Can a CPAP Machine Stop Snoring?
Snoring and sleep apnea are closely related to each other. This is because, among a wide range of sleep apnea symptoms, snoring is the most noticeable one.
Snoring not only affects the patient but also makes it difficult for the bed partner to get a good sleep. Within the past few years, a machine named CPAP has been introduced to stop snoring in the patients suffering from sleep apnea.
Continue reading if you want the answer to, does CPAP machine stop snoring?
What is a CPAP Machine?
Usually, patients with sleep apnea feel an obstruction in their nasal passage, which makes it difficult for them to breathe. A CPAP machine (Continuous positive airway pressure) is a device that helps such patients to reduce the restrictions.
This machine consists of a facemask and a pump, which forces air into the nasal passages. The pressure of this pump is sufficient to reduce the chances of any obstruction.
As a result, the person using a CPAP machine would start to breathe normally. Since snoring is closely linked to sleep apnea, CPAP machines may also help to address this issue.
Causes of Snoring
The first thing to consider is to analyze and identify the true cause of snoring and that of sleep apnea. This is because the causes of sleep apnea differ from person to person.
In most cases, it may depend on the anatomy and physical structure of each patient. The position of your jaw and structure of the nose or throat is also analyzed when determining the cause of sleep apnea or snoring.
For instance, a broken nose could lead to a deviated septum. Furthermore, turbinates (tissues in the nose) could also start to swell in response. This may lead to sleep apnea and, as a result, cause snoring.
In fact, there are certain reversible and transient factors that also contribute to sleep apnea. In a few cases, people have reported snoring and sleep apnea during specific conditions.
If you are sleeping on your back or consuming a lot of alcohol, these conditions may even worsen. On the other hand, nasal congestion due to allergies and cold might result in snoring.
Another cause is weight gain that can also worsen the condition. The presence of fat tissues at the lower part of your tongue also narrows the airway. Moreover, aging plays its role while lowering the strength of the airway muscles.
As a result, the collapsibility of these muscles increase, which obstructs the nasal passage.
Do CPAP Machines Help to Cure Sleep Apnea?
The condition of sleep apnea can be improved through the use of a CPAP machine. This device helps to offer a constant airflow to the nasal passage. As a result, the airway won’t collapse while you sleep.
If the cause of sleep apnea is an airway blockage, it would definitely provide the desired relief against this disorder. However, a CPAP machine isn’t considered the best possible treatment if you have used this therapy for a limited period.
It won’t cause any structural changes. Hence, the therapy will work only for that period for which you use it. This is similar to your glasses, which don’t improve eyesight after even years of use. But when you wear them, you experience clear visuals.
Therefore, a CPAP machine will allow you to sleep better as long as you use it.
How Effective CPAP May Prove Against Snoring
A CPAP machine can prove to be quite helpful for treating the issue of snoring. Especially when the real cause of snoring is sleep apnea, one can experience much better sleep without any snoring issues.
On the contrary, if some other aspects cause snoring, you won’t get the desired outcome by using a CPAP machine. Hence, in this situation, it won’t be fair to suggest that CPAP therapy would help to lower or eliminate snoring.
When a person is suffering from sleep apnea, the throat structure becomes narrow. Sometimes, the nasal passage is obstructed in such a way that it completely blocks the airflow.
Therefore, the person is left with no other choice than inhaling air through the mouth. The basic purpose of a CPAP machine is to continuously pump air into the nasal cavity and keep the throat open during the night.
Usually, 45% of healthy adults snore often, and 25% of adults snore almost every time they sleep. There are a few people who are prone to habitual snoring, which relates to their age or excessive weight.
Therefore, if the cause of your snoring isn’t sleep apnea, a CPAP machine won’t serve as a proper treatment for this purpose. On the contrary, if the primary cause of your snoring is sleep apnea, you can take advantage of this machine.
Whether You Need CPAP Machine Forever
This is the most commonly asked question that is associated with the use of a CPAP machine. Especially, if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, this question would definitely hit your mind.
No doubt, this treatment has proven to be quite effective for a wide range of patients; you can’t continue with it for the whole life. The essential aspect in this regard is identifying the factors that contribute to snoring and sleep apnea.
If you have treated the true condition, it would automatically reduce the need of such a treatment. For instance, if the true cause of snoring is being overweight, you can get rid of this issue by losing excessive weight.
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy proves to be effective to cure sleep apnea. However, it may not be an appealing treatment for almost every patient.
Conclusion
Most people suffering from sleep apnea are likely to experience snoring. If this is the case, such patients can use a CPAP machine to relieve them from the issues of sleep apnea, including snoring.
With the help of CPAP therapy, you can reduce the swelling along your nasal passage and airway. This makes it easy for you to breathe easier while sleeping.
However, when you stop using this device, the swelling might return. As a result, the symptoms of this condition would also start to re-appear and bother you.
Snoring Devices Australia is dedicated to providing detailed product reviews of anti-snoring devices available in Australia. We also regularly research and publish timely information about snoring and sleep from around the world – to help you and your loved ones achieve a better night’s sleep.
