Sleep With CPAP Machine - But Getting More Tired | How To Solve
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are commonly prescribed medical devices used to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or instances of shallow breathing during sleep. These disruptions in breathing decrease oxygen levels and prevent restorative sleep. CPAP machines work by delivering a stream of compressed air through a mask worn over the nose and mouth while sleeping. The air pressure from the CPAP machine assists in keeping the airway open to facilitate normal breathing.
Many CPAP users find the treatment effective in reducing daytime sleepiness associated with sleep apnea. However, a common complaint from some users is increased feelings of tiredness despite using CPAP therapy. This may seem counterintuitive - you are receiving treatment to improve your sleep, yet you feel more fatigued than ever. Why does this happen and what can be done to get better sleep with your CPAP machine? Addressing this issue is important, as untreated sleep apnea has major impacts on physical and mental health. Properly using your CPAP device can significantly improve sleep quality and restore your energy levels.
Understanding the Problem
There are several potential reasons why you may feel more tired after beginning CPAP treatment:
CPAP Mask Discomfort - Many patients experience discomfort from wearing the CPAP mask, which can disturb sleep. Discomfort may arise from an ill-fitting mask, headgear straps placed too tight, air leakage around the mask, or a ramp in air pressure that is too abrupt. Sleeping with a CPAP mask takes some adjustment and getting the proper fit and settings dialed in is crucial.
Insufficient CPAP Pressure - Your prescribed CPAP setting may be inadequate to fully treat your apnea events throughout the night. Apnea events deprive your body of oxygen, which can still cause fragmented sleep and daytime fatigue if not corrected with an appropriate CPAP setting. Consult your doctor to ensure you are receiving the optimal level of air pressure through the night.
Underlying Sleep Disorder - While CPAP treats obstructive sleep apnea, other sleep disorders may be compounding fatigue. For instance, central sleep apnea (in which the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe), periodic limb movement disorder, or insomnia. Using your CPAP cannot resolve other conditions leading to poor sleep.
Acclimating to CPAP Therapy - It can take time for your body and brain to adjust to sleeping with CPAP therapy. Improvement in sleep quality and energy levels may gradually occur over the first weeks and months of treatment as you acclimate to the machine. Be patient, use CPAP every night, and let your body adapt.
Obstructive sleep apnea deprives the brain and body of oxygen, taking you out of the deep restorative stages of sleep. The cumulative effect is chronic fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and increased risk for medical conditions like high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. While it takes some patience and perseverance, proper CPAP use helps restore healthy oxygen levels during sleep. Over time, you should begin awakening more refreshed as apnea events are eliminated.
Solutions to Improve Sleep Quality
If you feel tired despite using your CPAP machine, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:
Improve Sleep Hygiene
Optimizing your sleep environment and pre-bedtime habits is crucial for sleeping well with CPAP:
Maintain a regular sleep schedule of going to bed and waking up at the same time daily. Keeping an inconsistent sleep schedule can disrupt your circadian rhythm.
Develop a calming pre-bed routine that cues your body it is time for sleep. This may include activities like reading, light stretches, or taking a bath.
Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet throughout the night. Use blackout curtains, a fan, or a white noise machine, and ensure your mattress and pillows are comfortable.
Avoid electronics and screens before bedtime, as the blue light can hinder sleep hormone production.
Refrain from consuming caffeine, alcohol, heavy meals, or strenuous exercise close to bedtime.
Focus on Consistency
Be diligent about using your CPAP machine every night without fail. Skipping even one night of treatment can allow fatigue to creep back in. Maintaining consistency trains your body to fully adjust to sleeping with CPAP therapy. Over time, you should notice more restful and energizing sleep.
Use CPAP Comfort Accessories
Take steps to enhance your comfort, which leads to better compliance:
Try different types of masks to find the best option for side, back, or stomach sleeping. Full-face, nasal, and pillow masks are available in many sizes and styles.
