Dealing with CPAP machine side effects can be a challenging journey. 

Adjusting to the side effects and sensations of wearing a CPAP mask and using a CPAP machine is one of the leading causes of non-compliance. 

But with the right approach and the knowledge of what causes many of the most common CPAP machine side effects, you can effectively manage and even eliminate many of them to enjoy restful and rejuvenating sleep once again.

In this guide, we’ll examine common CPAP machine side effects and provide actionable, easy-to-understand tips and approaches to help you minimize discomfort and inconvenience and get the most out of your PAP therapy.

Note: The following is not medical advice. If you have any questions about how to best approach any symptoms you’re experiencing, the safest and most reliable approach is always to contact your healthcare provider.

Understanding CPAP Side Effects

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the gold standard sleep apnea treatment. But just because it’s proven and effective doesn’t mean there isn’t potential for adverse effects.

Commonly reported side effects include:

• Aerophagia (swallowing air)
• Facial irritation
• Claustrophobia or anxiety
• Nasal dryness, congestion, or chest discomfort
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Feeling short of breath

Managing Aerophagia (Swallowing Air) from CPAP Use

Aerophagia occurs when air is swallowed during CPAP use, often due to high air pressure settings, improper mask fit, or the wrong mask design. This can lead to bloating, gas, and discomfort.

Tips to Reduce Aerophagia:

1. Adjust CPAP Pressure: Work with your healthcare provider to ensure your pressure settings are appropriate. Auto-adjusting CPAP devices may help by delivering only the necessary pressure.
2. Choose the Right Mask: Masks that fit your facial structure and sleeping style (e.g., nasal vs. full-face mask) can reduce air swallowing.
3. Focus on Fit: Ensure your mask is snug but not overly tight. A loose mask can cause leaks that lead to aerophagia.

If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare provider for further adjustments or alternative solutions, as this side effect is manageable with the right approach.

Reducing Skin Irritation from CPAP Mask Use

The friction between your CPAP mask and your skin during sleep can lead to irritation, especially if you have sensitive or oily skin. Symptoms may range from mild redness to painful sores.

Tips to Prevent Skin Irritation:

• Clean Your Face Before Bed: Use a gentle cleanser to remove oils and debris from your skin, especially around your nose and mouth. This reduces mask slippage and minimizes the risk of abrasions.
  
  If you have sensitive skin, consider using an oil-free moisturizer. However, you’ll want to ensure it doesn’t leave residue that could interfere with the mask seal.
  
• Optimize Mask Fit: A properly fitted mask should be snug enough to stay in place without causing excessive pressure.
  
  Overly tight masks can lead to irritation, strain on headgear, and even headaches.
  
• Use a Mask Liner: Apply a soft, disposable mask liner between your skin and the CPAP mask cushion.
  
  Usually made from soft textiles or gels, these liners fit over your cushion to reduce friction, absorb moisture, and help prevent skin marks and irritation while maintaining an effective seal.

If you’re unsure about your mask fit or whether your skin care products are safe to use with your CPAP mask, consult your doctor or supply provider for additional information.

Minimizing the Risk of CPAP Mask-Related Infections and Sores

Prolonged CPAP use without proper maintenance increases the risk of infections such as sinusitis or pneumonia. Moist components like tubing and masks can harbor bacteria, which may also infect irritated or broken skin.

Steps to Prevent Infections:

1. Follow a Daily Cleaning Routine: Clean your mask cushion, tubing, and humidifier reservoir daily using warm water and a gentle detergent. Wipe down all surfaces of your equipment regularly.
2. Replace Aging Components: Damaged or worn-out parts, such as cracked masks, an old hose, or loose headgear, increase the risk of bacterial buildup and reduce therapy effectiveness. Replace these parts as your provider recommends, or consult our guide to CPAP maintenance for general recommendations.
3. Ensure Proper Storage: To prevent moisture buildup, allow cleaned components to air dry completely before reassembling or storing them.

While maintaining your CPAP equipment may initially seem daunting, establishing a routine will make it quick and easy before you know it. Regular cleaning not only reduces the risk of infections but also extends the lifespan of your equipment.

Addressing Claustrophobia or Anxiety When Using a CPAP Machine

Feelings of claustrophobia or anxiety are common during the initial adjustment period of CPAP therapy. These feelings often stem from discomfort with the mask or the sensation of forced airflow but may also be amplified by existing anxiety or mental health conditions.

Strategies to Alleviate Claustrophobia and Anxiety:

• Choose an Open Design Mask: Opt for masks with an open field of view, such as a nasal pillow mask or nasal mask.
• Adjust Gradually: Use the machine while awake during relaxing activities like reading or watching TV to help adjust to the sensations.
• Enable Ramp Features: Many CPAP machines have ramp settings that start at a lower pressure and gradually increase as you fall asleep.
• Practice Relaxation Techniques: Breathing exercises or mindfulness can help ease anxiety associated with the therapy.

If anxiety persists, consider discussing alternative therapies or adjustments with your doctor.

Preventing CPAP-Related Nasal Dryness, Congestion, and Chest Discomfort

Dry or cold air from CPAP machines can irritate nasal passages and lead to congestion, nosebleeds, dry mouth, or chest discomfort. Many modern CPAP machines include features to help address this if you know where to look.

