CPAP: Things You Need To Know About These Machines!

The benefits of CPAP are nothing short of life-changing, and for those new to the therapy, the challenges of simple adjustment periods can make things difficult.

Continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP machine is a procedure, which patients who are suffering from the obstructive sleep apnea follow. Now, sleep apnea is an intense snoring condition with symptoms varying from person to person.

Unlike snoring, sleep apnea gives longer pauses in normal breathing and can last from a few seconds to one or more minutes. After every pause, the breathing continuous with the normal flow, but later start with the heavy snore. Hence, the solution to treat this situation is using CPAP machines.

CPAP: Things You Need To Know About These Machines!

But, if you want a bang for your buck, and looking for a durable machine, here are few things you must look into to avoid any mistakes:

Choosing The Wrong Size Of CPAP Mask:

Since everyone has different face shape, pick a mask that covers your mouth and nose. It simply means, choosing the one that hugs your face shape perfectly, not others. To choose the one:

Keep On Trying Different Masks: 

There is a wide range of masks available with some covering full face (mouth and nose) along with the straps stretching across the cheeks and forehead. Others are only featuring nasal pillows that sit under your nose along with the straps less holding your face.

While the full face masks are ideal for people who move a lot during sleep, they make patients feel claustrophobic. Also, they are perfect, if you breathe through your mouth, not from nose.

However, nasal pillows are perfect for the situations when you wear glasses or work with the masks because they don’t completely block your eyes. However, these masks are not ideal if you move while sleeping.

Pick A Size That Fits You: Masks often come in all sizes and just because one size fits you perfectly doesn’t mean you will wear the other mask of the same size. These masks are easy to adjust according to your face shape.

Difficulty In Wearing The CPAP:

If you have a problem wearing a CPAP mask headgear, try wearing it for a shorter period like when watching TV or reading the book. Stick to this routine for a few weeks and check if the mask size and pressure is right for you.

Having A Problem Tolerating The Forced Air:

If you have issues in tolerating the forced air, the ramp feature will help you start with low air pressure. It is later followed by an automatic and gradual increase which will automatically set itself to the pressure which your doctor will prescribe.

Also read: Interesting Healthcare Technology Innovations in the Medical field

The air pressure will automatically come to the setting where you will fall asleep. If this is also not working, you can ask the doctor to change the machine. Your physician will then switch you to the bi-level positive air pressure machine (BPAP). BPAP will deliver more pressure to deliver more pressure when you inhale and less pressure while you exhale.

Feeling Claustrophobic:

If you ever feel claustrophobic when wearing a mask, you can practice when you are awake. Just keep in mind that your CPAP mask will only improve your quality of life and will help you in the long run.

Just hold it up to the face with your hands and when you are comfortable, try it with straps. Now, switch on the CPAP machine along with the ramp feature. Later, try it with the ramp feature and once you get comfortable, try sleeping with the mask and machine.

Skin Irritation And Pressure Sores:

If you are not getting full air pressure, you might be wearing a leaky or ill-fitted mask and this might can irritate on your skin. You might feel a full blow of air in your eyes, making eyes teary and dry.

If you ever encounter this, try making adjustments in straps or pads to ensure it fits perfectly. Also, make sure that the mask is not too high on the bridge of your nose.

CPAP masks initially will irritate you. However, with patience and time, you will feel positive effects on your health.

| About the Guest Author:

Guest Author
Carolyn Gill


Related Articles

Leave a Comment