DeVillbiss Air Power Company DV54 manual How Cpap Therapy Works, Acclimating To Your Therapy

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potentially resulting in memory loss, impotence, hypertension, coronary disease, strokes, and heart attacks. Recent studies indicate that OSA has the same risk factor for heart disease as smoking, high cholesterol and alcohol, and estimate that as many as 38,000 people a year die from the effects of OSA.

Clearly, OSA is a serious medical condition that requires attention and treatment.

How CPAP Therapy Works

There are several treatments for OSA including surgery and CPAP therapy. However, CPAP therapy has proven very effective for most patients. CPAP stands for “continuous positive airway pressure” which is exactly what the DeVilbiss IntelliPAP device delivers to your upper airway, acting as an “air splint” to keep the passage open while you sleep.

This reduces or eliminates the obstruction, allowing you to enjoy the deep, refreshing, uninterrupted sleep you need. More importantly, your body will get the rest and oxygen it needs with more continuous, uninterrupted sleep – helping you avoid some of the serious health risks associated with OSA. And the IntelliPAP is designed to provide this therapy to you quietly and comfortably so that you can sleep through the night without distraction.

The DeVilbiss IntelliPAP AutoAdjust® system automatically adjusts air pressure by measuring your snoring and breathing patterns on a breath-by-breath basis, and compensating to meet your pressure needs. Your breathing patterns are continuously analyzed, stored and used to make any needed pressure adjustment.

The rate of pressure adjustment can be as high as 10 cmH2O in a 10 minute period with changes made gradually enough to prevent disturbing your sleep yet quickly enough to respond to your pressure needs. In the absence of respiratory events, the pressure is reduced to maximize your comfort. The IntelliPAP AutoAdjust is also capable of operating in CPAP mode – without the automatic functionality described above – to give your physician maximum versatility in prescribing treatment for your sleep condition.

Acclimating To Your Therapy

Naturally anything new – including CPAP therapy – takes some getting used to. Having your mouth or nose (or both) covered by a mask may make you feel anxious or claustrophobic. Feeling the rush of air from your IntelliPAP may cause discomfort or concern. But don’t worry – every successful, long-term CPAP user began where you are today with the same reactions and concerns, and overcame them to enjoy the full benefits of their therapy.

Here are some steps to help you gradually ease into your therapy and overcome your anxieties:

1.Try attaching the mask to the CPAP unit, and switching the unit “On.” Practice breathing through the mask for one hour while watching television, reading, or performing some other sitting activity.

2.If you nap, use the CPAP during this time.

3.Use CPAP at least during the first initial 3-4 hours of nighttime sleep.

4.Use CPAP through an entire night of sleep.

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