How does an AutoPap machine work?

[Mkatz27]

Its absolutely incredible to me to think about the computing and mechanical power my PAP machine accomplishes each night. Is there anywhere that explains the actual mechanism ie., what it senses, and detects, what and how it does to compensate for breathing disturbances, etc.?

Also...Can PAP therapy "cure" Apnea or is this therapy just a treatment for a lifelong condition which would be needed forever.

[SleepyToo2]

How the machine works depends on what machine you have. I can't see whether you have that info in your signature or not, because I am using Tapatalk and I haven't figured that out.

XPAP, even every night, will not cure your apnea. It may feel that way, but it is only a splint to keep your airway open. Sorry.

[Sheriff Buford]

Cpap therapy is TREATMENT for sleep apnea. Try taking a nap... you'll be right back to OSA, snoring, feeling lousy afterwards... all the signs.

In cpap mode, the machine blows a set amount of air to keep your airway open. In autoset therapy, the machine is equipped with an algorithm that "senses" an apnea event. It will increase the pressure to treat the event, then back down and wait for another event to occur. This up and down of air pressure can disturb some folks while sleeping, but most adjust to it like everything else with sleep apnea. "Adjusting to it" is the key to success and the hurdle Newbies have to conquer. The up and down pressures that the autopap provides can also cause leak issues. Prior to going to sleep, you adjust your mask at the lower pressure (in autopap mode), but as the pressure increases, the mask MAY start to leak. This is another issue you have to conquer to be successful. Also, note that in the autoset mode, the S9 will delay the pressure increase for 9 seconds when the machine detects a possible apnea event. This will allow coughs, sneezes, moments you may hold your breath, yawns, etc ... to occur without the machine "chasing" a suspected event that is not there. If the machine still detects a "suspected event" after 9 seconds, it starts to ramp up the air pressure to treat the event. Know that the S9 waits 9 seconds, so... when a real event occurs, you have experienced a 9 second apnea event BEFORE getting treatment. This does not account for the time the machine is "ramping up" the pressure AND eventually treating the event. This why I switch from autopap to straight cpap mode once or twice a year... to see how my body responds. It all comes down to "how you feel". Some folks feel better with the autopap mode and some folks prefer the straight cpap mode. I eventually lean toward the straight cpap mode because I feel better on the days I use the straight cpap mode. This is why folks on the forum always recogmend Newbies getting an autopap machine. You can run an autopap machine in either mode, depending on how you feel or which mode you prefer. It also needs to be a data-capable machine so you can SEE how your body is responding and what is the best treatment for you.

Sheriff