If you’re reading this, chances are you have sleep apnea. It’s a serious condition that can lead to heart problems, weight gain and other issues if left untreated.
Luckily, there’s an easy solution: a CPAP machine. With a CPAP machine—a device that helps you breathe while asleep—you can keep your apnea under control and get back to living the life you deserve.
But buying a CPAP machine isn’t as easy as picking up the first one you see. There are tons of different kinds of machines out there, with different features and price points—and not all of them are created equal! To make sure you get the best machine for your needs, we’ve put together this guide to help steer you through the process of finding the perfect sleep apnea machine for your home.
Consider your sleep habits.
Your sleep habits are an important consideration when choosing a CPAP machine. Do you sleep on your back, side or stomach? Do you have allergies or breathing problems? If so, consider a machine that uses heated humidification to prevent dryness in the airways.
If you snore loudly and often wake up with a sore throat or headache from lack of oxygen during the night, then it’s probably best to choose an auto-adjusting device that will adjust its pressure depending on how much noise is being made by your partner (or anyone else nearby).
If both partners share a bed and one partner needs CPAP therapy while the other doesn’t, consider purchasing separate masks–they’re not as expensive as they once were!
Do you need a unit for travel?
If you are going to be traveling with your CPAP machine, then a travel unit might be the best option for you. Travel units are smaller and lighter than standard units, which makes them easier to pack in luggage or even carry on an airplane.
They’re also more expensive than standard machines; however, if you’re planning on traveling frequently with your CPAP machine then this extra cost may be worth it for you (especially if it means being able to avoid paying baggage fees). If cost isn’t an issue but size is, then purchasing or renting a separate battery pack could also work out well!
Take a look at the size of the unit.
You’ll also want to take a look at the size and weight of your machine. How big is it? How much space does it take up? How much does it weigh? What do you do with it when traveling and staying in hotels, motels, hostels or other places where there isn’t enough room for all your stuff (or even any room at all)?
If you’re planning on taking an airplane with your CPAP machine on board (and most people do), then this is something else to consider before making a purchase. Most airlines will allow passengers who need medical equipment like CPAP machines to bring their own oxygen tanks as well as portable ventilators that use battery power – but only if those items meet certain criteria: They must weigh less than 50 pounds combined; be no more than 22″x14”x9″; have dimensions of 24″x14″x8″; require less than 3 amps per hour; and have no external fuel tanks or batteries larger than 12 volts DC output voltage capacity equal to or less than 2 Ah rating per hour continuous discharge rate capability.
Look at the features.
When you’re looking at the features of a CPAP machine, consider how much you need. Do you want to be able to download data? Do your eyes get irritated by bright screens? Is it important for the machine to be quiet or do you sleep through anything?
If there are any special considerations, such as if you travel frequently or have difficulty using buttons due to arthritis in your hands, make sure that they’re also taken into account when choosing a device.
Make sure you buy a machine that fits your needs and lifestyle
- Consider your sleep habits. If you’re a light sleeper or have trouble staying asleep, a unit that automatically increases pressure as needed may be right for you.
- Do you need a unit for travel? If so, look for one with fewer parts and accessories that are easier to pack up and transport.
- Take a look at the size of the unit–some CPAPs are small enough to fit in your palm while others are much bulkier (and heavier).
- Look at the features: Some machines include built-in humidifiers or auto-adjusting technology that senses how well-fitted your mask is on each use so it can adjust accordingly based on whether or not it’s providing adequate airflow through your device.
There are lots of options for machines, but not all of them will fit your needs
There are lots of options for machines, but not all of them will fit your needs. You need to consider your sleep habits, your needs and the size of the mask you wear (if any).
If you’re a side sleeper or if you move around a lot during the night, then a machine with a hose that can be detached from its base station may be best for you. This type of setup allows greater freedom of movement in bed than other kinds of CPAP machines do. If this is important to you – and it might not be – then we recommend looking into this option further before making any final decisions on what kind of machine will work best for you.
Conclusion
We hope we’ve helped you understand how to choose the right CPAP machine. We have a wealth of resources that can help guide your decision making process and get answers to any questions or concerns that arise along the way.