June 2022 - Hearts and Medical Supplies

Benefits and shortcomings of using a cpap machine

There are several benefits of using continuous positive airway pressure machines. On the other hand, this machine also has its other side. The advantages of using a continuous positive airway pressure machine are well-documented. CPAP machines deliver an unceasing supply of oxygen to anyone battling sleep apnea. These machines also help avoid the brief breathing interruptions that are the hallmark of sleep apnea.

Hence, in this article, we will be explaining the meaning of the cpap machine, how it works, and the pros and cons of the cpap machine. However, we need your attention right now. Please shun all distractions. But before we dive into the details, who are those that need this machine?

Who needs a cpap machine?

If you have sleep apnea, a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP) is what you need to help you out. For clarity, let us take it one after the other. What do we mean by sleep apnea?

Severally, people might be battling with being comfortless in their sleep. And it occurs mainly in aged people. Sleep apnea is a critical sleep disorder in which one’s breathing recurrently stops and starts. It appears in some people in the form of snoring loudly at night. We have heard about people who snore loudly at night, and most do not know they have sleep apnea.

Medically, when throat muscles relax, sleep apnea occurs. So, the explanation about the meaning of sleep apnea shows that people who have it are the ones that need cpap machines. Knowing the importance of sleep apnea, let us discuss in detail the meaning of a continuous positive airway pressure machine.

What are CPAP machines?

We have already informed you that CPAP means continuous positive airway pressure. It is a machine commonly prescribed for treating sleep apnea disorders. CPAP is specifically designed to treat and regulate airflow in the airways. It is expedient for you to know that obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type/cause of sleep apnea. So, OSA causes interruptions in one’s breathing because one’s throat is temporarily blocked. Hence, a cpap machine helps to send a steady flow of air into one’s nose and mouth while asleep. This incredible machine is a medical tool that normalizes the flow of pressurized air into one’s nose and mouth. It helps to keep one’s airways open; then, one can breathe normally.

With the explanation above, we can now dive into the pros and cons of CPAP. As good as this machine may be, it has a lot of benefits and drawbacks.

Benefits of using a cpap machine

CPAP improves your ability to sleep without waking up: This unique medical device helps every individual battling sleep apnea enhance their ability to sleep without interrupting their sleep. If this tool is placed on your nostril, you will have uninterrupted sleep. Someone, the CPAP will make an adult sleep like a baby. Remember, one of the symptoms of sleep apnea is having a pause or a break in one’s sleep. So, CPAP is a tool to improve one’s ability to sleep without waking up.
Lower the risk of having a heart attack: Another benefit of using CPAP is that it lowers one’s risk of having heart issues. Moreover, this powerful device prevents sleep apnea from leading to stroke and other cardiovascular events. That is why CPAP is more valuable than any other device like APAP.
CPAP helps lower blood pressure: When sleep apnea cases are in clinics, the doctor uses this machine to help lower people’s blood pressure. The blood pressure is consistently high anytime one is battling sleep apnea. So, a continuous positive airways pressure machine can control one’s blood pressure back to a normal state.
CPAP reduces daytime sleepiness: Daytime sleepiness is one of the symptoms of SA, and a cpap machine can control it. Therefore, one of the benefits of using a cpap machine is that it reduces daytime sleepiness.
CPAP may reduce blood glucose and cholesterol levels: If your cholesterol level is high, the cpap machine is one of the most used and most reliable devices to reduce cholesterol levels. We have heard several testimonies about how this unique machine helps them lower their cholesterol.

Cons of using CPAP

A feeling of claustrophobia or anxiety: One of the disadvantages of using CPAP is that one will have a sense of claustrophobia. And this is why some doctors are always skeptical about using this device. We have seen people getting claustrophobia after using this device.
Discomfort and difficulty falling asleep at the early stage: Another drawback of a continuous positive airways pressure machine is that one may not feel comfortable after using it. Also, after using CPAP, one may find it so hard to fall asleep.
Nosebleeds: Another limitation to continuous positive airway pressure is that it can cause nosebleeds. We have heard people saying this to us several times. In fact, we interviewed some people who have used this machine, and almost all complained about the tendency to get nosebleeds after using this device.
A feeling of being bloated with air: After using this device, one will start feeling bloated with air. It’s a shortcoming.
Dry mouth: This shortcoming is common among people who have undergone the CPAP process. Almost all of them experienced a dry mouth after using this device.

Other drawbacks of continuous positive airway pressure machines are skin irritation or sores where the mask touches the face and nasal congestion.

On a final note

This write-up contains the pros and cons of continuous positive airway pressure CPAP. But before we explained the pros and cons, we briefly talked about the meaning of sleep apnea and CPAP.

