Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is widely regarded as the best treatment available forobstructive sleep apnea, a breathing disorder that affects millions of people.This treatment is highly effective when properly used and the CPAP machine is kept in good working condition.
There are ways to know if your CPAP device has become less effective because it’s not working properly, such as persistent symptoms, snoring, and cold air from the humidifier. Your device may need to be adjusted or replaced entirely.
This article explains some of the reasons why a CPAP machine is no longer providing you with the best results. In addition, it offers tips that may fix the problem in many cases.
Understanding CPAP Therapy
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1. You’re Breathing In Cold Air
Cold air coming in through the CPAP machine can be a sign that thehumidifierisn’t working properly. Humidity in the CPAP air is extremely important because it helps prevent dry mouth, difficulty sleeping, and other uncomfortable side effects.
The two main problems that could be happening with the humidifier have to do with the water chamber and the hot plate:
2. You’re Still Snoring or Having Apnea
Snoringshould never occur when the CPAP pressure is set properly. That’s because the constant flow of air will keep the airway open and prevent its collapse. It also stops the airway tissue vibrations that cause snoring.
If you are snoring with your CPAP mask on, and the mask is not leaking, talk to your healthcare provider. The pressure likely needs to be increased to be fully effective.
You may have pauses in your breathing or episodes where you wake up gasping and choking even while using your CPAP machine. If these events are confirmed, it’s likely the pressure setting needs to change.
Theapnea-hypopneaindex (AHI)gives you an average number of breathing disruptions that occur per hour of sleep.You can sometimes find an AHI display on your machine or monitoring apps.
Using a CPAP machine can improve your AHI.If your AHI does not get better with the use of a CPAP machine, talk to your healthcare provider about adjusting the pressure settings.
If you have any of these problems, you should discuss them with your sleep specialist.
3. You Feel Worse
Some people who start using a CPAP machine will see benefits in a matter of days or weeks. Signs that CPAP treatment is working may include:
Over the long term, other conditions associated with untreated sleep apnea may also improve. The long-term benefits of CPAP include:
Symptoms of sleep apnea are usually what lead to CPAP use. If the same symptoms return, this may mean the machine is not delivering the best possible results. Talk this issue over with your healthcare provider.
When there is a problem, people using CPAP will most often complain that theirexcessive daytime sleepinesshas returned and again need to have long or frequent naps. Possible causes include a mask leak or not enough treatment pressure.
Other changes in your health or lifestyle may cause your symptoms to return. That may mean yourCPAP settingsneed to be adjusted. The following factors can affect how well your CPAP treatment is working:
4. Your CPAP Machine Is Aging
Unfortunately, CPAP machines do not last forever. Your machine may start to make a funny noise, become harder to operate, or won’t generate the same pressure as before. That may mean it’s time to replace the machine.
How long does a CPAP machine last?In general, your CPAP machine should last about five years. Most insurance companies will pay to replace the CPAP machine after that time.
How long does a CPAP machine last?
In general, your CPAP machine should last about five years. Most insurance companies will pay to replace the CPAP machine after that time.
These devices do have some degree of built-inobsolescence, meaning that they are not meant to work forever. They will gradually begin to fail and you’ll need to replace it with a new device.
If your CPAP machine is old enough and it’s no longer working well, a replacement is due. Fortunately, next-generation models often have improved features. The new machines often are quieter and easier to use when compared to old equipment.
How to Clean a CPAP Machine
5. The CPAP Machine Just Isn’t Working
If the machine simply does not turn on, it clearly is not working properly. When plugged in, most CPAP machines can be turned on with the push of a button. If you place it on a specific setting, some machines will even start working automatically when you breathe into your connected mask a few times.
If the CPAP stays off or there is no airflow at all, you should take it to your equipment provider. They can determine if the device needs to be repaired or replaced. This is often the case when it has stopped working after it is dropped.
There can be other signs that something is amiss with your CPAP machine. That’s because there are water and heating systems that can malfunction, too, apart from the power supply. Here are a few to consider.
