{"id":793,"date":"2020-09-25T21:56:06","date_gmt":"2020-09-25T21:56:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coloradosleepapnea.com\/?p=793"},"modified":"2020-11-12T15:39:15","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T15:39:15","slug":"cpap-machines-sleep-apnea-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coloradosleepapnea.com\/blog\/cpap-machines-sleep-apnea-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"How CPAP Machines Can Help COVID-19 Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have sleep apnea, you might use a CPAP machine<\/a> to keep your upper airway open. It delivers a steady stream of air pressure through a mask worn over the nose to stop the soft tissues in the back of your throat from collapsing. This prevents an obstruction that can cause frequent pauses in breathing while you\u2019re sleeping. Did you know a CPAP can be used for other purposes as well? Recently, the machines have played an influential role in treating patients with COVID-19.<\/p>\n

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Treating COVID-19 with CPAP Machines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As coronavirus hit the globe, there has been a worldwide\nshortage of ventilators because of the high amount of cases affecting several\nnations simultaneously. Patients with severe complications of the virus can\nstruggle to breathe, which has led to a limited number of ventilators available.\nDoctors have had to turn to other options to help their patients with\nrespiratory distress. One solution involves using CPAP machines to treat COVID-19\npatients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medics in the UK have been able to reduce mortality rates\nand promote successful recoveries by modifying CPAP machines that are\ntraditionally used to treat sleep apnea. This has allowed them to provide\nbreathing assistance that doesn\u2019t require intubation. It wasn\u2019t until the\nventilator shortage that doctors discovered the ability to modify CPAP machines\nto help coronavirus patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This breakthrough gives doctors more options because it\nprovides a less intrusive solution that\u2019s more comfortable than a breathing\ntube. This is ideal for those who have milder symptoms, allowing ventilators to\nbe saved for complex cases requiring intubation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reducing Hospitalizations using CPAP Machines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

More research is still needed to reveal all the benefits of using a CPAP machine to decrease hospitalizations for COVID-19. Nonetheless, clinical evidence supports using them to reduce the burden on hospitals experiencing a shortage of beds. By minimizing the need for ventilators, more patients can remain at home. In fact, China and Italy were able to keep roughly half of coronavirus patients off ventilators using CPAP machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleep Apnea Patients Using CPAP Machines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re among the 18 million Americans living with\nobstructive sleep apnea, your CPAP machine is essential for managing your\ncondition if you\u2019re not using an alternative treatment. Although more people\nare needing CPAP machines amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it\u2019s best you keep using\nyour device to treat your sleep disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t worry, despite having sleep apnea, there isn\u2019t any\nevidence that indicates you\u2019re at an increased risk of the virus. If you have signs\nof coronavirus, or you\u2019ve been diagnosed with it, speak with your doctor about\ncontinuing your CPAP treatment to help you breathe easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Dr. Gary Radz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr.\nGary Radz<\/a> has earned a trusted reputation in the community for high-quality\ndental services. In addition, he is specially trained in sleep dentistry. For\nover 10 years, he has provided oral sleep appliances to use alone or with CPAP\nmachines. If you suffer from sleep apnea, Dr. Radz offers the personalized solutions\nyou need to manage your disorder. Contact our office today<\/a>\nto schedule your consultation. <\/p>\n\r\n