CPAP technology is constantly being updated and improved, and the new CPAP devices are lighter, quieter, and more comfortable than they used to be. It can take some time to get accustomed to sleeping while wearing a CPAP device.
When it comes to CPAP therapy, one size does not fit all. There are many different types of masks available, including ones that cover the full face and ones that cover only the nose. Masks also come in a range of sizes, to accommodate different face shapes. There are also options that allow you to sleep in any position, accommodate glasses, and stay on if you toss and turn. Be sure to discuss your options with your doctor and schedule follow-up appointments to check the fit, evaluate your treatment progress, and adjust or switch your mask if necessary.
Ease into it. Start by using your CPAP device for short periods. Try wearing it for a half hour or an hour while sitting up in bed watching TV or reading a book. Most devices can be programmed to start slowly and gradually increase air pressure. The goal is to be asleep before the machine reaches your prescribed pressure setting.
Most people find this makes falling asleep much easier and more comfortable. Reset the machine if air flow wakes you. If a high-pressure stream of air wakes you up, turn the CPAP device on and off to restart the ramp setting. Choose a CPAP device with a built-in humidifier. Most devices now include a built-in humidifier, which helps prevent the dryness and skin irritation that can sometimes occur. Also be sure to keep your humidifier tank full, keep your tubing and mask clean, and make sure your filter is clean.
Nasal sprays and antihistamines also help. Keep your device clean. Your sleep doctor and device manufacturer will give you detailed cleaning instructions.
To ensure maximum comfort , ask your doctor about soft pads to reduce skin irritation, nasal pillows for nose discomfort, and chinstraps to keep your mouth closed and reduce throat irritation and dry mouth.
Mask the sound of the CPAP machine. Most new CPAP devices are quiet, but if the sound of your CPAP machine bothers you, try placing it beneath the bed and using a sound machine to muffle the noise. In addition to CPAP, there are other devices that a sleep specialist may recommend for sleep apnea treatment. Expiratory positive airway pressure EPAP single-use devices fit over the nostrils to help keep the airway open and are smaller, less intrusive than CPAP machines.
These may benefit people with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Adaptive servo-ventilation ASV devices can be used for treating central sleep apnea as well as obstructive sleep apnea.
Custom-made oral appliances are an increasingly popular means of treatment for sleep apnea. While there are many different oral appliances approved for sleep apnea treatment, most are either acrylic devices that fit inside your mouth, much like an athletic mouth guard, or fit around your head and chin to adjust the position of your lower jaw. Two common oral devices are the mandibular advancement device and the tongue retaining device. These devices open your airway by bringing your lower jaw or your tongue forward during sleep.
Since there are so many different devices available, it may take some experimentation to find the appliance that works best for you. There are some potential side effects to oral appliances, including soreness, saliva build-up, and damage or permanent change in position of the jaw, teeth, and mouth.
These could be more serious in poorly fitted devices. One of the newest treatments for sleep apnea involves the insertion of a pacemaker system that stimulates muscles to keep airways open so you can breathe during sleep. The new treatment has been approved by the FDA in the U. Although the technology is relatively new and expensive , studies suggest it may also benefit people with central sleep apnea.
If you have exhausted other sleep apnea treatment options, surgery to increase the size of your airway may be a possibility. These tests usually measure your heart rate, blood oxygen level, airflow and breathing patterns. If the results are abnormal, your doctor might be able to prescribe a therapy without further testing.
Portable monitoring devices don't detect all cases of sleep apnea, however, so your doctor might still recommend polysomnography even if your initial results are normal. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor might refer you to an ear, nose and throat doctor to rule out blockage in your nose or throat. An evaluation by a heart doctor cardiologist or a doctor who specializes in the nervous system neurologist might be necessary to look for causes of central sleep apnea.
To eliminate snoring and prevent sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend a device called a continuous positive airway pressure CPAP machine. A CPAP machine delivers just enough air pressure to a mask to keep your upper airway passages open, preventing snoring and sleep apnea.
For milder cases of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend only lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. If you have nasal allergies, your doctor will recommend treatment for your allergies. If these measures don't improve your signs and symptoms or if your apnea is moderate to severe, a number of other treatments are available.
Continuous positive airway pressure CPAP. If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, you might benefit from using a machine that delivers air pressure through a mask while you sleep. With CPAP SEE-pap , the air pressure is somewhat greater than that of the surrounding air and is just enough to keep your upper airway passages open, preventing apnea and snoring. Although CPAP is the most common and reliable method of treating sleep apnea, some people find it cumbersome or uncomfortable. Some people give up on the CPAP machine, but with practice, most people learn to adjust the tension of the straps on the mask to obtain a comfortable and secure fit.
You might need to try more than one type of mask to find one that's comfortable. Don't stop using the CPAP machine if you have problems. Check with your doctor to see what changes can be made to increase your comfort. Additionally, contact your doctor if you're still snoring or begin snoring again despite treatment. If your weight changes, the pressure settings of the CPAP machine might need to be adjusted.
Oral appliances. Another option is wearing an oral appliance designed to keep your throat open. CPAP is more reliably effective than oral appliances, but oral appliances might be easier to use. Some are designed to open your throat by bringing your jaw forward, which can sometimes relieve snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea.
A number of devices are available from your dentist. You might need to try different devices before finding one that works for you. Once you find the right fit, you'll need to follow up with your dentist repeatedly during the first year and then regularly after that to ensure that the fit is still good and to reassess your signs and symptoms.
Adaptive servo-ventilation ASV. This more recently approved airflow device learns your normal breathing pattern and stores the information in a built-in computer. After you fall asleep, the machine uses pressure to normalize your breathing pattern and prevent pauses in your breathing. ASV appears to be more successful than other forms of positive airway pressure at treating complex sleep apnea in some people. However, it might not be a good choice for people with predominant central sleep apnea and advanced heart failure.
You'll likely read, hear or see TV ads about different treatments for sleep apnea. Talk with your doctor about any treatment before you try it.
Surgery is usually only an option after other treatments have failed. Generally, at least a three-month trial of other treatment options is suggested before considering surgery. However, for a small number of people with certain jaw structure problems, it's a good first option.
Tissue removal. Sleep apnea has been linked to obesity and high blood pressure, which increase the strain on your heart. Heart failure is also more common in people with sleep apnea. This type of sleep apnea can also cause neurological symptoms like numbness and tingling. Sleep apnea can reduce your desire to have sex. In men, it could contribute to erectile dysfunction and affect your ability to have children. Sleep apnea can disrupt your nightly slumber and put you at risk of several serious diseases, but there are ways to control it.
Treatments, such as continuous positive airway pressure CPAP and oral appliances, help keep oxygen flowing into your lungs while you sleep. Losing weight can also improve sleep apnea symptoms while reducing your heart disease risk.
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