Philips CPAP Lawyer Explains Recent Recall Affecting Millions of Patients

Nearly 25 million adults in the United States have sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts a person’s breathing while asleep. Many patients stop and start breathing repeatedly while sleeping, which can be dangerous and potentially fatal, but generally, sleep apnea sufferers cannot get a good night’s sleep from constantly waking up. To treat sleep apnea, many patients use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines.

CPAP machines push a steady flow of air into a person’s nose and mouth to ensure all airways stay open. Unfortunately, while CPAPs are medically necessary for many sleep apnea sufferers, a recent recall of millions of CPAP machines has left patients worried.

When CPAP Machines Become Dangerous

As reported by CBS News, Philips voluntarily recalled millions of its DreamStation CPAP machines, citing potential exposure to cancer-causing toxins. According to Philips, “sound-dampening” foam used in the DreamStation CPAP machines “may degrade into particles,” emitting gas chemicals.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), breathing in the emitted chemicals may “result in serious injury which can be life-threatening” or may result in “permanent impairment.” Patients may experience irritation, may develop asthma, and because of the carcinogenic nature of the emitted chemicals, patients may develop cancer.

What’s Next for CPAP Patients?

Patients with sleep apnea are justifiably concerned about the recent recall that affects millions across the United States. Depending on the severity of a patient’s sleep apnea, doctors advise some patients to keep using their DreamStation CPAP machines and advise other patients with less severe sleep apnea to stop using the machines.

For patients who have relied on their CPAP machines for years, suddenly halting the use of the machines can be detrimental to their sleep patterns and health. Weighing the options of going without a CPAP machine versus risking exposure to toxic carcinogenic chemicals is what patients are currently doing.

Patients should not be faced with two dangerous choices – going without sleep or exposing themselves to a cancer-causing substance. The CPAP recall will undoubtedly lead to investigations and legal action to determine what went wrong with the DreamStation CPAP machines and why Philips only recently discovered the carcinogenic effects of its products.

Speak with a Philips CPAP Lawyer Today By Contacting Searcy Denney

Suddenly learning that you may have been exposed to carcinogenic byproducts of your CPAP machine is a frightening experience, which leaves your future uncertain. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer after using a CPAP machine, it may be time to speak with a Philips CPAP lawyer about your situation.

The Philips CPAP lawyers of Searcy Denney are no stranger to taking on large medical device companies that design and produce defective products. Our team of lawyers and staff takes pride in helping injured victims fight for justice. To receive your free case evaluation, contact Searcy Denney today by calling (800) 780-8607 or completing a case inquiry form on our website.