As the majority of people suffering from sleep apnea are able to breathe
I’ve always wondered why professionals in the field prefer to label an automated CPAP machine something different from what it actually is: an automated CPAP machine. It is commonplace to calling these kinds of machines APAP machines or Auto-PAP devices. I think this is the result of confusion of the term CPAP. CPAP refers to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure which means that air pressure is delivered continuously throughout the night. The phrase CPAP does not mean that the constantly delivered air will have an unchanging pressure. So, the appropriate name to use for the CPAP machine that automatically adjusts the pressure depending on your specific needs is the automatic CPAP machine.
The CPAP machine is made to push air through your partially blocked airway to remove the obstruction and let you breathe normally. Many people describe “regular” CPAP machines do this by blowing air with constant pressure all night long regardless of whether or not you’re suffering from an apnea or the cessation of breathing or otherwise.
An automatic CPAP machine does not use a constant pressure. It is designed to monitor your breathing with the help of a device that provides feedback on pressure. If the machine detects that you’re breathing properly and is able to detect this, the pressure delivered will be less. However it will sense you’re not breathing properly that is, when it detects hypopnea, an apnea or snoring , the pressure delivered will be greater.
As the majority of people suffering from sleep apnea are able to breathe normally for at minimum a period of their sleep so it is obvious that the use of a constant pressure is ineffective for CPAP therapy. Automated CPAP machines provide approximately 60% less pressure during the course of the night, compared to a CPAP machine, which provides a constant pressure. This lower pressure helps increase the comfort of patients and improve compliance, and can make CPAP therapy more comfortable for the first time CPAP users.
If your pressure prescription is quite low, i.e. less than 10 cm H2O, the main benefit of an automated CPAP machine isn’t the lower average pressure, however, it could be the fact that you do not have to think about changing your pressure setting anytime soon. A fully automated CPAP machine practically guarantees you’ll receive the best CPAP treatment regardless of any the change in your medical condition.
Like most CPAP machines, automated CPAP machines are built to provide air pressure that is between 4 cm H2O to 20 cm of H2O. In the initial setting up of the machine, the minimal and maximal pressures are to be determined. Most often, the default setting of 4 cm H2O for the minimum pressure, and 20 cm H2O for the maximum pressure is utilized. If your recommended pressure setting is more than 10 cm H2O, then raising the minimum pressure could be a good idea. I’d suggest using the standard max and minimum pressures as these settings provide the greatest normal pressure reduction as well as the greatest level of comfort for the patient.
Another benefit of automated CPAP devices is the fact that they’re actually two machines within one. There’s the CPAP machine that regulates pressure automatically, but you also receive a device that can be programmed to provide the same pressure as an ordinary CPAP machine. This versatility in function is appealing to a lot of CPAP users, and especially those who are making use of CPAP devices for the very first time.
There are two kinds of sleep apnea, central and obstructional. Central sleep apnea is due to a defect in the thalamus part of the brain. In contrast, sleep apnea that is obstructive is caused by obstruction of the airway. CPAP machines are specifically designed to open the airway in people suffering from sleep apnea that is obstructive, however CPAP devices will not have any impact on Central sleep apnea. Certain automatic CPAP devices, such as Puritan Bennett 420E. Puritan Bennett 420E are able to detect the occurrence of apneas with and without cardiac osciallations in order to avoid intensifying the pressure in central apnea-related events when it is clear airways. In addition, the most advanced automated CPAP devices can differentiate between hypopnea that is obstructive and central (which is described as breathing that is shallow).
Below is a list of the advantages of an automated CPAP machine:
Around 40% reduction overall in pressure delivered
There is no need to stress about changing the pressure as your health conditions change
The machine is flexible – it can be set to auto mode or continuous mode
Certain machines automatically recognize the distinction between obstructive and hypopneas as well as central apneas/hypopneas.