CPAP machines may not immediately feel comfortable for all users. Individuals should work with their providers to increase comfort and compliance, try different mask types or sizes and use add-on features like a humidifier chamber or different pressure settings.
Try the ramp feature (available on many devices), which gradually increases pressurized air instead of starting your night at full pressure
It is a commonly used mode of PEEP delivery in the hospital setting. It is also commonly used in the outpatient or home environment to treat sleep apnea.[8] Benefits of starting CPAP treatment include better sleep quality, reduction or elimination of snoring, and less daytime sleepiness.
Luckily, there are alternative options to CPAP therapy for people experiencing difficulty using a CPAP device. Read on to learn more, including expert insight into what these alternatives are and whether they’re effective.
Of all of these, many agree the most difficult to overcome is removing the mask while sleeping. Obviously, if the mask isn’t on, it can’t make a difference in how you feel—and you may even feel worse.
StatPearls Publishing. . OSA diagnoses can range from mild to moderate to severe, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, a constant air pressure delivered by a device into the airway to keep them open, is the most common and effective treatment for the condition.
and keep the jaw in a position that prevents it from blocking the upper airway. These devices are silent, easy to use, and less expensive than CPAP machines. However, mandibular advancement devices work best for people who have mild OSA or those who experience OSA only when sleeping on their back.
Most batteries last 8-11 years. The generator battery cannot be recharged, so once the battery runs out, you will need to have the generator replaced. This is a very common procedure with many surgical implants.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation is a relatively new treatment that involves a surgeon implanting a thin, flexible tube in the muscles between the ribs and an electrical pulse generator in the chest (below the collarbone).
Surgery often alters the shape and position of the soft palate, which is the rear portion of the roof of the mouth. UPPP is the most common type of surgery used to treat OSA.
Some issues—including mask leaks, incorrect air pressure, and mask discomfort—can have relatively simple solutions. Open communication with your physician could be the difference between feeling better sooner rather than later.
It might be encouraging to know, though, that it’s common for people with sleep apnea to feel the same (or even worse) right after starting CPAP therapy.
Additional studies are needed to understand the potential benefits of TRDs, but these devices may be a reasonable alternative for people without teeth or who cannot use other oral devices.
Compliance Matters: Many people quit website CPAP therapy due to initial discomfort. To get the most out of your treatment, practice wearing your mask and keep your equipment clean.