Continual optimistic airway tension (CPAP) treatment is a popular treatment method for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine uses a hose connected to a mask or nosepiece to produce continuous and continual air tension to support you breathe although you sleep.

Common complications with CPAP incorporate a leaky mask, trouble slipping asleep, a stuffy nose and a dry mouth.

But if a CPAP mask or machine doesn’t do the job for you, you have other alternatives. And most CPAP masks can be altered to support make them more snug.

Below are 10 popular CPAP complications and what you can do about them:

1. The erroneous sizing or model CPAP mask

Perform intently with your health and fitness treatment provider and the CPAP provider to make positive you have a CPAP mask that suits correctly. Individuals have distinctive face shapes, so the suitable mask model and sizing for a person else may well not do the job for you.

  • Try a distinctive mask. A variety of CPAP masks is obtainable. For example, some attribute comprehensive face masks that protect your mouth and nose, with straps that extend across your brow and cheeks. These may well make some men and women really feel claustrophobic, but they do the job very well if you like to breathe as a result of your mouth throughout sleep. They also present a steady match if you transfer all around a good deal in your sleep.

    Other masks attribute nasal pillows that match beneath your nose and straps that protect much less of your face. These can really feel much less cumbersome.

    Nasal pillows may well do the job very well if you don eyeglasses or browse with the mask on, simply because some never block your eyes as much as comprehensive face masks do. Even so, this mask model may well not be an solution if you transfer all around a good deal in your sleep or sleep on your aspect.

  • Pay interest to sizing. Most masks appear in distinctive measurements. Just simply because you happen to be a sure sizing in one mask doesn’t indicate you are going to be the exact same sizing in another. CPAP masks are usually adjustable.

    Question your medical professional or CPAP provider to demonstrate you how to change your mask to get the best match. Maker product or service directions also can support demonstrate you how to do this. A correctly fitting mask shouldn’t be uncomfortable or bring about suffering.

two. Hassle finding employed to carrying the CPAP mask

To start with, consider carrying just the CPAP mask for brief periods of time although you happen to be awake — for example, although observing Tv set. Then consider carrying the mask and hose with the machine turned on throughout the day although you happen to be awake.

At the time you get employed to how that feels, start out applying the CPAP machine each time you sleep — together with throughout naps. Only applying the CPAP machine each now and then may well delay finding employed to it. Adhere with it for quite a few months or more to see if your mask and tension are suitable for you.

3. Difficulty tolerating compelled air

You may well be equipped to triumph over this by applying a machine with a “ramp” attribute. This location enables you to start out with low air tension. The machine then quickly and slowly improves the air tension to your recommended location as you fall asleep. Your medical professional can change its charge.

If this attribute doesn’t support, discuss with your medical professional about shifting to a machine that quickly and consistently adjusts the tension although you happen to be sleeping. An example is a bi-amount optimistic airway tension (BPAP) machine that provides more tension when you breathe in (inhale) and much less when you breathe out (exhale).

4. Dry, stuffy nose

Look at to make positive your mask suits very well. A leaky mask can dry out your nose. If you have to tighten the straps frequently to prevent air leakage, the mask does not match correctly.

A CPAP machine that features a heated humidifier, which attaches to the air tension machine, can support. You can change the amount of humidification. Utilizing a nasal saline spray at bedtime also can support ease a dry, stuffy nose.

five. Sensation claustrophobic

Exercise applying your mask although you happen to be awake. To start with, just maintain it up to your face without any of the other elements. At the time you happen to be snug with that, consider carrying the mask with the straps.

Future, consider holding the mask with the connected hose on your face, without applying the straps. Convert on the CPAP machine, possibly with the ramp attribute turned on. Future, do this applying the straps far too. Lastly, consider sleeping with the mask and machine on.

Relaxation exercises, this kind of as progressive muscle relaxation, may well support lessen stress and anxiety linked to CPAP use.

