APAP is one of the three types of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapies. APAP or automatic positive airway pressure is used to deliver air and maintain pressure into the throat airway to help the patient to breathe.
What is an APAP machine used for?
It is useful for people diagnosed with sleep apnea. The device is used to deliver proper air pressure to open up your airways while you sleep. The machine is connected to a mask that generates pressure.
How is it used?
In PAP (Positive Airway Pressure) machines, the pressurized air acts as a splint. It keeps your throat from collapsing onto each other and, thus, helps you to breathe freely without any problem. It helps in getting proper sleep and avoid any obstructive sleep apnea events. The set pressure of the machine is determined in the laboratory during a PAP titration study.
The device has two pressure settings – high pressure and low pressure. This helps meet an individual’s requirements as their breathing changes according to the stages of sleep every night.
Benefits of APAP machines
- Medical studies provide the reliability of APAP machines
- They offer room for flexibility
- They are proactive rather than reactive
Is APAP the same as CPAP?
A CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine provides a continuous pressure level of air with the same intensity. An APAP, on the other hand, adjusts to the user’s breathing patterns periodically.
Is APAP better than CPAP?
Unlike CPAP machines, APAP delivers only a specific amount of pressure levels concerned with the user. This is not the case with CPAP, which does not have adjustable pressure. That is why physicians opt for APAP rather than C.P.A.P. when treating sleep apnea.
How does the machine know when to make these adjustments?
An APAP device is always monitoring the resistance in your air passage. If its technology detects an obstruction, it automatically adjusts the passageway’s pressure level. Physicians typically prescribe APAP over CPAP devices when consulting patients with severe cases of sleep apnea. Complex cases may respond better with APAP therapy rather than CPAP therapy.
What is DreamStation Go Auto Travel APAP?
Sleep apnea can be very irritating, especially when you are traveling. This is where the DreamStation Go Auto Travel APAP machine from Philips Respironics comes in handy. It is not only mobile friendly but also allows proper treatment and benefits of a standard one.
The equipment has several advanced and useful features that work well, even when traveling throughout the night. The lithium-ion battery provides 13 hours of uninterrupted operation. Philips Respironics DreamStation Go APAP is what you need for a decent night’s sleep.
How is DreamStation Go Auto Travel APAP travel-friendly?
DreamStation Go Auto Travel APAP, in a nutshell, is sleep therapy designed for travel. Its small size and lightweight features make it reliable and portable for travelers. The equipment has an integrated USB charging port that helps with powering up mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. This may not be seen as much of an advantage, but if you travel with a laptop, this integrated AC power supply becomes useful. The FAA approves the DS Go for air travel and its in-flight use (there are individual flight rules, too, that are to be taken into consideration). Philips has also designed DS Go travel cases, both medium and small, to protect your device while traveling.
Features of DreamStation Go Auto Travel APAP
- The lithium-ion charged battery operates up to 13 hours of use
- Any phone or tablet can be powered up with its useful USB charging port
- Lightweight and portable, which is convenient for traveling
- The device automatically adjusts to the specific pressure settings according to patient needs
- Approved by the FAA for air travel
- Convenient as it features advanced technology and touch screen display
- Provides seamless Bluetooth connectivity with the Philips Respironics DreamMapper app
- Smart Ramp is adjustable for determining a prescribed pressure setting
What is in the box of Philips DreamStation Go APAP?
- A DreamStation Go APAP machine
- One 6-foot long AC power cord
- Universal mask adapter
- One 12mm micro-flex tube
- Reusable filter
- A 2-year warranty card
Does Medicare cover APAP machines?
Usually, Medicare is known to cover around 80% of the charges related to sleep apnea machines. It is important to get one of the best cpap cleaners with your apap machine.
Medicare starts with a free three months trial in case of a sleep apnea machine. After that, you need to consult your doctor and check up on its benefits regarding your health. If passed, Medicare then covers another ten months of charge. So, in total, you’d get a 13 months charges covered.
To get your charges covered by Medicare, you need to meet the requirements for Medicare Part B deductible and get your physician involved in this process.
