Question 1

how does cpap work?

Accepted Answer

Airway splint: CPAP forces positive pressure into the nose/ mouth or both.  It acts as a pneumatic splint to open up a closed airway.  It can provide pressure when you breath in only or both when you breath in and out.  CPAP works for mild, moderate and severe sleep apnea.

Question 2

if i cannot afford cpap, now what?

Accepted Answer

CPAP: See if you can get on Medicaid.

Buy a used-reconditioned one. I have one myself I bought as a back up.  Will cost at least 1/2 as much.

Advertise for the type you need on Freecycle or in paper.

See what you can find online. 
Ask Dr. to have a social service consult to help pay.

Question 3

how can you tell if a cpap is working?

Accepted Answer

Sleep study : Ask your doctor to have a sleep study done while wearing the c pap machine. You will know if it is working during that study.

Question 4

my ahi on my cpap is normally between 1-3ish. last night it spiked to 4. on occasions i have seen it spike before but it also listed as my mask being off. this time, i only had 2 episodes of the mask being off. concerning?

Accepted Answer

: These number on the home CPAP machines have more to do with mask fit than anything else. If it is an occasional increase, just be certain the mask is on correctly and you don’t feel a significant leak of air around the edges. If the trend with an increase in the AHI continues, then see your sleep doctor so that the mask fit can be checked by the doctor. Good luck!

Question 5

how to know if i need cpap or bipap?

Accepted Answer

Sleep MD: Depends on your situation. Work with a sleep MD and sleep technician. Some good advice here: https://www.sleepassociation.org/cpap-vs-bipap/

Question 6

do i have to wear my cpap every night?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The short answer is yes. If you were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (osa), than you are at risk for the complications that can come with that disease and wearing the c-pap mask and using the machine is important to your well being.  Weight loss may help and keeping routine appts to follow your care is important in the monitoring process of osa.   Best wishes.

Question 7

could cpap help you breathe when you're sick?

Accepted Answer

See below: CPAP is a treatment modality used for sleep apnea. It is important to use CPAP consistently as much as possible. Some patients note that it is easier to breathe on CPAP while having an upper respiratory illness, while others note it to be more difficult. So it depends.

Question 8

can you tell me how a cpap change a teenager's life?

Accepted Answer

If obstructive sleep: apnea is the reason for using CPAP and the cPAP is properly set and used, the teenager will have better sleep, more energy, greater capacity to learn, will lose excess weight, have more stable moods and need fewer hours of sleep.

Question 9

how can i wear my cpap to cause less physical discomfort?

Accepted Answer

Check Fit: Your mask should be comfortable- you need to make sure you have the right sized mask for your face.  There are now masks that just fit in your nostrils, masksade of cloth and gel masks that mold to your face.  See your respiratory therapist or your sleep doctor for more assistance.

Question 10

what could happen if you use leftover distilled water in cpap?

Accepted Answer

CPAP: If you are not rinsing / emptying out the CPAP water chamber regularly, residue can build up as well as mold or other organisms that can cause infection. Best to add new distilled water right before use at night.

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Doctor answers about:

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A member asked:

How does cpap work?

A member asked:

If i cannot afford cpap, now what?

A member asked:

How can you tell if a cpap is working?

A member asked:

My ahi on my cpap is normally between 1-3ish. last night it spiked to 4. on occasions i have seen it spike before but it also listed as my mask being off. this time, i only had 2 episodes of the mask being off. concerning?

A member asked:

How to know if i need cpap or bipap?

A member asked:

Do i have to wear my cpap every night?

A member asked:

Could cpap help you breathe when you're sick?

A member asked:

Can you tell me how a cpap change a teenager's life?

A member asked:

How can i wear my cpap to cause less physical discomfort?

A member asked:

What could happen if you use leftover distilled water in cpap?

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