It’s believed that 1 in 50 Americans has undiagnosed sleep apnea, which can be connected to issues like heart disease and stroke. Once diagnosed, sleep apnea must be treated if you wish to maintain your health. Although a CPAP machine is necessary for treating sleep apnea, you must pick the right mask to get the best results. Below are some handy facts about sleep apnea and your treatment options.

1. CPAP Machines Are More Varied Than You’d Think

A CPAP machine is what most people think of when they’re first diagnosed with sleep apnea; yet it’s been reported that 80% of sleep apnea sufferers don’t use their machines enough for it to be effective. Many people find their sleep apnea masks inconvenient or uncomfortable. This, however, can usually be attributed to a lack of knowledge about the different kinds of masks and therapies.

2. Nasal Pillows And CPAP Masks

Many sleep apnea sufferers complain about their masks, but this may be attributed to the fact that they’re using the more traditional heavy masks. As patients are recommended to use their machines for 70% of the time during a 30 day period, the heavy masks can be quite uncomfortable. Nasal pillows, on the other hand, are lightweight and unobtrusive, letting your sleep patterns return to relative normalcy.

3. BIPAP Machines Versus CPAP Machines

When considering your sleep apnea treatment alternatives, you should take a look at BIPAP vs. CPAP. While CPAP machines give a continuous stream of air into the patient’s airway, BIPAP machines alternate high and low pressure depending on your needs. This is ideal for people who experience noticeably heightened or lowered air pressure during their breathing.

4. CPAP Machines Can Be More Convenient Than You Think

Of course CPAP machines can require a certain amount of maintenance. However, many of these issues can be dealt with by looking into different types of CPAP machines. For example, travel CPAP machines are potential remedies for the complaint about CPAP machines being too bulky.

Things like nasal pillows and BIPAP machines are not so much alternatives as accompaniments to what we usually think of when people say “sleep apnea machine”. Treatments are not something you can dismiss altogether. But they can be adapted to your lifestyle and personal needs.