CPAP in Space

About the same I would think... it would continue to supply air at a continuous positive pressure...

Maybe I am not understanding your question...

BTW how do you sleep with that thing. I tried one once and hated it. Having to keep my mouth closed to prevent high pressure air blowing through my nose and out my mouth was very irritating...

Interestingly, I sleep extremely well with the device, and my wife sleeps much better without the snoring noises too. In 4 hours of sleep, I feel much more rested than 8-10 hours withou the machine because of the deeper level of sleep. I credit it with improving the cardiac condition I suffered; my cardiologist agrees.

Only one problem is that it has become (over the 3 1/2 years of use) almost an addiction.

Regarding the original posting, I am unsure of the internal workings of the unit, and I dont know whether gravity would impact its operation.

If your mouth opens, just take a 3" ACE bandage and wrap around your head before putting the mask on. My wife refers to me as "Hannibal Marley".

There are two questios here really.

1 How would zero gravity effect sleep apnea

2 How would it effect the machine.

I think you may be confusing gravity and air pressure...

answers

1. I don't know and maybe no one does yet?

2. As reply #1 said...it probably would make no difference.

Come on, spill the beans! Did you just snag a ticket for the ISS? Lucky dog!

I also use a Cpap. Since Gravity is causing your airway to close, I imagine that the breathing problems would cease and therefore you would not need the positive airway pressure.

The machine itself would not be affected.

"I have a sleep apnea and use a C-PAP (continuous positive air pressure unit) to assist in sleeping. I was wondering whether anyone on the forum knows how such a machine would react if used in zero gravity situations such as in a space station."

Not to worry. You'll never know or find out first hand. NASA would not allow anyone on board with something as dangerous to yourself and others as sleep apnea.

True, but I would bet Russia would do it if you wave enough cash in their face. :D

I have a sleep apnea and use a C-PAP ...

I have Apnea as well and am amazed at the number of us there are. I was diagnosed with High Blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, weight issues. It nearly killed me. I started at a spry 160 lbs and grew over the course of two years with no dietary or exercise changes to 290lbs.

Once diagnosed and had the machine turned on - Almost instantly my blood pressure, sugar and weight returned to normal. Still keeping an eye on all of them . All remains well after three years of use.

The size of the units are decreasing at an amazing rate and battery units are available. I see guys struggle with this and the damn mask etc etc . . . There are many, many new alternatives in head gear and some of them are amazing. I recently changed my headgear and sleep even better than before. I have at least eight of 30 co-workers that use the gear. I have noted things in others and suggested they check it out and the symptoms they had come to an end, like mine, after diagnosis and treatment. All sizes and descriptions of guys and a gal as well.

A great source for equipment is - http://www.cpap.com/

I apologize for the length of this post - but I was almost dead missing my kids growing up - and I would have been unable to make my wifes life miserable for another 30 or so years ( as is the task of all good husbands) had it not been for my diagnosis. Find a doc that will help you chose a mask you can deal with. Thump them until you are good to go. In the end you will feel much better.

Don't screw with this, this will kill you.

As for gravity affecting your apnea I suppose it would depend on what type of apnea you have. The machine would have to be better spec'ed for things such as bearing tolerance, float and things you can get away with under gravity that you would not be able to in zero but I cant imagine the difference beyond that. Having had the guts of my first unit in my hands it is really a very efficient air-mover indeed and vibration and balance is a prime concern in its design as evidenced by all the ceramic isolators and such in the unit. The new unit is so small I wouldn't even consider disassembling it without a micro-scope handy. I'm an electrical engineer however so I'll leave that cool stuff to you mechanical dudes.

http://discovermagazine.com/2007/nov/20-things-you-didn2019t-know-about-living-in-space

Wow, that's pretty amazing. Think what it could do to my 61 AHI.