Uses of CPAP Machine
By: Paul FryattTotal Views: 366, Word Count: 531,
CPAP, more commonly known as continuous positive airway pressure is a form of mechanical ventilation which helps an individual with breathing and thus, allows better exchange of gas inside the lungs. CPAP machines are used both inside and outside the hospitals in numerous situations and for several disorders. Common uses of CPAP machine include a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, for preventing endotracheal intubation or as a treatment or preventive measure for respiratory failure.
Preventing Endotracheal Intubation
Occasionally, it might be required to provide mechanical assistance to ease the work of breathing when an individual has certain medical problems such as congestive heart failure, lung disease or another respiratory problem. Conventionally, the technique of choice is to put in a breathing tube into the airway and help this support with an external mechanical ventilator.
For this, the patient needs to be asleep and at times weaning from the ventilator could be a long and boring process. Instead of endotracheal intubation, CPAP is used at times with a breathing tube as a means to provide a moderate level of mechanical support to alleviate the work of breathing without the complications which come with having the breathing tube itself in the airway.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Treating obstructive sleep apnea is one of the uses of CPAP machine. Sleep apnea is characterized by periods of no or low breathing during sleep, typically due to mechanical blockage of the airway which happens during the total relaxation of deep sleep. CPAP is the base treatment for obstructive sleep apnea due to the positive pressure applied by the CPAP machine to the airway preventing barrier, thus preventing apnea during sleep. Generally, CPAP treatment is well tolerated and could have serious health consequences for those individuals who suffer from sleep apnea, if this therapy is not used when indicated.
Avoidance of Respiratory Problems
There could be a mismatch between the body’s requirement for oxygen and what the respiratory system could provide with certain medical problems. This frequently occurs with lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma or emphysema. A series of events happen inside the body which leads to respiratory failure when the respiratory system cannot supply enough oxygen for the body.
As CPAP and oxygen therapy could be combined, this combination is frequently used to improve the exchange of gas inside the lungs and to alleviate breathing in a person who is not able to meet the body’s requirement for oxygen. Endotracheal intubation with external mechanical ventilation is usually an option when no CPAP is available. This option is not suitable for patients with lung problems due to the problems of weaning from mechanical ventilation, once the ventilator has been applied.
The effectiveness of CPAP machine is determined by numerous factors. A comfortable and appropriately fitting mask which includes the headgear to hold the CPAP mask in place is one of the most vital factors in determining its efficacy. This machine wouldn’t work properly if the headgear and the mask aren’t comfortable.
Thus, the uses of CPAP machines are immense, but they need to be well handled and maintained in order to work for a longer period.
About the Author
Paul Fryatt, M.D. has been in this profession from last 24 years. He made great achievements in his profession. He made an initiative to open a Family Allergy Clinic in 1985 to help his patients who were not reacting to traditional allergy treatment programs. Moreover he has explored the treatment to overcome allergy symptoms to reclaim quality of life through his convenient, no-shots therapy.
Advice Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote