About this topic
You may be having problems breathing at night or during the day. Your doctor has ordered a machine to help you breathe more easily. You may have a problem like sleep apnea where your breathing stops for seconds at a time while sleeping. Other problems treated with this kind of machine include heart or lung failure or COPD. Doctors may also use this machine to treat some kinds of breathing problems in babies. ‚
One kind of treatment is continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP. CPAP uses a steady level of pressure to deliver breaths through a mask and into your lungs. Other kinds of treatment use different levels of pressure. This is called bilevel positive airway pressure or BPAP. This treatment gives you more pressure when you breathe in and less pressure when you breathe out. Autotitrating positive airway pressure is called APAP. This treatment changes the pressure you are given based on how you are breathing. ‚
All of these treatments are given by a machine to help with your breathing. It uses air pressure to keep the airways open. The machine most often has: ‚
- A mask that covers your nose and sometimes your mouth too
- A tube that hooks the mask to the machine
- A pump or motor that gives off the air pressure that is attached to the facemask
General
- Many times, a respiratory therapist will help make sure your facemask fits well. This may be done at a sleep center or at your home.
- You may need to try a few different masks to find one that is most comfortable for you. Some masks just fit over the nose. Others go inside of the nostrils. Still others fit over your mouth and nose. You may need to breathe in and out through your nose, based on the kind of mask you have.
- Your mask should fit snugly and have no air leaks.
- It may be easier to adjust your mask with your machine turned on to see if there are air leaks.
- A tube joins the mask to the machine. The machine is set to give you air at a certain pressure. The therapist sets the pressure level, based on your doctors order. If needed, your machine can also give you extra oxygen.
- Most often, you will wear the mask when you sleep at night. Sometimes, your doctor may have you wear it when you sleep during the day or at other times.
- How long you will need your CPAP machine is based on why you are using it.
What problems could happen?
- Air leaks from around the mask
- If you breathe through your mouth, the pressure escapes and doesnt treat your problem.
- Dry, stuffy nose and mouth
- Eye or skin irritation
- Noise from the machine is bothersome
Helpful tips
- If you are having problems getting used to wearing your mask, try these steps:
- While you are awake, start by just holding the mask up to your face.
- Next, add the hose to the mask, but dont put the straps on.
- Hold the mask and hose on your face and turn the machine on.
- When you are comfortable, put the straps on.
- When you are able to breathe comfortably sitting up, try lying back a little at a time. Work on lying back until you are fully reclined.
- Use the CPAP for a nap or a few hours during the day, and then move on to using it at night.
- If your nose is dry, use a humidifier in the room where you sleep. Some CPAP machines come with a built-in humidifier. Ask about using a saline spray or a prescription spray to help with a stuffy nose.
- Talk to your doctor if you are having problems with how your mask fits or if your skin is bothered.
- Learn how to care for your CPAP machine. Know what parts need to be cleaned or replaced and how often. Keep the contact information for your equipment company where you can easily find it, such as close to your machine.
- Consider how you will handle a power outage. Plan for emergency situations. You may need a generator or battery backup.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Family Physicians ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/treatment/cpap-devices-for-sleep-apnea.printerview.all.html ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cpap/before.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