For patients with obstructive sleep apnea, few decisions are as important as the choice of a breathing machine that keeps breathing uninterrupted during sleep.
Sleep apnea affects quality of life. Left unattended, severe sleep apnea is potentially a matter of life and death.
Included in this February issue of CHOICE is a comprehensive report on sleep apnea which is characterized by temporary suspension of breathing during sleep. In serious cases, breathing can be suspended to over 30 times per hour.
Sleep apnea reduces gaseous exchange, lowers oxygen content in the blood, causes sleep arousal and excessive daytime sleepiness, and induces hypertension.
Left unattended, sleep apnea may be complicated by stroke, arrhythmia and other heart diseases in the long run. Daytime sleepiness also increases the risk of accidents.
The breathing machine helps sleep apnea patients by keeping the upper respiratory tract patent during sleep.
The Consumer Council has surveyed the market and collected information from eight local agents of breathing machines for reference by patients and consumers. Highlights of the survey include:
- Before purchasing a breathing machine, the following factors should be considered: the size of the bedroom, the size of the machine and tubings, fitting of the mask, noise, and ease-of-use factors such as the adjustment of air pressure and position of buttons and switches.
- Attach great importance to warranty and its period, maintenance terms and conditions.
- Masks and tubings are essential but vulnerable to wear and tear. Their maintenance cost could contribute significantly to the total cost.
- Agents generally offer 1 or 2 years of warranty for a new machine. Users may renew the warranty by paying an annual fee of about $600 to $2,000 for CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) models, or about $2,000 to $3,500 for Auto CPAP machines. Service may also include an analysis for blood oxygen content during sleep, in addition to regular check-up of the machine.
- Prices range from about $4,000 to $10,800 for CPAP, and about $15,800 to $26,000 for Auto CPAP. Moreover, a set of the basic accessories costs about $1,000.
Consumers are urged to consult a doctor first before buying a breathing machine. For more details, please refer to the report in CHOICE.
| CHOICE magazine is now also available online (at https://echoice.consumer.org.hk/) and via fixed-line and mobile services of PCCW. Members from the media who are invited by this Council to the Press Conference may quote the content of this Press Statement. The Consumer Council reserves all its right (including copyright) in respect of CHOICE Magazine and Online CHOICE ( https://echoice.consumer.org.hk/ ). |