Sleep Apnea Cpap Machine Pressure Settings

Press both the plus button and minus button simultaneously to get into the clinician setup menu.

Sleep apnea cpap machine pressure settings.

Determining required cpap pressure. Learn the differences between automatic positive airway pressure machines and if it s best for you. A sleep physician determines the optimum cpap pressure after reviewing your apnea hypopnea index ahi. First set the ramp pressure values then the ramp time.

The maximum setting varies with the type of machine but it could be as high as 25 or 30 cwp. Your cpap pressure settings are measured in centimeters of water pressure or cmh2o. Your doctor can adjust its rate. However this rating is too high for most people.

For instance if the pressure is set at 10 cm h2o then the pressure is the same as if you were drinking water through a 10 centimeter straw. Press the user button on the right to get to the set the pressure display screen. You may be able to overcome this by using a machine with a ramp feature. 8 cm h2o is almost 0 11 psi which represents a low pressure for the lung s capacity.

To find your altitude click here. You probably know that the unit of pressure used for cpap is centimeters of water cm h2o. Cpap machines deliver a specific amount of pressurized air to prevent the soft tissue from collapsing and blocking your airway. This setting allows you to start with low air pressure.

In general your cpap pressure settings should be just high enough to hold your airway open. The highest pressure available on your cpap machine will depend on the model you own. Most cpap machines have a pressure settings range from 4 cm h 2 o to 20 cm h 2 o. If the pressure is too high you may struggle with the device have nasal congestion and experience choppy or fragmented sleep.

Most people with sleep apnea require a pressure setting between 6 and 14 cm h 2 o or centimeters of water is a unit of pressure. Respironics machines have two modes cpap and c flex. While the average setting is 10 cmh2o your setting will likely fall anywhere between 6 and 15 cmh2o. An apap machine may help you improve your sleep if you suffer from sleep apnea.

Press the ramp button to select either cpap or c flex as your mode. Most cpap machines are able to go as high as 25 cmh2o but that is far too high for the average sleep apnea sufferer. The vast majority of people require more pressure than this lowest setting. The machine then automatically and slowly increases the air pressure to your prescribed setting as you fall asleep.

After these is the altitude setting 1 9 where 1 1 000 feet above sea level. Your doctor will prescribe one of the modes for you. In most cases cpap pressure settings max out at 20 to 25 cm h2o.