Solutions for Nasal Dryness and Congestion:

• Use a Humidifier: Integrated or standalone humidifiers add moisture to the airflow, reducing dryness.
• Heated Tubing: Heated tubing prevents condensation and ensures that airways remain moist throughout the night.
• Saline Sprays: A saline nasal spray before bed can help keep nasal passages moist.

These accessories are easy to incorporate into your routine and significantly improve comfort during therapy.

If congestion or dryness continues, speak with your healthcare provider. It could indicate health conditions that need to be addressed elsewhere.

Preventing Headaches Caused by Your CPAP Machine

While headaches upon waking are also a symptom of sleep apnea, headaches after CPAP use are often linked to incorrect pressure settings or mask fit issues that cause strain on facial muscles. 

Steps to Minimize Headaches:

• Check Mask Fit: Ensure your mask isn’t too tight, as excessive pressure can contribute to headaches
• Evaluate Humidification Levels: Insufficient humidity may exacerbate sinus-related headaches.

If these steps do not resolve your symptoms, you should discuss the persistent headaches with your healthcare provider or sleep specialist to rule out possible issues with your prescribed pressure levels.

Managing Dizziness After Using Your CPAP Machine

Dizziness after removing a CPAP mask may result from sudden changes in ear pressure caused by the abrupt change in airflow when you remove your mask quickly after waking.

Tips to Address Dizziness:

1. Remove Your Mask Slowly: Sit in bed for a few minutes after waking in the morning before removing your mask. This allows your body time to adjust and acclimate.
2. Switch Mask Types: A different mask design might improve your symptoms. Asking your CPAP supply provider or healthcare professional about options can highlight models known to help with this issue.

If dizziness continues, seek medical advice to ensure that no other contributing factors exist or that your prescribed pressure doesn’t need to be adjusted.

Addressing Shortness of Breath During PAP Therapy

Feeling short of breath is a common sensation when adjusting to CPAP therapy. However, with the right approach, you should be able to address it.

How to Improve Breathing Comfort:

• Check Mask Fitment: Ensure your mask creates a proper seal without being overly tight and that any pressure relief valves are clean and not obstructed.
• Use Ramp Features on Your CPAP Machine: If you do not wake up feeling short of breath in the middle of the night but only feel that way when starting your therapy, consider using the pressure ramping features on your machine to ease into your prescribed pressure rating.
• Verify Pressure Levels: Work with your provider to confirm that pressure settings match your therapeutic needs.
• Practice Breathing Techniques: Breathing exercises can help you acclimate more quickly to using the machine.

If shortness of breath persists beyond the adjustment period, contact your healthcare provider promptly.

The Importance of Sticking with Your CPAP Therapy

The side effects of CPAP therapy can make it hard to stick with in the beginning. 

However, it’s essential to try to push through the adjustment period as the risks associated with untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) far outweigh any temporary discomfort from using a CPAP machine.

Consequences Arising from Non-Compliance

If you do not follow your doctor’s recommendations, you risk continuing to have poor sleep quality. This could progress into chronic fatigue that impacts all areas of life, including work performance and personal relationships.

Untreated OSA raises the likelihood of dangerous health issues, including cardiac disease and stroke, due to repeated low oxygen levels as you stop sleeping throughout the night.

Mood changes such as depression or anxiety are also common among people with untreated sleep apnea. 

In severe cases, untreated OSA could even shorten lifespan. 

Adhering to your prescribed CPAP treatment can normalize your sleep pattern, reduce daytime fatigue, improve focus, lower blood pressure, and improve your overall cardiovascular health.

That’s a ton of benefits for making it through the discomfort of your adjustment period.

Remember: While adjusting to a new regimen might seem challenging initially, perseverance pays off in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the side effects of CPAP machines is a crucial part of managing sleep apnea effectively—especially if you’re new to PAP therapy or newly diagnosed with sleep apnea and don’t know whether your therapy or condition might be causing the issues you’re experiencing.

Despite these side effects, it’s essential not to neglect therapy as non-compliance could lead to more significant health problems such as chronic fatigue and heart complications, among others.

The key lies in taking simple preventive measures such as regular cleaning routines for your device parts, avoiding oily skin care products before wearing your mask, ensuring you have the best mask type for your face and sleeping position, checking humidifier settings, and optimizing your mask fit as much as possible.

If you or someone you love suffers from sleep apnea, then CPAP Supply has the solution. 

We offer unbeatable prices of top-rated CPAP machines that effectively and affordably treat this common disorder. With our extensive selection of products and expert customer service, we can help improve your quality of life with a reliable therapy system explicitly tailored to your needs. 

Don’t wait any longer—take control of your health today by getting the relief you deserve!

References:

• Sleeplay: How to Avoid CPAP Machines Side Effects
• PreciDent: The Side Effects of CPAP Machines
• SleepWise Clinic: 8 Common Side Effects of Using CPAP Machines
• SleepDoctor: CPAP Side Effects: Common Symptoms and Preventive Measures
• SleepApnea.org: Common CPAP Side Effects and Prevention
• Rejuvenation Health: 6 Common CPAP Machine Side Effects & Prevention
• Sleep Foundation: Common Side Effects of CPAP
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): CPAP