I’ve only been using CPAP therapy for a couple of weeks. I use a nose pillow with chinstrap to keep my mouth closed. I was able to go 7-10 hours right from the start.
) It can also help to talk to your partner about sleep apnea, as they can be a helpful source of encouragement and support.
Before considering an alternative to CPAP therapy, it’s important to discuss any concerns or challenges about this treatment with your doctor.
Inspire therapy is an implantable treatment option for people with obstructive sleep apnea who are unable to use or get consistent benefit from continuous positive airway pressure. You might be a candidate for Inspire therapy if:
Maxillomandibular advancement is a surgery that pushes the jaw and other tissues forward. This procedure tightens the inner walls of the throat to reduce the risk of airway collapse.
Reminding yourself of the big picture and your “why” for continuing CPAP therapy is a great way to stay encouraged; surrounding yourself with a strong support system matters: studies suggest that some who started CPAP therapy eventually reported symptoms of depression, causing them to give up on CPAP.
Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP): BiPAP machines introduce positive pressure into your upper airway and lungs to keep your airway open and prevent it from narrowing or collapsing. BiPAP machines can be set to different pressures for breathing in and out.
Learn about the conditions that can affect our lungs and access our lung condition specific information.
Feeling a couple different problems, one is I’m very tired so fall asleep fast but after two hours I’m awake and need to remove the mask. I wait a while the start over again and in two hours I’m up again. This is the pattern I’m experiencing. I contacted the respiratory therapist today to ask about it. The other issue is I am exhausted when I wake up. It’s almost impossible to make it through the day and I’m even having a tough time writing this email as I am constantly dozing off.
Cacho, adding that positional therapy tends to work best for those with mild sleep apnea that occurs exclusively during back sleep. This therapy may also be helpful in more severe cases of OSA when combined with other therapeutic options.
How does CPAP work? CPAP machines work by generating an air stream that keeps the upper airway open during sleep. There are lots of different machines available and modern devices are small, comfortable and easy to use. The air stream is pushed through tubing via a mask read more to the back of the throat.
How can I reduce severe sleep apnea symptoms naturally without CPAP? Exercising, losing weight, not smoking, and avoiding or drinking less alcohol can all greatly reduce sleep apnea events.
As the use of any sedative or anxiolytic agent can lead to decrease in consciousness and decrease in respiratory drive these patients should be monitored very closely. If adequate minute ventilation and or oxygenation cannot be achieved, then management should include escalation to BiPAP or intubation with mechanical ventilation following the code status and goals of care.
Overall with your AHI being below 3, it sounds like the therapy is working well for you. Also, keep in mind that it does take time for you to get use to the changes that you are faced with from starting your CPAP therapy.