|
 Aren't
all CPAP/Bipap's alike?
Those
who sell this equipment would probably like you to think so. No, all
CPAP's are not alike. Just like your choice of mask, your choice of
CPAP can be critical as to whether you use it or not.
What do you mean use it or not? CPAP's can
vary as much as those of us that use them. Let's start by
figuring out who you really are before we start categorizing CPAP's/
BIPAP's and AUTOPAPS. For more information on CPAP's, BiPap's, or AUTOPAP's...
First, determine what type of
person you are... Basic CPAP machines blow air,
period, end of story. Full Featured are just that, Full
Featured, including smart features that record your usage by use of
a Smart Card so to speak. The only things that separate all the the
models are the features that may be available. There are different
manufacturers out there and some are better than
others. Other than quality, the only real
difference are the features that come with
or are available on the units. You need to determine what
features you are likely to need or use. I am going to
start by listing the more common features you may or may not need to
make your life as comfortable as possible. For more information on CPAP
Machines...
Free
Shipping: Lets face it, when comparing one to
another, free shipping is a big plus. Free shipping saves
you anywhere from $4.00 to $40.00 plus depending on your order
so make that one of the features you pay attention
to. For more information on Free
Shipping...
Altitude Adjustment: This
feature comes on some basic machines but not on others. Again,
what type of person are you? Do you live in high altitude or travel
to altitudes often? If so, your choice of CPAP should have
an altitude adjustment. CAUTION: These
altitude adjustments can be either Manual or Automatic
Altitude Adjustments...if you travel once a year to the mountains a
manual adjustment may be the one for you (assuming you can change
the time on your VCR) if not, go for the auto
adjustment. For more information on various types of
features...
Ramp Feature: This feature
allows you to start at a lower pressure and your CPAP will move
gradually to your prescribed pressure over a period of time. This is
important if you are sensitive to pressure or maybe you are not
sure, get the ramp feature. For more information on
features...
Warranties: These are
very important. Most manufacturers include a 2 year warranty on
CPAP's some only a 1 year and the same goes for BIPAP's'. These warranties can normally be handled directly with the
manufacturer. Be aware however that most of these warranties exclude
water damage, smoke damage and damage you may cause through your own
negligence. So make sure you know how long your warranty
is especially if you are comparing models. Pay
attention to this feature.
C-Flex / Bi-Flex:
Ok, I may be a little biased here but I see
how this feature can either make you a happy CPAP or BIPAP user or a
non-user. Studies have shown that people tend to use CPAP or BIPAP
machines longer and seem to be happier using a device with C-Flex or
Bi-Flex. OK, what in the world is C-Flex
or Bi-Flex and why is it important to me?
First of all there is only one manufacturer of C-Flex and Bi-Flex
and that is Respironics. No other manufacturers have done what
Respironics has done in this area. But in a nutshell I will try to
explain in laypersons terms what C-Flex or Bi-Flex is. If you have
ever tried sticking your head out the window of a quickly
moving car ( I don't suggest you do this by the way!) or simply face
a stiff wind you will remember that it was not as easy breathing
against the airflow, the greater the speed. The same thing occurs
when your CPAP machine is blowing air. Up to about 7 to or 8cm of
pressure is tolerable for most people unless you are really
sensitive to pressure (remember we are all different) but if you are
sensitive to pressure and or your pressures exceed 7 or 8cm of
pressure you may really appreciate the relief of C-Flex or Bi-Flex.
This is a feature you will not want to ignore and it may
be one of the most important in regards to you or your loved
one. For more information on
features...
Humidification: Do I need
that? Here is another area I may hold a bias. Humidity,
specifically Heated Humidity is one of those areas that really stand
out to me as one of the features that make us want to use CPAP
and BIPAP. In fact a physician I happened to be visiting recently
remarked, "I will always prescribe heated humidity". He
said, "because just about all of the patients I ever prescribed
CPAP to without humidity called me a week or so later with a
scratchy dry throat telling me they could hardly handle the
feeling in their throat! I have seen some of the biggest
toughest men in our sleep lab need heated humidity. No patient has
ever told us they do not like humidity. This is a
feature you may not need, however you may not want to do
without this feature either! For more information on this
feature...
Automatic
CPAP or AutoPap: This CPAP adjusts to you, automatically. It can be used on an
everyday basis if your physician is not sure of your ideal pressure
or of if your body needs various levels of pressure for everyday
use. This is obviously a call your physician needs to make or
something you may want to discuss with your physician along with the
other features mentioned. These CPAP Machines normally include
automatic altitude adjustment many Package Deals
include Integrated Heated Humidity and Respironics
now includes C-Flex on their Auto CPAP units. For more information on this
feature...
BiPAP /
VPAP / VARIABLE PAP: The BiPAP or VPAP Machines are
normally prescribed by your physician if your pressures exceed 12cm
or you may be sensitive to pressure or there are any number of
reasons you may need a Bipap. Suffice it to say, your physician
knows best, so trust their judgment. In a nutshell, a BiPAP machine
basically has two pressures, an inspiritory pressure which is the
pressure that is blowing as you inhale and an expiritory pressure
that is less as you exhale. It is designed to provide relief if you
are unable to tolerate higher pressures among other things which we
will not go into at this time. Bi-Flex is also a feature available
on the B-PAP models. For more information on
this...
This site is
sponsored by Nor-Cal Diagnostic Sleep Center and
CpapforMedicare.com. For more information
on SLEEP DISORDERS, SLEEP APNEA, CPAP MACHINE EDUCATION, CPAP
BIPAP MASK EDUCATION Call Nor-Cal Diagnostic Sleep
Lab
(866) 742-1238
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