If you’re constantly feeling tired and unrested, you may be wondering if you are suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of individuals in the United States — frequently going undiagnosed and untreated. Without treatment, sleep apnea can increase a person’s risk of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and more, so it’s essential to get treatment.
Although some adjustments to your lifestyle may improve your sleep apnea symptoms, it is recommended that people with sleep apnea get proper treatment. If you can purchase a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine without undergoing a sleep study, you need to obtain a prescription from a sleep specialist. Follow ApneaMed explains why a sleep study is necessary and how you can get your CPAP machine.
What Is a CPAP Machine?
If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, you’ll experience cessations in breathing through the night that will leave you gasping for air. This happens because the muscles in your throat are relaxed and collapse, blocking your airway. To combat this blockage, many patients rely on CPAP therapy.
A CPAP machine, also known as a continuous positive airway pressure machine, is the most common treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea. The breathing machine provides constant air to your lungs all night long to ensure you’re getting the airflow you need.
The pressurized air is delivered through a mask and into the patient’s nostrils and throat to ensure that the individual’s airway doesn’t collapse. They’re able to receive the air needed to breathe continuously.
Is a Prescription Required for a CPAP Machine?
Because CPAP therapy is proven to make your sleep apnea symptoms better, you’re likely wondering how you can go about obtaining one. To get a CPAP machine, you will need a formal prescription from a sleep physician.
Although there is little risk to using a CPAP machine, a prescription requirement ensures that your CPAP therapy will be safe and customized to your needs. By undergoing a sleep study, your doctor will be able to determine what type of CPAP machine is best for your specific scenario and provide recommendations for your treatment plan. While this may seem like a hassle, it ensures that you are using your CPAP machine in the best way possible to improve your quality of sleep.
By undergoing a sleep study, your doctor will be able to determine:
- Your sleep apnea diagnosis
- The best type of breathing machine for your needs
- If there is a specific mask and delivery system
- The ideal pressure setting for your symptoms
Requiring a doctor’s prescription for a CPAP machine ensures you get the right treatment plan to improve your symptoms. Plus, without a prescription, you wouldn’t be able to get reimbursed for your sleep apnea treatment through your health insurance.
How to Get a Prescription for a CPAP Machine
ApneaMed provides you with everything you need to administer a home sleep study and get a diagnosis without leaving the comfort of your home. A home sleep study is more affordable and efficient than a traditional sleep study.
ApneaMed delivers the sleep apnea test with instructions, so you feel comfortable and confident administering it independently. The device will record your blood oxygen levels, heart and breathing rates, and how often your body moves throughout the night so a board-certified sleep physician can analyze the results.
Following your at-home sleep apnea test, ApneaMed provides you with a recommended treatment, such as CPAP therapy, to resolve your sleep apnea symptoms — helping you get a good night’s sleep to feel well-rested and energized all day.
ApneaMed offers various home sleep tests and in-home breathing equipment to help you treat your obstructive sleep apnea.