If you happen to be even now sensation claustrophobic, discuss to your medical professional or CPAP provider. It may well support to get a distinctive sizing mask or consider a distinctive model, this kind of as one that uses nasal pillows.

six. Leaky mask, pores and skin irritation or tension sores

A leaky or an sick-fitting mask usually means you happen to be not finding the comprehensive air tension you need, and you may well be annoying your pores and skin. The mask can also immediate air into your eyes, producing them to develop into dry or teary.

Try altering pads and straps to get a better match. If the mask suits above your nose, make positive it doesn’t sit far too large on the bridge of your nose, which can immediate air into your eyes.

You may well need to question your CPAP provider to support you find a distinctive sizing mask, notably if your fat has altered a good deal. Or consider a distinctive model mask this kind of as one that uses nasal pillows. If you build pores and skin deterioration or sores, this kind of as on your nose, inform your medical professional instantly.

seven. Difficulty slipping asleep

Donning the mask by itself for some time throughout the day may well support you get employed to how it feels and make it a lot easier to fall asleep at evening.

Machines with the ramp attribute that slowly and steadily raise the air tension to your recommended tension location as you fall asleep may well make you more snug at bedtime.

Adhering to fantastic common sleep behaviors also is helpful. Work out often and stay clear of caffeine and liquor just before bedtime. Try to relax. For example, choose a heat tub just before you go to bed. You should not go to bed right up until you happen to be fatigued.

8. Dry mouth

If you breathe as a result of your mouth at evening or sleep with your mouth open up, some CPAP machines may well worsen dry mouth. A chin strap may well support hold your mouth closed and lessen the air leak if you don a nasal mask.

A machine with a comprehensive face mask that addresses your mouth and nose also may well do the job very well for you. A CPAP-heated humidifier that attaches to the air tension machine also may well support.

9. Unintentionally getting rid of the CPAP mask throughout the evening

It is really not uncommon to sometimes wake up to find that you’ve got taken out the mask in your sleep. If you transfer a good deal in your sleep, you may well find that a comprehensive face mask will remain on your face better. You may well have taken out your mask although sleeping simply because you have been uncomfortable. Take into consideration attempting a distinctive type of mask that may well match you better.

You may well be pulling off the mask simply because your nose is congested. If so, guaranteeing a fantastic mask match and introducing a CPAP-heated humidifier may well support. A chin strap may well support hold the mask on your face.

If this is a constant trouble, look at location an alarm for a time throughout the evening so you can test whether or not the mask is even now on. You could progressively established the alarm for later in the evening if you find that you happen to be keeping the mask on extended.

10. Bothersome sound

Most new versions of CPAP machines are almost silent. But if you find that your machine’s sound is bothersome, initially test to make positive the machine’s air filter is thoroughly clean and unblocked. Anything in its way may well worsen sound. Question your medical professional or CPAP provider how to correctly thoroughly clean your mask and hose.

If this doesn’t support, have your medical professional or CPAP provider test the machine to make sure it truly is doing the job correctly. If the machine is doing the job effectively and the sound even now bothers you, consider carrying earplugs or applying a white sound seem machine to mask the sound. Positioning the CPAP machine as much absent from the bed as achievable also may well support make any machine sound much less noticeable. Question your medical professional or CPAP provider if excess tubing is obtainable and suitable for your machine.

Time and tolerance are important to achievements

Utilizing a CPAP machine can be disheartening as you consider to get employed to it, but it truly is vital that you adhere with it. The treatment method is vital to staying away from complications of obstructive sleep apnea, this kind of as heart complications and abnormal daytime sleepiness.

Perform with your medical professional and CPAP provider to make sure the best mask match and device for you. Regular visits to your sleep medical professional are vital and can support troubleshoot any complications and change configurations, if required. It can choose a although to find the correct configurations and get employed to the mask.

With time and tolerance, CPAP can positively impact your quality of lifetime and health and fitness.

 

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