Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are widely used to treat sleep apnea and other breathing issues. People diagnosed with sleep apnea may face sleeping troubles and breathing issues while they sleep. CPAP machines are developed to solve breathing problems and reduce the risk of sleep apnea patients. CPAP machines are the only way to treat sleep apnea. The CPAP machines give great relief to patients and provide comfortable and pleasant sleep.
The use of CPAP machines causes plenty of challenges to patients. The user may encounter certain issues that can affect adherence to the treatment. The patients sometimes take a long time to get familiar with the CPAP machine. During that time, they will face some challenges in using the machine comfortably and getting used to that. The challenges might be different for different patients. The discomfort of the mask, anxiety issues, and dry mouth are some of the issues. Each problem can be solved by changing machines or taking time. In this article, we will explore the common challenges affecting sleep apnea patients and some tips to overcome the challenges.
Mask discomfort
One of the most prevalent issues reported by sleep apnea patients is discomfort with their masks. Discomfort with the mask leads to many challenges like air leakage, skin irritation, sleeping trouble, etc. The change in size and comfort of the mask can barely affect the patient’s sleep and health. Moreover, the challenges in sleep can cause many risk factors, which can lead to even death. There are plenty of mask varieties available in medical stores. When you choose a mask for your CPAP machine, you must choose the most comfortable and fitted mask for your face. It is crucial to select one CPAP mask for your face structure and comfort, even though they provide a variety of options. Nasal masks, Nasal pillows, and full-face masks are the premium options you can try for your selection.
Once you choose one mask, the second step is to use the mask properly. Adjusting the CPAP mask properly is crucial for your comfort and effectiveness. Before sleep, you must ensure the mask is fitted in your face, not too tight, and has no air leakage. There are a variety of mask accessories available to enhance the comfort of mask usage. Cushion pads, Nasal gels can enhance comfort and avoid skin irritations. Using these accessories can help you to improve your sleep and reduce the risks of breathing.
Dry mouth
Dry mouth is one of the consequential issues faced by CPAP Machine users. Forty percent of CPAP machine users struggle with dry mouth issues. Poor fitting of the mask is the primary reason for the dry mouth. A decrease in the flow of salvia is the reason for dry mouth. The high pressure in the mouth created by the CPAP machine can block the flow of saliva. It can cause various side effects including headache, dizziness, bad breath and difficulties in eating. Using a full-face mask is the best way to avoid CPAP dry mouth. Full-face masks can cover your whole face properly and avoid air leakage. The proper airflow of the mouth can avoid dry mouth and improve the flow of saliva.
There are a few ways to tackle these challenges;
Humidification: CPAP machines with humidifiers can add moisture to the air. This feature allows the user to keep the mouth moist and avoid a dry mouth. These CPAP machines are developed for the user who struggles with dry mouth.
Nasal Saline Sparys: Nasal spinal sprays are specially designed for CPAP dry mouth patients. Using nasal sprays before bedtime can alleviate nasal congestion and thereby improve the quality of your sleep. It also helps in improving your breathing and moisturizes the passage of nasal passages. It makes the therapy more comfortable.
Increasing Fluid Intake: Taking regular sips of cold water or an unsweetened drink can help you to maintain moisture in your mouth. Sucking ice cubes and chewing sugar-free gums can stimulate salivary glands and produce more salvia. Drinking distilled water is the best way to humidify your mouth naturally. Distilled water is pure and free of minerals and bacteria.
Conclusion
The use of a CPAP machine is a great relief for many sleep apnea patients. It gives hope to the patients to live and fight against their health barriers. Patients with sleep apnea depend on CPAP machines to get comfortable and relaxed sleep. Sometimes CPAP machines can not meet all the needs of sleep apnea patients. But there are ways to prevent all these barriers and improve the comfort of using CPAP machines and masks. Researching and implementing various ways to improve your sleep with a CPAP machine can benefit you in your therapy. You can have comfortable and pleasant sleeping conditions with CPAP machines.
