Yes, it is completely possible to die because you're not using your CPAP machine. You may be wondering what CPAP stands for and the answer might surprise you: continuous positive airway pressure. Breathable airways are required in order to avoid the build-up of carbon dioxide and other harmful gasses that can lead to a potentially fatal buildup of pressure in your lungs.
Dangerous Pressure Buildup
The human body relies on the continuous intake of oxygen in order to survive. When you don't use your CPAP machine, you prevent yourself from receiving the air that is required for normal body function. If you are used to using your CPAP machines every night and suddenly stop using it, your lung function will be negatively impacted and this can lead to a buildup of pressure that is dangerous. Respiratory distress can occur when the pressure reaches 15 mm Hg or greater.
Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing pauses or briefly stops during sleep. This often causes someone to stop breathing altogether and enter into what's called the “asymmetrical failed arousal state.” In other words, if you're struggling with untreated obstructive sleep apnea, you could be having multiple awakenings throughout the night. While there are treatment options for this condition, your risk of death may increase without treatment.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Older people, overweight individuals, and smokers are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea. This medical condition involves the repeated collapse of your soft palate, uvula, and tongue while you're sleeping. During each episode, the walls of your throat collapse around your breathing passage, causing a blockage. Sometimes you briefly stop breathing altogether during an episode of this type of sleep apnea.
What Is The Asymmetrical Failed Arousal State?
Sometimes when you have untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea, an episode of breathing pauses causes you to enter into what's known as the “asymmetrical failed arousal state.” This is when your brain fails to wake up properly from sleep each time it struggles to breathe. The result is that you can have dozens or hundreds of awakenings in a single night, along with severely fragmented sleep.
Why Does The Asymmetrical Failed Arousal State Occur?
When you have untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the cycle of breathing pauses and awakenings becomes a vicious cycle. Each time your brain fails to wake you up from sleep, a new episode of obstructive sleep apnea can begin. This can cause chronic fatigue. If your body doesn't get enough oxygen while you're sleeping, you can experience extreme daytime sleepiness.
0
