Worried About CPAP Problems? Here’s A Few Tips To Help You Avoid Them

Welcome back to the CPAP Liquidators blog! It’s been a considerable length of time since we last got the opportunity to write, so we are pleased that we are able to take the time to write the readers who have been patiently waiting for so long!

Would you believe it that our last blog post was published on July 16, 2018? In that post, we discussed the four realities of sleep apnea and CPAP treatment. As a refresher, they were:

• Lifestyle Changes - Living with sleep apnea means you are obligated to make changes to your diet and other lifestyle habits in order to successfully treat it.
• CPAP Machine & Mask - the very act of wearing a CPAP mask and using the machine requires adjusting to. Whether the adjustment is significant and uncomfortable depends on each user, primarily. But it also depends on what kind of CPAP machine the user goes with, for not all CPAP devices are created equally!
• Traveling - Traveling with a CPAP device isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world either. If you are flying, you’ll want to make sure you prepare sufficiently in order to meet FAA regulations when it comes to traveling with your CPAP machine. You can also travel with light-weight, portable travel CPAP machines. Browse our inventory at your convenience!
• You Are Not Alone - Finally, the last point we made was that you aren’t alone, due to the estimated 12 to 25 million American who suffer from Sleep Apnea. We at CPAP Liquidators want you to know that there are support groups available to help you live with the disorder.

CPAP Problems And What You Can Do About Them

Now that we’ve reminded you where we left off, we have a promised blog topic to get to! Today’s topic, as the title of the post no doubt already gave away, deals with common CPAP problems. We hope that it is one that our readers find practically beneficial.

It’s important to note that, while CPAP machines are crucial for the treating of obstructive sleep apnea, many users end up frustrated with their machines. To be clear, it’s simply not possible to resolve each and every issue that may arise with a given CPAP device, but there are a handful of issues that many users have faced at one point or another. If we at CPAP Liquidators are able to offer up some tips to avoid such problems, we are more than happy to put our experience and industry knowledge to good use.

That said, let’s get going!

Problem: You Don’t Like Your Mask

This is a significant problem, since it’s the portion of the CPAP machine that you are coming into contact with every time you use it! Our first piece of advice here is to consult with your doctor and CPAP supplier (that’s us!) to determine what kind of mask is right for you. When it comes to selecting a CPAP mask size matters — but that’s not the only variable you need to take into account. For instance, some CPAP masks are full-face masks which completely cover your nose and mouth. These come equipped with straps that will stretch across your cheeks and forehead. Some people appreciate the full coverage and feel secure with it, while it can make other users feel claustrophobic.

Our two cents on the matter is that such full-face masks work well if you like to breathe through your mouth while sleeping. Likewise, if you tend to be a restless, active sleeper, the mask is less likely to fall off with the security of the straps.

Other masks offer nasal pillows that are more comfortable and less bulky than full-face masks. Another factor worth your consideration is to remember that CPAP mask sizes are not standardized from one brand to the next. While you might have your preferred size in Apex Medical CPAP machines memorized, but ResMed CPAP devices are entirely different. Hence, it’s important to do your research instead of simply assuming they’ll be the same.

Problem: You Keep Swallowing Air

CPAP users can all agree — swallowing air is no fun at all. In fact, it can be extremely discomforting for many. Waking up feeling bloated and needing to burp a lot is not our idea of a good way to start your day, and we are confident you’ll agree there.

Luckily, it’s a fairly easy fix for most users. The issue is that the air pressure is set too high on your CPAP device. To resolve this, you’ll need to get the pressure lowered. You might also consider getting a pressure ramp setting. But because each person is different in their needs, we recommend consulting with your physician before doing anything like this on your own.

Problem: Your Mask Smells Bad

Like any piece of technical equipment, there is some degree of CPAP maintenance and upkeep that is required. If you don’t keep your CPAP machine clean, your mask and tubing will probably start to smell a bit funky. Regular cleanings are vital to your device’s functioning, and you want to be sure to do so even more frequently if you’ve recently been sick.

If you find that no matter how many times you clean your machine, and no matter how much elbow grease you are giving it, you can’t get rid of the bad smell, it’s probably time to start thinking about buying a new CPAP machine. It’s advisable to do so because using an unclean mask can lead to skin infections or similar issues.

And finally, if you have a new CPAP machine and it smells a bit off, give it a bit of time to lose that “new” smell before you think that something is the matter!

Problem: The Worst Dry Mouth After Using The Machine

The final problem we’d like to address in today’s triumphant return of a blog is that CPAP users often experience nasty dry mouth after wearing their CPAP masks. For those of us who sleep with our mouths open, it only makes the problem worse in most cases.

For this kind of issue, we’d recommend talking to us about a chin strap that can help keep your mouth shut. Wearing one should also reduce the amount of air leaking that comes from wearing a nasal mask. Ultimately, though, you want to be sure that you are wearing the right kind of mask in the first place. If you have a CPAP machine with a heated humidifier, we advise you to adjust those settings to see if you can improve the outcome at all.

Remember, you have options, so don’t despair!

Shop CPAP Liquidators

We hope that you’ve found today’s post informational and helpful. We understand that adjusting to a new device, or indeed, wearing one for the first time, can be a challenge. But we’d also like to remind you that it generally takes a bit of time to get comfortable with the device.

If you are looking for a CPAP supplier that carries high-quality, affordable CPAP machines, look no further than CPAP Liquidators. We offer free shipping on all orders and provide Live Operator Support 24/7. We’d be happy to hear from you and put our industry knowledge to good use for you. Shop CPAP Liquidators today!