- Patients who have sleep apnea stop breathing overnight when their airways become partially blocked. These patients need a CPAP machine to help them breathe normally and stay asleep.
- A CPAP machine blows air pressure into the patient's nose (or nose and mouth) through a tube and mask. The air pressure from the CPAP helps keep the airway open.
- Patients with sleep apnea may not be aware of nighttime episodes; however, they may have trouble sleeping or have a noticeably restless night. The patient may experience daytime sleepiness, a lack of feeling refreshed in the morning and may notice problems with memory and concentration throughout the day. Additionally, family members may notice a patient snoring and gasping in his sleep.
- Patients with sleep apnea may experience fatigue. This can lead to additional complications of the heart and lungs. The CPAP machine can combat these future complications by allowing the patient to breathe and sleep properly.
- According to the NIH, sleep apnea is diagnosed through a series of tests, including a sleep study. The technician will monitor eye movement, body positions, blood oxygen levels, heart and breathing rates, brain waves and muscle activities of a patient as she sleeps to diagnose or rule out sleep apnea.
