The health benefits of CPAP use are numerous for some patients. The continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP device, is an effective treatment for conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea. The airflow helps to keep the airway open, allowing the body to receive the oxygen it needs.
Heart Disease Health Benefits of CPAP Use
The positive flow of oxygen immediately improves the quality of sleep an individual gets because it normalizes breathing. In doing so, the CPAP helps to reduce the risk of various health conditions including heart disease. Those suffering from sleep apnea are prone to problems with heart function. Those who suffer from severe sleep apnea stop breathing dozens of times during the night. This lack of regular oxygen supply puts strain on the heart. The heart must work harder to get oxygen to the body's organs.
This constant demand on the heart wears on it. Those who suffer from sleep apnea have a higher rate of dying at a younger age from heart disease. This is often due to the increase in blood pressure. Congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeats and coronary artery disease are three of the most common heart illnesses attributed to poor oxygen levels. The CPAP device aids in improving airflow to the lungs, allowing more oxygen to get to the heart.
Other Health Conditions CPAP Benefits
There are other areas of the body affected by the lack of oxygen. When a CPAP is used, the risk of developing these conditions is reduced and in some cases, the conditions may be reversed.
- Stroke: A stroke or sudden loss of all brain function is a serious and often times fatal condition. Studies have shown that people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to have a stroke than those who are not. Those who have sleep apnea are two to four times as likely to suffer a stroke. Sleep apnea treatments that use the CPAP device reduce the risk of sudden onset strokes.
- Diabetes: Sleep apnea can trigger complications in the body's ability to convert food to usable energy. In particular, those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea may have a glucose intolerance and may be or become insulin resistant. If this happens, they could develop type 2 diabetes. In some people, the use of a CPAP device can help to improve these conditions and help individuals to avoid the onset of this form of diabetes.
Improving health conditions like these are specifically possible because of the improvement of oxygen to the lungs at night when a CPAP device is worn. Perhaps the most significant improvement is the improvement of sleep quality. This in itself can improve an individual's health.
Improved Sleep Improves Health
Those who suffer from sleep apnea often wake feeling tired. This is because of the lack of deep sleep. Over time, an individual's health will decrease due to the lack of sleep. A CPAP device can improve the quality of sleep and that can help individuals to improve their overall health.
- Those who get better sleep are more alert. This allows them to function at a higher level throughout the day. They are less likely to be involved in accidents, for example.
- Improvement in concentration is also evident in those who get better sleep. This can help an individual to make better decisions throughout the day and can improve productivity.
- Improving sleep can also lead to emotional stability. Those who are tired are more likely to be depressed. They have a poor quality of life. In return, they are often irritable and experience mood swings.
The health benefits of CPAP use can help improve overall health, reduce the risks of developing potentially fatal conditions, and can improve quality of life. The device is simple to use and highly effective. For those who have the symptoms of sleep apnea or who struggle with other sleep problems, a doctor may recommend use of this device. Many people experience improvement in sleep quality the first day they use the CPAP.