CPAP via face mask: A full face mask is placed over the nose and mouth with a good seal. It can be used for those that are mouth breathers, or for pre-oxygenation in spontaneously breathing patients prior to intubation.
Keep in mind that for many CPAP users, it takes longer than one month of using the machine in order to see results. Unfortunately, much like your doctor, how long it will take for you to realize improvement is not known since each individual person is different.
The gold standard treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine. However, CPAP doesn't work for everyone. It can be uncomfortable, and the machine requires maintenance. With only the remote to keep track of, Inspire sleep apnea treatment is much more convenient than the CPAP machine.
Choice of machine and level of air pressure will be determined by a sleep specialist after you have undergone an overnight study, usually at a sleep centre. The levels are then adjusted or ‘titrated’ after you have had an opportunity to get used to the machine at home.
“Positional therapy encourages people to maintain a side-sleeping position, which helps prevent the relaxation of throat muscles and tongue that can block the airway and lead to sleep apnea events,” Silver said.
“This approach can involve using special pillows designed to support the head and neck for side-sleeping, wearable devices that detect and alert you when you roll onto your back during sleep, or even shirts or vests with built-in mechanisms that make sleeping on your back uncomfortable,” she added.
There are some surgical procedures for Sleep Apnea, that you may benefit from. Please speak with your doctor to confirm what option would best fit your need.
It is used to successfully extubate patients that might still benefit from positive pressure but who may not need invasive ventilation, such as obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or patients with Inspire therapy congestive heart failure.
The University of Kansas Health System continues to be one of the top 5 hospitals in the nation that offers Inspire sleep apnea treatment. Our team collaborates with registered polysomnographic technologists who perform sophisticated sleep studies to help doctors provide the best care.
Most CPAP machines on the market today are fairly advanced, but the ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet offers an assortment of features to help you breathe comfortably during sleep.
Alternative treatments may be recommended only after trying CPAP and finding it is not suitable for your situation. If you breathe irregularly as you sleep, wake up gasping for breath, or feel excessively sleepy during the day, you may be experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea.
Severe air trapping diseases with hypercarbia asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
CPAP is often prescribed by the primary care provider, nurse practitioner, internist and the neurologist for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. However, in order to have good compliance, patient education is vital. Many patients use these devices for a short time because of discomfort.
Overall with your AHI being below 3, it sounds like the therapy is working well for you. Also, keep in mind that it does take time for you to get use to the changes that you are faced with from starting your CPAP therapy.