A cpap machine s core function is to prevent the collapse of your airway while sleeping using pressurized air.
Oxygen machine for sleep apnea.
While these 2 devices function differently cpap machines and oxygen concentrators can also be used together for certain conditions.
What is a cpap machine.
A cpap or continuous positive airway pressure device works by introducing a constant yet gentle stream of air into your airway via a facial mask.
Cpap machines use a continual stream of air the same mixture of oxygen nitrogen and other elements in the air we normally breathe to keep your airways open while you sleep.
During cpap therapy a special mask delivers the stream of air directly to your airway to help prevent the soft tissues at the back of your throat from collapsing.
If you have sleep apnea or another condition that affects your breathing your doctor might have mentioned a bilevel positive airway pressure machine or bipap to you sometimes called a bpap it.
It s important to learn what role oxygen can play in treating osa and whether other options such as continuous positive airway pressure cpap therapy may be a better choice for you.
Using oxygen with sleep apnea.
For example if you have a lung problem like pulmonary edema or copd on top of osa it might be necessary to add in oxygen to the tubing of your cpap machine.
Oxygen therapy is sometimes used to treat obstructive sleep apnea osa due to a condition called hypoxemia that can result from overnight interruptions in breathing.