In this series, our PPG-Sleep Medicine providers offer professional perspectives on achieving more uninterrupted, refreshing sleep. In this installment, Amanda Schraeger, NP, addresses CPAP mask apprehension.
Watch the video: Slumber shorts: CPAP troubleshooting
If you're adjusting to a CPAP machine, please don't give up. There are different settings on the machine where we'll start you at a lower pressure and then adjust the ramp time. This makes it so that you can fall asleep at a low pressure, and then the pressure will increase after you fall asleep.
Mask complications
A lot of patients come into the office, and they are concerned, hesitant, nervous or anxious to try a mask. If it's a concern of something on your face, we have desensitization steps that we provide to patients, where you start with wearing it during the day, and you get used to it on your face, and then you try to use it at night for a few hours.
If the issue is the type of mask, remember, there are multiple mask types. We work with people on the fit to make sure we get them comfortable.
Why you should stick with it
Untreated sleep apnea has an increased risk of causing resistant hypertension, resistant atrial fibrillation and strokes. We want to ensure you are able to treat your sleep disorder so that you aren’t at a heightened risk.
We are here for you. We have MyChart messaging. You have your Sleep Medicine provider. There are even support groups now on social media that people have gleaned a lot of information from. The important thing is to get the support and resources you need to rest better.
