Sleep apnea is a condition that affects more people around the globe than many people know. In America alone, an estimated 18 million people struggle with sleep apnea. It is also estimated that 2% to 4% of all Americans have a case of sleep apnea that has gone undiagnosed. If that is indeed the case, then approximately 1 out of every 50 people are going undiagnosed in this country alone. Sleep apnea is a serious problem. If it remains undiagnosed, people are at four times higher risk for strokes than those not afflicted, and untreated sleep apnea sufferers are three times as likely to have heart disease.

Thankfully, there is a treatment. CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is a treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep the airways open. The cpap machines were delevoped to treat sleep apnea, and with the right cpap settings, patients often see dramatic improvements. Unfortunately, upwords of 80% of patients who say that they use their machines regularly with the proper cpap settings don’t use them enough. even more unfortunate is the studies that show about half of the people prescribed cpap machines quit using them in one to four weeks. The best results over a 30 day period have been found to be using the cpap machine with the correct cpap settings 70% of the time for at least four hours per night.

Cpap treatment involves a cpap machine. This machine is a device that fits over the patient’s nose or nose and mouth. Straps keep the mask in place while the patient sleeps. A tube connects the mask to the machine’s motor and that motor blows air into the tube. Cpap machines are small and light weight and the sound they make is soft and rhythmic.

The main cause for concern with sleep apnea is that when people with this condition are sleeping, not enough air is going to their lungs. A home sleep test can be administered to anyone who believes they might not be getting the kind of sleep they should be getting. If your doctor prescribes cpap a patient will work with providers to find the cpap machine that is a good fit.

Typically, these machines are relatively small when you think of what they do. Some find that getting the right kind of nasal cpap mask can make all of the difference in the world. Keep in mind that the initial introduction of a cpap machine into your daily life might require a bit of trial and error at first. If you are not satisfied with your machine or your mask, tell your doctor. He or she might be able to help you find the one that does the trick.

Many people find that after starting on cpap they feel much better. They feel more alive and awake during the day, which makes perfect sense since they are getting a full night’s sleep. A well rested body is also a well rested mind. It is also worth noting that patient’s bed partners will also feel better. When your partner snores loudly and tosses and turns in the bed, it’s difficult for you to get the good night’s sleep that you need. With regular cpap treatment, everyone is happy.