Are you a first time CPAP Buyer? Medical Supply Depot and Repairs makes it easy for you to choose your first CPAP machine. A first time patient could be overwhelmed with the vast line of CPAP machines and CPAP masks available on the market. This introduction to CPAP machines should help you understand how to buy a CPAP machine, the differences between the types of CPAP Machines and the features involved.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most common form of treatment available for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A CPAP Machine would deliver pressurized air to  your throat to prevent your airway from collapsing when you sleep at night. The device is consisted of three parts: a machine that would pressurize the air from the room to your particular pressure needs, a hose that delivers the pressurized air and a mask that gently blows the air into your airways.

Once you are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, the next step is for you to find a CPAP Machine that will work best for you. We at Medical Supply Depot and Repairs want to aid you in your search by giving you helpful tips on selecting a quality CPAP machine to maximize your therapy.

Do I Need a Prescription?

Whether you just started CPAP therapy or you are a veteran, you should know all CPAP Machines and CPAP masks, from any online vendor, requires a prescription.

Where to Buy your CPAP Machine – Online vs. Offline

There are many online vendors selling CPAP Machines but not all of them can be trusted or is a reputable CPAP supply retailer. If you choose to ahead and purchase your machine online, make sure that the provider you are purchasing from has a certified respiratory therapist to help guide you through your selection process.

The best option for purchasing a CPAP machine would be to go through a sleep clinic that has performed your sleep study. A lot of clinics have a durable medical equipment (DME) technician to get you fitted with a mask and give you information on how to use and maintain your CPAP Machine. A lot of clinics offer a free mask trial while you’re finding the right comfort fit, machine trials would allow you to sample the different CPAP machines and a warranty service would help you in getting your machine repaired.

CPAP Machine Manufacturers

Getting a quality machine is probably one of the most important choices that you have to make. You have to make sure that the machine that you are purchasing will be working efficiently and consistently every night. While there are a lot of manufacturers of CPAP machines nowadays, it is paramount that you choose a CPAP machine that is made by one of the top manufacturers. The two leading CPAP equipment manufacturers are Philips Respironics and ResMed. Both of these companies have been manufacturing CPAP equipment for the past couple of decades and have both consistently put out a high-quality CPAP machine and accessories. Another reputable CPAP machine manufacturers are: Fisher and Paykel and Aeiomed.

 CPAP Machine Features to Consider

• Mask selection

Finding the perfect mask is the most important aspect of CPAP use compliance.

• Noise

While almost all CPAP machines today are made whisper quiet (below 30 decibels) some are still quieter than others. If sound is an issue, be sure to check the decibel levels of each machine.

• Humidifier

Having air continuously blown into your airways could lead to a dry and irritated airway but there are CPAP machines that come with an added humidifier rather than as an optional feature. Having a humidifier that could separate from the machine could come in handy when traveling when you don’t want to take an entire machine.

• Portability

If you frequently travel, having a small, lightweight, compact machine could be your best option. It is also important to check if your machine comes with a multiple plug-in adapter like a DC power supply or an international plug, as well as an option to use a portable battery.

• Ramp

When you first put on your CPAP mask at night and turn the machine on, it might be difficult to adapt to the immediate airflow of your pressure settings especially if you have a moderate to severe sleep apnea, which would require a relatively high pressure. A ramp is a comfort feature that would allow your machine to gradually build-up to the prescribed pressure that would make the compliance much easier.

• Exhalation pressure relief

This feature would make it easier to exhale your breath against the incoming pressurized air that would make breathing feel more than normal and easier. The machine maintains the prescribed air pressure setting during inhalation but scales them back a bit during exhalation so you won’t feel like fighting against the incoming air.

• Heated tubing

A small heating coil is placed in the tubing that is connecting the machine to the mask and helps keep the air in the tube at a constant temperature. This feature would aid in reducing condensation build-up in the tube and mask so there won’t be moisture that will drip into your face.

• Mask On/Off Alert

A lot of sleepers toss and turn during sleep, when that happens their mask might come off or lose its seal. There are machines that have an alert that would beep to wake the sleeper and remind them that their mask has come loose.

• Leak Compensation

If your mask is leaking for any reason, a machine with this feature could compensate by increasing the airflow to ensure that you are still getting the prescribed pressure at all times.

• Data Recording

A lot of machines come with a different capability of recording data. Some would only record information such as how long the machine was used at night while other are capable of giving much more information such as apnea events, hypopnea events, change in pressure, leak rate and information on snoring and a lot more. It could be used to check daily, weekly or monthly averages.

• Warranties

All CPAP Machines carry at least a 2 year warranty. The CPAP People handles all warranty claims for devices that we sell. If you experience a problem with your machine, you need only to call our helpful Customer Care representatives at (888) 738-5788.

Florida based Medical Supplies, Equipment and Services Provider

Medical Supply Depot and Repairs realizes that one of the most aspects to CPAP use compliance is in making sure that all CPAP users have the latest, high quality equipment possible and we want to make sure that you are fully informed as to which machine and masks will help you continue your prescribed therapy.