Every CPAP user knows that it can be difficult to adjust to sleeping while wearing a CPAP mask. Here are some things you can do to be more comfortable while sleeping with a CPAP machine.

1. Make Sure You Have the Right CPAP Mask for your needs.

There is no such thing as a CPAP mask that works for everyone. Everyone’s facial features and sleeping styles are unique, and there have been literally dozens of masks designed to fit these diverse needs. One of the most important things you can do to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep with CPAP is to ensure sure you have the proper mask size and style, and are wearing it correctly. Consult your manufacturer’s instructions, or contact your doctor or medical equipment provider for more info on how to properly adjust your model of CPAP mask.

Consider how the mask fits your face shape and head size. If you switch masks, remember that size and style type are not always consistent across brands or even different models from the same manufacturer. 

2. Get Acquainted With Your Machine

If you have just started using a CPAP machine, getting used to wearing it every night can be very difficult at first. Acquaint yourself to the machine and its settings by wearing your mask and using it for short periods while you are watching TV or reading. This will help you get used to the feeling of using a CPAP machine, and allows you to make necessary comfort adjustments before going to bed. You can even run it at the lower ramp pressure to get used to the sensation of wearing the mask. Gradually adjusting to the feeling of wearing the machine will help you get comfortable and achieve a good night’s rest in the long run.

3. Get a CPAP Pillow

CPAP users often have difficulty adjusting to a comfortable position when sleeping on a regular pillow. This can be particularly true for side-sleepers, who may have trouble with the mask getting dislodged. The mask and tubes are tricky to make room for with a normal pillow, which a special CPAP pillow can resolve. CPAP specific pillows accommodate the straps, mask, and hosing for a more comfortable sleep, and help prevent mask leaks. 

4. Add Humidification to Your Machine

Many CPAP users complain that their noses and throats experience dryness when using their machines. It is an often overlooked fact that mucous membranes dried out from the airflow of a CPAP machine can lead to swelling and nasal discharge, much like the stuffy nose symptoms sometimes ascribed to allergies. Purchasing a machine with a CPAP humidifier or adding one onto your existing CPAP machine will help relieve discomfort. Using saline sprays, such as Ayr Gel, before bedtime can help this problem as well. An improperly fitting or leaky mask can also make this issue worse, since the increased airflow from the leak can dry out membranes. Some newer machines even utilize a combination of auto-humidification and heated breathing tubes for more effective humidification. 

5. Moisture Therapy Lotion to Ease Dryness

The CPAP mask coming in contact with the delicate skin on the face can cause discomfort such as dryness and chafing. There are special lotions created for CPAP users that don’t include any petroleum products, which can be damaging to the mask’s materials. A special lotion will help address any skin sensitivities caused from wearing the mask. RoEzIt is a moisturizer specifically formulated to prevent skin irritation and nasal dryness. 

6. Use Hose and Strap Covers

There are products available that cover materials on the CPAP to create a more pleasant sleeping experience. Soft fleece strap covers provide a more comfortable material against the skin on your face than the standard headgear material, and they help to prevent strap marks on your face. Soft covers for breathing tubes can help insulate the air and prevent condensation, often called “rainout” by CPAP users. They also create a barrier that helps reduce noise from the hose rubbing up against furniture when you change positions during the night. Heated breathing tubes can also help prevent rainout. 

7. Quieting Devices

Noise is a major cause of discomfort when using a CPAP machine. There are a few techniques you can try to quiet your machine. Certain models of CPAP machines have “whisper caps” available that reduce noise created by the machine. Many people use a longer hose so they can place the machine at the foot of the bed, under it, or even in a nightstand. Some people find that a white noise machine or fan will help lessen the impact of machine noise. For those who have tried everything, there are always earplugs or perhaps even buying a new machine. Some of the newer design CPAP machines have gotten significantly quieter than they were a just a few years ago. 

8. Maintain Your Machine

There are a few things you should do regularly to maintain your machine. Periodic cleanings prevent bacteria growth and help ensure odors don’t develop. All parts of the machine should be cleaned daily, but at least weekly. Cleaning and replacing the filter regularly helps maintain airflow and can extend the lifespan of the machine itself. There are basically two types of filters used by most CPAP machines: a foam filter, sometimes referred to as a “pollen filter”, and a disposable “ultrafine” filter used by some (but not all) machines for filtering of very fine particulates. The foam filters should be removed once per week and washed out under tap water. Gently squeeze the excess water out of the filter and allow it to dry thoroughly before reinstalling it. These should be replaced annually at minimum. The disposable ultrafine filters should be replaced when they start to look dirty – you can figure on replacing these every 30 to 45 days. A clean machine will also help to reduce allergens like dust from building up inside the machine, which can result in uncomfortable and unhealthy sleep. There are products created specifically for cleaning your CPAP machine, including mask wipes and special solutions. 

9. Wear a Nasal Pad to Prevent Pressure Sores

Nasal pads can help make wearing a mask more comfortable by easing the pressure on the nasal bridge applied by the mask. If you are having problems with chronic pressure sores on the bridge of your nose, and you have already tried adjusting the angle of the cushion at this point, then one of these pads may be a savior to you. Nasal pads help provide a customized fit around the hard to fit area around the bridge of the nose. Nasal pads are made of a soft gel material and rest over the bridge of the nose and upper cheeks, areas that are often affected by pressure sores. They can help to reduce discomfort and skin irritation, and can also be trimmed to size for a more customized fit.

10.  Hose Management

One common complaint from CPAP users, particularly those using nasal pillows and other masks that can easily be dislodged from the face, is dealing with the hose that gets in the way when they change sleeping positions. There are a number of ways to deal with this. First, make sure you have a hose that is long enough. Breathing tubes come in several different lengths; most CPAP machines are shipped with the standard six-foot hose, but eight and even ten foot hoses are also available. These may be quite helpful for larger folks who may risk pulling the mask off their face or even pulling the machine off a nightstand when they roll over. Also, some manufacturers are beginning to market hoses that are lighter and more flexible – which means less likelihood of creating a leak when the hose tugs on the mask.

Lastly, dedicated hose management systems are available to help stop you from rolling over onto the hose and prevent you from getting tangled up while you sleep. Hose management systems feature a swivel arm that allows you to move freely without having to wake up and adjust. Hose management devices fit under your mattress and suspend the hose away from your body for a more comfortable sleep. Most folks will find that a combination of these solutions will help tame that breathing tube and allow them to get a more peaceful night’s sleep.

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