CPAP machines are life saving devices for people with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes the sleeper to stop breathing occasionally during the night, often because of obstructions in his or her airway. The result is poor quality of sleep, because the person is constantly being woken up enough to disrupt his or her sleep patterns.

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. Basically what CPAP machines do is to push air down the sleeper's nose and throat at a pressure prescribed by the doctor. This prevents any obstructions and allows him or her to breathe without any interruptions all night long, provided the pressure is set at the correct level, of course.

If you have never purchased a CPAP machine before, you might feel a little overwhelmed by the thought of finding one. Here are the steps people usually go through in getting CPAP machines:

Get a prescription from your doctor. If your doctor suspects or knows that you have problems sleeping due to sleep apnea, he or she may suggest a CPAP machine as an alternative to having surgery to correct the problem. CPAP machines are gotten via a prescription, so your doctor will write a prescription, but he or she will probably leave the choice of what machine to get up to you.

Talk to your insurance company. Your health insurance company may be able to advise you on where to go to get your machine. You should also find out how much of the price they are willing to cover, as this will affect your decision on what machine to get. Some insurance companies prefer that you get certain kinds of machines, and will cover more of the cost of the preferred machines.

Find retailers that carry CPAP machines. Not every drugstore or medical equipment retailer will carry CPAP machines. You can look up local stores and call around to see who carries them, but another option is to go online. Just make sure that the online store you are buying from is reputable, offers customer service to help you do things like adjust the pressure if needed, and sells high quality machines.

Don't forget to shop around. Just like with anything else, you should plan to shop around for the best prices on CPAP machines. But don't just look at price, as customer service and technical assistance is important too. You can generally find the cheapest prices online, but make sure that the retailer offers some type of customer service or assistance in case you run into trouble or need to ask a question about operating your machine.

Look at different features and decide what you want. There are many different features available on CPAP machines, some of which will make your treatment easier and more comfortable for you. You should consider the impact that features such as different pressure-related features, data storage, and others will have on your satisfaction with your treatment.

Purchase or order your CPAP machine. If you get the machine locally, chances are that the healthcare team will either set the pressure for you or show you how to do it. If you order the machine online or via phone, you will probably need to send in the prescription or have your doctor call it in. If you choose the latter option, you should probably plan on reading the manual from cover to cover, since you won't have a friendly healthcare team member to show you how to work it.

CPAP machines have the ability to change your life, taking away the exhaustion and enabling you to live a healthier, fuller life. However, finding and purchasing the right machine can be overwhelming for many people. Make sure you know how and where to get a CPAP machine, and don't forget to explore all of your available options. Treat this like the big decision it is, and you will be much more likely to feel satisfied with your treatment.