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Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where your breathing is interrupted during your sleep preventing you from getting enough oxygen. Symptoms can include snoring, gasping for air during sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness.
The main causes of sleep apnea are excessive weight and obesity. Obstructive sleep apnea can also arise from abnormal anatomy such as a deviated septum or a large tongue.
There are three different types namely obstructive, central and complex. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type caused by blockage of the upper airways. Central sleep apnea is when the brain does not signal the muscles to breathe. Complex apnea is when you have both obstructive and central apnea. You may want to look into BIPAP therapy for central sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) arises when the upper airway is blocked or has collapsed during sleep, resulting in shallow breathing or breathing pauses. When you attempt to breathe, any air that squeezes past the blockage can result in loud snoring. OSA can affect anyone, but it typically happens more often in people with upper airway abnormality and those who are overweight. It can also cause dire consequences to your long-term health due to fluctuations of blood pressure and oxygen level. Untreated OSA may increase the risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and diabetes. In addition, fragmentation of sleep in consequence to OSA can lead to the tendency of having work-related or driving accidents.
In general terms, CPAP implies the constant use of air pressure to keep the upper airway open. It prevents the upper airway muscles from collapsing, which causes the blockage.
There are 3 main components to deliver the pressure, namely the pump (the machine that pressurizes the room air), the mask (delivers pressure to the airway- a good seal is mandatory), and the tubing (connects the pump and the mask).
Apnea-Hypopnea Index is a measure of sleep apnea severity. It can be summarised as the number of times you stop breathing in you sleep per hour. AHI Rating <5 - Normal Sleep Apnea 5-15 - Mild Sleep Apnea 15-30 - Moderate Sleep Apnea >30 - Severe Sleep Apnea
CPAP Therapy
CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure which helps to keep your airways open during your sleep. A constant stream of air is given to you by the machine through the CPAP mask to ensure that your upper airways does not collapse during your sleep.
Everyone has a different rate at which they can adapt to CPAP therapy. If you are having a very difficult time falling asleep, you can try using the machine a few hours before you sleep and slowly extend the hours of usage. It is also recommended to use the machine when taking naps or even when you are awake so that you can get used to wearing the mask and therapy.
Some improvements you would notice after getting used to sleeping with the CPAP machine would be reduced snoring, reduced awakenings at night and feeling more alert throughout the day.
No, the machine does not contain extra oxygen or any pharmaceuticals. It just delivers air pressure to keep your airways open.
The machine does not help with insomnia. It is designed to help sleep apnea patients breathe better during their sleep. It could enhance sleep quality in the long run but CPAP therapy is not used to treat insomnia.
CPAP machines in Auto mode relies on your breathing pattern and gives you a higher pressure when an apnea event is detected. When you hold your breath, the machine will register it as a central apnea event and will be shown in your CPAP report as such. CPAP machines are not ventilators, they can only keep your upper airway free from obstruction but will not help you if your respiratory problems are due to lung problems.
CPAP therapy is the gold standard for treating sleep apnea and does not worsen your health in any way in the long run. Other than the discomfort or occasional running nose, there are no serious side effects.
The recommended usage hour is four hours every night. However, there are also patients who use it a few days a week and still see improvements in their daytime sleepiness. Recent studies have suggested that using a little as two hours a night is enough to see some health benefits.
CPAP machines are not a cure for sleep apnea hence the treatment is for life unless you make lifestyle changes to improve your diet and sleep health or opt for surgery. There are also some physiotherapy exercises you can do to alleviate some symptoms of sleep apnea.
Yes, some masks like the N30i and P30i are built for side sleepers. It is important to pick the mask that is most comfortable for you as everyone is different.
CPAP Trial
The trial will include a mask fitting session which will take around an hour and a half to two hours.
The CPAP trial costs RM250 for 1 week. This includes a complete setup and support to help you experience the benefits of CPAP therapy before making a purchase decision.
