Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea? What You Need to Know Before Starting CPAPPosted by Alvin Smith on September 13th, 2022 Have you or your partner recently been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea? Then it is likely that your doctor suggested that you undergo Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP but is easy to feel overwhelmed by many things related to setting up your CPAP machine for comfort during sleep.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STARTING CPAP 1. IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO REALISE THE BENEFITS OF CPAP THERAPY CPAP machines for sleep apnea help people sleep better and safer at night but the key to successful CPAP therapy is patience and consistency. If you have recently begun your therapy, it will be hard to know if it is actually working. Some people get relief and see an improvement in their breathing and sleep patterns as soon as they begin using sleep masks while others might not feel any changes for weeks or even months. Another factor that comes into play is the kind of sleep apnea that you have. If it is obstructive sleep apnea, then you may feel better after one night of using the machine but those who suffer from central or complex sleep apnea might take some time to adjust to the new therapy. One sign that the therapy is working is that you are sleeping through most of the night. You can also ask your partner or who is sleeping with you whether they have noticed any changes in your breathing at night. 2. A PROPER FIT IS IMPORTANT When you get your auto CPAP machine, one of the first things you need to do is get used to the mask. Initially when you use the mask, you might experience some discomfort. So, to get quickly acclimated with it, wear it during the daytime around the house. If you don’t feel comfortable even after wearing the mask for many nights, then you need to book an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. CPAP masks come in different shapes and sizes so the mask that felt comfortable at the clinic might not feel the same when you lie down on the bed to sleep. Body changes that occur over time can also require you to purchase a different mask. 3. THE MACHINE SHOULD BE SET UP CORRECTLY A sleep study measures how many times during the night your breathing paused. That number known as apnea-hypopnea index helps your doctor determine the type and level of sleep apnea. AHI is also used to recommend the ideal pressure settings for the machine. So, if you don’t feel the benefits then consider changing the pressure settings or go back to the doctor to re-evaluate your AHI. It is important to set up the machine correctly. 4. CPAP MACHINES NEED TO CLEANED REGULARLY Auto CPAP machines do a good job of helping you get a good nights sleep but they can also cause health issues especially if they are not maintained. The machine works by forcing air into the lungs so if you don’t breathe clean air, you can contract an infection. The resmed auto cpapmachine needs to be cleaned on a daily basisby breaking down the different equipment like mask, air tubing and dehumidifier. MyCPAP is a business owned and operated by sleep experts who have the experience in dealing with various sleep issues. The general manager of the company Christian Rabatsch has more than 5 years of experience in managing sleep units in Sydney. During the past 10 years, he worked as a senior executive with the Philips Respironics and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare organisations. Like it? Share it! More by this author |