Dear reader, we hope you found this write-up intriguing. So, don’t you think it would be nice if this vital information goes viral? Of course, you shouldn’t be the only one that would benefit from this. Why not share the link to this page with family and friends? It will go a long way.

Exceptional things you need to know about sleep apnea (SA) and CPAP

There’s a connection between sleep apnea and CPAP. Without sleep apnea, there’s nothing we should call the CPAP machine. However, there are things you need to know about sleep apnea and CPAP. In this article, you’ll get answers to what sleep apnea is, what CPAP is, and the connection between SA and CPAP.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs when breathing stops and repeatedly starts during sleep. It occurs when the muscles in the back of one’s throat relax too much to permit normal breathing. Then, how do you know you’re battling sleep apnea? There are several sleep apnea symptoms. We shall mention the common ones here. One of the most common signs of fighting with SA is snoring loudly during sleep. Every individual should not overlook this. Some people quickly assume that snoring during sleep could be natural. No! If your bed partner has been telling you that you snore loudly while sleeping, there should be a cause for alarm. Although, it is proven medically that not all who snore during sleep are battling SA. But the fact remains that snoring while sleeping is a symptom or sign of sleep apnea.

Also, a morning headache is another sign one shouldn’t take with levity. Research shows that your sleep is tampered with when you wake up and feel a slight headache. The pause or episode in your sleep can make you feel uncomfortable, which may result in headaches early in the morning.

Furthermore, irritability is also another sign of SA. If you’re always moody and don’t always feel good, your sleep might not be enough or tampered with. Other symptoms of sleep apnea are; waking up with a dry mouth, insomnia, hypersomnia, gasping for air during sleep, and lots more. Hence, once you see the symptoms listed above, please take the necessary steps. Remember, the first step you need to take is to consult your doctor.

In the US, it was said that sleep apnea affected nearly twelve percent of the population. As of 2016, thirty million people have been diagnosed with SA. Not only in the US, but the Australians also experienced it.

What are the causes of sleep apnea?

When the brain fails to send the proper signal to the muscles that control breathing, there’ll surely be a sleep disorder. This can happen to both old and young. The brain is the center point of the body. The muscles that control breathing need a signal from the brain. This is called central sleep apnea. So, once the brain fails in carrying out that responsibility, one will begin to see signs like morning headache, inability to breathe through the nose, insomnia, hypersomnia, loud snoring during sleep, and irritability.

Also, we already mentioned that sleep apnea occurs when the muscle in the back of the throat relaxes too much to allow normal breathing. This is called the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

What is a CPAP machine, and how does it works?

CPAP means a continuous positive airway pressure machine. This device was derived in 1981 by DR. Colin Sullivan. Before 1981, medical practitioners used tracheostomy to treat any sleep disorder. Hence Dr. Colin sat down and worked towards creating a fitted mask, a tubing machine that can generate air pressure. And ever since then, CPAP has been the perfect tool or device to resolve sleep apnea.

Furthermore, having known the brief history of CPAP, we need to explain what it entails. CPAP is a machine that was created specifically for treating sleep apnea. It is a device that helps regulate airflow in the airways. The continuous positive airway pressure machine helps to send a fixed flow of air into your nose and mouth during sleep. It’s a breathtaking machine that regulates and normalizes the flow of air that enters one’s nose and mouth. As far as we are concerned, we can boldly tell you that this machine cannot go extinct. Do you want to know why? It helps to keep one’s airways open. And once your airway that seems to be blocked is open, you’ll be able to breathe normally.

Now, how does it work? Oxygen is taken in via a filter and pressured in the direction prescribed by the doctor or your sleep specialist. The continuous positive airway pressure machines are set to deliver pressure from four centimeters of water pressure up to the maximum, which cannot be greater than twenty-five centimeters. Therefore, the air is passed through a heated humidifier and delivered to the mask interface through the tubing. Hence, the flow of pressurized air forms a cushion along the upper airway.

Some school of thought also states that CPAP is an air-filled splint that keeps the throat from breaking up. So this averts the soft palate, uvula, and tongue from fluctuating into the airway. A continuous positive airway pressure machine lessens the shuddering that forms the snoring sound.

Furthermore, CPAP relieves swelling within the nose, clearing out mucus along the airways. So, with the support given to the airways, the breathing standardizes, and the sleep quality recovers as disjointed sleep resolves. Also, in CPAP, the oxygen intensities can be maintained.

The connection between SA and CPAP

With the above explanation, we believe you’ve seen how important CPAP is for people battling SA. Let us note that if you see the symptoms of SA, as we’ve explained here, you need to visit your doctor to examine you. Perhaps, your doctor might recommend a CPAP machine to resolve your sleep apnea. Therefore, you need to know more about CPAP machines if you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Closing thought

Dear reader, we hope you’ve seen something engaging and informative. This article thoroughly explains essential things you need to know about sleep apnea and CPAP. We perceived that this vital information should go viral. How can that be possible? Kindly help us share the link to this page with family and friends. You might help someone. Finally, we are open to receiving questions regarding this topic. So, if you have any, don’t hesitate to drop them in the comment box.

