When OSA is to be treated immediately, the first priority is to consider one of the medically recognised devices. This means that the device should be independently medically tested and the results published in a medical journal. Next to palatal and oral devices, the CPAP is on the top of the list.
Within the medical field the CPAP was of course previously regarded as the "Rolls Royce" when it comes to the treatment of OSA. This perception is changing due to patients' lack of adherence and physicians are slowly taking note of this fact. However the CPAP is probably the first apparatus suggested to you by your physician/specialist or when attending a sleep test lab. Perhaps this is because the CPAP is known to be effective (although often not tolerated) or just out of ignorance about the alternatives.
Many medical studies have been conducted over time, especially on the CPAP apparatus (and its variations) and oral and palatal devices. All these studies are medically accepted and publicly available for everyone to read or some of you may have to pay for it or be a paying member of a medical forum if you wish to read them in full. Usually they are displayed on the sellers website or otherwise you need to ask for them.
Many devices have had no medical studies conducted at all and you should stay away from these or you may be taking a chance as to whether they will be a successful form of treatment for you or not. Remember, client feedback and comments are NOT accepted as proven medical test/study results so be sure to ask for medical test evidence rather than just believing user comments and statements. Also make sure the tests have been actually performed on that particular device by name and not another or different similar looking product.
CPAP stands for Constant Positive Airway Pressure and works on the principle of using normal room air to produce a positive air pressure in the airways by means of a face mask. The mask can either cover only your nose or both mouth and nose depending on which one you normally breathe through. The positive air pressure acts as a pneumatic splint keeping the upper palatal soft tissues (behind your nose) and lower throat area (back of the tongue) separated and allowing breathing with ease.
For a snorer these are also the tissues that vibrate and create that dreadful snoring noise. So snoring can be the onset of OSA. With OSA sufferers these tissues don't only vibrate, they actually collapse, close off and stop you from breathing.
The results when using a CPAP apparatus are instant and most people will feel the difference the night after using it for the first time. The quality of life begins to improve because you feel more refreshed and are probably in a noticeably better mood. Your blood pressure will probably drop over time without the need for medication and life will start to get back to normal. It is generally advised to have yourself retested in a sleep lab every 12-18 month as the pressure levels need to be individually adjusted to your needs. More modern machines do have removable "chips" that you present to your sleep physician for evaluation.
If you are thinking of getting a CPAP there are a few things you may need to know first. As good as the CPAP is medically, statistically, up to 75% of people give it away after only a few weeks or months and then sadly remain untreated. You may ask: Why would you? Well most people don't like to sleep like an astronaut with a mask and associated gear or they simply don't tolerate the machine for various reasons such as leaking masks, associated noise, dry and sore throat/mouth upon waking, pressure points on face from mask, eye infections or the feeling of suffocation. The initial cost and reoccurring replacement cost of parts can also be an issue for some people while others just find it embarrassing to have such a machine in the bedroom.
Go and view some of the comments in OSA forums to get a better idea of what I am referring to. Agreed, it is not the most comfortable thing to wear a mask if you want to go to sleep. And yes, you do need a power point wherever you go unless you also buy a back-up battery pack.
However you have to consider health versus comfort here. Your health is more important and besides, you DO HAVE a medical condition that may create a life threatening disease. Having used a CPAP for years prior to finding an alternative, I would advise people to hire a CPAP for at least a few weeks prior to purchasing to see how you fair. This is often offered and could well save you quite a lot of money. Also you will get to know more about the different apparatuses currently available on the market and which one is best for you. There are also second hand models for sale on several sleep forums and in your area.
If the cost is too much for you then you may wish to look at some of the alternatives. If you are looking for an alternative right from the start, there are a few good ones on the market that you should keep an eye out for. Your solution may lie in a Oral or Velum Palatal Device that could get your life back to normal almost instantly. They too work very well without many of the inconveniences and cost involved.
Sleep Apnea DevicesTo find out more on this topic follow the link by clicking here.
Cheers, Ben Bosshard