Finding it difficult to sleep with your CPAP machine? Is your mask uncomfortable or hard to keep clean? Is the noise too loud to relax, or do you find that the hoses get in the way of finding a comfortable position? You aren’t the only one. Studies show that between 33 to 50 percent of CPAP patients either quit using their machine or don’t fill their original prescription. They often quit their therapy (or never start it) because of the discomfort associated with CPAP use. Before you throw in the towel, consider that comfortable sleep with a CPAP machine ispossible.
Here are six CPAP accessories that will help you (and your partner) get a great night’s sleep. To start with, let’s take a look at CPAP wipes.
When your CPAP machine isn’t clean, you don’t get the effective therapy that you truly need. Beyond that, germs can build up within the machine, making it unhealthy to use.
All that you really need to keep your mask, tubing, and other accessories clean is some warm water and dish soap or vinegar. But the time it takes to clean every piece of equipment can ruin your day, and the drying time it requires to do a deep clean might mean that your equipment hasn’t fully dried out by nightfall.
Furthermore, dirty masks are notorious for causing leaks due to oil that accumulates on the liner. That means non-compliant CPAP usage, rendering your therapy useless. Aside from that, they can lead to facial rashes, which no one wants to have to deal with! To keep things sanitized between deep cleanings, we recommend CPAP cleaning wipes such as these from 3B Medical.
Keep them on a bedside table and wipe off your mask every morning and night. If you want to take things a step further when it comes to protecting your skin, add a CPAP cream to your regimen.
There’s nothing more annoying than skin irritation or breakouts caused by your CPAP mask. Using your regular facial moisturizer before sleep is frowned upon, since most moisturizers contain harmful chemicals that can break down the materials that your CPAP mask is made out of, wearing them out faster than they were designed.
So what are you supposed to do? Try out a moisturizer or skin cream specifically designed for CPAP use, like this one from RespLabs. With a specially made moisturizer, you can rest assured that your skin will be hydrated without compromising your CPAP mask (literally).
If you still experience irritation or leaks after using a moisturizer, nasal gel pads may be the answer for you.
If you’re still trying to get used to your CPAP mask, you know all too well how uncomfortable it can be, especially on your nose. Full face masks rest on the bridge of your nose, and any issues with pressure leaks or tight suction can feel extremely painful if your nose is already sensitive.
A nasal pad can help you quickly adjust to the reality of having to wear a mask every night. By placing the pad over the skin where it would otherwise be in contact with the mask, you provide a barrier that keeps pressure marks and sores at bay all while fighting the discomfort of having to wear a mask that rubs up against your nose. These gel pads from IMPRESA can be trimmed to size to fit any nose shape.
Now that we’ve covered the importance of gel pads, let’s talk about noise. CPAP machines are known for being loud or making unnatural sounds while in use. If noise is what’s making your CPAP use unbearable, a white noise machine can help to drown out the sound.
White noise is a term generally used to describe a combination of sounds that make it hard to pick out any single noise or note. White noise is made up of multiple different sound frequencies. The sound of waves crashing, a fan, or ambient music can all be thought of as white noise.
Since sounds as low as thirty decibels can affect sleep, white noise is a valuable addition to the bedroom for covering up disruptive sounds (such as the sound of your CPAP machine).
To add white noise to your bedroom, you can either purchase an actual white noise machine or simply use a white noise app that you can download onto a phone or a tablet. Most white noise apps are free, such as this one by TMSOFT. Beyond that, there are paid white noise apps. A paid white noise app, which will likely cost anywhere from $0.99, may offer features such as a timer for the noise to turn off after a certain period of time.
Noise isn’t the most uncomfortable part about sleeping with a CPAP. The hoses attached to a CPAP machine can be cumbersome and awkward. If your CPAP hose is getting in the way of a comfortable night’s sleep, try adding a cushy sleeve.
You put pillowcases on your pillows to make them as comfortable as possible. Why not add a cover or sleeve to your CPAP hose for the same reason?
Water that collects inside of your CPAP hose can eventually make its way into the mask, where it splashes into your nose or mouth. This is known as rainout, and it can wake you up from a dead sleep. No one wants that.
Hose covers help to eliminate any noises caused by the hose rubbing against your nightstand or headboard, and they can even insulate the hose to help to prevent water condensation inside. That means lowered chances of rainout. Moreover, if any part of the hose touches your skin, you’ll feel the soft cover rather than a cold, plastic hose.
Now that you know to cover up your hose, cover up your mouth! We aren’t kidding. Mouth tape strips, which we will look at next, reduce sore throat, dry mouth, snoring, and discomfort caused by CPAP chin straps.
It seems odd that tape can be lumped in with other CPAP accessories, but it’s actually the most efficient CPAP accessory of them all! Mouth taping promotes nasal breathing at night, which is important since mouth breathing can cause nasal congestion, poor sleep quality, and a myriad of health issues. Past that, mouth tape strips can help you say goodbye to pesky chin straps.
A chin strap can help stop mouth leaks, but the cost is high. They’re uncomfortable and annoying. What if you could eliminate the need for one altogether? With SomniFix mouth tape strips, you can. Gently place the strips over your lips to keep nasal breathing, avoid leaks, and maintain CPAP compliance. That’s all there is to it!
@somnifix The 6 benefits of ##mouthtaping! ##dentalhygiene ##bloodpressure ##sleephacks ##immuneboost ##airwayhealth
♬ She Share Story (for Vlog) - 夕依
Sleep with a CPAP machine doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or impossible. With the added help of a few accessories, you can take your sleep game from zero to hero.
Play around with what works best for you. Keep your equipment clean with wipes, try nasal gel pads to avoid facial sores, and most important of all, pop on a SomniFix mouth tape strip to maintain nasal breathing throughout the night. Combine as many CPAP accessories as you’d like to ensure that you’re getting the comfortable therapy you deserve!
If you don't LOVE your sleep in 7 nights, we'll give your money back guaranteed! 🌟
