Once your doctor has confirmed a diagnosis of sleep apnea, different means of treatment are discussed. More than likely you will be given a prescription for a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. With this machine, y ou will breathe pressurized air through (in most cases) a nasal mask. This will help to keep your airways open while you are sleeping. To determine the pressure needed to accomplish this, you will once again go through a sleep study using a CPAP device and a nasal mask (if this was not done at the time of your original sleep study).Steps will then be taken to send a home-care provider to see you to determine your needs. You will be fitted with a mask, headgear, and a CPAP machine. A flexible hose will also be given to you that attaches to the machine and the mask. In many cases a humidifier is also prescribed. (In some instances, heated humidification systems may be prescribed).
Your responsibility in this process is to do your homework and find out what masks and machines are available. They are not all alike. The wrong mask or machine can cause you to be uncomfortable and, therefore, non-compliant with your treatment. A machine sitting in a closet gathering dust helps no one.
Mask comfort is decided by the contours of your face, size, the material with which the mask is made, the way it connects to the hose and headgear, and, most importantly, how you feel. Do not accept a mask just because the home-care provider has said, "Here's your mask; try it on." Ask questions. Ask to see and try the alternative masks while lying down. What fits sitting in a chair does not always adhere as well when lying down. Also, ask to try the mask while you have the CPAP machine on at your prescribed pressure. Do this while lying down in your favorite sleeping position. You are entitled to get the best available mask for you. You, as the patient, should be the determining party with the input of the therapist and, of course, your doctor. Do not accept anything if you are not comfortable. Call your sleep physician or primary care physician if after a few nights you are still unable to sleep or if you develop nasal congestion. If you develop a mask leak, sores, or pain, call your home-care provider.
Not all CPAP machines are alike. Some are quieter than others, some adjust automatically for different altitudes, and some easily switch for different currents. Your lifestyle should help determine which will work best for you. Again, do your homework. Ask questions. If you have special requirements, or need further assistance, call your doctor.
Once you have all your equipment, you need to set it up in your bedroom. Ask the therapist to show you where and how. Ask how to clean your hose and mask and how often. If your machine has filters, make sure you have replacements and ask how often they need to be cleaned or changed.
Finally, you are on your own with your CPAP. It is a new world! The benefits of using CPAP are determined by how well and how much you use it. There will be an adjustment period. If you have difficulty adjusting to using the CPAP, talk to your doctor or, in Central New Jersey, contact A.W.A.K.E. (sleep apnea support group). For information about other A.W.A.K.E. groups throughout the United States, contact the American Sleep Apnea Association at 202-293-3650.
If you are still having difficulty adjusting to CPAP, there are alternative therapies that may be available to you. Surgery or the use of dental appliances may be considered in some cases. Consult with your doctor before making any final treatment decisions.
A health awareness group for patients with sleep apnea and
their families and friends
(part of the American Sleep Apnea Association A.W.A.K.E. Network)