What is the downside of using a CPAP?

Sleep apnea can disturb your life but fortunately, it does not necessarily have to damage your life due to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy. In spite of all the advantages, it may require a certain amount of time to get used to sleeping with a CPAP machine, and some side effects may occur which can be minimized by using best CPAP cleaners to sanitize the machine. These tend to make people question whether it should be worthwhile.

Thus, is CPAP treatment appropriate to you, and should you continue with it? In this article, we will take a closer look at the demerits of CPAP.

Operating Noise:

The CPAP machine noise is frequently compared to the sound of whisper or quiet conversation. Most CPAP users draw comparisons between the sound output of their machines and the sound output of a white noise machine. Once they get adjusted to it, most individuals can sleep comfortably using their CPAP machine. Some individuals even listen to the sound of their CPAP machine operating in the background and love it!

That being said, there are other people who are more sensitive to sound or the specific pitch of the CPAP machine they use. Small compressor may become a bit noisy, particularly at the lower pressure settings in the travel size CPAP machines or higher pressure settings.

You can get rid of this problem by:

• Wearing earplugs
• Using a white noise machine
• Purchase of ultra-quiet CPAP machine

The noise of CPAP machines in most instances may be because of a loosely fitting mask that leaks pressurized air or a leaky and improperly interconnected hose, both of which are easily corrected.

Skin Marks or Rashes:

Not fitting your CPAP mask can result in it leaving marks on your skin and this can cause sores or even ulcers particularly at the center of your nose. Individuals who have a sensitive skin can also get a rash or skin irritation particularly with masks that include latex. The use of mask liners and barrier creams may be helpful, as well as the tightening of the mask or wearing a new mask that fits better.

Nose or Mouth Dryness:

Air leaking out of the mask is a very frequent complaint and is likely to leave your nose or mouth dry. This may occur when the mask fails to fit in, particularly when you change positions during the period of sleeping, or where the air pressure is excessively high.

The dryness may cause nosebleeds or even gums and teeth damage. When your mouth is open, the air might get out and this causes a thirsty mouth or tongue. It is possible to prevent nasal drying using nasal saline spray, should your nose feel dry. A heated humidifier and heated tubing can also be used to prevent nasal drying.

You can use a chinstrap (or a full-face mask) to cover the nose and the mouth, in case if your mouth drops open. However, it is important to note that masks that encircle the mouth and nose are more likely to leak especially when they are bigger.

It is Not Easy To Stick With It:

This is the unpleasant fact: many abandon their CPAP machines. The pain, the acclimatization process and maintenance makes some people to keep it in the cupboard and forget that it exists.

It doesn’t happen to everyone but the ones who are persistent tend to get the best results, and it may take weeks or months before the body is completely adjusted. Unless you are prepared to take the trip, then it may not work in your favor. CPAP therapy is similar to most other good things in life: it works when you apply the effort to it, but it does not happen without challenges.