According to a survey published in the Journal of Thoracic Medicine, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common sleeping disorders.
And according to a report published by the U.S National Library of Medicine, individuals suffering from this condition may experience disrupted sleep or poor sleep quality leading to numerous health challenges.
The good news is, using a CPAP machine can help to alleviate most of the problems associated with OSA.
It’s one of the most prescribed devices when it comes to treating sleep apnea disorders.
Here are some of the health benefits of a CPAP machine.
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Improved Heart Health
According to the CDC, adults should sleep for at least 7 hours a day.
And as mentioned earlier, sleep apnea may disrupt your sleep, meaning you will not get enough sleep at night.
Failure to get enough sleep at night increases your prevalence of heart-related problems like high blood pressure, heart attacks, and heart diseases.
And this is where the benefits of CPAP machines come in.
It will help to clear your airways, thus ensuring a steady flow of oxygen into your body.
And since there will be nothing obstructing the flow of oxygen into your body, your breathing will not pause and your sleep will not be disrupted.
Consequently, the chances of developing heart complications due to inadequate sleep will be significantly reduced.
Enhanced Energy and Stamina
Excessive daytime fatigue is one of the most common symptoms associated with sleep apnea.
It refers to a condition where you struggle to keep your eyes open during the day since you didn’t get adequate sleep at night.
And if this problem is not addressed on time, your sleep cycles will be severely interrupted, meaning your body will not be getting adequate rest, needed for healing and recovery.
As a result, you will always wake up feeling tired or sickly.
And that’s why it’s highly advisable to incorporate CPAP therapy into your routine.
A CPAP machine will help to prevent sleep apnea.
And without sleep apnea, you will enjoy a full night’s sleep and you will wake up feeling refreshed and energized.
Happier Marriage
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes interruptions into your breathing, since the airways may have been temporarily blocked or collapsed.
And when this happens, the affected individual may end up snoring loudly, as they try to draw in more air into their bodies.
The problem is, snoring loudly will also make it hard for your partner to enjoy quality sleep.
And if you fail to address this problem, your loud snoring may hurt your relationships or even ruin your marriage.
But it doesn’t have to reach that point, thanks to the benefits of CPAP machine.
It will help to address your breathing problems at night, thus helping to minimize the snoring.
And as a result, you will both enjoy adequate and restful sleep at night.
Also, you will wake up feeling happier and refreshed.
Prevent Unhealthy Weight Gain
According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, lack of adequate sleep increases the risk of gaining weight.
And this can be attributed to several factors.
For instance, sleeping for only 4 hours compared to sleeping for 10 hours may increase your hunger and appetite.
With the increased hunger and appetite, you will find yourself craving calorie-dense foods, leading to unhealthy and fast weight gain.
Also, lack of adequate sleep caused by sleep apnea may lead to fatigue, thus reducing physical activity.
And if you are consuming more calories than you are burning, there is a high chance of putting on weight.
Fortunately, a CPAP machine can help.
It will help you to sleep longer at night, thus lowering your hunger and appetite.
Another CPAP machine benefit is that it will help to minimize daytime fatigue, thus helping you to become more active.
Improved Sex Life
Recent studies show that approximately 51% of men with sleep apnea also tend to experience erectile dysfunction.
So, what’s the connection between sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction? As mentioned earlier, sleep apnea will lead to sleep deprivation.
And sleep deprivation may cause the testosterone levels in a man to dip.
It will also reduce the amount of oxygen flowing to the penile tissues, leading to erectile dysfunction.
Furthermore, the fatigue and stress caused by lack of sleep or sleep apnea may escalate sexual problems.
Simply put, there is a correlation between healthy sleep and healthy erections.
So, if you are not getting a quality night’s sleep due to OSA, it may lead to erectile dysfunction.
The good news is CPA therapy can help to alleviate these problems.
The benefits of CPAP machines will include improved sleep quality and improved sexual function.
Stronger Immune System
According to health experts, lack of adequate sleep due to OSA can affect the immune system.
So, sleep apnea prevents you from getting quality or adequate sleep at night, then your chances of falling sick after being exposed to a virus are high.
Besides increasing your likelihood of being infected, sleep apnea may also increase your inflammation rates while reducing the number of T-cells in your body, thus making it harder for you to fight off infections.
Also, you will not only find it harder to fight off infections but your recovery from those infections will be slower, compared to someone who doesn’t have sleep apnea.
Hence, if you experience breathing problems at night or you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, then it’s time to leverage the incredible benefits of a CPAP machine.
Reduced Risk of Diabetes
If you lead a busy lifestyle, getting a good night’s sleep may sometimes feel like a lifestyle.
However, sleep plays a vital role when it comes to regulating several functions in the body related to metabolism.
And as a result, insufficient sleep duration or poor-quality sleep caused by sleep disorders like sleep apnea can lead to a higher risk of diabetes.
Furthermore, if you already have diabetes, inadequate sleep will negatively affect what you eat, how much you eat as well as how your body responds to insulin.
In short, if you are suffering from any sleep-related disorder, it will be highly advisable to consult your doctor about CPA therapy as soon as possible.
