Is sleep apnea machine really effective?

Sleep apnea is commonly treated with the use of a CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure machine(sleep apnea machine). This equipment is comprised of a nose piece, mask, hose and a main machine which is the one responsible for providing pressurized air to the user of the equipment. However, this machine can cause you to have dry nose or mouth, sleeping problems and it can have a leaky mask if it doesn’t have a high quality standard.

Nevertheless, not all CPAP machines have leaky masks. In fact, most of them can be adjusted to give you a perfect fit. You would find below the 10 flaws that CPAP machines and the ways on how you would be able to cope with them.

1.) Your CPAP mask doesn’t fit you perfectly.

In order for you to avoid having the wrong kind of CPAP mask, you would have to coordinate well with your supplier and doctor. Don’t use a mask which is not made for you since you will never have the same facial measurements with another person.

CPAP masks are available in all shapes and sizes. Thus, take your time in choosing one that’s right for you. If you want to provide your nose and your mouth with full coverage, then you can go for a full CPAP mask. This kind of mask may feel suffocating for a few people but it’s actually something that will never fall off when you are sleeping. If you want less coverage, then you can go for a mask which has a nasal pillow. This type of mask is certainly less suffocating than the previous one. Moreover, this mask would allow you to read any material even if the product is still on your face. That’s a feature that is not present in full face masks. However, this product can easily fall off as you fall asleep.

Take note of your size. Not all mask manufacturers follow the same standard for the sizes of their products. Thus, it would be best for you to try on a certain mask before you decide to buy it. If you still ended up with a mask which is a bigger for you, then you can just ask your supplier or doctor to adjust the mask for the first time.

2.) The mask makes you feel uncomfortable at first.

For you to get used to having a CPAP mask on your face, you would have to wear it even when you’re not sleeping. Put in on for less than an hour during daytime and proceed to the next level once you are already more comfortable with it. Turn on the machine and continue wearing the mask on your face when you are still awake. This step would soon make you feel like you are not wearing a CPAP mask at night. Just practice wearing the mask on a regular basis and don’t forget to check if your sleep apnea has been treated with the use of this machine after a few weeks.

3.) The pressurized air makes you feel uncomfortable as well.

If you feel uncomfortable inhaling highly pressurized air coming from a CPAP machine, then you may turn on the “ramp” feature of this equipment. Your doctor may adjust this feature to suit your condition but you can also set it up before you fall asleep.

If you are still unhappy with the kind of service that a CPAP machine is giving you, then you can opt for breathing equipments which have variable pressure contours or a bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machine instead.

4.) The machine makes your nose feel stuffy and dry.

For you to avoid having a stuffy and dry nose, you would have to look for a CPAP machine which has a heated humidifier. Adjust the settings of the humidifier the way you want it. Check out for any leaks in your mask and make sure that it fits you as well. If the heated humidifier doesn’t work for you, then you can use a nasal saline spray to avoid the dryness of your nose.

5.) The mask makes you feel suffocated.

Actually, the remedy for this problem is for you to get used to the position of the CPAP mask on your face. You just have to do all of the things that we have already mentioned in step no. 2. Take each day as it goes by and never give up on your mask because you would certainly get used to it in no time. Just persevere in this step and it would be best for you to have someone else remind you that you need to put on your mask even when you are not sleeping. Practice makes perfect. Always remember that.

Try doing relaxation routines. These routines can make you feel more comfortable with your mask. If the product still gives you a suffocating feeling, then you can look for another mask which has a nasal pillow or one that has a totally different style.

6.) Pressure sores, irritated skin and mask which has leaks

Your skin can get irritated if your CPAP mask is not on its proper position. This error can also irritate your eyes so you would really have to be careful in dealing with your mask. Adjust the straps and pads of your mask for you to solve the problem and make sure that it fits just right on your nose to keep your eyes from being irritated once more.

Inform your doctor about everything that you are experiencing with your mask. If you are starting to acquire sores on your nose, then you would have to tell your doctor about that matter as well. Don’t stick with your CPAP mask if it’s not working for you. Look for another one that would fit you better and would make you feel more comfortable.

7.) You find it hard to sleep with the mask on.

It’s perfectly normal to feel uncomfortable with a CPAP mask. However, you would certainly be able to sleep with in given time and constant practice. You would have to deal with your sleeping habits as well. Try to sleep early every night, have a warm bath before you hit the sack, relax, meditate if you have to so you would be able to sleep, don’t drink alcohol and coffee if you are already planning to go to bed and exercise on a daily basis for you to have a fit and healthy body.

8.) Your mouth feels dry because of the mask.

In order for you to avoid having a dry mouth, you can use a CPAP machine with a heated humidifier. You can also wear a full face mask to solve your problem. If these two options don’t work for you, then you can buy and use a chin strap to keep your mouth completely closed with you are using the CPAP machine.

9.) The mask got loose on your face while you were sleeping.

It’s not unusual to see your mask lying on the floor when you finally wake up in the morning. This is a normal scenario for people who can’t stay still when they are sleeping. If you are one of these people, then you might consider wearing a full face mask which fits better than a half faced mask.

10.) You find the machine too noisy.

A CPAP machine would only cause too much noise if there’s something that is blocking its air filter. Thus, check the air filter of the machine yourself. If the filter’s clean, then you can call your supplier or even your doctor for them to double check your equipment. If you are still bothered by the noise that you are hearing, then you can make use of a white-noise sound machine or simply use earplugs so you won’t be able to hear anything.

Simply have patience with your sleep apnea machine. You may feel very uncomfortable with it in the beginning but you must admit to yourself that you need this equipment for you to sleep better and have enough energy to do your work the following day. This machine can make you healthier and can certainly prevent you from having breathing lapses at night caused by sleep apnea. Nothing in life comes easy so don’t be too hard on your CPAP machine. You just have to get used to it and you would reap its benefits in no time.