CPAP Recall Update: Alternative Treatment to CPAP Machine

As of June 30, 2021, the FDA has issued multiple alerts to users of some types of Philips respironics ventilators, BiPAP, and CPAP machines, all due to potential safety risks associated with these machines. These pieces of equipment all make use of polyester-based polyurethane foam for sound abatement, which helps muffle the sound and vibration imparted by the machines. This foam material has been found to break down in some cases and enter the air pathway used by the devices. When that happens, it is possible for debris from this material to be inhaled directly or swallowed by the device’s user. All of these devices have been recalled by Philips, so that the safety risk can be removed.

The CPAP machine is used to combat sleep apnea, which is a sleep disorder that causes the victim to wake up repeatedly during the night, often struggling to inhale air. The hallmark of the disorder is breathing which stops and starts throughout the sleeping hours, often leaving the person feeling fatigued in the morning, even after eight hours of sleep. The most common type of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea, and in this situation, the muscles in the back of the throat relax, thus allowing the soft palate to obstruct the airway, and cutoff the normal flow of oxygen. 

The CPAP machine increases air pressure in the throat so the airway does not collapse and cutoff oxygen flow. It has to be used all through the night, so that oxygen flow is maintained, and so the user receives the full benefit of regular oxygen. The CPAP recall which is currently ongoing will undoubtedly cause some sleep apnea patients to scramble in order to maintain treatment for their sleep disordered breathing.

CPAP machines are not the only way to manage sleep apnea. When you visit the Breathing and Sleep Center of Colorado Springs, CO, the specialists there will diagnose exactly what is causing your disrupted sleep. Then a custom program of treatment will be developed in collaboration with the patient, so that a permanent solution can be found and used to obtain a consistent good night’s sleep. If appropriate, patients can be fitted with a custom oral device which eliminates the need for a CPAP machine permanently. This device operates to expand your air passageways naturally, so you don’t struggle to breathe at night. After some time using this device, you might even be able to do without it at night.