Do You Need a Prescription For a CPAP Machine?
Sleep apnea is a very common sleep disorder that affects around 25% of men and almost 10% of women. A sleep study or a sleep test is a good way to see whether you have sleep apnea.
A CPAP machine is an effective way to treat this sleep condition. In this article, we'll cover the basic question of "do you need a prescription for a CPAP machine," as well as give you a little bit of info on sleep apnea and the therapy used by doctors to treat it, which is most commonly prescribed in the form of a CPAP equipment and machines.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects your breathing during sleep. When you have sleep apnea, your breathing pattern becomes abnormal. It repeatedly starts and stops while you're sleeping. The most common type of this condition is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Sleep apnea is not a life-threatening condition on its own, but it can cause serious health disorders because it can reduce your sleep quality and also affect your body in various negative ways. Some of the diseases and conditions that sleep apnea can cause or exacerbate are high blood pressure, fatigue, heart problems, obesity, and diabetes.
That's why it is considered to be a potentially serious disorder and should be treated by a sleep specialist if it occurs in continuity. Diagnosis of sleep apnea is usually done by a sleep specialist who does a sleep study and a sleep test. Sometimes, sleep physicians can also prescribe a home sleep study so you can find out if you have sleep apnea in the comfort of your own home.
If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, sleep specialists might suggest you use a CPAP machine and try CPAP therapy.
What Is a CPAP Machine and CPAP Therapy?
A CPAP machine (short for continuous positive airway pressure) is a device specifically designed to treat sleep apnea. It helps deliver pressurized air into your mouth and nose, which then goes into your lungs while you're asleep. The continuous air pressure delivered to your lungs is supposed to counteract the stressful effects of sleep apnea on the body and the interrupted breathing patterns.
When sleep apnea becomes a chronic condition and can't be improved with lifestyle changes, doctors usually turn to CPAP devices.
Do You Need a Prescription for a CPAP Machine?
The answer is yes. You do need a prescription if you want to use a CPAP machine. CPAP machines are classified as Class II medical devices in Australia, or to be more precise, Class IIa medical devices, which designates them as low to moderate in risk. That's why you need a prescription for them.
Now, this shouldn't worry you too much—CPAP machines are generally considered safe to use; the important thing is to clean them regularly and use them according to instructions, and of course, always in consultation with your doctor or sleep specialist.
Needing a prescription for a CPAP is in your best interest because every person is different and has their own individual health conditions that accompany sleep apnea. And because CPAP machines are complicated devices and not very cheap, you have to consult with a medical professional in order to use them the right way and receive the best possible CPAP treatment for your diagnosis.
There are different varieties of CPAP machines and CPAP equipment. In CPAP equipment, you will usually find a CPAP mask, other CPAP accessories, and CPAP supplies like tubes or hoses, a device bag, and the CPAP motor, as well as cleaning and maintenance objects. Sometimes, these can be bought together as complete CPAP equipment, and sometimes, you will need to buy them separately or replace some of the parts if they wear off or break.
Conclusion
So, as you can see, CPAP prescriptions are necessary if you want to use a CPAP device. What's important is to react in time if you think you might have sleep apnea and talk to a doctor as soon as possible.
Medical professionals are the only ones that can make an accurate diagnosis, that can prescribe you adequate CPAP therapy, and can tell you whether you need to buy a CPAP machine or not.
Sources:
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8718-sleep-apnea
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631
- https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/submissions-received-potential-reclassification-active-medical-devices-diagnosis-and-patient-therapy-resmed.pdf
- https://www.tga.gov.au/sme-assist/what-classification-my-medical-device#109
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-dangers-of-uncontrolled-sleep-apnea