Use these preemptive tips before lasik eye surgery

If you’re contemplating lasik eye surgery to get rid of your glasses and contact lenses, the notion of actually going through the procedure may make you both excited and nervous. Knowing what to anticipate is quite helpful for many of us. Surprises are great for birthdays and anniversaries, but they’re not so great for our eyes. As a result, the emphasis of this article will be on giving you with useful information on what to expect on your big day, as well as some tips for ensuring a smooth and pain-free treatment and recovery.

Before you get lasik eye surgery, make sure you have a good idea of what you want.

Contacting our Institute and speaking with one of our expert counselors is the first step toward lasik eye surgery. They will happily answer any and all of your questions over the phone. Our counselors have received specialized training in order to properly help you over the phone without forcing you to see a doctor to get all of your fundamental issues addressed.

At our Institute, Fridays account for the vast majority of procedure days. Because many patients have stated how convenient it is to undergo lasik eye surgery on the first day of a three-day weekend, we have decided to do so.

On the day of your operation, eat normally and take your regular medicines as advised by your regular physician. We will ask you to arrange for someone to drive you home following your procedure, and it is suggested that you dress comfortably so that you can recuperate quickly.

Before your procedure, you will be given a little sedative to help you relax. It’s usually a great idea for patients since the pill helps them to relax a bit and sleep well thereafter. Patients often comment that their post-LASIK nap was the best they’ve ever experienced!

LASIK (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)

The LASIK procedure takes around 10 minutes for both eyes at our location. When it comes to laser eye surgery, the majority of patients have three main concerns:

What happens if I blink?
What if I look in a different direction?
Will it be really painful?
What happens if I close my eyes?

The solution to this question is simple: you are not allowed to blink throughout your procedure. There is no need to be afraid since the doctors will use a soft lid holder to keep you from blinking.

What if I look in a different direction?

This is a fantastic question. Our Institute’s LASIK surgeons have chosen to use a treatment laser with a computerized, ultra-fast eye monitoring system that runs at a rate of 500 times per second to do the operation. The therapy (excimer) laser used by our Institute’s doctors has the fastest eye tracker in the country, so you won’t have to worry about your lasik eye surgery being injured by body movements.

Is it going to be an unpleasant experience?

Despite the fact that the procedure is unpleasant, the vast majority of patients do not use the word “pain” to describe their lasik eye surgery experience. Eye drops are used to numb the eyes (no needles are used in our treatment room), and the only feeling patients experience throughout the operation is pressure on the eye for around 30-45 seconds.

Following lasik eye surgery,

When you open your eyes after the treatment, you will find that your eyesight is considerably clearer than it was before you wore glasses or contact lenses. The majority of patients compare their experience to opening their eyes underwater or while wearing blurry glasses, and although everything isn’t immediately clear, they are amazed at what they can see. Many patients, especially those who wore thicker glasses before to lasik eye surgery, cry tears of joy at the idea of recognizing a loved one across the room instead of seeing shapes and lights as they did just ten minutes before!

It’s time to fly home for a nap after one of our Institute’s eye surgery LASIK Specialists examines your eyes one more time to verify you’re set to depart. The sooner you go home and start sleeping, the better, since the most difficult part of post-LASIK recovery is the first 2-3 hours after the numbing drops wear off. The drug that will be administered to you before to your surgery is quite effective at helping you fall asleep.

Your eyesight is generally greatly improved and your eyes are already extremely comfortable when you wake up after a nap. Patients often report feeling like they have an eyelash in their eye for the first several days. Preservative-free artificial tears will be your best friend following lasik eye surgery, since administering one of those drops greatly relieves unpleasant symptoms.

Artificial tears cannot be overused and assist in healing and comfort, therefore using them as often as our Institute’s doctors recommend is the best course of action. Many people find that keeping some artificial tears refrigerated is also effective. In the days after lasik eye surgery, just having some cooling drops is relaxing and refreshing.

Three things will be required of you after lasik eye surgery to help in your rehabilitation, as well as three things during your healing time.

Avoid the Following Three Things Following LASIK:

We will advise you to avoid hot showers and pools for at least a week after your LASIK procedure (rivers, lakes, and seas). Showering is, of course, permitted.
For the first two weeks following your surgery, we will ask you not to touch your eyes. When bathing, let the water flow over your eyelashes to prevent receiving a direct shower spray in your eyes.
Finally, we ask that you not wear eye makeup for at least 36 hours following lasik eye surgery. Remove eye makeup using downward strokes on your top lid and DO NOT rub side-to-side when you reinsert it.

