What to Expect Your First Week Of CPAP Therapy
Key Takeaways
- When starting CPAP therapy, you may have certain side effects, such as nasal congestion and trouble sleeping.
- There are several ways to reduce common side effects and make CPAP therapy comfortable.
- Positive effects to expect from CPAP include reduced apnea symptoms, improved daytime energy, and better cognitive function.
Things to Expect When First Starting CPAP Therapy
Untreated sleep apnea can increase your risk of cardiovascular issues, including a heart attack and stroke. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the gold standard for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
If you completed a sleep study and have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, your physician may have prescribed CPAP therapy.
It's helpful to understand what to expect when starting CPAP. There can be an adjustment, similar to starting any new type of therapy. Understanding what to expect can help you troubleshoot side effects and make it easier to adjust to CPAP. Possible issues may include those listed below.
Trouble Sleeping
It's normal to have some trouble sleeping when first starting CPAP therapy. This may be due to wearing something on your face or adjusting to the pressure from the CPAP machine. Usually, after using CPAP for a week or two, you will adapt to wearing the mask in the feel of the pressure from the machine.
Many CPAP machines also have a ramp feature. This allows you to start with lower airway pressure and automatically and slowly increase the needed pressure as you fall asleep.
Initial Mask Discomfort
It is possible to experience a little mask discomfort when you initially use CPAP therapy. Ensuring your mask is the right size and fits comfortably is helpful.
There is also a range of masks to choose from. For instance, full face masks cover your nose and mouth. Some people may find that type of mask is too confining. A nasal mask covering the nose may also be an option.
For more information on masks, check out A Guide to CPAP Masks for complete information.
Nasal Congestion
Continuous air flow delivered by CPAP to keep your airway open may lead to some dryness and possibly nasal congestion. A mask that does not have a good seal and leaks may also cause nasal dryness. The nasal dryness can cause mild irritation and swelling, leading to nasal congestion.
There are a few ways to combat nasal congestion. For example, adding humidification to your CPAP may help ease dryness and subsequent congestion. Many CPAP machines have a built-in feature that allows for humidification.
Claustrophobia
Some people may feel a little claustrophobic when first starting CPAP. This may be due to wearing the mask or the feeling of air pressure. After a week or two, many people adjust to CPAP, and feelings of claustrophobia decrease.
If you are just starting out, try wearing CPAP for a short period of time while awake to get used to the machine. Another option may be using nasal pillows instead of a mask, which may reduce feelings of claustrophobia.
Positive Changes that are Experiences Early on in CPAP Therapy
Using CPAP therapy can also produce positive changes that you may recognize early on in your treatment, such as those listed below.
Increased Sleep Quality
Untreated sleep apnea interferes with overall quality of sleep. CPAP therapy treats repeated episodes of apnea. By decreasing sleep interruptions, it improves sleep quality.
Lessened Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Obstructive sleep apnea can cause a variety of symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, memory problems, and irritability. Treating the root cause of apnea with CPAP reduces sleep apnea symptoms, and in many cases, CPAP may eliminate symptoms.
Increased Daytime Energy
Interrupted sleep from untreated sleep apnea often causes daytime fatigue. This can affect work and relationships. CPAP keeps the airways open preventing apnea and improving restful sleep. A better night’s sleep results in increased daytime energy levels.
Better Cognitive Function
Improving oxygen levels and reducing disrupted sleep with CPAP improves cognitive functioning. A 2022 study published in the Journal Sleep involved 167 participants treated with CPAP for sleep apnea. The study indicated that cognitive assessment, which included sustained attention, memory, and decision-making, was improved after six months of CPAP therapy. ¹
Where to Buy CPAP Products Online
It may take a short time to adjust to CPAP therapy. But treating sleep apnea is essential to improve energy, restful sleep and overall quality of life.
Getting the right equipment can help you adjust easier to CPAP. Visit The CPAP Shop to purchase CPAP equipment, including masks and accessories. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Give us a call at 866-414-9700 today!
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Resmed Mirage FX for Her nasal mask complete system21 ReviewsAs low as $115.00 Regular Price $127.00
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References
1. D'Rozario AL, Hoyos CM, Wong KKH, Unger G, Kim JW, Vakulin A, Kao CH, Naismith SL, Bartlett DJ, Grunstein RR. Improvements in cognitive function and quantitative sleep electroencephalogram in obstructive sleep apnea after six months of continuous positive airway pressure treatment. Sleep. 2022 Jun 13;45(6):zsac013. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsac013. PMID: 35029691; PMCID: PMC9189957. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9189957/
