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Lifestyle modification alone can eliminate sleep apnoea or reduce its severity. For persistent moderate to severe sleep apnoea first line therapy is CPAP i.e. continuous positive airway pressure ventilation.
This treatment requires you to wear a mask over your nose and mouth while you sleep. The mask is attached to a small machine that blows air into your nose and throat. The amount of air is just enough to keep your airway open. The pressure is can be adjusted according to individual requirement.
The first step in getting CPAP therapy is to have a sleep study (polysomnogram) done. The results of a sleep study will inform your sleep specialist as to the severity of your condition and best treatment options.
If a CPAP machine is determined to be the best option, you will likely have to have a follow-up sleep titration study in which you will sleep overnight while wearing various CPAP masks and using a few different machines that will be specifically calibrated to the air pressure needed to clear your airway blockage.
Those who begin using their CPAP devices, often begin to experience immediate positive results including:
It is the most relevant and common question asked by sleep apnoea sufferers. Unfortunately the answer is NO.
CPAP use is a therapy and not a cure. Hence you have to use CPAP regularly. Once you stop using it, your sleep apnoea is back with same severity.
Studies show that at least 6 hours of CPAP usage per night is needed to reduce long term health risks of obstructive sleep apnea. The best practice is to put the CPAP on at lights out each night and to make every attempt to put it back on after nighttime awakenings.
Most new CPAP users experience some discomfort for the first few days. This will often pass as you get used to the machine and become less sensitive.
Problems caused by dry air, including nasal and throat irritation, can be remedied by using humidification, or a saline nasal spray. A CPAP unit with heated humidity can alleviate most of these problems.
Dry mouth may be the result of dry air, or you may be sleeping with your mouth open. If you are sleeping with your mouth open, you can use a chin strap or try switching to a full mask.
(Do consult an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist before you wear a chin strap, as your nose should be open for the chin strap to work).
Chest discomfort and sinus pain are often the result of too much initial pressure. Many patients need to start out with low pressure and upgrade to the required pressure slowly.
Eye and skin irritation are typically the result of air leakage from mask. A mask that leaks will allow the air to flow over your eyes, causing dryness and irritation.
You need consultation if your symptoms come back. Pressure settings may require change due to weight gain or loss and aging.
The CPAP pressure may be reduced if your mask is leaking. Your mask may be too big or too old. We would suggest you resize your mask to be sure you have the best fit. If your mask fits, but it is six to nine months old, it might need replacement.
CPAP is most commonly advised therapy for sleep apnoea sufferers. But many people may not tolerate this therapy for various reasons. Some common subjective feelings which come with this therapy are claustrophobia, dryness, nasal congestion. There may be some structural problem in the airway for which CPAP alone may not be sufficient to treat sleep apnoea.
For those cases where CPAP did not work there are other options like oral appliance and special surgeries for sleep apnea.
But before declaring the apathy for CPAP use you must give yourself at least two to four weeks’ time to get accustomed to the mask and the air pressure. Make sure the mask is comfortable and the humidifier is working. Once you are comfortable with the therapy adherence is the most important factor.
Dr Srinivas Kishore, Hyderabad, India