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How do I Adjust CPAP Machines?

The most common type of sleep apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, occurs when your throat muscles relax and block your airway during sleep, repeatedly stopping and starting your breathing. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine keeps your airway open during sleep. If you are having trouble with your CPAP machine, you can adjust the ramp feature, the humidity or change the type of mask. A sleep study determines the air pressure. Your doctor prescribes a CPAP machine at that pressure. However, you can adjust the pressure, as well as other settings, by accessing clinician setup mode.

  1. Ramp Feature

    • If you have problems tolerating forced air, try using the machine's "ramp" feature. With this feature, the machine starts with low air pressure, gradually increasing up to the prescribed pressure setting as you fall asleep. For example, the pressure could be increased in 5-minute increments up to 20 minutes. Your doctor can adjust the ramp rate, or you can do it while in clinician setup mode.

    CPAP Alternatives

    • You can also change to a different type of machine that automatically adjusts the pressure while you sleep. For example, you could get a unit that provides more pressure when you inhale and less when you exhale, such as a bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machine.

    Humidity and Masks

    • If you have a dry, stuffy nose when using your CPAP machine, get a heated adjustable humidifier, which attaches to the CPAP machine. Take care that your mask fits well. A leaky mask can dry out your nose and make noise, disturbing your sleep. You can get several types of masks to use with your machine. For example, you can get a small triangular mask that covers just your nose, or "pillows" that fit into your nostrils.

    Clinician Setup Mode

    • Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. Before using the clinician setup mode, talk with your doctor or sleep therapist. Modifying the prescribed settings could reduce the effectiveness of your CPAP therapy. If you want to adjust the settings yourself, most CPAP machines have a mode called clinician setup mode. For example, to access clinician setup mode in a REMstar M Series CPAP machine or BiPAP M Series machine, unplug the power cord from the back of the machine. Then lift the LCD cover and simultaneously press the two buttons closest to the back of the CPAP machine and plug the power cord back into the machine. You should hear two beeps and then see the word "setup" in the lower right corner of the LCD screen. Select setup. You are now in clinician setup mode where you can adjust many CPAP features, including the pressure. You also can adjust additional settings such as the ramp time and ramp start pressure.

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