Oxygen Concentrators and CPAP machines (continuous positive airway pressure) are two different types of equipment.
An oxygen concentrator takes in the air we all breathe and removes the nitrogen and other gasses from it. The concentrator uses sieve beds that holds the oxygen enriched gas and delivers it to people that require medical oxygen due to low oxygen levels in their blood.
CPAP provides a continuous pressure of air that {uses the same mixture of oxygen, nitrogen and other gases in the air we normally breathe} keeps your airways open while you sleep. During CPAP therapy, a mask is worn to deliver air directly to your airway to help prevent the tissues in the back of your throat from collapsing.
What is the difference between Oxygen Concentrators and CPAP?
CPAP equipment and oxygen concentrators are used to treat different types of disorders and diseases.
Oxygen Concentrators:
Oxygen therapy delivers more of a pure oxygen to a user. It is typically used to treat patients who have specific medical conditions that result in low oxygen levels in the blood, such as: Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Lung Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and various sleep disorders.
CPAP:
CPAP, is a therapy that treats Sleep Apnea. CPAP works by providing a continuous force of air into the airway while you sleep. As this air passes through your airway, it helps to keep the airway open. The soft tissues in your airway relax during sleep, sometimes preventing normal breathing from happening. The flow of air provides enough pressure to help keep the soft tissues from collapsing so the airway remains open, and you can breathe normally.
Oxygen and CPAP can be used together. Many patients can benefit from using both, an oxygen concentrator with a CPAP device. Oxygen concentrators can connect directly to a CPAP so the oxygen is delivered through the CPAP mask.
Be sure to consult with you physician before using either device.