Secrets If you struggle with CPAP Top

Secrets If you struggle with CPAP Top

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The first few nights on CPAP may be difficult, while patients acclimate. Many patients at first find the mask uncomfortable, claustrophobic or embarrassing.

Expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) therapy: EPAP machines work by using air pressure resistance when the person exhales to improve OSA symptoms. Instead of a mask, the EPAP attaches to the nostrils using valves.

Silver also recommends positional therapy to reduce sleep apnea events, especially for people whose events primarily occur when they sleep in specific positions, typically on their back.

If your sleep schedule has been off for a long time, sleeping well isn’t something you can change overnight (no pun intended). 

The level of air pressure will be adjusted during the study to eliminate the airway obstruction. Alternatively, you may be placed on a self-adjusting CPAP machine which will determine the pressure needed to keep the airway open.

BiPAP may be an appropriate option for people who are unable to tolerate the continuous stream of pressure provided by CPAP machines. It may also be recommended for people with more complex breathing issues.

Reducing alcohol and tobacco use may be helpful for lessening the symptoms of OSA. Drinking alcohol before bed can worsen OSA, promote snoring, and depress the central nervous system.

One way to get the most out of your therapy is to set goals for yourself. To start, aim to wear your mask for a certain amount of hours, incrementally increasing the length of time it’s worn each night.

There may arise rare instances of respiratory distress where a hospitalized patient would greatly benefit from CPAP but does not tolerate the mask or is not complaint due to delirium, agitation or factors such as very young age in children or the elderly. In such scenarios, mild sedation with low dose fentanyl or dexmedetomidine can be used to improve compliance, until the therapy is no longer indicated.

Nasal EPAP is an emerging treatment for OSA that uses the individual’s own breath to keep their airway open. This therapy utilizes disposable valves that are secured into or over the nostrils. When the sleeper exhales, the valves block airflow and create enough pressure to keep the airway open.

There are several surgeries available to help keep airways open by removing tissue or repositioning jaw bones. These surgeries include:

Some doctors may recommend bariatric surgery to aid in weight loss. Physical therapy and positional therapy may also improve symptoms.

Some people see a significant improvement in their OSA symptoms when they stop sleeping on their backs. Though getting used to a new sleep position can be a challenge, read more several wearable devices are available that alert the user when they move onto their back. 

Unfortunately, there isn’t an exact answer as to what can be done to relieve you of the symptoms that you are experiencing. There are however, some trial and error options. For starters, you can speak with your doctor about the symptoms that you are having.