Shopping for a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine can be a daunting undertaking, especially for someone with a new sleep apnea diagnosis. If you’re at the point where you’ve researched the benefits of CPAP therapy and decided it’s worth it to take the leap and get a prescription, you’re likely already finding comfort knowing you’re on your way to better sleep.
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One study shows between one-third to over 50 percent of CPAP wearers either quit sleep therapy or never even fill their prescription (partially because they’re still tired after CPAP), but there are several things you can do to make your CPAP experience more comfortable, including:
Alternatives to fixed CPAP Generally speaking, most CPAP devices are set at a fixed pressure. This pressure is the one that will control at least 95% of all events during the night. However, you may find it uncomfortable to breathe out against a fixed pressure or find it difficult to tolerate.
While CPAP is helpful for many people with obstructive sleep apnea, some people don’t respond to this type of treatment.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when breathing is repeatedly stopped and started due to a narrowed or closed airway. As the throat muscles relax, the airway closes, limiting the oxygen intake to the lungs.
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If you’re just watching TV or reading, put on your mask and turn the machine on. The more you experience the air pressure in the CPAP mask, the faster you’ll get used to it
CSA occurs when the brain doesn’t send signals to the body to breathe during sleep. CSA can be caused by other health conditions, such as heart failure, stroke and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and is typically treated by addressing any underlying factors.
It might be encouraging to know, though, that it’s common for people with sleep apnea to feel the same (or even worse) right after starting CPAP therapy.
Also called auto-adjusting CPAP or auto-titrating BPAP, this technology can be added to CPAP or BiPAP devices to allow the machine to automatically adjust air pressure as needed during more info the night.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: This surgery includes removal or repositioning of tissue from around the upper airway.