How to Replace a Broken CPAP
When you’ve done all the troubleshooting you can and your machine still isn’t working, it may be time for a replacement. Here’s what you can do to get a new CPAP machine:
Solve Your CPAP Problems With These Tips
Summary
Your CPAP machine is only as good as the health benefits it provides. When it’s working well, you’ll feel far more rested and your symptoms of sleep apnea and snoring will be resolved.
But when the device isn’t working properly, your symptoms may return. There are several reasons for why the CPAP machine may be failing. The problem can be with the power, tubing, or humidifier. Or it may just be that an old machine needs to be replaced.
In other cases, changes in your health or lifestyle may simply mean that your settings need to be changed to ensure you’re getting the right amount of pressure. If you believe that your CPAP machine is not working properly, call your equipment provider or sleep specialist and get your treatment back on track. Your sleep specialist can also help you find out the cause and offer solutions if apnea symptoms return.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cao MT, Sternbach JM, Guilleminault C.Continuous positive airway pressure therapy in obstuctive sleep apnea: benefits and alternatives.Expert Rev Respir Med. 2017;11(4):259-272. doi:10.1080/17476348.2017.1305893SleepApnea.org.CPAP humidification.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea.Wang L, Pan M, Ou, Q.The effects of long-term continuous positive airway pressure on apnea–hypopnea index change following short-term that withdrawal in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.Clin Respir J. 2022;16(5):352-360. doi:10.1111/crj.13488National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.CPAP.Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense.Obstructive sleep apnea CPAP therapy booklet.SleepApnea.org.How long does a CPAP machine last?The CPAP Shop.CPAP machine troubleshooting guide.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cao MT, Sternbach JM, Guilleminault C.Continuous positive airway pressure therapy in obstuctive sleep apnea: benefits and alternatives.Expert Rev Respir Med. 2017;11(4):259-272. doi:10.1080/17476348.2017.1305893SleepApnea.org.CPAP humidification.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea.Wang L, Pan M, Ou, Q.The effects of long-term continuous positive airway pressure on apnea–hypopnea index change following short-term that withdrawal in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.Clin Respir J. 2022;16(5):352-360. doi:10.1111/crj.13488National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.CPAP.Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense.Obstructive sleep apnea CPAP therapy booklet.SleepApnea.org.How long does a CPAP machine last?The CPAP Shop.CPAP machine troubleshooting guide.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cao MT, Sternbach JM, Guilleminault C.Continuous positive airway pressure therapy in obstuctive sleep apnea: benefits and alternatives.Expert Rev Respir Med. 2017;11(4):259-272. doi:10.1080/17476348.2017.1305893SleepApnea.org.CPAP humidification.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea.Wang L, Pan M, Ou, Q.The effects of long-term continuous positive airway pressure on apnea–hypopnea index change following short-term that withdrawal in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.Clin Respir J. 2022;16(5):352-360. doi:10.1111/crj.13488National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.CPAP.Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense.Obstructive sleep apnea CPAP therapy booklet.SleepApnea.org.How long does a CPAP machine last?The CPAP Shop.CPAP machine troubleshooting guide.
Cao MT, Sternbach JM, Guilleminault C.Continuous positive airway pressure therapy in obstuctive sleep apnea: benefits and alternatives.Expert Rev Respir Med. 2017;11(4):259-272. doi:10.1080/17476348.2017.1305893
SleepApnea.org.CPAP humidification.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea.
Wang L, Pan M, Ou, Q.The effects of long-term continuous positive airway pressure on apnea–hypopnea index change following short-term that withdrawal in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.Clin Respir J. 2022;16(5):352-360. doi:10.1111/crj.13488
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.CPAP.
Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense.Obstructive sleep apnea CPAP therapy booklet.
SleepApnea.org.How long does a CPAP machine last?
The CPAP Shop.CPAP machine troubleshooting guide.
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