Verywell / Brandon Peters, M.D.
Let’s discover how to use a CPAP.
Every minor setback will become additional evidence to justify your eventual dismissal of the treatment.
Verywell / Brandon Peters, M.D.
These suppliers are businesses, so make certain that they provide you with good customer service.
A key initial role of the equipment provider is to fit you with your first CPAP mask.
It is best to select a mask that fits your individual needs.
The presence of facial hair in men can influence the choice.
If you have claustrophobia, this may also be an important factor.
This will reduce the amount of surface area and decrease air leaks and pressure marks on your face.
At first, ease yourself into the mask itself.
If this makes you feel anxious, give a shot to take slow and deep breaths.
If necessary, simply pull the mask back off.
When you are ready, apply the headgear straps that hold the mask in place.
Continue to breathe slowly and deeply until you feel comfortable.
Next, you are ready to connect the mask to the tubing and CPAP machine.
Once all the connections are made, turn the equipment on.
This allows you to fall asleep easily, but it will also help you to practice with it.
Take slow and deep breaths with the mask and pressure on.
You will find that the air pressure fills up your lungs and makes it easy to breathe in.
Conversely, as you breathe out you may feel a little resistance.
You will hear the air escaping from the exhalation ports on the mask that allow carbon dioxide to escape.
This resistance is initially a little uncomfortable, but keep at it: it gets easier.
attempt to focus your mind on taking full, even breaths.
Keep your mouth closed.
Once you establish a comfortable breathing pattern, perhaps after a few minutes, focus your attention elsewhere.
Distract yourself and keep using the CPAP for 20 to 30 minutes.
If you need more time to adjust, extend this period or take another crack later.
Prompt interventions that correct early problems will ensure that the therapy is successful for you over the long term.
These providers can also remotely monitor your use to arrange an intervention if you are having problems.
It may also be possible to adjust pressure parameters remotely to improve comfort.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.
2016;45(1):43. doi:10.1186/s40463-016-0156-0
