Medical devices are products that healthcare practitioners use to treat, diagnose or help individuals with certain conditions keep their symptoms from getting worse. These devices also make it possible for critically ill patients to survive long enough to receive treatment, eventually helping them improve their health and well-being. Even if you don’t know anyone who needs medical devices, you still need to understand the uses and functions of such equipment—especially since improper use can cause serious and permanent harm.
One medical device of note is the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The CPAP machine is designed to treat sleep apnea by continually delivering pressurized air through a tube attached to a mask you’re supposed to wear while sleeping. This device keeps your airways open, preventing them from temporarily collapsing and causing the sporadic breathing pauses that constitute a sleep apnea episode. Apart from gasping for air during sleep, symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, insomnia, and morning grogginess.
That said, you need to be aware of CPAP brands that have caused more harm than good. For instance, there have been several reports of severe side effects which led to the recall of the DreamStation and other Philips CPAP devices. Of course, there are other brands of CPAP machines that are perfectly safe to use.
Before purchasing a CPAP device, it is best to be familiar with some safety measures to prevent potential risks. Here are some factors you must consider to ensure that you or your loved ones use these devices in the safest way possible.
Consult Your Doctor
One of the first things you must do before getting a CPAP machine is to consult a specialist such as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor. Aside from providing the prescription needed to acquire these devices, your doctor may also give recommendations on the most trusted brands and the measurements or specifications that best suit you. Moreover, a specialist can help you determine how severe your sleep apnea is and which treatments you can combine with CPAP therapy.
Research the Product
Before getting a medical device, it would be ideal to do your due diligence and research the CPAP brands you intend to acquire or CPAP suppliers like CPAP Direct. Make sure to carefully scrutinize the product’s history, design, and manufacturing aspects to see if the brand is not associated with various side effects and health risks.
Sanitize the Device
Because CPAP machines are being used every day, they require frequent cleaning and sanitation. Essentially, your CPAP device’s tubing, mask, and other components are constantly catching and delivering air into your lungs. When not properly cleaned, your device might cause coughs, congestion, and other respiratory ailments. Medical experts highly recommended cleaning the device daily to prevent contaminants such as dust, mould, debris, and mould. At most, you should make sure that the machine is being cleaned weekly.
Monitor the Effects
Even if you chose a trusted brand for your CPAP machine, you should still be mindful of the potential effects it may have on your body. Always take note of the device’s effects and tell your doctor immediately if you experience anything unusual. To get an idea of the CPAP device-related risks that other people have reported, you can check this article out.
Store It Properly
Apart from knowing the reputable brands and cleaning the device regularly, you should also remember to store it the correct way. Generally, experts recommend placing the device in rooms with a mild temperature of 60 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit for it to work optimally. It may also be a good idea to store the device in an area with access to natural light to prevent the growth of mould, bacteria, and viruses.
In addition, you may want to invest in nightstands that are purpose-built with shelves for storing CPAP machine components. Aside from providing a good place for storing the machine, these nightstands can also keep the room from looking too cluttered.
