The most common form of therapy for sleep apnea is CPAP therapy. CPAP is an acronym that stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and it is a process that was first engineered in the early 1980’s. Since then, it has come a relatively long way – CPAP machines and all CPAP supplies really have evolved.
Initial machines were bulky and crude but today’s CPAP machines are small, lightweight, and even quiet. What used to be little more than a simple air pump in a box is now a sleek device that offers its users flow options, long-term reliability, and even data collection capabilities. And today’s machines have become smart too.
Early machines would deliver a continuous stream of air pressure throughout the night and nothing more. But some of today’s machines are actually intelligent enough to measure your breathing and recognize when changes occur. And when those changes indicate that a breathing interruption is about to take place these machines can increase the airway pressure to prevent it. Titration in this case refers to the machine’s adjustment of the airway pressure. The “auto” part simply tells you that the machine can do this automatically while you sleep – to help you stay safely asleep.
The key advantage to an autotitration CPAP machine is that it allows you to spend a good deal of your sleep at lower pressure settings. Lower settings allow you to more easily relax (which is a learned skill with CPAP). In fact, some machines can actually start out at a much lower pressure and work their way up to your prescribed pressure over time. This is called “ramping” and it permits you to fall asleep in a more natural, easy fashion. Then, when you’re asleep, the full airway pressure kicks in and your body accommodates itself to it with little effort.
Getting used to CPAP therapy takes some work and autotitration can be a big help. Of course, autotitration capabilities on a CPAP machine will make the machine more expensive, but the extra expense can be worth it, especially if it helps you stick with your therapy. Because the more you adhere to your treatment regimen, the more you can improve your health.
