Do you have obstructive or sleep apnea? Is your doctor recommending Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP therapy for you? You can feel overwhelmed by the many tasks you have to complete, including setting up your CPAP machine and getting used to it while you sleep.
This article will guide you through some common issues that new CPAP patients face.
1. You Might Not Immediately Feel The Benefits Of CPAP Therapy
People can now sleep safer and better with CPAP machines. Patience is key to CPAP therapy being successful. It can be difficult to determine if a CPAP machine works if it isn’t working at night if you’re not used to it.
OSA may lead to improvements in breathing and sleeping habits. However, some people will notice improvement immediately while others may take weeks or months to see results. Your type of sleep disorder is also important. If your OSA is present, you might notice improvement after just one night with a CPAP machine. CPAP therapy may take more time for people with complex or central sleep apnea.
2. For CPAP To Be Comfortable, You Must Have The Right Mask
Your CPAP mask should be your first step. The first time you put it on, it may cause discomfort. Train your body by wearing it around the house throughout the day to help you get used.
You can return to your doctor if you aren’t comfortable wearing the mask even after many nights of using your CPAP machine. There are many sizes and shapes to choose from when it comes to CPAP masks. The mask you felt comfortable with at the doctors may not be right for you when you lay down on the mattress and try to sleep. A different maskless cpap may be required depending on your natural body changes.
3. You Must Set Up Your CPAP Machine Correctly
The sleep study determines how many times you have to stop breathing in a night. The apnea-hypopnea index, or AHI (as it is also called), allows your doctor to assess your level and type of apnea. AHI is also considered by doctors when setting pressures for CPAP machines. If you are on CPAP and don’t feel the benefits after a while, adjust the pressure settings of your device or consult your doctor about your AHI. It must not have been correctly set up.
4. Forgetting To Remove Your CPAP Mask In The Evening Is Common
You may experience mask leakage when you are adjusting your CPAP machine. Also, your mask may have been removed because you have moved around. No matter what the reason, removing your CPAP mask in the middle or late at the night can prevent you from receiving the benefits of CPAP therapy.
Mask liners can be used to seal your face better. You’ll be less likely to wake up because of mask leaks. Have a bedmate who is a light sleeper? You might ask them to be there for you and convince you to remove the mask from half-sleep.
It is possible to get through the adjustment period by making conscious efforts to keep your face covered while sleeping. Then it will be easier to stay with your treatment.
5. Sleep Apnea CPAP Machines Don’t Have To Be Loud
For the sake of your spouse and partner, a quiet CPAP device is crucial. Technology has made the best CPAP machines quieter and more compact.
Sometimes though, the mask is what makes the noise, and not the machine. You must ensure that the mask seals tightly. You can then seal the mask again by tightening it or using a mask liner. To change the direction and direction of the noisy, vented airflow you can move the mask around to position it so that it is directed away from your face or the face of your partner.
