CPAP Side Effects: Is This Device Right For You?
The CPAP device is considered the number one treatment for sleep apnea, but many people are choosing alternative forms of treatment because of the CPAP side effects which they have found they suffer from. Many of these side effects can be treated or resolved and the question you need to ask yourself, is are these side effects worth it when it comes to treating sleep apnea? If you have been using the CPAP device and have been suffering from CPAP side effects, then read this article to find out if you can resolve the issues you might have so that you can get the best treatment.
Common CPAP side effects include skin irritation and mouth sores. This is usually caused by the mask which goes over the face during the night and it can easily be resolved by making sure that the mask is not too loose or too tight around your mouth, you can also get a slight variation on the mask which you are using if you still find that you are having problems with it. Some people also find that they cannot sleep when the first begin using the CPAP device and this is a common problem which usually goes away when you get used to wearing the mask. If you find that it doesn’t go away, then speak to your doctor who will be able to advise you on the best way to solve this issue.
Pressure problems are also common CPAP side effects because some people find that they are unable to breathe out against the pressure which the airflow from the CPAP device causes. Other people find that the air pressure from the device can cause sleeplessness and it can also stop them from entering a deep sleep. If you find that this is a problem for you, then you might find that using the BiPAP machine helps. This is similar to the CPAP device; however it has two pressure settings which is higher for inhalation and lower for exhaling so this should help with any pressure problems which you might suffer from.
Another common problem which people using the CPAP device often suffer from is claustrophobia. This is because some people find the mask quite restricting and wearing it can also restrict movement which can lead to anxiety which will stop you from being able to relax enough to fall asleep. If you are suffering from this particular side effect, then you should speak to your doctor who will be able to prescribe ways to deal with this problem.
Some people also suffer from a dry mouth when using the CPAP, this can be made worse if you sleep with your mouth open, however this problem is quite easy to solve with either a chin strap which keeps the mouth closed as you sleep, or a humidifier which a lot of the devices come with which helps to stop dry mouth. If you would like to learn a little bit more about the side effects of using the CPAP device, then why not talk to your doctor to discuss your options? You can also find some very useful information on the internet.