For more details or to book a trial, please contact us
For the CPAP trial, please bring the following:
Your sleep study report – This helps us set up the CPAP machine with the correct settings.
Comfortable clothing – If you'll be trying the CPAP mask on-site.
Doctor's letter if available
If you have any specific concerns or requirements, feel free to let us know in advance.
Our sleep experience rooms can accommodate around two to three people including you. For a more productive session we recommend bringing only one other person with you.
Yes, we can waive the home trial fee out of goodwill if you have mobility issues. We understand the importance of comfort and accessibility, and we are happy to accommodate your needs for the CPAP trial in the comfort of your own home.
While a sleep study is not required to book a CPAP trial, it is highly recommended to ensure that the CPAP settings are tailored to your specific needs. A sleep study provides valuable information about the severity of sleep apnea and helps determine the most appropriate therapy for you.
If you don’t have a sleep study report, we can guide you on how to obtain one before starting the trial.
At this time, we do not have AirMini units available for home trials. However, you can try the AirMini for a short trial at our office, where we will assist you in experiencing its features and comfort.
Yes, you can request an extension for your loan. We would appreciate it if you could give us earlier notice, as this helps us facilitate the process and accommodate other customers effectively. Please contact us to discuss the available options and extend your loan period, if eligible. Our team will be happy to assist you.
Your trial end date will be reminded by the Clinical Application Specialist assigned to you. Ideally, you should return the machine before your follow-up appointment with the doctor so that we can provide you with the overall report for your trial.
When returning the machine, please bring the following:
The CPAP device and accessories – Including the machine, tubing, and power adapter.
The mask – Ensure that the mask is returned along with the elbow or adapted
Any documentation – If provided at the time of the trial or loan.
You can express your interest to the Clinical Application Specialist assigned to you before you return the machine and they will guide you through the process and explain in more detail.
CPAP Trial
If you have a prescribed pressure from a doctor, it is best not to change it as it is based on your Apnea Hyponea Index (AHI). If you feel that the pressure is too high for you do let us your Clinical Application Specialist know and we will review your report & check if there is a need to adjust your settings.
Higher pressures do not equate to better therapy. Your machine is most likely in APAP mode where the pressure will automatically adjust based on how you breathe. If the machine detects that you are having an apnea event, the pressure given will be increased to keep your airways open. The splinting pressure required is different for everyone and averages around 10cmH2O. This pressure may be higher for those with severe AHI.
The pressure is too low if you are still snoring at night and is too high if your feel consistent soreness in your chest and lungs. For most people the average pressure is around 10cmH20, this number maybe higher for those with severe AHI.
Yes, you can use the humidifier with the trial machine. It will be included with the device, so you can experience the full benefits of CPAP therapy during your trial period.
RAMP time is a period of low pressure that can be set to help you fall asleep easier. For example, if the RAMP time is 15 minutes, it means that for the first 15 minutes after turning on the machine the pressure will be constant at the lowest pressure. This setting is to ensure that there won’t be any sudden increase in pressure as you are trying to fall asleep.
EPR stands for expiration pressure relief. CPAP machines allow for a maximum pressure difference of 3 cmH2O between inhalation and exhalation. This feature can be turned on if you feel that it is difficult to exhale during CPAP therapy.
Other Enquiries
During preventive maintenance, the following services will be performed:
Internal and external cleaning – The device will be thoroughly cleaned to ensure optimal performance and hygiene.
Inspection – We will inspect the machine for any signs of wear or malfunction to ensure it continues to function effectively.
Performance test – A performance test will be conducted using flow meters to ensure the pressure generated by the machine is accurate and aligns with the intended pressure settings.
Fine filter replacement – The fine filter will be replaced to maintain air quality and ensure the machine’s efficiency.
CPAP therapy report generation – A detailed CPAP therapy report will be generated, providing insights into your therapy progress.
Around 3 hours considering that there is no issue with your machine. We also have a same day collection if you send your machine for servicing in the morning.
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All our machines come with two years warranty.
