CPAP machines are used for people who suffer from sleeping disorders. Mostly people with sleep apnea use a CPAP machine recommended by a sleep specialist. Here are some complications of the CPAP machine and how these can be solved.
What Is a CPAP Machine?
A CPAP machine is a breath regulating device, which is used to treat sleep apnea. A CPAP machine has the following parts. It contains a mask, a pump and a tube, which connects the mask with the pump. The pump takes air from the surrounding and pressurizes it according to its need. The air, then, goes through the tube and into the mask and lets you breathe. The pressurized air helps to keep the throat open while you are sleeping. Sleep apnea is mostly caused by the throat and the airways collapsing while sleeping, which can cause you to stop breathing. The CPAP machine helps your airways to stay open during sleep.
Common Problems With CPAP Machines and How To Solve Them
Here are some common CPAP machine problems and some solutions to the corresponding problems.
You Are Not Able to Sleep with Your Mask On
Some people might feel like they are not able to sleep with a huge mask on, and you are not alone in this matter. This is something you have to get used to. It might seem uncomfortable to wear something which constantly pumps out air to help you sleep. It will take a couple of days or some weeks for you to get used to wearing a mask. People who are more anxious and feel uncomfortable in general, will find it hard to adjust to sleeping with a mask on, but with time, you will get used to it.
Your Skin Is Not Used to The CPAP Mask
Too tight of a mask can make your skin bruised and pulled up. A loose mask will make you feel uncomfortable all night long. Having the right kind of mask may seem impossible but it is not all true. CPAP machines and masks have come a long way. There are multiple machines and masks available which fit your face shape perfectly and you don’t need to worry about the mask feeling too tight or too loose. The red marks and bruising usually disappear within an hour or so, after taking the mask off, so there is no need to worry about it too much. Sometimes CPAP masks can make your skin irritated or dry. This problem can be solved if you properly moisturize your skin before sleeping and putting the mask on.
You Might Feel Anxious with Your Mask On
Some people feel anxious while wearing anything while sleeping. Some people are claustrophobic and its completely normal to feel this way. Again, this might take some time to adjust. People have to get used to wearing a mask which will help you sleep at night. This all has to do with the right mindset. Training your mind to be at ease when wearing a mask will help you a lot in getting used to wearing a mask at night.
The Mask May Not Fit You
CPAP masks come in different shapes and sizes for sleep apnea patients. They are not one size fits all, although this used to be the case when CPAP machines first came out. If one mask doesn’t fit you, you can take another mask which fits and hugs your face perfectly. Before buying a CPAP machine, you need to try on several masks, from there, you can decide which one is the best for your face shape.
The Air Pressure May Not Be Right
The right air pressure matters a lot. You don’t want the pressure to be too high to make you feel uncomfortable all night, but you also don’t want the pressure to be too low, that it defeats the purpose of treating sleep apnea. You need to set the optimum air pressure for you.
Just because CPAP machines are used to treat sleep apnea, doesn’t mean it has a little bit of complication. You should be able to tackle the complications with ease by following the above tips. But if you’re still facing problems, consult with a sleep apnea doctor.