Healthier Skin
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, chronic poor sleep quality can lead to reduced skin barrier function while escalating the signs of intrinsic aging.
The same study also observed that the skin of people who slept for at least 9 hours a night or more was more moisturized, compared to those who don’t sleep adequately.
And this can be attributed to the fact that most of the skin’s restoration takes place when you are sleeping.
Furthermore, if you are not getting adequate sleep due to the obstructive sleep disorder, more cortisol will be released.
And when released in large amounts, this stress hormone may break down excessive amounts of collagen, resulting in loose, wrinkled or rough skin.
So, if OSA is making it hard for you to enjoy quality sleep at night, then your skin may not have adequate time for repair or it may prevent you from having a firm and smooth skin.
But it doesn’t have to reach that point.
You need to consult a physician who can recommend the best CPAP machine.
And from there, you can start enjoying the great benefits of a CPAP machine.
Lesser Headaches
Most of the people who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea have complained of waking with headaches.
As highlighted earlier, sleep apnea may temporarily shut down your airways, thus lowering the amount of oxygen flowing to your head.
And when this happens, the blood vessels tend to dilate, in an attempt to improve circulation.
Apart from that, the carbon dioxide in the bloodstream will be recycled, as opposed to being removed from the body.
And as a result, you will experience migraines and headaches in the morning.
These headaches may also wake you up in the middle of the night, thus reducing your sleeping duration further.
A CPAP machine can help to remedy this problem.
It will help to alleviate sleep apnea, thus ensuring your body is getting optimal supplies of oxygen at night.
Improved Productivity at Work
If you are suffering from sleep apnea, there’s a high chance you will only sleep for a few hours every night.
And as a result, you will wake up feeling tired, groggy, or frazzled.
And while a cup of fresh coffee in the morning may help you to feel better, this is only a temporary fix.
You may also find yourself having to take several cups of coffee throughout the day, to improve your concentration.
The problem is, taking coffee late in the day may lead to another sleepless night, thus becoming a counterproductive cycle.
Hence, if sleep apnea is affecting your productivity and focus at work, you should consult your doctor about getting yourself a CPAP machine.
And as highlighted above, the benefits of a CPAP machine are immense for people with sleep apnea.
Lesser Traffic Accidents
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study, you are highly likely to cause an accident or being involved in a crash, if you don’t get enough sleep at night.
For instance, if you fail to sleep properly during the night, you may end up sleeping behind the steering wheel.
Also, your response time will be slower, if your brain is not properly rested.
And if you are driving, chances of getting involved in a car crash are extremely high.
As you may probably know, a car crash can leave you with serious injuries.
You may also have to pay thousands of dollars in property damage and medical bills if you are the at-fault driver.
However, it doesn’t have to get to that point.
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, the great benefits of a CPAP machine may help to address some of your sleep-related problems, if not all.
Improved Athletic Performance
Sleep deprivation and interrupted sleep caused by obstructive sleep apnea can also reduce your athletic performance.
According to a study conducted on collegiate basketball players, it was observed that inadequate sleep or poor sleep quality can lead to poor performance on the pitch.
And this applies to all other types of sports.
Sleep will help your body to recover and repair the damaged muscles.
Furthermore, adequate recovery from a night’s sleep will help to boost your reaction time as well as hand-eye coordination, which are necessary for almost all sports.
Fortunately, the immense benefits of a CPAP machine can help to minimize sleep deprivation, resulting in optimal performances on the pitch.
Better Mental Health
Several studies, including a recent one by the Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, have concluded that sleep apnea can negatively affect your mental health.
For instance, if you have sleep apnea, there is a high chance of suffering from depression, stress and anxiety.
Sleep apnea is also linked to other mental health aspects like irritability, and mood swings, among others.
But after undergoing CPAP therapy, most people with sleep apnea have observed considerable improvements in their mental health.
Benefits of CPAP Machine FAQs
How Many Hours A Night Should You Use CPAP Machine?
You should use a CPAP machine for as long as you are sleeping.
So, if you normally sleep for six hours, you should use the CPAP machine for the 6 hours you are sleeping.
But ideally, you should use it for at least 4 hours every night.
How Soon Can You Start Enjoying The Benefits Of CPAP Machines?
Just like other treatments and therapies, CPAP machines’ benefits will not be immediate.
But you will start noticing some improvements in the quality of your sleep after using it for a couple of weeks.
Can You Use CPAP Machine If You Have A Cold?
Yes. One of the main benefits of the CPAP machine is that it will help to clear your airways.
And as a result, it may also help relieve common cold symptoms like nasal congestion, sore throat, and coughing, among others.
How Often Should You Replace The Water Chamber In The CPAP Machine?
If you want to enjoy the CPAP machine’s maximum benefits, it will be highly advisable to change the water chamber every 6 months.
Final Thoughts
The benefits of CPAP machines are unquestionable, especially for people with sleep apnea.
They supply a consistent stream of fresh oxygenated blood into your airways, thus preventing them from collapsing.
And as a result, you will breathe continuously during your sleep, thus helping to prevent disrupted sleeping.
There are numerous types of CPAP machines on the market. And your healthcare provider will recommend the right one for you, depending on the type of sleep apnea you have.
