For Texans and people across the nation, sleep apnea is a prominent health worry. To address it, many use a CPAP machine. The acronym stands for continuous positive airway pressure therapy and it is used to help a person have an easier time breathing when they are asleep. Sleep apnea can be the catalyst for a litany of health problems like heart issues and high blood pressure. Therefore, it is important to address it. The CPAP machine is designed to help with that. However, given that it is a machine, there is always a chance that defects will arise that can cause other damage to its users. Recently, a worrisome issue came to light and should be understood by those who might be in danger.
An estimated 2 million people may be impacted by recall
Machines manufactured by Phillips Respironics are subject to a recall because of the chance that chemicals that might cause cancer being inhaled. The devices have a specific foam designed to lower the vibrations and noise from the machine. It could be the catalyst for this issue as leakage might reduce to smaller forms and be inhaled. The carcinogens from the foam could leak with the passage of time.
This recall applies not just to the Phillips CPAP machine, but to its BiPAP (bi-level positive airway pressure) machine. Although the company has stated that it will perform repairs on these machines and these will be completed within a year, people are justifiably concerned. Some have been told to keep using these machines as the positives outweigh the negatives. Those who choose to stop using the Phillips machines are being told to find another option. The machines push air into the person’s lungs and helps if they periodically stop breathing during sleep. The Phillips machines were not reported to have malfunctioned directly.
Medical innovations designed to help might still be risky
Whether it is a surgical implantation, a hip replacement, a machine or device to help people with health concerns, there is an expectation that they will be safe. Unfortunately, problems can arise and those who were using these products could suddenly be injured, suffer an unexpected condition or become ill. Even if the company issues a recall for a defective medical device, the potential for long-term issues does not simply disappear.
People who use a CPAP or BiPAP machine do so trusting the manufacturer and their doctors. With this information that users could be exposed to cancer-causing materials and the subsequent recall, it is imperative that they are vigilant. With this or any other product that could place them in jeopardy, it is wise to know their rights and to have assistance with determining the proper course of action.
