CPAP Tips for Comfort

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines give sleep apnea sufferers a new lease on life. People with sleep apnea stop breathing for short periods up to dozens of times a night. The small CPAP machine, with its face mask and hose, delivers a steady stream of oxygen to ensure breathing never stops. Although CPAP is a lifesaver, it can be uncomfortable and challenge to get used to. There are a series of strategies and tips available to CPAP users to help them all but forget they're strapped to a machine.
  1. Mask Size and Style

    • When it comes to the CPAP mask, one size definitely does not fit all. Get the fit right and find the style that works for your sleep habits. A full-face mask with numerous straps keeps shifting to minimum. A stable fit can be important for active sleepers, but a large mask style can make some people feel engulfed. On the other end of the spectrum are smaller masks that fit just under the nose and work well for reading in bed. Equally important is strap adjustment. If you can't toggle the straps to your liking, ask your doctor for help. Or try another mask.

    Getting Used to the Mask

    • Getting accustomed to the feel of a mask hugging your face for a nighttime of sleep is all about baby steps. Start with wearing the mask a little at a time during the day. Put it on while you read or watch television without the airflow turned on. Then eventually introduce the air during your daytime sessions. Once you begin wearing the CPAP for sleep, be consistent. Wear it all night long to ensure that you become accustomed to it.

      Some people don't like the feel of forced air. Most machines have a setting that lets you begin with a lower pressure as you fall asleep. Then the pressure automatically increases 10 to 20 minutes later, according to how you have the machine set. Ask your doctor for help. If this method doesn't work for you, bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) might be the answer. BiPAP devices deliver less pressure when you breathe out and more when you breathe in.

    Unintentional Removal and Noise

    • Some people wake up during the night and find they've unintentionally removed their masks. This is often a function of active sleeping, but some people experience nasal congestion from CPAP, which also causes them to pull off their masks. Adding a chin strap or a full-face mask can help active sleepers. Congestion stems from a drying out of the nasal passages brought on by forced air. To address a stuffy nose, a heated humidifier, which comes with many CPAP units, can be added if you don't already have one.

      New CPAP models are practically silent. However, some older units can be overly noisy, especially if the air filter is blocked. Make sure your machine is running properly. If your CPAP device seems fine but emits enough noise to keep you awake, try using a white-noise machine to block it out.

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