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Tips on Sleeping With a BIPAP

Many people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea must learn to sleep with a mask. This applies to either system prescribed by a physician: continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP; and bilevel positive airway pressure, or BiPAP. A BiPAP machine puts out a different pressure on exhalation, which sometimes is easier for the patient to tolerate. However, both methods take getting used to.

  1. Tips for Mask Issues

    • Finding the right mask is a very individual task. Work with the medical supply company to determine whether a full-face mask, nose mask or simple nasal prongs will be the most comfortable. There are also different hose and strap configurations that determine whether a patient is comfortable with the mask. There are different sizes of each type of mask, so try each of them. If air is leaking around the mask and into the eyes, adjust and experiment with strap combinations to get the fit just right.

    Tips for Pressure Issues

    • The pressure from the machine is usually what gives people the most trouble. One of the best things to do is use the ramp setting to gradually let the pressure build over a set amount of time, such as 30 minutes. This allows the body to get used to the pressure coming through the mask. If the physician has prescribed CPAP, it might be worth asking for BiPAP or some other pressure-regulating device that could be easier to tolerate than the continuous pressure of CPAP.

    Tips for Anxiety Issues

    • Some people experience claustrophobia when wearing a sleep apnea mask and cannot tolerate the treatment. It takes time and patience to get used to the mask, but it is possible. Wearing the mask for short periods during the day might help eliminate some anxiety. Letting the air from the mask blow by the face without having it strapped on can also help a patient become acclimated to it. Practicing relaxation techniques with the mask and pressure on while watching TV is another way to slowly grow accustomed to the mask. Spending small increments of time with the mask is key to getting used to the therapy.

    Tips for Other Issues

    • Sometimes a sleep apnea machine dries out the mouth and nose. This can be treated by having the humidifier on the machine filled with distilled water at all times. Some people tend to breathe through their mouths, and this can adversely affect the pressures of the machine. A chin strap can be used if the patient is unable to train himself to sleep with his mouth closed.

      Occasionally, a patient might take the mask overnight. Setting an alarm to check to see whether the mask is still on is a good way to make sure it stays on for the whole night. Finally, the machines are mostly quiet, but some patients cannot take the noise. Earplugs or a white-noise machine can help.

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