Do you suffer from sleep apnea? There are lots of people across the country who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. There are two separate types of sleep apnea. The first is called obstructive sleep apnea, which takes place when there is a physical obstruction that blocks your airway at night. The second is called central sleep apnea, which refers to an issue with the nervous system that could cause you to stop breathing when you go to sleep.
If you wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air, you might have sleep apnea. It is important to see a doctor as quickly as possible to talk about your treatment options. If you are unable to get a good night’s rest, you may have a difficult time completing everything you have to do the next day. One treatment option could be a CPAP machine.
Even though CPAP machines can be beneficial for a lot of people, they can also lead to a variety of side effects. What do you need to know?
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing when you go to sleep at night. Similar to other medical conditions, it can present in a variety of ways. Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Snoring: This is arguably the most common symptom of sleep apnea. If you snore loudly in the middle of the night, you might suffer from sleep apnea. Snoring takes place because the air is unable to pass through your airways smoothly due to a partial obstruction. If this obstruction gets worse, you might stop breathing, leading to sleep apnea.
- Morning Headaches: A lot of people who suffer from sleep apnea also wake up with headaches in the morning. Because you might not breathe regularly at night, your brain might suffer from slight oxygen deprivation. This can lead to headaches when you wake up.
- Frequent Waking: If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, it might be because you are having a difficult time breathing. If you have a hard time staying asleep, this could be a sign of sleep apnea.
These are just a few of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea. If you talk to a doctor about how to treat sleep apnea, he or she may recommend a CPAP machine. What do you need to know?
How Does a CPAP Machine Work?
A CPAP machine is a device that generates continuous positive airway pressure (thus the name CPAP). The goal is to generate enough positive pressure to keep your airway open.
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, there might be extra pressure surrounding your airway. When this pressure compresses your airway at night, it could cause you to stop breathing. Then, as your brain is deprived of oxygen, that forces you to wake up, where you find yourself gasping for air.
A CPAP machine is designed to counteract the forces pressing on your airway from the outside. When the CPAP machine forces extra air into your airway, it keeps the airway open. As a result, you should be able to breathe more easily at night. You don’t have to worry about waking up in the middle of the night, and you will have an easier time getting a good night’s rest.
Are There Any Side Effects of Sleep Apnea Machines?
There are lots of people who use a CPAP machine regularly without any problems. It can be an effective treatment option for sleep apnea. On the other hand, there are some situations where you may develop side effects. Some of the most common side effects of using a CPAP machine include:
- Nasal Congestion: A stuffy nose is one of the most common side effects of a CPAP machine. Because you have a lot of extra air going through your nose, your nasal passageways can get irritated. As a result, they can swell up, leading to a lot of congestion.
- Dry Mouth: You also have a lot of extra air passing through your mouth at night. Even though this extra air helps you keep your airway open, it can dry out your mouth quickly, leading to a scratchy throat.
- Dry Eyes: Even though the CPAP machine is designed to provide extra pressure around your nose and mouth, you can also have air that passes by your eyes. As a result, when you wake up in the morning, you may notice that your eyes are a bit dry.
- Irritated Skin: The skin on your face can also dry out if you use a CPAP machine regularly. The extra air flowing around your nose and mouth can also cause the skin on your face to dry out. You might notice it start to crack or peel, and it could feel a bit irritated.
These are just a few of the many side effects that you could experience if you use a CPAP machine regularly. Some side effects can be more serious than others.
Dealing With a Defective Product
There are some situations where the CPAP machine itself could be defective. For example, the machine might not work as well as it should, which might mean that you still suffer symptoms of sleep apnea even if you use the machine regularly.
There are other situations where the machine could be downright harmful. For example, if it generates too much positive pressure, it could cause serious harm to your nose and throat. You might need to go to the emergency room, and you may need to talk to your doctor about another treatment option.
If you are concerned that your CPAP machine might be defective, you need to reach out to your doctor right away. That way, you can review other treatment options that could be more effective. Then, you should reach out to a product liability lawyer who can help you.
Work With Vasilaros Wagner for All Product Liability Cases
If you are concerned that you might have been harmed by a defective product, then you need to work with a skilled attorney who has experience in this area. At Vasilaros Wagner, we have a lot of experience handling cases just like yours, and it would be our honor to seek compensation on your behalf.
Nobody should have to worry about being harmed by a defective product, and it can be frustrating if you have to go to the emergency room or hospital due to injuries sustained while using one. Contact us for a case consultation. We are here to defend your rights.
