Home Oxygen

Home Oxygen Services provide oxygen concentrators, portable oxygen tanks and nebulizers to the patients of Sanders County and its surrounding communities. Every home oxygen patient is seen by a Respiratory Therapist at least once every three months (not including nebulizer patients).

CPAP Therapy

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy uses a machine to help a person who has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) breathe more easily during sleep. A CPAP machine increases air pressure in your throat so that your airway does not collapse when you breathe in. When you use CPAP, your bed partner may sleep better, too.

You use CPAP at home every night while you sleep. The CPAP machine will have one of the following:

• A mask that covers your nose and mouth
• A mask that covers your nose only—called nasal continuous positive airway pressure, or NCPAP (this type of mask is most common)
• Prongs that fit into your nose

How Well It Works

Overall, CPAP is effective for moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea. Research shows that continuous positive airway pressure decreases daytime sleepiness, especially in those with moderate to severe sleep apnea. But CPAP may not be as effective for people who have mild sleep apnea.

Studies show that in people who have moderate to severe sleep apnea, nasal continuous positive airway pressure lowers blood pressure during both the day and the night.

People with coronary artery disease who use CPAP for sleep apnea are less likely to have heart problems such as heart failure.

You can expect mild discomfort in the morning when you first start using CPAP. Talk with your doctor if you do not feel comfortable after a few days.

Click here to read one patient's experience.