CPAP/APAP

Useful advice for the users

The use of the CPAP device is an important treatment for the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Learn how to avoid the most common problems during the use of CPAP device.

The continuous positive pressure of the airways is usually the common way of dealing with the syndrome of obstructive sleep apnoea. It consists of a small machine that supplies continuous and stable air pressure through a pipe and a mask that the patient wears in the face. The most common problem of the use of CPAP is the air leakage from the mask, problems during sleep, mouth, pharynx or nose dryness and irritations

Below the most common problems with the use of the CPAP and their solutions are described:

Mouth dryness/hyposalivation

If you breathe through the mouth during sleep, some CPAP devices may deteriorate the mouth dryness due to the air that inserts with pressure. A full face mask that covers both mouth and nose may also act positively. Also, the use of a heated humidifier connected to the CPAP device can help as it humidifies the under pressure input air.

Difficulty in sleep

This is a natural, temporal problem. Wearing the mask in operation for a few minutes during the daytime may help you get used to it. Use this trick described in point 3, that is the steady increase in air pressure until you fall into sleep. Follow the good sleep health rules, avoid caffeine and alcohol before sleep and generally try to stabilize your sleep conditions.

Problems of getting used to the CPAP device mask

Wearing only the mask for a few minutes during daytime for a short period of time may help, for example when watching TV. Then try to wear the mask connected to the pipe and the CPAP device during the daytime, while you are awake. When you get used to the feeling of wearing it, then you can wear it as you sleep at night or noon.