5 Useful Ideas to Improve Your CPAP Experience
If it’s your first time sleeping with a CPAP machine it can be hard to get used to it. Some people find it very uncomfortable in the beginning and struggle to sleep with a mask on their face. This is a normal reaction because you have a machine strapped to your face that’s trying to control your breathing and sleeping. However, there are some things you can do to improve your CPAP experience and make your life easier.
Buy the Accessories
Since CPAP devices can be pricey, replacing them regularly is impossible when you face some inconvenience. However, by buying and using the best high-quality CPAP accessories, you can enhance your CPAP therapy. You can buy many accessories to make the machine work better and make your breathing experience much more pleasant.
CPAP humidifiers, for example, are a very effective solution. They help you by increasing the humidity in your mask. This way you resolve the issue of a dry throat and make your breathing smoother. They can also help you with skin dryness, nose irritation and congestion, dry cough, cracked lips and irritated and dry respiratory tract.
CPAP pillows are also a nice addition. They’re great for people who can’t sleep because of their CPAP machine. They have a nice structure that makes you comfortable, a strong fabric to resolve neck and spine pain, and some stabilisers so the tube stays in place. They’re less bulky and will prevent air leakage. Overall, they’re perfect for people who move a lot and those with posture problems while sleeping.
If you’re not comfortable with the mask coming in direct contact with the skin, you can always buy a mask liner. This small piece of cloth will act as a barrier. It will also absorb extra oils and other particles, prevent air leakage and irritation and reduce rashes and red marks. A gel cushion will seal your nose and prevent air leakage. It’s made of comfortable materials, is flexible and has a tight seal.
If your tube gets in the way and you can’t turn at night, you can buy a tube holder. It will hold the hose in one position without getting in the way. You can twist and turn without an issue. Moisturisers are also nice to have, especially if you have dry skin. They will reduce skin dryness, redness and irritation and have a cooling effect on the skin.
Some of the other helpful accessories you can buy are:
- Tub;
- Mask frame;
- SD card;
- Cables;
- Headgear;
- Disposable filters;
- Extra tubing;
- Cleaning supplies;
- Chin strap;
- Mask wipes etc.
Get the Right Mask
Having the right mask can greatly improve your CPAP experience. It’s one of the most important elements of the machine. There are 2 main types of masks, nasal and full-face. They both take some time to adjust to them but once you do, you’ll feel all the benefits of the machine. You may need to try both to see which one suits you best.
The nasal mask covers either just the bottom part of your nose or the whole nose from top to bottom. It has a very simple design with 4 pieces of headgear keeping it in place. However, if you tend to sleep with your mouth open, this mask won’t be of great help. Some people experience nose irritations as well.
if you sleep with an open mouth, you may need to get a chin strap as well. It’ll keep your chin in place and not let your jaw drop. A nasal mask is also not suitable for people who suffer from nose congestion. In this case, a nasal pillow mask will be a better solution. It has a soft cushion for the base of your nostrils. It’s the least invasive and will work for people with facial hair.
The full-face mask is shaped like a triangle, covers your nose and your mouth and has cushioning for your face. This is a great solution for people who sleep with an open mouth. They won’t experience dry throat or mouth. It’s also good for patients with allergies and chronic sinus issues. Pair it with some CPAP accessories like a humidifier or a tube holder and you’ll get the best sleep you’ve ever had.
Use the Machine Every Time You Sleep
This is a step that will greatly improve your CPAP experience. Medical professionals refer to this as “patient compliance.” Stay consistent, use the machine every night when you go to bed. Don’t forget to put it on when you nap as well. It may feel uncomfortable in the beginning but you will get used to it. Make it a part of your good night routine. Brush your teeth and put the CPAP machine on.
If this is your first time using this machine, it’s better to avoid naps because they will reduce your sleep debt. Experts have proven that when you’re using this machine for the first time, it’s better to have some sleep debt. This will make falling asleep easier and faster. Stay consistent and your body will get familiar with the machine very fast.
Clean the Machine Regularly
Keeping the machine clean will reduce the risk of respiratory infections, prevent skin irritation and keep the machine working for a longer time. The oil on your skin that your body produces during the night combined with dead skin cells can cause irritation and red marks. Also, the buildup of these skin cells can congest the tubes and the smaller parts of the machine.
Make sure you clean your mask in the morning so there’s enough time for it to dry. Always unplug the device and disassemble each part. Clean the exterior with a dry cloth, don’t use water on it. You can wash the mask, tubes and the water chamber with soap and warm water. Rinse the hose and the other CPAP machine accessories and leave everything to air dry. There are special cleaners you can buy if you want to do everything right.
Reduce the Noise
Newer CPAP machines aren’t very loud. But if you have an older model, the noise might bother you. If you notice that it makes more noise than usual, check if the tube and the air filter are clean. If cleaning doesn’t help, check with the supplier. They can examine the machine and tell you if there is a problem. It may also help if you put the machine as far away from the bed as possible.