Use supportive headgear that secures the mask comfortably without feeling too tight. Replace worn-out straps.
Apply hypoallergenic tape or bandages to prevent air leaks and skin irritation.
Keep your nose and throat moisturized to alleviate dryness and irritation from airflow.
Position the CPAP tubing off to the side of the bed so it doesn't tug on the mask when changing positions.
Set the CPAP machine's ramp feature to a gradual air pressure increase for easier adjustment when falling asleep.
Seeking Professional Help
If self-adjustments do not seem to resolve feelings of fatigue with your CPAP therapy, it is important to seek assistance from a medical professional:
Consult Your Sleep Specialist
Schedule an appointment with the doctor who prescribed your CPAP treatment. They can:
Review CPAP machine data to identify if apnea events are still occurring, signaling a need for adjustments.
Consider prescribing an Auto-CPAP machine that self-adjusts pressure levels as your needs change through the night.
Evaluate the mask style and fit to ensure it is not causing discomfort and affecting sleep quality.
Check for other underlying sleep disorders contributing to ongoing fatigue, and order tests if needed.
Refer you to specialists for care beyond CPAP if alternative therapies are required.
Discuss Supplemental Oxygen
For some patients, supplemental oxygen delivered through the CPAP machine may be recommended. Your doctor can prescribe an optimal oxygen flow rate and order testing to determine if this adjunct therapy could help overcome residual fatigue.
Consider Other Sleep Apnea Treatments
If CPAP remains problematic, discuss these alternative treatments with your physician:
Oral appliances fitted to keep the airway open during sleep. Less cumbersome than CPAP for some users.
Upper airway surgery to remove obstructions causing apnea, such as correcting a deviated septum.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation via an implanted device that moves the tongue to open the airway.
Conclusion
Difficulty sleeping and increased feelings of tiredness are common complaints among new CPAP users. While transitioning to nightly therapy takes patience, properly using your machine is crucial for resolving the fatigue caused by sleep apnea. Implementing good sleep hygiene, sticking to a consistent routine, addressing mask discomfort, and consulting your doctor for adjustments will help improve sleep quality over time. With perseverance, CPAP therapy can restore energizing sleep and significantly enhance your health and well-being. Do not become discouraged if you still feel tired initially using your machine - solutions exist to get the refreshing sleep you need.
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3 Must-Have Cleaning Supplies for CPAP Accessories
Getting the best CPAP machine and using it as instructed by a specialist is only part of what it takes to manage sleep apnea successfully. You also need to maintain your CPAP accessories and machine to ensure that they work optimally. Cleaning the accessories and CPAP machine also ensures that they do not become breeding grounds for microorganisms that will significantly affect your health. Below are the cleaning supplies you will need for CPAP.
Mild soap
Hard soaps and strong detergents containing ammonia should not be used to clean CPAP accessories and machines. This is because they can damage the equipment and will be dangerous to your health when you breathe them in. The best options for manual cleaning are mild shampoos, soft hand washes, and baby soaps. These should be free of foaming agents and scents but strong enough to eliminate accumulated dirt.
Soft-bristled brushes
You need a small soft-bristled brush in your CPAP cleaning kit. Some people use a baby bottle brush to clean their CPAP machine, which is also ok. Cleaning the interiors of a CPAP machine’s tubes with the brush prevents mold growth. Be careful not to apply excess pressure and cut the tubing’s delicate material.
Vinegar
When cleaning your CPAP mask and hose, you can also use vinegar. Vinegar eliminates tough dirt and microbes in the tight crevices of your CPAP machine. Dilute two parts of vinegar in three parts of water, soak your hose and mask in the solution for about two hours, then wash them with soapy water. Rinse them after this and let them dry naturally.
Other than the above cleaning supplies at home, you need to keep your CPAP accessories and machine clean when traveling. In this case, stock up on wipes. You can also get a CPAP disinfectant spray that is fragrance and chemical residue-free to kill the germs, fungus, and mold in your machine.
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