Final thoughts

This article will point you in the correct path if you’ve been trying to figure out what actions to follow before having lasik eye surgery.

What is lasik eye surgery

The procedure of changing the shape of the front of your eye in order to enhance your vision is known as “lasik eye surgery.” Although laser surgery is supposed to be a “permanent” therapy, your eyes change as you age, so someone who has laser surgery in their twenties or thirties may need reading glasses or another surgery later in life. Any surgical operation includes a small risk of side effects, so get medical advice before deciding if lasik eye surgery is the best choice for you.

What are the many types of lasik eye surgery?

Lasik eye surgery to improve your eyesight has improved at a remarkable rate during the past fifty years. In lasik eye surgery doctors used the first procedure, called as radial keratotomy, to modify the form of the eyeball by making radial incisions on the front surface of the eye. While this improved vision, it had the unwanted side effect of producing glare. Researchers found a new kind of laser in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s that could be used to shave a very thin layer away from the front surface of the eye, modifying the way light entered the eye and allowing for a more concentrated picture.

Photorefractive Keratectomy is the name given to this technique (PRK). Individuals complained pain after the surgery because the front surface cells of the eye were damaged during the procedure. Another technique, LASIK (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), or “flap & zap,” was developed, which involved cutting a thin flap from the front surface of an eye that could be replaced after lasik eye surgery, reducing pain and discomfort while also improving vision immediately after the procedure.

What is LASIK and how does it work?

The first effective laser vision correction technique on humans was the photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery. lasik eye surgery, on the other hand, is gaining popularity because it produces better outcomes faster and with less discomfort than other treatments. However, the outcomes are similar, and it’s thought that nerve regeneration on the surface of the eye occurs faster with PRK than with LASIK, minimizing the risk of complications during recuperation.

PRK may be a better alternative for you if your cornea is too thin for lasik eye surgery. While every lasik eye surgery aims to provide a “permanent” solution, your eyes change as you get older, and someone who gets lasik eye surgery in their twenties or thirties may need reading glasses or more surgery in the future. Any surgical operation includes a small risk of side effects, so get medical advice before deciding if lasik eye surgery is the best choice for you.

What is the technique for improving eyesight using intraocular lenses?

In order to improve one’s vision, artificial lenses may now be surgically placed into the eye. In rare situations, a lens may be implanted in front of the iris, leaving your natural lens behind the iris. A separate strategy that may be employed is the removal of your natural lens and replacement with an artificial lens of a different form. According to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, this surgery is preferred than lasik eye surgery for treating larger refractive abnormalities and those over the age of 50. Consult your consultant to determine which treatment is best for you.

While lasik eye surgery is meant to be a “permanent” treatment, your eyes change as you get older, and you may need reading glasses or further surgery in the future. Adding an artificial lens to the front of the eye has more dangers than lasik eye surgery, so talk to your doctor before determining whether lasik eye surgery is the best choice for you. Any surgery has the danger of side effects and putting an artificial lens to the front of the eye entails a larger risk than lasik eye surgery.

Is lasik eye surgery an unpleasant experience?

To reduce any pain you may have during the treatment, ocular drops will be utilized to deliver local anaesthetic. Because the surgeon is cutting the corneal flap, it is possible to feel pressure during LASIK surgery. You may also experience discomfort or irritation for up to 24 hours after your lasik eye surgery. You may have pain for a week or more following PRK because the surface of the cornea rebounds. You will be given eye drops to use throughout this period to help relieve the pain.

In terms of improving my prescription, what are the advantages of lasik eye surgery?

Light entering your eye must go to a certain point on the retina, which is situated at the back of the eye, in order for you to see clearly. Both the cornea, which is the transparent front surface of the eye, and the crystalline lens, which is within the eye, bend (refract) light. People with long or short vision may observe that the light does not arrive to a correct spot. The curvature of the cornea is adjusted during lasik eye surgery, which changes the way light bends to ensure that it reaches a focus at the correct area.

Will lasik eye surgery be a suitable choice for me since I have astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a disorder in which the eye is more like a rugby ball than completely round, and it affects almost everyone. Although there are certain benefits to correcting astigmatism with LASIK, there are also limitations since lasers may now be engineered to reshape the cornea. Greater degrees of astigmatism may only achieve partial correction or necessitate further surgery. Astigmatism of less than 3.00 dioptres (D) can be treated completely with a single LASIK treatment, whereas greater degrees of astigmatism may only achieve partial correction or necessitate further surgery.

Furthermore, astigmatism might increase the cost of LASIK procedure. Even if you have lasik eye surgery in your twenties or thirties to attain a “permanent” cure, you may still need reading glasses or further surgery later in life since your eyes change with age. Any surgical operation includes a small risk of side effects, so get medical advice before deciding if lasik eye surgery is the best choice for you.