Tips to Improve Your CPAP Experience
- Have Realistic Expectations
- Replace Filters every month
- Do Mask Fit Test every time before you go to sleep
- Try Different Masks to find what best fits your face
- Be Prepared to Make Adjustments
- Used Humidifier to prevent nasal and mouth dryness
- Educate Yourself on CPAP Equipment
- Get the Right Equipment
- Make Sure Your Mask Seals Well
- Keep track of your data
CPAP therapy is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea. Many people who use a ResPro Auto CPAP go on to report life-changing improvements after getting their sleep apnea under control. Most say they no longer feel tired during the day, and a few even experience weight loss. The only way to gain the full benefits of this highly effective therapy for sleep apnea is through continued use
Like most CPAP patients, you will establish a pattern early on in your treatment. Most CPAP patients get into their patterns within the first week! To establish yours, you may have to undergo a CPAP trial (Book a Free ResPro Auto CPAP Trial at your Home) that measures how often and how long you use your CPAP machine
Now that you know you have sleep apnea, you probably want to do everything you can to stop the pauses in your breathing.
At first glance, it seems easy. Simply use your CPAP machine as directed. Next, go for a follow-up appointment with your doctor between the 31st and 90th day of your treatment. There, your doctor will validate your CPAP compliance by checking the machine to determine how many hours you ran the machine and the amount of time the interface was actually in use
Most common CPAP readings
AHI
Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) records the number of times you experience apnea and hypopnea, which occur when your airway at the back of your mouth and throat collapses. This index will take into account full closures of the airway (apneas) along with partial closures (hypopneas).
The AHI measures how many times these events occur per hour on average, which helps your doctor determine the severity of your sleep apnea.
Pressure
Pressure is the amount (usually shown as an average) of air pressure delivered by the CPAP machine. Air pressure holds the airway open to prevent sleep apnea.
CPAP Leaks
A certain amount of air leakage from your CPAP mask is normal, but excessive leakage could indicate a poorly fitting mask or a mouth leak. CPAP leakage can decrease air pressure and compromise the quality of your CPAP treatment.
Usage
Usage is the amount of time you wear your CPAP mask. Today’s CPAP machines can tell whether you are actually wearing the mask or if you have just turned on the CPAP machine but did not wear the mask.
Machines with basic tracking typically focus on usage but may not track AHI, pressure, or CPAP leak. Advanced CPAP machines track advanced statistics, and some contain a modem that allows you to share the results with your doctor
The more comfortable you make CPAP therapy, the more likely you are to use it. And, of course, the more you use your CPAP therapy, the more you will benefit from this treatment for sleep apnea