Effective Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP) machines are the most commonly prescribed treatment for sleep apnea. They push air into your lungs to unblock your airway, ensuring you keep breathing throughout the night.
But many people don’t use their CPAP machines even though they help treat sleep apnea due to issues with comfort and their ability to sleep while wearing them. Though it’s understandable, treatment is very important for preventing serious health problems. Learn what you can do to make treatment with CPAP easier.
My CPAP Machine Makes Too Much Noise
While older CPAP machines were noisier, newer models are designed to remain quiet while running. Switching to a newer machine may help to eliminate the noise you’re hearing.
If you already have a newer machine and it’s making a lot of noise, the air filter may be blocked or need to be cleaned. If there’s something covering the filter, the machine may make more noise.
After checking your machine to ensure it’s running properly, you can try wearing earplugs or running a white noise machine while you sleep.
My Mask Is Uncomfortable
If you find your mask uncomfortable to wear, you may want to try a new one. There are many different styles of CPAP masks that you can use and many people try several before they settle on one they like.
Your mask sizing could also be off. A mask that doesn’t properly fit your face can dry out your nose and cause skin irritation.
I Have Difficulty Falling Asleep
Having a mask over your face while you sleep may be difficult to get used to, but eventually, you’ll be able to sleep with it.
If you’re having difficulty adjusting to wearing your mask at night, try wearing it during the day unattached to the machine to adapt to the sensation.
Wearing your mask during the day and gradually working up to wearing the whole thing at night can also help to reduce feelings of claustrophobia.
My Mask Comes Off When I’m Asleep
You may not mean to remove your mask while you’re asleep, but it can come off sometimes. If you move around a lot while you’re asleep, you may consider switching to a full-face mask because it’ll stay on.
Your unconscious self may pull the mask off if your nose feels congested, so ensuring the mask fits properly can prevent this. You can also add a CPAP-heated humidifier to keep your nose from drying out.
Additional straps, such as a chin strap, are also available to keep your mask fitting well.
My CPAP Machine is Too Large
CPAP machines have become smaller with the advancement of technology, but they do still take up space. If you find your nightstand too cluttered with the addition of a CPAP machine, you can ask for additional tubing to place your CPAP somewhere further away.
If you travel often and have difficulty taking your CPAP machine with you, a portable oral appliance can help. Oral appliances are small mouthpieces that also treat sleep apnea and can often replace a CPAP machine entirely.
Oral appliance therapy and CPAP machines aren’t mutually exclusive treatments. You can use a CPAP machine at home and travel with your oral appliance. This may be helpful, especially in severe cases of sleep apnea.
You Have More Options
Though CPAP machines are highly effective at treating sleep apnea, they aren’t your only option. If you’re done trying to make your CPAP machine work for you, Dr. Simmons can provide a convenient and portable oral appliance.
Oral appliance therapy is often just as effective as CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea patients. These mouthpieces are quiet, easy to travel with, and customized to fit your mouth.
If you’re interested in oral appliance therapy or sleep apnea treatment, contact our office by calling 818-300-0070 to speak to us. Dr. Simmons can help you find the right solution for your sleep apnea.
