Top CPAP comfort items—specifically for those who feel worse after starting CPAP treatment—that can enhance your CPAP experience include:
Instead, the cNEP system features a silicone collar that is worn around the front of the neck. The collar is attached to a vacuum pump by a flexible tube. The vacuum creates negative pressure inside the collar, which pulls the tissues of the throat to keep the airway open.
Although adjusting to CPAP therapy can come with its challenges, many side effects of CPAP can be prevented or resolved by working with a health professional.
One study shows between one-third to over 50 percent of CPAP wearers either quit sleep therapy or never even fill their prescription (partially because they’re still tired after CPAP), but there are several things you can do to make your CPAP experience more comfortable, including:
Nasal CPAP: Nasal prongs that fit directly into the nostrils or a small mask that fits over the nose
Getting used to sleeping with CPAP therapy can be difficult, but it does get easier with time. If you’re still tired after CPAP therapy, it’s worth investigating solutions that may help. There are plenty of products designed specifically for providing comfort for CPAP users, which can help you limit or eliminate CPAP fatigue.
Exercises that strengthen throat muscles are also shown to help improve sleep apnea to some degree, according to David Rosen, M.D., a sleep medicine physician and CEO of Renuma, a digital health platform designed to deliver sleep apnea treatment through telehealth.
Nasal masks – these are the most common type of mask. They sit over the nose and are held in place by a strap around the head. However, they are not very useful if you cannot breathe through your nose particularly well.
Cost and insurance coverage can also be key to determining if a treatment is right for you. CPAP machines can cost several thousand dollars, as can surgeries or oral appliances. Contact your insurance provider to see what therapies and treatments your plan covers.
CPAP remains the gold standard for treating moderate to severe OSA, but there are many other sleep apnea treatments to consider, from CPAP alternative devices to natural solutions.
How does CPAP work? CPAP machines work by generating an air stream that keeps the upper airway open during sleep. There are lots of different machines available and modern devices are small, comfortable and easy to use. The air stream is pushed through tubing via a mask to the back of the throat.
if it’s prescribed by your doctor. read more To learn more, read our guide to Medicare coverage for CPAP machines and supplies.
Some appliances can be purchased in stores or online, while others may have to be custom-fitted by your dentist. Some devices include:
Each type of sleep product is tested using a unique set of performance criteria. We also assign ratings based on feedback from testers who fall into specific categories based on weight and sleep position (i.e. side sleepers who weigh 130 to 230 pounds).