If your pressure prescription is low – less than 10 cm H2O
I’ve always wondered why professionals in the field are inclined to call an automated CPAP machine something different from what it actually is: an automated CPAP machine. There are many instances where people calling these kinds of machines APAP machines or Auto-PAP devices. I think this is the result of confusion of the term CPAP. CPAP refers to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure which means that air pressure is delivered continuously throughout the sleep cycle. The phrase CPAP does not suggest that the continuously delivered air will have the same pressure. Thus, the correct word to describe an CPAP machine that adjusts the pressure in accordance with your requirements is an the automatic CPAP machine.
An CPAP machine is made to push air through the partially blocked airway in order to clear obstructions and let you breathe normally. The majority of people refer to “regular” CPAP machines do this by blowing air with constant pressure all night long regardless of whether you’re suffering from an apnea or the cessation of breathing or otherwise.
An automatic CPAP machine does not use a constant pressure. Instead, it is designed to detect your breathing by making use of a device that provides feedback on pressure. If the machine is able to tell that you’re breathing normally then the pressure you are delivered will be less. However when the machine detects you’re not breathing properly or when it detects hypopnea, an apnea or breathing problems – the pressure will be greater.
As the majority of people suffering from sleep apnea can breathe normally for at minimum a time during the night so it is obvious that the constant pressure is not necessary for effective CPAP therapy. Automated CPAP machines provide approximately 60% less pressure during the course of the night, compared to a CPAP machine, which provides a constant pressure. The lower pressure can increase the comfort of patients and improve compliance, and helps to make CPAP therapy more palatable for the first time CPAP users.
If your pressure prescription is low – less than 10 cm H2O – then the main benefit of an automated CPAP machine might not be the decreased average pressure it could be the fact that you do not have to be concerned about changing your pressure setting anytime soon. An automated CPAP machine almost guarantees that you’ll receive the best CPAP treatment regardless of any the change in your medical condition.
Like most CPAP machines, automated CPAP machines are made to provide air pressures between 4 cm H2O to 20cm H2O. When the machine is initially set up, the machine, the minimal and maximal pressures are to be determined. Most often, the default setting of 4 cm H2O for the minimum pressure, and 20 cm H2O for the maximum pressure is utilized. However, if the prescribed pressure setting is more than 10 cm H2O, then increasing the minimum pressure may be a good idea. I’d recommend using the standard max and minimum pressures because these settings provide the greatest average reduction in pressure and the greatest amount of comfort for the patient.
Another benefit of automated CPAP devices is the fact that they’re two machines within one. There’s the CPAP machine that can adjust pressure automatically, and you can also purchase a machine that can be configured to give an unchanging pressure, just like the regular CPAP machine. This functionality flexibility is appealing to a lot of CPAP users, and especially those who are making use of CPAP apparatus for the first time.
There are two kinds of sleep apnea, central and Obstructive. Central sleep apnea happens as due to a defect in the thalamus part of the brain. In contrast, sleep apnea that is obstructive results from obstruction of the airway. CPAP devices are made to allow airflow for people suffering from sleep apnea that is obstructive, however CPAP machines have no influence on the Central sleep apnea. Certain automatic CPAP devices, such as those like the Puritan Bennett 420E are able to detect sleep apneas that occur with or without cardiac osciallations, thereby avoiding raising pressure in central apnea-related events where there is an open airway. In addition, the most advanced automated CPAP devices can differentiate between hypopnea that is obstructive and central (which is defined as breathing shallowly).
Here is a brief summary of the advantages of an automatic CPAP machine:
Around 40% reduction overall in pressure delivered
There is no need to stress about the need to adjust your pressure as your health conditions change
The machine is flexible – it can be set to auto mode or continuous mode
Certain machines automatically recognize the distinction between central apneas/hypopneas.