More and more machines" href="http://www.devilbisshc.com/personal_healthcare/sleep_therapy/" target="_blank"> CPAP machines feature humidifiers. This is one of many changes which have been implemented in the design of the machine over the past two decades intended to make the treatment more comfortable for more patients. other improvements have included reduction in size and noise of the devices.

Humidifiers are not actually fundamental to the use of CPAP machines and the treatment can be successful without them. However they do play a role in the treatment of those patients who struggle to become accustomed to the treatment. Indeed, in some patients the humble humidifier can be the difference between successful and failed treatment. Of course, the other changes like smaller, quieter machines have helped patients get used to the treatment as well.

The idea of introducing the humidifier was first introduced as a way of preventing drying of the throat and nasal passage. Before the flow of air caused the throat to dry out. For this reason, patients frequently suffered sore throats and even nose bleeds. The humidifier prevents the air from becoming dry preventing these problems.

CPAP machines with humidifiers are similar to standard devices except that they feature a water tank. As air is passed over the surface of water it will collect evaporated water droplets, ensuring that only humid air is inhaled. Water tanks are normally large and shallow to increase surface area, encouraging evaporation, or are heated.

Many people mistakenly believe that humidifiers  actually blow warm air into the throat. Although it may feel this way, this is not strictly true. In fact, the air feels warmer simply because it is more humid than the air outside the CPAP machine.

Even though humidifiers aren’t necessary for CPAP machines to work, they do make a difference. Even though CPAP is widely praised, it is problematic in that not all patients find it easy to become used to it. If the humidifier is the simple piece of technology which inexpensively and simply makes CPAP treatment that bit more accessible than perhaps it is the answer to every sleep apnoea sufferer’s dreams.