CPAP Use Side Effects

CPAP Machine IllnessesIf you have sleep apnea and were prescribed a CPAP device, you may have noticed some of the CPAP use side effects that come along with wearing it. Knowing what these problems are can assist you in finding solutions so you can easily wear your CPAP and get a good night’s sleep.

Common Negative Side Effects of CPAP Use

Although CPAP therapy is one of the most effective methods for treating and reducing the signs of sleep apnea, there are a host of CPAP side implications that may follow after continuous use of sleep apnea machines. If you wear a CPAP mask and use a CPAP equipment, these issues might sound familiar to you.

Aerophagia

This is the therapeutic term for eating or swallowing air. This generally occurs when the CPAP pressure is too high for you and can result in gas and bloating.

Discomfort

Wearing a CPAP mask can sometimes result in discomfort when trying to sleep. The mask can feel bulky and constrictive, and the hose can get in the way of attempting to sleep in positions other than your back. Breathing out can also be uncomfortable if the pressure of the sleep apnea machine is too high.

Claustrophobia

Many individuals feel claustrophobic while wearing a CPAP mask since the mask fits snugly around your nose. The feeling of claustrophobia can be even worse for persons who wear a full-face mask, such as the DreamWear CPAP machine that sets around your mouth and nose.

Mask Leak

If your CPAP mask does not fit correctly or isn’t properly cleaned, it can cause leakage. When there is a leak, there is a high likelihood that your CPAP equipment isn’t able to reach its set pressure.

Dry, Stuffy Nose or Nosebleeds

Having a dry or stuffy nose is a major CPAP side effect since air from the machine is being blown into your airway. This continuous flow of air can also cause nosebleeds to occur.

Skin Irritations

Since CPAP masks fit snug against your face and are worn repeatedly, your skin can become irritated. This CPAP side effect can lead to skin irritations like a rash or pressure sores.

Dry Mouth

Suffering from a dry mouth is yet another significant CPAP side effect for those with a full-face mask, and patients with a nasal mask who breathe out of their mouths.

Infections

If a CPAP equipment or CPAP mask isn’t correctly cleaned on a routine basis, infections, like lung or sinus infections, can occur.

Headaches

Danger of Dirty CPAPAlthough headaches are not a common CPAP side effect, they can occur if the apparatus’s pressure is set too high or if you have a blockage in your sinuses.

Lung Discomfort

Some patients who utilize CPAP therapy complain of a burning sensation in the lungs. This is often due to dry or cold air being inhaled from the CPAP mask. This CPAP side effect can possibly be lowered by using warm humidification.

Dizziness

The other side effect of CPAP is dizziness. While the mechanism for this symptom is not clearly known, some believe that this might be because of pressure change in the middle ear. The sign should be short-lived if as a result of CPAP therapy.

Shortness of Breath

The other common CPAP use side effect is shortness of breath. It is merely the sensation of not getting enough air since a functional CPAP machine never reduces the amount of air that can be inhaled.

Even though there are side effects related to using sleep apnea devices, it’s vital to be compliant with continuing to wear it. Not using your CPAP mask and machine as prescribed can cause more significant, more severe health problems like fatigue, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, heart failure, heart attack, or stroke.

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