CPAP Therapy and How it Can Help

CPAP – also known as continuous positive airway pressure – is a growing treatment among those with breathing problems. Whether sleep induced or caused by another form of sickness, CPAP helps patients young and old maintain a healthy breathing pattern while sleeping. The therapy is most often seen in those with sleep apnea and babies with lungs that are not yet developed.

With the former, CPAP helps keep air moving so patients won’t wake up from breathing interruptions. By keeping airways open with this constantly moving oxygen, patients no longer suffer from frequent waking, which is caused by collapsed airwaves during sleep. While, with infants, breathing treatments allows lungs to rest and grow while a machine takes care of the air flow. That way young, underdeveloped lungs don’t get tired out before they’re able to naturally expand.

What Exactly Does CPAP Do?

Consisting of a mask, machine, and a tube that connects the two, the CPAP machine pushes a constant flow of oxygen. One wears the machine at night to receive breathing assistance until morning, or whenever a doctor deems necessary. The mask comes in all sizes so it can properly fit each patient, and sits atop the nose. Some versions cover both the nose and mouth, while both come with straps to keep the mask securely (but comfortably) in place.

Most machines are small, lightweight, and create soft, rhythmic noise as to not interrupt the sleeper. Specialized versions also come with humidifiers or heaters, depending on the specific type of treatment. CPAP machines are easily portable, helping those that travel regularly or need the machine throughout the day.

Compared with alternate breathing treatments, CPAP machines are known to be much less invasive than ventilators or steroids (used to strengthen infants’ lungs). Oftentimes they are chosen first to create a more natural treatment regimen. 

How to Get Started

CPAP users must first be diagnosed by a doctor. Once receiving a prescription, patients work with a home equipment or medical provider to find the best machine to fit each person’s size and condition. It’s also likely follow ups will take place to ensure the equipment is still as efficient as possible, and that symptoms are being effectively treated with CPAP’s help.

Though it’s used to treat a wide variety of medical instances, CPAP therapy has shown to offer a great deal of support for both breathing and sleeping problems.

To find out more about CPAP and better sleep, check out our articles page.

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Survey Findings Prove Benefits of Contour CPAP Pillow for Sleep Apnea Patients

Contour Products Promotes Survey for National Respiratory Care Week, Findings Prove Benefits of Contour CPAP Pillow for Sleep Apnea Patients

Over 96% of Respiratory Therapists Agree, Mask Users Benefit From This Pillow

In conjunction with National Respiratory Care Week, Contour Products(TM), a leader in the sleep support
and comfort industry, is proud to promote the results of a 2009 survey conducted among respiratory therapists who work with CPAP patients daily.  One of the most common issues among CPAP therapy users is discomfort when sleeping with their CPAP mask, as a result of the mask pressing against their face. The Contour CPAP Pillow alleviates this with its innovative pressure-free zones that accommodate any respiratory mask so users stay comfortable, even in the side-sleeping position.

    "National Respiratory Care Week is an ideal time to highlight that respiratory therapists from throughout the country have acknowledged and supported that the patented design of our Contour CPAP Pillow significantly
improves comfort among CPAP therapy patients," says Contour Products' founder Scott Davis. "We've received tremendous feedback from end users on these same issues, but to have members of the medical community respond as consistently and favorably as they did is truly gratifying and gives additional credibility."

    Mask leaks were an important topic in the survey. More than 91 percent of respiratory therapists surveyed agreed the Contour CPAP Pillow is successful in reducing mask leaks, another major barrier to compliance
among CPAP therapy patients. Aside from causing dry skin on the face, mask leaks contribute to patients not getting the prescribed amount of pressurized air. Leaks compromise compliance because of the air leakage as
well as the discomfort and noise they cause.

    As further proof of the Contour CPAP Pillow's effectiveness, 100 percent of the respiratory therapists surveyed agreed the pillow reduces the tendency of the mask to press against the face. Mask pressure is the
major factor in discomfort complaints among CPAP therapy patients, as well as a leading cause of non-compliance. Eliminating mask pressure is a tremendous step in the direction of patient acceptance and compliance for CPAP mask therapy, a highly effective treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

    The Contour CPAP Pillow features that address key issues affecting patient compliance include ergonomically designed head, neck and shoulder support to reinforce comfort. The pillow has specifically molded spots for users to rest their ears when side sleeping. And, its inclined upper sides support the forehead to help prevent patients from rotating their chin downward, compromising airway alignment.

    Other important features of the Contour CPAP Pillow include an advanced, precisely molded design made of poured foam for superior support and resilience. A cover of silky, quilted padding in the hollowed-out
sections of the pillow and along the shoulder area ensures that the mask, hose and body glide over the pillow when users change positions. It has a five-year warranty and boasts effective packaging that thoroughly conveys its features and benefits in a user-friendly format.

    "It's important to note during Respiratory Care Week that the Contour CPAP Pillow is ideal for use both during titration and at home," says Scott Davis. "By controlling the mask variable during titration, the process
becomes more manageable and improves patient acceptance of the interface. Using the pillow at home ensures comfort and compliance after titration."

Learn about how this Support Pillow helps CPAP Compliance and Sleep Apnea Therapy.

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