A Variety of Devices are Designed to Help you Get the Most From Your Therapy
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is a proven effective therapy for sleep apnea. And for decades, millions of people across the globe have benefitted from it.
But some people may struggle adapting to their new sleep therapy. At the start of their treatment especially, they find CPAP uncomfortable and may even find it difficult to fall asleep.
As a result, some don’t use CPAP every night as prescribed by their doctors. Others stop using it altogether.
However, adhering to your CPAP therapy is extremely important. If your sleep apnea goes untreated, it can cause serious health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and obesity.
There are ways to make CPAP therapy more comfortable. Your mask, of course, is the first step; work with your doctor to select the right style and fit for your face.
But there are also numerous accessories available to you to help you sleep soundly with your CPAP device!
Humidifiers
Studies reveal that up to 70% of CPAP users say it dries their mouth, nose, and throat. The reason: the pressurized air your CPAP machine delivers can reduce moisture in your nasal passages.
This can lead to nosebleeds, cracked lips, nose and throat irritation, sinus congestion, and nasal infections.
An effective method to prevent dryness is using a CPAP humidifier. It connects to your CPAP device and releases moisture from a small water chamber into the air you’re breathing. This keeps your breathing passages moist, reduces dryness in your mouth, nose, and throat, and makes your CPAP therapy more comfortable.
Some CPAP machines have a humidifier built in. If yours doesn’t, you can purchase external humidifiers that attach to your CPAP machine.
Learn more about preventing dryness from your CPAP device.
Heated Tubing
Although CPAP humidifiers do an excellent job of replacing moisture in your airways, they can cause a common condition called CPAP rainout.
Rainout happens when the air heated by your humidifier cools in your tubing and condenses into small water droplets.
The air that blows through the tubing then pushes the droplets into your mask and face. It may sound like gurgling, spitting, or splashing and can be very unpleasant. It can wake you up and cause anxiety or feelings of claustrophobia.
Rainout even causes people to discontinue their CPAP therapy. Never a good idea.
There are several ways to address this issue, the first being to always have your CPAP device sitting below your head so that gravity will require the condensation to fall back towards the machine instead of your mask. Heated CPAP tubing also helps reduce the risk of rainout. It keeps the temperature of the air consistent as it travels from the humidifier to your mask. This helps prevent the formation of droplets to ensure you breathe air that’s warmed and comfortably humidified.
Heated CPAP tubing is particularly helpful when your bedroom is cool and the air from your humidifier is warm.
Many newer CPAP models come with heated tubing. Older models can be fitted with a heated tubing attachment.
Learn more about preventing CPAP rainout.
CPAP Pillows
Don’t confuse these with CPAP nasal pillows, which are a type of mask with a low profile used for CPAP therapy.
CPAP pillows are like the ones you lay your head on every night. However, these are designed with special cutouts and curves that accommodate your mask and tubing to ensure a better fit. They also help prevent your mask from dislodging.
CPAP pillows let you move more freely as you sleep while maintaining a firm seal to prevent CPAP air leaks. And they provide support for your cervical spine.
Mask Liners
Made of cloth, liners provide an extra seal that cushions your mask to increase comfort and to reduce skin irritation and facial lines as well as the chance of air leaks.
Chin Straps
These are ideal for people using a nasal pillow mask or a nasal mask for their CPAP therapy who either breathe through their mouth or aren’t used to breathing through their nose as they sleep.
Chin straps easily fasten on top of your head and under your chin to keep your mouth closed as you sleep. They also reduce the side effects of mouth breathing, such as sore throat, tooth decay, and mouth dryness.
Mask Wipes
It’s important to keep your mask clean to prevent the build-up of bacteria, facial oil, or dirt, which can irritate your skin and compromise your mask’s seal.
Mask wipes are a convenient, quick way to ensure your mask is clean, especially on those days when you just don’t have the time to perform your usual cleaning routine.
They are also great when you are traveling.
Choose mask wipes that are gentle on your skin and don’t contain any harsh chemicals.
Nasal Pads
Place one of these soft, comfortable strips across the bridge of your nose, then position your full-face or nasal mask over it. Nasal pads help reduce skin irritation and facial soreness while minimizing mask leaks and improving overall mask comfort.
CPAP Travel Cases and Power Banks
Just because you’ve been prescribed CPAP therapy doesn’t mean you can’t travel. A variety of cases and bags are available to take your portable CPAP machine on the road. If your device is battery-operated, just plug it into a power source to recharge it on the go!
Accessorize—and Sleep Soundly!
You can successfully use your CPAP device every night and improve the quantity and quality of your sleep. Speak with your doctor about which of the accessories discussed here may be right for you. And feel free to contact Apria. We have a team of sleep coaches waiting to answer any questions you may have!
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References
1. Foley, L (Updated 2024, January 8). Best CPAP Pillows. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-pillows/best-cpap-pillows.
2. Noyed, D. (Updated 2024, January 5). CPAP Humidifiers. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-cpap-supplies/cpap-humidifiers#:~:text=CPAP%20humidifiers%20are%20designed%20to,more%20moisture%20for%20added%20comfort.
3. Peters, B. (Updated 2022, May 27). Using a Humidifier With CPAP. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/do-you-have-to-use-the-humidifier-with-cpap-3015036.
4. Sarver, A. (Updated 2023, April 28). The Importance of CPAP Humidification.
Sleep Apnea.org. https://www.sleepapnea.org/cpap/cpap-humidification/.
5. Fountain, L. (Updated 2023, January 10). Best CPAP Mask for Beards. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-cpap-mask/best-cpap-mask-for-beards.
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