CPAC stands for continuous positive air pressure. It is a treatment method for people suffering from sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing is interrupted intermittently during sleep.
Some symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring and fatigue – even after a full night’s rest.
CPAP therapy uses a device to help people suffering from sleep apnea breathe easily during sleep.
CPAC compliance measures the patient’s usage of the CPAC machine. A lot of patients struggle to comply with the use of CPAP devices. Some even try to cheat.
So, how do people cheat CPAC compliance? Read to learn more!
Ways To Cheat CPAC Compliance
There are different ways in which people cheat CPAC compliance. Let us consider some of them.
1. Wearing it while awake
Some people stay in one position for a long time while wearing the CPAP mask. They engage in activities like watching TV to remain in one position. That way, they do not have to wear the mask while sleeping.
The CPAP machine does not know whether you’re asleep or not.
2. Some people use a Mac valve
A more dramatic method uses a Mac valve and a circuit with a three-second on/off timer.
They attach the hose to the Mac valve inlet and hook the circuit to the power supply unit of the Mac valve. The airway will open and close every three seconds.
But then, should you cheat CPAP compliance?
Should You Cheat CPAC Compliance?
A positive sleep apnea diagnosis indicates a possible lack of oxygen supply to the brain during sleep. So trying to cheat a CPAP machine can be dangerous to one’s health.
Sleep apnea patients should rather learn how to make the best of the CPAC machine.
How To Make The Best Of CPAC Therapy
The best way to make the most of the CPAC machine is to learn to use it.
Many sleep apnea patients find the CPAC masks discomforting to use. Hence, they struggle with or even fail at CPAC compliance.
Here are ways to learn how to be more comfortable with the device.
- Choosing the right type of mask is the best way sleep apnea patients can learn to be more comfortable with the device and increase their compliance.
- Wearing the CPAP mask while reading or watching TV can help acclimatize one to wearing the CPAP mask at night and making one comfortable while on it.
- Browsing through the CPAP device’s unique settings is yet another good way to increase compliance.
- Finally, adding a humidifier attachment to the CPAP setup can also help assist apnea patients and increase their compliance.
What Is A CPAC Machine?
CPAP, known as a continuous positive airway pressure machine, is used to treat people suffering from sleep apnea.
OSA, known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, is a medical condition in which there is an obstruction caused by an excessive fat deposit and loss of muscle tone in the nose or palate.
This obstruction causes tissues to collapse and block the airway until enough pressure is applied to break through and reopen the passage.
CPAP device keeps the airways open and helps patients breathe normally by sending a steady flow of oxygen into the nose and the mouth.
How Does CPAC Work?
A patient may have sleep apnea when the observation of muscles and soft throat tissues indicates they have collapsed. This condition leads to the blocking of airflow to the lungs.
To keep the blocked airway open, the CPAP machine at night forces pressurized air like a splint into the airways, allowing the free flow of air in and out.
The pressurized air blown into the nose or mouth pushes against the airway walls and prevents the section vulnerable to apnea from collapsing.
CPAP machines compressor (motor) introduces the pressurized air into the system. The air then travels through an air filter into a flexible tube.
The function of the tube is to deliver purified air into a mask. This mask is usually is sealed around the nose or mouth.
Modern CPAP devices may have novel features. However, they work based on the same principles as the initial device developed by Dr. Sullivan.
CPAP devices are set to deliver pressure from 4 centimeters of water (CWP) up to a maximum of 25 CWP.
The air from the CPAP machines often passes through a humidifier and then it’s delivered via tubing to the mask interference.
Automatic CPAP devices can detect airway collapse by measuring resistance—they are responsible for increasing the air pressure to levels that can resolve sleep apnea.
CPAP devices are also capable of detecting lower pressure and adjusting them downwards if possible.
Types Of CPAC Machine
Having different health care needs has led to the manufacture of different types of PAP machines.
Although they all produce the same positive airway pressure, they have different modus operandi.
Some common types of CPAP machines include:
Standard Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine:
In this positive airway pressure (PAP) machine, the pressure setting remains constant all night long.
The same pressure is applied during inhalation and exhalation throughout the breathing cycle.
CPAP is the simplest and most effective solution to obstructive sleep apnea. Hence, it is the most commonly prescribed type of PAP machine.
Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BIPAP) Machine:
This machine is called the Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure machine because it offers two levels of pressure.
The first is usually a higher pressure level which provides relief from apnea during inhalation.
The second is usually a lower pressure level which allows natural breathing during exhalation.
BiPAP machines are normally prescribed for apnea patients with underlying conditions like a history of heart failure that worsen their sleep disorder.
Patients with severe cases of sleep apnea are usually placed under a BiPAP machine as it helps them acclimatize to their need for higher pressure.
Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) Machine:
This machine can observe the airflow need and adjusts the pressure accordingly.
APAP machines may be recommended for apnea patients finding it difficult to adjust to the traditional CPAP therapy. It can also help those prone to CPAP side effects, including dry mouth, nasal congestion, or nosebleed.
In most cases, APAP machines may be referred to as AutoPAPs or Auto-Titrating CPAPs.
Types Of CPAC Masks
Mask styles may vary with different CPAP machines depending on certain factors.
These factors include the sleeping habit of the patient, how comfortable the mask is on the patient, and the kind of sleep apnea that is treated.
Outlined below are the different types of CPAP masks.
1. Nasal pillow mask
This mask possesses a small cushion that caps over the nostril area. It may also have a prong that fits into the nostrils.
Apnea patients who use glasses can freely use this mask as the mask does not prevent glasses.
It is also perfect for patients with lots of facial hairs that may prevent the larger mask from fitting snuggly.
2. Nasal mask:
A nasal mask is a cushioned mask that covers the whole nose area.
For patients who tend to move around while sleeping, this mask may be a better option.
It can also deliver a high-pressure airstream.
3. Full mask:
This mask covers both the mouth and nose and has the shape of a triangle.
This mask may be recommended for apnea patients who breathe through their mouth while asleep or have a blockage in their nose.
Benefits Of Using CPAC Devices
CPAP devices have been discovered to be beneficial to people diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Its benefits tend to increase with long-term use.
CPAP devices have many benefits. These include:
- Improved ability to sleep without waking up.
- Reduced risk of having a stroke, heart attack, or other cardiovascular events.
- Reduces daytime sleepiness.
- Helps lower blood pressure
Drawbacks Of CPAC Devices
Although CPAP devices help prevent breathing interruption in sleep apnea patients, the device has also recorded some drawbacks.
These drawbacks include
- Discomfort and difficulty falling asleep for beginners.
- Feeling of anxiety or claustrophobia
- Nasal congestion.
- Dry mouth.
CPAP Alternatives
Although considered the best procedure for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea, CPAP devices do not work well for every sleep apnea patient.
When patients feel the CPAP machine isn’t working as it should they can explore other alternatives.
Outlined below are some of these alternatives.
Changing sleeping position:
Some patients only experience sleep apnea when they sleep on their backs.
Getting products that help prevent these patients from rolling over is considered an alternative to CPAP devices.
Oral appliances:
Devices like a mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer can help to keep airways open.
They do this by putting pressure on the tongue.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation:
This device is surgically implanted to deliver precise electric stimuli to the nerves of blocked airways.
This electric impulse improves the muscle tone of the airways and keeps them open.
Neural stimulation:
For some types of sleep apnea, a device that delivers impulses through the phrenic nerves is surgically implanted.
This device stimulates the diaphragm and helps initiate breathing.
Nutritional exercise therapies:
A major risk factor for certain sleep apnea is obesity.
Losing weight by dieting and exercising may help to reduce the severity of the symptoms.
Surgery:
Large tonsils or adenoids can cause sleep apnea in children. In such cases, surgery can often resolve the apnea.
In adults, however, surgery may not be considered the best bet as pinpointing the location of the blockage that causes the apnea may be difficult.
Still yet, surgeries have worked for some patients.
Conclusion
CPAP machine treats sleep apnea by delivering a stream of pressurized air into the airways through a mask and a tube.
CPAC compliance measures the usage behavior of sleep apnea patients. Some patients are uncomfortable with the mask, so they struggle to use them.
Others attempt to cheat the device by wearing the mask while not asleep and staying in one position. There is also the possibility of using a Mac valve.
Cheating a CPAC machine can be detrimental to your health. It is better to learn to get comfortable with the device.
