Every CPAP user knows that it can be difficult to adjust to sleeping while wearing a CPAP mask. Here are some things you can do to be more comfortable while sleeping with a CPAP machine.
1. Make Sure You Have the Right CPAP Mask for your needs.
There is no such thing as a CPAP mask that works for everyone. Everyone’s
facial features and sleeping styles are unique, and there have been literally dozens of masks designed to fit these diverse needs. One of the most important things you can do to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep with CPAP is to ensure sure you have the proper mask size and style, and are wearing it correctly. Consult your manufacturer’s instructions, or contact your doctor or medical equipment provider for more info on how to properly adjust your model of CPAP mask.
Consider how the mask fits your face shape and head size. If you switch masks, remember that size and style type are not always consistent across brands or even different models from the same manufacturer.
2. Get Acquainted With Your Machine
If you have just started using a CPAP machine, getting used to wearing it every night can be very difficult at first. Acquaint yourself to the machine and its settings by wearing your mask and using it for short periods while you are watching TV or reading. This will help you get used to the feeling of using a CPAP machine, and allows you to make necessary comfort adjustments before going to bed. You can even run it at the lower ramp pressure to get used to the sensation of wearing the mask. Gradually adjusting to the feeling of wearing the machine will help you get comfortable and achieve a good night’s rest in the long run.
3. Get a CPAP Pillow
CPAP users often have difficulty adjusting to a comfortable position when
sleeping on a regular pillow. This can be particularly true for side-sleepers, who may have trouble with the mask getting dislodged. The mask and tubes are tricky to make room for with a normal pillow, which a special CPAP pillow can resolve. CPAP specific pillows accommodate the straps, mask, and hosing for a more comfortable sleep, and help prevent mask leaks.
4. Add Humidification to Your Machine
Many CPAP users complain that their noses and throats experience dryness when using their machines. It is an often overlooked fact that mucous membranes dried out from the airflow of a CPAP machine can lead to swelling and nasal discharge, much like the stuffy nose symptoms sometimes ascribed to allergies. Purchasing a machine with a CPAP humidifier or adding one onto your existing CPAP machine will help relieve discomfort. Using saline sprays, such as Ayr Gel, before bedtime can help this problem as well. An improperly fitting or leaky mask can also make this issue worse, since the increased airflow from the leak can dry out membranes. Some newer machines even utilize a combination of auto-humidification and heated breathing tubes for more effective humidification.
5. Moisture Therapy Lotion to Ease Dryness
The CPAP mask coming in contact with the delicate skin on the face can cause discomfort such as dryness and chafing. There are special lotions created for CPAP users that don’t include any petroleum products, which can be damaging to the mask’s materials. A special lotion will help address any skin sensitivities caused from wearing the mask. RoEzIt is a moisturizer specifically formulated to prevent skin irritation and nasal dryness.
6. Use Hose and Strap Covers
There are products available that cover materials on the CPAP to create a more
pleasant sleeping experience. Soft fleece strap covers provide a more comfortable material against the skin on your face than the standard headgear material, and they help to prevent strap marks on your face. Soft covers for breathing tubes can help insulate the air and prevent condensation, often called “rainout” by CPAP users. They also create a barrier that helps reduce noise from the hose rubbing up against furniture when you change positions during the night. Heated breathing tubes can also help prevent rainout. Read The Full Story…
