5 Tips On How To Get Used To CPAP Machine Therapy
5 Tips On How To Get Used To CPAP Machine Therapy
For those new to CPAP therapy, it can take time to adjust. If you have never used a CPAP Machine before, here are 5 Tips On How To Get Used To CPAP Machine Therapy that can help.
Tip 1 – Practice Makes Perfect
Before trying to sleep with your new cpap machine, I recommend spending a TWO hours each night in the early evening for the first TWO days getting used to it.
Put on the mask, adjust so it is comfortable, then start the airflow. Keeping your mouth closed, breathe in and out through your nose only and become familiar with the air flow. It may seem strong at first. Some have described it as ‘blowing a gale’. With a good mask seal and a closed mouth, you will get used it it. Enjoy it. Soon it will be your new best friend.
Read a book, watch TV, do a puzzle and relax, but on the first two practice sessions, don’t try to sleep with it yet.
On the third day, extend the practice session to the point where you are ready to try your first night’s sleep.
Tip 2 – Breathe through your nose only
As nature intended, we should use our nose for breathing. The fine nasal hairs filter out dust and the nasal passages add a little moisture to the air we breathe. As above, practice can help in getting used to breathing through your nose only.
Tip 3 – Mouth Breathers – Re-Train your Brain!
Over many years you may have become used to breathing through your mouth at night.
I was one of these people. I felt I could not get enough air in through my nose, so during sleep I would open my mouth. Fair enough, but with a CPAP Machine, things are different. You will get enough air through your nose, you just need to retrain your brain to get used to it.
Follow Tip 1 above, and additionally, try putting the tip of your tongue against the soft pallet, just above your front teeth. This will form a physical barrier between you nasal passages and your mouth, helping to guide the airflow into your lungs and not out of your mouth.
This tip worked for me after only a couple of days but maybe I was one of the lucky ones. It might not work for you, but I highly recommend you give it your best shot. If not, the alternatives are a chin strap (yuk) or worst case, a full face mask (double yuk)
Tip 4 – Check your Sleep Therapy Data
Each morning, review the sleep data from the night before. Most CPAP machine these days have a display screen where you should be able to review the main points of your sleep. These include the hours of use, the P95 Pressure, and most importantly, the AHI. This info should be visible to you. If not, contact your CPAP service provider and ask how you can see it. If you can’t see this data, how do you know objectively how you are doing? Click here if you want to learn more about what these sleep numbers mean.
Tip 5 – Ask For Help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The company who supplied the CPAP machine to you should be very happy to help. Usually they have a wealth of experience and knowledge to answer your questions and help you through any difficulties.
If you are not getting the help or advice you need, ask to speak to someone else in the company.
If you still need help or advice, try contacting Sleep Disorders Australia (SDA)
“SDA is a voluntary group offering assistance and support to those persons and their families who are living with sleep disorders throughout Australia."
To keep up to date with the latest CPAP news, become a member of SDA, please click here.
We hope you find these 5 Tips On How To Get Used To CPAP Machine Therapy helpful.