CPAP is the only treatment that is 100% effective for treating obstructive sleep apnea, but a lot of patients struggle with using the device properly and using it every night. Show
CPAP works by blowing air into the air way to keep the airway from closing at night (this closure is called an apnea, learn more about obstructive sleep apnea here). CPAP therapy consists of a flow generation device, called the PAP machine, or blower, tubing that delivers the air to your airway and a mask that is strapped to your face at night to allow the pressurized air to flow into your airway and your exhalation to come out. While many people have no difficulty using CPAP and report the best sleep of their lives in the first weeks after they start therapy, this isn’t the case for everyone. In this post we cover the top side effects of PAP therapy (any device- CPAP, APAP or bi-level, read about the difference between these devices here) and how you can reduce or even avoid them. Irritation on the bridge of the nose caused by the mask and headgear
Making sure that your mask fits properly is the most important thing you can do to ensure comfort and proper usage. This is one of the major benefits of having an in-center titration study and/or a face-to-face CPAP set-up with a credentialed and experienced technician who can help you find the mask that fits your face the best. Even with a properly fitting mask, because the mask is worn for 8 or more hours per night and the skin on the nose and around the eyes can be thin and sensitive, irritation may affect some patients. To prevent skin irritation:
Irritation of the eyes from mask leakProper mask fitting is very important (read above). With every mask there will still be air leak. The goal is to minimize the air leak and ensure that the air is not causing irritation in your eyes; however, air blowing into the eyes at night can cause dryness and irritation during the day. In order to not let this stop a patient’s CPAP therapy, opthamologists recommend using thick (gels and ointments, not thinner or less viscous teardrops) artificial tears just before bedtime. It is important to treat both sleep apnea and any resulting eye irritation properly, so you should speak to your doctor. Irritation of the airwaysEspecially in dry climates, for older patients or patients taking medications that dry the sinuses, the air ways can get irritated and dry. Nose bleeds (epistaxis) can also happen. Heated humidification will help alleviate this. If you’re already using humidification, try these tips: For a dry nose:
For a dry mouth:
AerophagiaAerophagia (from the Greek “aerophagein” meaning “to eat air”) is excessive swallowing of air causing abdominal discomfort. The esophagus is a long tube-like organ that extends from the bottom of the throat to the top of the stomach. The upper essophageal sphinctor (UES) is a band of muscle fiber that contracts or tightens at the top of the esophagus. When you swallow, the UES relaxes to allow food into your esophagus where muscle contractions move the food down to your stomach through the lower esophageal sphinctor (LES) which also relaxes to allow food into the stomach. The LES remains open for 5-8 minutes as food moves down the esophagus and then it closes, to keep food from going back up the esophagus. Up to 30 ml of air is normally swallowed with food. The stomach swells as the air is ingested and the pressure increases. Once the pressure reaches a certain point in the stomach, the LES reflexively relaxes. This allows the air to escape out of the stomach, up the esophagus, and out of the mouth as a belch. Air can also be swallowed without eating or drinking and is known to affect some CPAP users. It is unclar how much the pressure from CPAP is actually forcing air into the stomach. It may be that some CPAP users complaining of aerophagia have supragastric aerophagia in which air enters the esophagus but does not reach the stomach. It is also possible that CPAP related aerophagia is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, aka GERD, a disorder where relaxation of the LES allows gastric fluids to come up from the stomach and into the esophagus. While there are some drugs and even a surgical option for reducing the pressure that causes aerophagia, some adult CPAP users may be able to relieve CPAP-related aerophagia by:
Claustrophobia or sensation of suffocationClautrophobia and anxiety about wearing a CPAP mask all night are common among poeple first starting CPAP therapy. Studies have shown that having sleep apnea releases hormones that can cause anxiety and panic. Additionally, a person who suffers anxiety in general may have more anxiety about medical equipment and procedures and may be more likely to have a panic attack at night when trying to fall asleep. If you know that you suffer from claustrophobia, anxiety or panic attacks, tell your sleep study or CPAP set-up technician. There are several steps you can follow to relieve your anxiety:
Difficulty exhalingSome people experience difficulty exhaling against the pressurized air from their CPAP. There are several options for reducing this:
InsomniaInsomnia may be a side effect of sleeping with CPAP, but it is also a common symptom of sleep apnea. With sleep apnea, you are waking up dozens of times per night (or even per hour) and this disruption to your sleep may cause insomnia. Keep in mind:
If you’ve recently started CPAP therapy and are struggle with any of these effects, you should speak with your doctor or CPAP provider. If we provided you’re device, we are here to help! Request an appointment to meet with our technicians or email us at .Request CPAP appt. Sources:
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Julia RodriguezJulia joined Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc. in 2011 with a background in sales, marketing and customer service. She is currently the vice president of marketing and operations and enjoys the opportunity to educate and interact with those looking to improve their health through better sleep. Are there negative side effects to using a CPAP machine?One of the most common side effects associated with CPAP therapy is congestion or irritation of the nasal passages. This can include the feelings of stuffy nose, runny nose, a burning sensation, or nosebleeds.
Can CPAP machine cause lung problems?Yes, Philips CPAP devices can affect your lungs. If your Philips CPAP sleep apnea machine is defective, you could be breathing in toxic gases or debris that can cause many different types of pulmonary diseases, including lung cancer.
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