Everyone has given good advice kitty . In Icu Cpap and bipap are generally our first line of noninvasive respiratory therapy .. Home machines are a simplified version but the principles of use are the same .

Many find the tight fitting mask claustrophobic and the noise of the machine irritating . There are options .. No two faces are the same and a good seal is vital to the success of therapy . There are different styles of masks and nasal prongs ., usually called nasal pillows .. It is trial and error which suits your needs best . If you do not have central apnoea .. The nasal pillow system may be all you need . Check if your machine has a ramp setting .. This is usually set by your therapist To commence at a low pressure setting which increases when you are asleep so you do not feel like you are fighting the machine . I am sure you will be monitored .. If you are not coping just let your doctor know .. Often it is just a case of different settings .

I am not sure if you smoke ... Definitely a risk factor for sleep apnoea .. Sometimes it is genetic .. Sometimes associated with hormonal changes of aging .. Known correlation with excess weight ., any small lifestyle changes you can make will have a positive impact .

The risks of sleep apnoea are real .. For some this may translate To fatigue and disrupted sleep , sadly for others stroke , heart attack Or sudden death .

it is not just low oxygen levels that are problematic .. But also the corresponding rise in carbon dioxide... . Overtime This can confuse respiratory sensors which usually respond to oxygen levels to trigger respiration .. For those who do retain co2 .. This quickly becomes the main stimulus for breathing and even low levels of oxygen can then become toxic .

The body is amazing !!! None of this is intended to scare you but to empower you . Give it a few weeks kitty and if you are still struggling ask for a review . You can do it .. Blissful sleep xox

hello I know more about apnoea's with mechanical ventilation but many people have several co-morbidities of which OSA is often a feature .

As for age .. Any age .. Including children can suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea (usually enlarged tonsils and adenoids are implicated in the young) but it is more common In middle age ... And usually affects males more than females , however menopause can be a trigger For women . More often sleep apnoea is associated with weight-gain and anatomical ageing especially of the pharynx, soft palate and septum .. Just as we age so does our respiratory system . Snoring is a common symptom .. But not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea and vice versa .. It is the pauses (apnoea) in breathing that defines the disorder . There is a index used to rate severity ... More than 30 apnoea's in an hour is defined as severe . Hope this helps :-)

hello I know more about apnoea's with mechanical ventilation but many people have several co-morbidities of which OSA is often a feature .

As for age .. Any age .. Including children can suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea (usually enlarged tonsils and adenoids are implicated in the young) but it is more common In middle age ... And usually affects males more than females , however menopause can be a trigger For women . More often sleep apnoea is associated with weight-gain and anatomical ageing especially of the pharynx, soft palate and septum .. Just as we age so does our respiratory system . Snoring is a common symptom .. But not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea and vice versa .. It is the pauses (apnoea) in breathing that defines the disorder . There is a index used to rate severity ... More than 30 apnoea's in an hour is defined as severe . Hope this helps :-)