Falling asleep with a CPAP mask isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially if you’re only just starting to try to do it. Thankfully there are a lot of ways that you can make it much easier for yourself.
The first thing to do is to start off by easing into the CPAP therapy. This means allowing yourself to use the equipment for just a short while every day while you’re going about your daily tasks. This means that you will learn if there are any alterations that you need to make while you’re still conscious.
You can also do some things to make the mask a little more comfortable to use. One big problem is that having a CPAP mask that doesn’t fit correctly can often mean that the treatment doesn’t work properly.
You want to avoid having issues with your mask. This may mean making really small alterations in front of the mirror just so that you know what you’re doing. Then you can attempt to lie down and then put the machine on to see how it feels for you.
Of course, you can also make yourself feel more comfortable by practicing general sleep hygiene. This means trying to fall asleep when your body tells you that it’s ready to do so.
Make sure that you have a supportive pillow and mattress, and ensure that the room is quiet and dark. It should be at the right temperature too, should try to relax as much as possible before you go to sleep.
For instance, you can do things like taking baths before you go to sleep, or you should read a book. Minimize the amount of time that you spend in front of a screen before you go to sleep.
One other thing to try is to practice a couple of different breathing techniques. These can be very helpful for helping you to get to sleep, and there are many of them available online for free.
Ultimately, learning to get to sleep with your CPAP routine can be rather challenging at first, but with a little time and patience it will certainly begin to feel worth it.
Why do I take my CPAP mask off in the middle of the night?
There are very few things that are more annoying than waking up to see that your CPAP mask has come off in the middle of the night. You may be wondering why that is.
The truth is, even while you’re unconscious, it’s still possible to notice things that are irritating your face. As such, it’s actually possible for you to manually take your CPAP mask off in the middle of the night without even realizing that you’ve done it.
The main reason for this is usually that you’ve put the wrong pressure settings on the mask, or that you are finding the mask uncomfortable, meaning that you are likely to attempt to take it off in the middle of the night.
So, how can you deal with this issue? There are a number of solutions to try. First of all, you can install something that will help to keep the mask on. This could be something like tape or chinstraps.
Chinstraps are pretty handy for stopping mouth breathing when you use a CPAP but they are great for stopping you from pulling the mask off in the middle of the night.
You could also wear something like oven mitts or mittens on your hand since this can help you to stop playing around with the mask during the night.
Some people will also use sleeping pills on a short term basis to cope when they first start using a CPAP machine. It can also be incredibly helpful for insomnia, and it may make you less likely to try pulling the mask off in the night.
Usually though, the best solution is to just put the mask back on your face when you notice that it’s off. Eventually, you’ll start to get used to having it on and that means you’re less likely to tug it off your face in the process.
It can take a while to get used to your CPAP mask, so it’s important to have some patience. Keeping your mask on through the night is vital for getting the most out of your treatment.
Damon Wiseley is a Registered Respiratory Therapist and Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist.
