If you have sleep apnea, you know how exhausted you are every day. Maybe you fall asleep at work or you’re not enthusiastic about anything in your life.
These are common symptoms with sleep apnea. But, you don’t have to feel this way. A CPAP machine can bring back your life again.
The problem is many people with sleep apnea don’t use the CPAP machine the doctor prescribed. Is this you?
Did you have trouble sleeping the first time you used CPAP so you gave up on it? If this is the case, keep trying. You will get used to it and you’ll be glad you did.
Read more to find out the seven benefits of CPAP. Feel refreshed and happy again.
1. Airway Stays Open
The most important benefit of CPAP is that your airway stays open, which lets air into your lungs. This helps increase low oxygen levels in your blood caused by the pauses in your breathing from sleep apnea. When your oxygen level goes up, it boosts blood flow to your brain.
2. Sleep Through the Night
You’ll sleep through the night instead of waking up several times. CPAP lets you get into a deeper sleep. When you sleep better, it improves your mood, energy, and attitude.
After a good night’s sleep, you’ll wake up energized and well-rested.
3. No More Snoring
You won’t snore anymore. This not only helps you sleep better but your bed partner will too.
The reason CPAP therapy eliminates snoring is that sleep apnea causes your throat structures to narrow. Sometimes they’ll close completely. This causes you to snort, snore and gasp loudly. Since CPAP keeps your airway open, you stop snoring.
4. Eliminate Morning Headaches
Headaches and migraines are common when you suffer from sleep apnea. Once you start using your CPAP machine, the headaches you get when you wake up will stop.
The low oxygen levels from sleep apnea cause your blood vessels to get wider, this results in headaches when you wake up. You can tell sleep apnea causes your headache if it goes away in a few hours after waking.
When you wake up, your breathing goes back to normal. Then the carbon dioxide produced in your blood from less oxygen dissipates. This causes the blood pressure in your brain to go back to normal.
Using CPAP prevents all this from happening so you won’t have morning headaches anymore.
5. Lower Blood Pressure
After using your CPAP machine every night for three months, you’ll have significantly better blood pressure readings. According to a study from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, successful CPAP therapy your arterial tone and stiffness, which lowers blood pressure.
This helps reduce the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
6. More Alert During the Day
You won’t be as sleepy during the day. Many people with sleep apnea don’t realize how sluggish they were during the day until they started CPAP.
When you regularly use your CPAP, you’ll feel wide awake during the day. You’ll get up in the morning refreshed. Also, you won’t yawn as much during the day.
7. Better Focus and Concentration
You’ll have during the day. Because of this, you’ll be more productive at work, school or at home. You’ll think more clearly because CPAP therapy allows your mind to rest.
If you use your CPAP for at least six hours every night, you’ll also see improvement in your memory.
How Does CPAP Work?
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, you need a CPAP machine to keep the symptoms under control.
Sleep apnea causes your airway to collapse. When this happens it blocks breathing while you sleep.
The blockage stops your lungs from getting the oxygen you need. This causes snoring, gasping for breath and waking up throughout the night.
When you use your CPAP, you wear a mask over your nose and mouth when you go to bed. A tube connects the CPAP machine to the mask.
The CPAP machine gives you a gentle, steady flow of pressurized air into the mask. The air keeps your airway open letting you get a good night’s sleep.
How to Choose a CPAP Machine
CPAP machines and masks come in several styles. When it’s time to choose one, your home medical equipment provider will help you.
Your provider also adjusts the CPAP machine with the pressure recommended by your doctor. It’s important to choose the CPAP machine that’s right for the severity of your sleep apnea.
Three types of CPAP mask devices are available to sleep apnea patients:
- Nasal pillows fit into your nostrils
- Face mask covering your nose and mouth
- Face mask covering only your nose
Choosing a mask that feels comfortable helps you stay consistent with your therapy. It might take you a few days to get used to your mask.
Don’t be tempted to take it off. After a few nights, you’ll start sleeping better.
How to Clean CPAP Machines
It’s important to keep your CPAP devices clean. As you breathe in and out of your mask all night, the moisture causes microorganisms to grow.
If you don’t clean the machine properly, colonies of bacteria form. Your CPAP will develop a nasty odor. The bacteria can also cause respiratory infections.
You clean your mask, headgear, and tube by rinsing them with water for about a minute. Before you use any cleaners, check with your device supplier for the best options. Also, let your equipment dry completely after washing.
Another option is to use a CPAP cleaning machine, such as VirtuCLEAN. The machine cleans and sanitizes your mask without soap and water.
This kills any bacteria living in your equipment. All you have to do is put your mask into the machine.
Stay Motivated for the Benefits of CPAP
Try not to get frustrated with your CPAP machine. It’s important to keep wearing your mask so you get all the benefits of CPAP.
If you stay motivated, you’ll be more focused and alert during the day and sleep better at night. You can join an online CPAP community that offers support to keep you motivated with your CPAP therapy.
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