If you are looking at the pros and cons of an auto CPAP machine vs a CPAP, you or a member of your family likely has sleep apnea. Because it causes sufferers to stop breathing for short periods of time while sleeping, sleep apnea may be fatal. Central sleep apnea (CSA), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and complex sleep apnea syndrome are the subtypes of sleep apnea.
Sleep apneas, or pauses in breathing, are a common cause of these brief awakenings. If you wake up often throughout the night, even if it’s only for a few minutes, you may not receive the quantity of restful sleep your body needs.
Snoring that is disruptive, morning headaches, sore throats, everyday fatigue, irritability, and altered sleep patterns are some of the symptoms that may be caused by sleep apnea in the short term. In addition to this, it may lead to difficulties during surgery as well as long-term health issues, such as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and liver disease.
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How Are CPAP and APAP Different?
To put it simply, the best APAP machine is smarter than a CPAP machine since it modifies its pressure settings on its own while you sleep. As a result, it can adapt to the fluctuating pressure requirements of the night.
An auto CPAP machine will be adjusted to a single setting either through a CPAP titration study carried out at home or at a sleep research institution, or via trial and error while the machine is being used. If the pressure is too high and causes discomfort during exhale, the CPAP setting may be adjusted to a new one by changing it manually; however, it will not do this automatically.
Patients who suffer from sleep apnea may find it helpful to consult with a physician in order to choose which piece of medical technology would serve them best. Prior to doing so, however, they should get informed about the key differences between the two treatment approaches.
CPAP Fundamentals
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines function by forcing a constant stream of pressured air through the nostrils, relaxing the muscles that collapse during sleep apnea.
It is common practice for the apparatus to filter the air before passing it through a heated humidifier in order to make breathing less taxing on the nasal passages and the throat. The filtered and humidified air is then forced through a tube by an internal motor located inside the device. The mask for the CPAP machine, which is located at the opposite end of the tube, goes over the nose and is strapped to the user’s head.
When an oxygen mask is placed over the nose, a steady flow of air is sent into the upper airway, where it serves as a cushion or splint to prevent the throat muscles and tissues from relaxing and shutting the airway. This is accomplished by placing the mask over the nose. Additionally, the soft palate, the uvula, and the tongue are unable to close up the airway since there is a steady flow of air. This helps to lessen the disturbances to breathing that many individuals who suffer from sleep apnea experience multiple times during the night.
The CPAP may provide almost instant relief for those with mild to severe sleep apnea, especially those with OSA. Many individuals find relief from their symptoms and the potential for long-term health consequences with the use of CPAP devices, according to studies.
APAP Fundamentals
A machine that applies positive airway pressure automatically is called an APAP. APAP machines, like auto CPAP machines, function by drawing in air, filtering it (sometimes with heating and humidification added), and then utilising a motor to force the filtered air down a tube and onto a face mask. By cushioning the airway and propping it open with air, APAP devices prevent the soft palate, uvula, and tongue from closing up the airway and blocking breathing.
An APAP is a device that automatically administers positive airway pressure. Like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, APAP devices pull in air, filter it (often with heating and humidification added), and then use a motor to drive the filtered air down a tube and onto a face mask. APAP devices prevent airway closure by the soft palate, uvula, and tongue by cushioning and propping up the airway with air.
People who do not respond well to an auto CPAP machine or who experience discomfort from the CPAP’s constant pressure level are commonly given APAP devices to try. In certain cases, such as when sleep apnea coexists with another sleep condition or when it occurs exclusively when the body assumes a particular posture, these devices may be recommended first. Individuals prone to allergies, colds, or other transient airway obstructions may benefit more from APAPs due to their ability to alter pressure as required and then return to a lower setting after the flare-up has subsided.
The Bottom Line
An at-home sleep study or discussion with a sleep specialist or doctor may help you choose between a CPAP and an auto CPAP machine. When searching for a PAP machine, many individuals have to test many before finding one that is comfortable and effective. Many patients have first prescribed CPAP devices, but if these are ineffective, their physicians may suggest upgrading to an APAP device. There are some patients who, after using both PAP devices, decide that neither is the best option for them and instead choose for another treatment. After discussing your symptoms and objectives with your doctor, a unique treatment plan may be developed.
