An estimated 18 million people in American suffer from sleep apnea. An additional 1 in 50 Americans have undiagnosed sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is more than just having a hard time getting sleep and feeling rested. People living with undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea are at a four times greater risk of having a stroke. They are also three times more likely to have heart disease.
According to research conducted by the National Commission on Sleep Disorder Research, roughly 38,000 deaths each year can be attributed to cardiovascular problems stemming from sleep apnea. During an average night?s sleep an individual with sleep apnea make experience as many as 60 apneas per hours.
Sleep apnea is more common in men than women, and it is significantly more common in patients with asthma. Patients with sleep apnea will be prescribed a CPAP machine to wear while sleeping. The CPAP machine may be used with CPAP masks, nasal pillows, and nasal masks. While one of these options are particular comfortable, studies showed that respondents were more comfortable with CPAP masks or Nasal pillows than nasal masks.
Despite the health risks of untreated sleep apnea, most patients do not use their CAP machine as much as they are supposed to. One study showed as many as 80% of patients don’t use it enough to reduce further health risks. Another study showed that over half of all sleep apnea patients stop using their CPAP machine all together within three weeks of getting it.
The biggest complaint about the CPAP masks, nasal pillows, or nasal masks is that they are uncomfortable and it’s hard to fall asleep wearing them. However, manufacturers have worked to make them as comfortable as possible. The creation of nasal masks came out of the goal of making it more comfortable.
For best results, patients should use their CPAP machine at least 4 hours a night for at least 70% of days over the course of a 30-day period or more. The more the CPAP machine is used, the more benefits the patient will experience. Additionally, although discomfort is a prime complaint, the more it is used, the more the patient gets used to the feel and sound of the machine going, and the easier it is for them to sleep with it on.
