Remotely Installed CPAP Machines

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Patients diagnosed with sleep apnea know the relief that remotely installed continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machines can offer. Doctors prescribe this medical device for in-home treatment of sleep apnea -- a condition that can affect heart and cardiovascular health when untreated. Regardless of these benefits, however, the equipment does require that patients adjust to the sensation of the CPAP's mask and airflow.

1. Sleep Apnea

   • The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute defines sleep apnea as "one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep." This pause is considered an apnea when it lasts for 10 or more seconds and results in the person having an arousal from sleep. Remotely installed CPAP machines specifically treat obstructive sleep apnea -- a blockage in the airway that prevents regular breathing -- rather than central sleep apnea caused by a neurological issue.

   CPAP Machine

   • A device a little larger than a loaf of bread, a CPAP machine offers a remote and portable option to breathing devices in a hospital. The machines connect to a mask that covers either the mouth and nose, only the nose or plugs into the nose via nasal prongs, explains WebMD. When a patient wears one of these masks during sleep, the CPAP provides constant air pressure through the mask, lessening the effects of sleep apnea.

   Relief

   • The Mayo Clinic's website explains that physicians prescribe CPAP to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea, determined by the number of apneas the patient experiences during the night. The main symptom that remotely installed CPAP machines treat is daytime sleepiness, but treatment also reduces the risk factors for a variety of heart-related issues, including high blood pressure, heart failure, heart attack and stroke, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

   Side Effects

   • While remote CPAP offers substantial benefits to its users, WebMD notes that some patients suffer from respiratory problems, such as a dry throat, runny nose and congestion. Masks can also irritate the skin or have leaks during the night. CPAP machines also may seem uncomfortable, even after days and weeks of use.

   Considerations

   • The Mayo Clinic reports that oral appliances offer an alternative to CPAP machines for those suffering from mild sleep apnea. For patients who need remotely installed CPAP, WebMD recommends speaking with a doctor to adjust airflow settings or to obtain alternative, more comfortable masks. These steps help to ensure patients stay consistent in using their in-home CPAP machine, as sleep apnea sufferers can feel tired after only one day without it.