Searching for the best CPAP machine? Discover the factors you need to consider when you buy a CPAP. Choosing the best CPAP machine will allow you to maximize your therapy for sleep apnea.
Because CPAP technology is changing very rapidly, you'll learn how to choose a CPAP looking at general aspects.
So, when you are in a CPAP shop, you need to look for some important features, such as:
In this page you'll learn:
To avoid problems you should choose a CPAP made by top manufactures, such as:
Resmed and Respironics are the most popular manufactures in the present.
Even if you have the best CPAP in the world, you may have some problems if you don't know how operate your CPAP equipment. In the following video you will learn some very interesting CPAP tips:
Consider different additional features for different cpap machines. Depends on your needs and preferences in selecting these features:
The CPAP mask is a very important feature.
To have an effective treatment, your pressurized air requires a closed seal at the mouth or nose.
If you don't find the right mask it really makes no difference what CPAP machine you buy. You'll still have problems.
Try out many mask as possible before choosing one. Don't even think about buying the best CPAP machine until you are satisfied with your mask.
You need to know if you feel comfortable with the mask, because you could quit CPAP therapy if you don't feel good.
The humidifier is another special feature for cpap.
The problem with humidifiers is that they are expensive and they need to be cleaned daily to prevent dust and mold.
The ramp feature allows you to start your cpap machine at a lower pressure each night to allow you to fall asleep more easily.
Ramp is a comfort feature. Many people can sleep more easily when the pressure doesn't enter all at once.
The exhalation relief is designed by some manufactures to make exhalation easier when you breathe with cpap.
Data capability is used by some of cpap machine to collect data regarding your therapy (pressure data, leak data, etc).
It is a good idea to have a cpap with data capability to see what types of breathing events you may have when you use your cpap in sleep.
You need to monitor and manage your sleep apnea treatment just like a diabetic patient.
If you travel frequently , you will need to choose a cpap model that is portable, small, easy to fit in a briefcase.
Some manufactures offer attractive and practical cases specially designed for traveling. Check if you have an optional DC power supply for you car's cigarette lighter and the option to change batteries.
It will help you a lot when you travel by car or by airplane.
If you are planning to buy your cpap machine from the internet, you need to be careful. This buying solution is cheaper, but it could be dangerous.
Not all the vendors are serious in this business. Make sure they have a respiratory therapist to guide you when you are choosing the best cpap machine.
You definitely want to buy a data capable CPAP machine.
You will also want CPAP that comes with a smart card that can record apnea episodes, leak rate, hypopneas, snoring, and many other important information.
So, the top of the best CPAP available will be selected from those which record full data.
Note: The CPAP Machine blows air at a constant pressure into your airway through a mask interface.
The battle for supremacy is done between:
Both breathing machines provide the same full data.
However, the S9 Elite by Resmed offers daily data onscreen that you can look at every morning, like leak rate, AHI, how many hours was used, etc. You can view this data on the litle screen, for 1, 7 or 30 previous days, and even 3, 6, 12 previous months.
The Respironics One Remstar Pro will show you 7 or 30 day averages, and to be able to see tha previous night's info, you have to remove the smart card and read it on the computer with the special CPAP software.
A nice thing about Resmed S9 Elite is that it has a slightly slimmer profile that can be helpful for traveling, whereas the Remstar Pro has a bulkier body.
Bottom line... The best CPAP machine available today is ResMed S9 Elite!
Note: The BiPAP Machine delivers one pressure to inhale and allows you to exhale against a lower pressure. It's more comfortable than CPAP, but more expansive, too.
Note: The APAP Machines delivers air when they "think" you need it. They don't blow air when you breathe normally, but only when you stop breathing. These breathing machines are the most comfortable, but the most expensive.
If you can afford it, I would suggest to choose the APAP machine (Auto CPAP). It's the best choice that you can make, because it can be used in CPAP mode (like a CPAP machine, delivering continuous air pressure), but it can also be used in Auto mode.
It's like having 2 breathing machines into one box.
The APAP machines are more comfortable to breathe on and have the ability to auto-adjust the air for inhaling or exhaling. This is a much better deal than having a constant pressure blowing into your face all night.
Imagine that some months in the future your breathing may have changed, and having the APAP becomes a great way to find the right pressure again, instead of going to the titration study (which is expensive).
Before you buy or rent a cpap machine, be sure to look at all of the features available to you. Ask a sleep therapist what are the guidelines when you choose a cpap for your specific treatment.
Do many searches and comparisons before choosing the machine. Is like buying a car. But you will stay a lot longer with your best cpap machine.