How to Adjust Respironics

When airways to the lungs become blocked or narrowed during sleep, a pause occurs in breathing called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Snoring usually begins after falling asleep and can become loud as air tries to squeeze through the airways, followed by long periods of no breathing at all. A person with OSA then gasps for air and the snoring cycle repeats. OSA can result in life-threatening cardiovascular disease. Philips Respironics manufactures ventilation devices, which provide therapy to patients automatically as the patients' needs change. Adjusting the Respironics when problems arise can usually be done quickly.

Instructions

Tubing and Airflow

• 1

  Press any button on your Respironics device to silence the alarm if the alarm sounds. The alarm sounds to alert you that the tubing, which delivers air from your device to your mask, has been disconnected from the system.

• 2

  Reconnect the tubing by inserting the tubing end to the bacteria filter, if your device has one, or to the outlet connector on the right front corner of your Respironics system.

• 3

  Press the "Start/Stop" button to start the airflow again. Locate the "Start/Stop" button on the right side of the control panel on your device. Have your Respironics device serviced if the airflow does not restart.

Mask and Air Leakage

• 4

  Ensure your mask does not leak air into your eyes, which can dry them out or make them sore, by adjusting your mask and headgear until the air leak has stopped. A small amount of air leaking is considered normal -- correct larger mask leaks right away.

• 5

  Place your Respironics device tubing over your headboard if you use your device while sleeping to ease the tightness of your mask. Breathe normally through your nose and relax.

• 6

  Check the manufacturer's instructions that came with your mask you ensure you have it fitted properly if your mask continues to feel uncomfortable. Also, you can try on a different size mask from your home care provider.