Sleep apnea involves a lot more than merely having a loud, disruptive snore. In fact, sleep apnea is considered a potentially fatal condition in which breathing repeatedly starts and stops throughout the time a person is sleeping. This pattern can repeat itself as many as 60 times an hour, with episodes of non breathing, known as apneas, lasting anywhere from milliseconds to several moments.
During this time, the brain is deprived of precious oxygen. As a result, it signals the body to wake up in order to start breathing by making the body cough, choke, or even gasp for air. Often times, sleep apnea sufferers have no or limited memory of waking up during the night.
If you’re one of the 18 million Americans who suffers from sleep apnea, you understand how troublesome this condition can be. Aside from missing out on a decent night’s rest, sleep apnea sufferers must also face much higher risks of heart disease and stroke, and are more likely to suffer from irregular heartbeat, depression and mood disorders. Unfortunately, as many as two to four percent — or one in 50 individuals — suffers from an undiagnosed case of sleep apnea, which can potentially be dangerous.
However, there are treatment options that can not only help to alleviate sleep apnea symptoms, but allow you to get a good night of restorative sleep. BIPAP masks and CPAP masks are attached to BIPAP and CPAP machines respectively. Both BIBAP machines and CPAP machines work by delivering a steady stream of air through a mask that is fitted over the user’s nose and mouth, however, BIPAP differs in that it adjusts the air pressure when the user breathes out.
Some sleep apnea sufferers may prefer one over the other due to their comfort level, however, both are highly effective.
