machine the only way to treat this condition.
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both my parents have this and they both use the cpap machine, it is INCREDIBLY helpful, but it is not the only way to treat it. I am not quite sure what the other ways are, but I know that there are some.
A friend decided on surgery to remove tonsils. Was on the CPAP machine and he said it took some getting used to but it worked very well. Then he had surgery and didn’t need the CPAP anymore. This would depend upon your individual factors. He wasn’t overweight and had no other reasons for the severe snoring and lack of breathing.
A medical doctor would need to answer this question for you as to if it is the “best way” to treat it.
The following info is from my experience with Sleep Apnea:
I recently got the CPAP and after about 6 weeks of using it I no longer wear it. Mainly because I take it off at night in my sleep because I don’t like things on my face at night. I know people personally who love the CPAP, it wasn’t a good fit for me though.
If you are overweight, losing weight typically will help to decrease sleep apnea (easier said than done – that’s what I’ve done). Also, there is a surgical option for some people. A friend of mine just had it done and has advised me to not even think about the surgical option because of it being extremely painful. Again, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR!!! Talk your options over with your medical doctor!
Find out if you can have a trial CPAP for a few weeks to titrate the machine at home and not at a one night sleep study center!
Good luck and sleep tight!!
discuss your concerns with the pulmonologist.
Sleep apnea is a horrible thing to suffer, and can be life threatening. There are answers for those diagnosed with this disorder.
The Greek word “apnea” literally means “without breath.” There are three types of apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed; of the three, obstructive is the most common.
Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. Several treatment options exist, and research into additional options continues.
Current treatments for Sleep Apnea:
* Avoidance of alcohol and medications that relax the airway and/or reduce respiratory drive
* Weight loss
* Positional therapy, i.e., avoiding sleeping on the back (for adults)
* Oral appliances
* Surgery (a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is the most common treatment for pediatric patients)
* Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) The most appropriate treatment depends on an individual’s medical history and the severity of the disorder.
Often there are only minor adjustments to be made with the mask and headgear, and improving compliance is a concern for everyone involved in treating sleep apnea patients.
Your doctor has prescribed the CPAP machine for your disorder. It is important that you discuss your concerns with your physican. I can tell you this…..the CPAP machine is not easy to get used to, but once you persist and do adjust, you will sleep way better than you ever have.
Hope this helps.
Take care my friend.
Yes, you need the cpap machine. I guess it takes some getting used to; my husband has the machine but quit using it. He does not like it. So, he gets to sleep on the couch so I can get some sleep without listening to him snore.