CPAP machines: Choose from 4 options

Feb 28, 2020

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are a common and effective way to help people struggling with certain types of sleeping problems.

Over time and with regular use, these devices can improve the sleep quality, eliminate snoring and breathing obstructions and lower blood pressure throughout the day among a host of other benefits.

Nurse Practitioner Ann Clabots, Marshfield Clinic Health System Neurology, offers this breakdown of who CPAP machines are for and what types are available.

Who are CPAP machines for?

Before anyone can be treated with a CPAP machine, they need to be diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. This is the most common form of sleep apnea and occurs when the tongue and soft tissues in the back of your throat relax, causing the airway to be blocked.

This diagnosis is usually made after undergoing a sleep study. These studies are ordered for individuals who may have a variety of symptoms, including:

Snoring.
Witnessed sleep apnea.
Gasping for air.
Sleep restlessness.
Frequent nighttime awakenings.
Dry mouth.
Chronic morning headaches.
Excessive daytime sleepiness.
Impaired memory.

Clabots stressed the importance of diagnosing sleep apnea so that treatment can start right away. “Untreated sleep apnea can contribute to one’s overall health,” she said. “It can lead to heart problems such as heart attacks and strokes and can affect the brain and immune system. It also is responsible for poor performance in everyday activities and can put you at greater risk of being involved in motor vehicle accidents.”

Four types of CPAP machines

The type of machine and the pressure setting for the device are decided on by the certified sleep physician after they review the sleep study data.

Types of CPAP machines available include:

Basic CPAP: “This machine keeps the pressure constant throughout the night,” Clabots said. “The pressure is the same breathing in and out.”
Auto CPAP: Adjusts the pressure throughout the night in response to changes such as snoring, body position and sleep stage.
Auto BiPAP: Clabots notes that this machine gives more pressure during inspiration (breathing in) and less pressure with exhalation (breathing out).
AutoServo Ventilation: “This machine is used when you have been diagnosed with central sleep apnea,” she said. “This is when the brain does not send proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. The AutoServo Ventilation machine will give you a breath if it senses you are not going to breathe.“

Three parts make up a CPAP machine

A CPAP machine consists of the motor, the hose and the mask.

CPAP motors are small compressors that draw in room temperature air. The pressure gently rises to deliver the exact amount of air needed to clear the obstruction. The air intake has a replaceable filter that screens out particulates and impurities. “CPAP machines also have a small water tank that can be filled with water to provide moisture to the air,” Clabots said. “This is ideal for people who frequently wake up with a dry month, throat or nasal cavities.”

CPAP hoses transport the pressurized air from the motor to the mask. Most hoses are six feet in length and the diameter varies by device.

CPAP masks come in all shapes and sizes depending on what is most comfortable for the individual.

Some options include:

Nasal pillows are the smallest masks. They rest on the user’s upper lip and blow pressurized air through two soft nasal tubes. The pillow is secured by straps that wrap around the head. It is ideal for people who want something that is lightweight and doesn’t touch their face too much. Mouth-breathers may want to avoid this one though, as breathing through the nose may feel unnatural and uncomfortable.
Nasal masks are triangular and cover areas from the bridge of the nose to the upper lip. They provide a more natural airflow and are a great option when high pressure settings are needed. “These work well for someone who moves around a lot in their sleep or likes to sleep on their side,” Clabots said. “But they are not for someone who experiences allergies, colds or medical conditions that block the sinuses.”
Full face masks cover the nose and mouth areas. They are perfect for patients who have nasal obstructions or frequent congestion. They work well when high pressure settings are needed, but are rather bulky and have a higher chance of air leakage due to the large surface area.

“Size, fit, and comfort are the most important considerations when using a CPAP mask,” Clabots said. “If your mask does not fit or is uncomfortable, it is unlikely you will be compliant with therapy. It may take time to find the best mask for you.”

If you want to learn more or have questions about your own CPAP machine, contact a sleep medicine expert near you.

7 responses to “CPAP machines: Choose from 4 options”

Erin G.

Jan 30, 2022

My husband has a CPAP,nasal mask he has recently started snoring with mask on it's not as loud as it is when he doesn't have it on BUT he is snoring with mask on and you can hear it. He also has chronic headaches they thought this would help as he gets better sleep. Seems to not make a difference?

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Feb 1, 2022
  
  Hello Erin – hope you are doing well!
  
  We reached out to our expert to get her thoughts and here is what she had to say:
  
  "I would recommend having your sleep provider or whoever is managing his sleep apnea obtain a download to take a look at his pressures and his Apnea Hypopnea Index to make sure his sleep apnea is being adequately treated . Sometimes snoring can occur if the pressure needs to be increased. This may happen if someone is sleeping on their back and sometimes on their side. The tongue falls back and occludes the airway. His pressure may not be high enough to open it and so he is snoring. Has he gained weight since his sleep study. This can contribute to snoring. Other things that can contribute to increased apnea and snoring even when treating sleep apnea are medication such as opioids, benzodiazepines. Alcohol intake before bed can also contribute to it as well.
  
  Getting a download would be the first step to see what is going on. If everything looks good then it is a matter of seeing if he has inflammation of nasal passages due to allergies. Sometimes using a breath right strip helps open the airway passage and eliminates snoring. Sleep with head of bed up 30 degrees. Try to stay off the back when sleeping. Sometimes nasal sprays can help eliminate inflammation and irritation and snoring.
  
  A referral to ENT could be an option if snoring continues and interferes with sleep. They can evaluate the upper nasal passages for deviated septum, polyps etc."
  
  Thank you and hope that helps,
  Jake
  
  Reply
Respikart

Mar 11, 2020

I am using Auto CPAP machine for a long time and I liked to use CPAP from these four option – Auto Basic CPAP, Auto CPAP, Auto BiPAP, AutoServo Ventilation.

Reply
Cheryl A Von Ruden

Mar 5, 2020

Your recommendation not to try a nasal pillow was wrong for me because I sleep with my mouth open. I insisted that is what I wanted. It made all the difference to my success as a CPAP user!

Reply
1. K.W.
  
  Mar 8, 2020
  
  So I am recently diagnosed.with sleep apnea. I am a mouth breather. I am also closterphobic so I'm not sure I would do well with.the full face mask, wondering if this nasal option would be better.
  
  Reply
  1. Jacob Zipperer
    
    Mar 9, 2020
    
    Hello K.W. – thanks for reaching out.
    
    We contacted the expert we interviewed for the story, Ann Clabots, to get her advice on your question. Below is what she had to say:
    
    Possibly – It depends on what the pressure needs to be set at. If it is a high pressure you may not be able to tolerate it because it can dry out the nose.
    
    Some people are able to train themselves to keep the mouth shut over time. Some individuals use a chin strap to keep their mouth shut.
    
    You could try the nasal pillows and remember that you have 30 days to trial it and contact their Medical supplier before 30 days ifit’s not working. You would then be able to try different style mask at no charge,
    
    If you end up having to use a full face mask, you can try desensitizing yourself by just placing the mask on face during the day for short periods of time while watching tv or some other activity and slowly increase use time.
    
    Hope that helps! – Jake
  2. Cheryl A Von Ruden
    
    Mar 10, 2020
    
    Yes, yes, yes! Nasal pillow is so much better and I am an open mouth sleeper!! Now, only a couple apnea events for 8 sleeping hours! No riding up into your eyes. Go for it!