If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA), you may want to avoid the side effects. If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of health problems, including:
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and heart attacks
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Worsening of ADHDHeadaches
In addition, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities, such as at work and school, motor vehicle crashes, and academic underachievement in children and adolescents.
So your doctor may want you to wear a CPAP machine. Wearing a CPAP machine when you have sleep apnea doesn’t just give you better quality sleep; it may save your life. Anybody that has one knows they can be a bit challenging.
Below are 5 must-knows about CPAP machines.
1. Make sure there is no leak
If your CPAP mask does not fit properly or isn’t properly cleaned, it can cause leakage. When there is a leak, there is a high probability that your CPAP machine isn’t able to reach its set pressure.
CPAP masks are available as nasal masks, full-face masks, and nasal pillows because one type of mask isn’t suitable for everyone. Before choosing a mask, there are a few factors you should consider. Mouth breathing, claustrophobia, sleep position, and machine pressure are important areas to evaluate. These should be discussed with your doctor before choosing which type of mask you should be wearing.
If your mask is strapped on too tight it can cause skin irritations. If it is too loose, it can cause a leak. Take the time to ensure your CPAP mask strap is secured properly to avoid any unnecessary CPAP side effects.
Wellue Solution
Wellue O2 Ring Continuous Oxygen Monitor records blood oxygen level overnight to check if the CPAP machine works well.
You can also turn on the vibrating or audible alarming function to alert you when the blood oxygen drops caused by CPAP leakage.
The alarming function can be turned off.
You can set different alarming thresholds according to your needs.
2. Clean Your CPAP Regularly
If a CPAP machine or CPAP mask isn’t properly cleaned on a routine basis, infections, such as lung or sinus infections, can occur.
Make sure that your CPAP mask and machine are clean. It is important to make cleaning your mask, tubing, and water chamber a regular habit to avoid any bacteria or fungi buildup. The CPAP mask and humidifier chamber should be cleaned daily with mild soap and water. On top of this, you should soak all of the parts in vinegar and water, using one part vinegar to three parts water. Follow this routine once a week. There are also sanitizing machines, like a CPAP cleaner, that you can purchase if you are having trouble keeping up with this cleaning schedule.
3. Solve the problems from the star
Sleep apnea is improved by CPAP as the device creates a constant airflow that keeps the airway from collapsing during sleep. While it’s used, sleep apnea can fully resolve. However, CPAP is not a cure in the sense that a limited period of use will not result in structural changes that can lead to discontinuation of therapy. It only works when you use it.
There are a handful of options that may solve the problems from the start, such as losing weight, sleeping on your side, avoidance of sedatives and alcohol, surgery. Many people have multiple contributions to having sleep apnea. A complete fix should be based on the doctor’s clinical diagnosis.
Wellue Solution
Use the alarming function to discipline yourself to sleep on your side.
You can also turn off the alarming function. Just wear it to record your blood oxygen overnight to see if you are gradually improving your sleep apnea.
Ring-style design makes it comfortable to wear. Flexible and soft silicon fits different sizes of fingers. You don’t even feel it’s on at night.
4. Need to evaluate your improvement every day at home
Professional sleep study is important. However, it might not be convenient for everyone to get a sleep study in the hospital every day. Some people even find it hard to overcome the discomfort of connecting too many cables to the body. It’s suggested that you evaluate your improvement every day at home.
For example, pulse oximetry is one of the parameters used for diagnosis, but it can also be a tool to monitor ongoing treatment. Record your nighttime blood oxygen fluctuation at home every night. You could evaluate your sleep apnea improvement.
Wellue Solution
Record the overnight data of blood oxygen level continuously. Data on the APP reveals health insight.
Use the data to evaluate your severity and improvement every day at home.
FAD-listed and medical-grade accuracy.
Share the data with your doctor’s phone or computer easily.
5. Don’t ignore CPAP alternatives
You may have mild sleep apnea and your doctor may suggest that you don’t need to wear a CPAP machine. Or it’s not convenient for you to carry a CPAP machine with you during traveling. In these cases, how would you avoid the side effects of sleep apnea? You may consider CPAP alternatives.
For example, there are specially designed oral appliances or dental devices that may be helpful in correcting anatomical problems. A pulse oximeter with alarming function can alert you when your blood oxygen drops. Then you can change your sleep position to breathe better.
Wellue Solution
Continuous data recorded reveals your improvement.
Vibrating or audible alarming function alerts you when the blood oxygen drops.
You can set different alarming thresholds according to your needs.
