CPAP Machines Need a Prescription

Even though lots of people experience interrupted sleep, and the horrible health effects that come with it, not everyone would benefit from a CPAP machine . While the machines seem simple enough to use and the results are easy to see, they are not an over the counter treatment for anyone who has trouble sleeping. In order to get a machine, an individual must be diagnosed with sleep apnea by a doctor and prescribed the machine — and not all sleep apnea patients are ordered to use CPAP systems. It is just one treatment.

Sleep apnea results from interrupted air pressure during sleep. This generally happens because the patient stops breathing throughout the night. Each time, the person wakes up, even if they don’t realize it, usually only for a second or two. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure, which is what the machine provides by use of a filtering machine, tubing, and face mask. Most patients report that the CPAP machine provides relief from symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and being easily distracted within the first week.

It is important that anyone who suspects they or a loved one has sleep apnea are properly diagnosed. There are other types of sleep disorders that require different methods of treatment . Generally, this involves spending a night in a sleep clinic which will monitor breathing and other vital signs during sleep. Only with then can a patient receive an official diagnosis of sleep apnea and a doctor’s prescription.

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