COPD and other related ailments for that matter have an impact on the quality of life since it becomes difficult to breathe when performing activities in the course of the day. Fortunately, for these conditions, there is now a device that is known to help with respiratory conditions commonly referred to as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP machines.
How COPD Affect the Breathing: Understanding COPD
COPD is a respiratory disease that leads to a gradual limitation in airflow; the patient starts struggling to breathe gradually. These diseases include; emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. The closest to the ground lists of manifestations are sputum production, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and recurrent respiratory infections. These symptoms occur in the later stage of the disease to impact on the functioning of the patient as well.
Advances across the Continuum of COPD Therapy: The Contribution of CPAP Machines
Even though the uses of CPAP treatment have been linked mostly with OSA, it has also helped in managing COPD and other respiratory disorders. CPAP is a therapy whereby a machine delivers a stream of air at the patient’s face through a mask that will ensure that the airway does not close during night time sleep. This steady flow also improves the level of oxygen in the blood that leads to ease breathing to patients suffering from COPD.
Here’s how CPAP machines play a crucial role in managing COPD:
- Improving Oxygen Levels: Of course, the most significant positive effect of the CPAP therapy for COPD patients, which has been identified, is to raise the oxygen levels during sleep. Chronic hypoventilation is present in the majority of COPD patient’s during sleep meaning they have low oxygen levels during the night. As such, a CPAP machine makes sure that there is a secret continuous and smooth flow of air to prevent reduction of oxygen level at night especially when one is asleep.
- Reducing Carbon Dioxide Retention: COPD tends to be associated with CO2 residue because there is an inability in the lungs to adequately exchange gases. This may lead to a condition referred as hypercapnia which results to headache, confusion and fatigue. CPAP machines also help restore normal breathing by improving the quality of ventilation to expel CO2 and in the process, helping to cut down its accumulation in the body.
- Decreasing Exacerbations: COPD patients are sensitive to events that can cause an exacerbation or worsening of their condition that may be due to respiratory infections or environmental features. Some of the past researches have founded that utilizing the CPAP machines cut down the frequency and severity of the mentioned exacerbations, as they remain the airways open and enhance the airflow, and hence, decrease the hospitalization rates and improve the disease control.
- Enhancing Sleep Quality: Patients with COPD continue to experience interrupted breathing, paroxysms of coughing, and low oxygen saturation at night. It also minimizes disruption of sleep that may be caused by breathing problems the CPAP therapy ensures that a constant flow of fresh air is supplied in the patient’s system. As a result, improved night sleep improves the general health of the patients and allows the COPD patient to feel rejuvenated at daytime.
CPAP Machines for Other Diseases Related to Respiratory Health
In addition to COPD, CPAP machines can be beneficial for managing other respiratory conditions:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The primary indication for the use of CPAP machines is OSA, a medical condition under which the muscles in the throat slacken during sleep and hinder breathing. By maintaining air passages wide open, CPAP has low incidences of apneas making it enhance sleep.
- Asthma: Specifically, CPAP machines can be useful in asthma treatment because they manage to keep the airways open even during nighttime asthma incidents. Consequently, constant ventilation decreases airway irritation and stops broncho constrictions which are to blame for symptoms.
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Hospitalized patients with CHF tend to develop central sleep apnea (CSA) in which breathing periodically stops during sleep. For instance, the treatment affects patient breathing rhythms positively, increases oxygenation, and reduces the heart workload.
Uses of CPAP Machine in Treatment and Control of Respiratory Diseases
Using CPAP machines for COPD and other respiratory conditions offers several benefits:
- Improved Quality of Life: Dependence on CPAP therapy simplifies the symptoms and decreases the physical limitations for patients to breathe regularly during their activities.
- Better Sleep Patterns: A proper flow of air means no interruption during sleep resulting to high energy and enhanced health status.
- Reduced Hospitalizations: CPAP machines enable better management of symptoms and thus a decreased need for hospitalization because of worsening of symptoms.
Conclusion
COPD and other respiratory diseases are treated using CPAP machines as they provide constant and unvarying levels of air pressure, improve the level of oxygen in the blood and enhance sleep. Most people know that they are used for sleep apnea only but they are very useful in all respiratory illnesses making it a tool for patients with breathing problems precious. It is, however, recommended that if you have COPD or any other respiratory condition you should first consult your doctor on whether the CPAP therapy is useful to you. You’ve never thought that such treatment could help enhance your quality of life and overcome the difficulties in breathing?