Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)is a treatment that keeps the air pressure in your airways steady. It prevents your upper airway from collapsing and makes it easier to breathe while you sleep. CPAP is a common treatment forobstructive sleep apneaandacute heart failure.CPAP devices are reliable and effective. Even so, some users have problems with the device that can complicate treatment. This article takes a look at 10 solutions that can help overcome these challenges and improve your CPAP experience.Common Side Effects of CPAP Therapy
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)is a treatment that keeps the air pressure in your airways steady. It prevents your upper airway from collapsing and makes it easier to breathe while you sleep. CPAP is a common treatment forobstructive sleep apneaandacute heart failure.
CPAP devices are reliable and effective. Even so, some users have problems with the device that can complicate treatment. This article takes a look at 10 solutions that can help overcome these challenges and improve your CPAP experience.
Common Side Effects of CPAP Therapy
1Breathing Against the Pressurenicolesy/Getty ImagesOne of the hardest adjustments when you first begin is learning to breathe out against the pressure. Try setting the machine at a lower pressure when you first put it on. You can gradually raise the pressure as you start to fall asleep. This is known as a ramp function.Some machines also havebi-level (BiPAP)or C-Flex settings. They alternate between inhalation and exhalation pressure so it’s more like natural breathing.If you still have trouble breathing against the pressure, speak with your healthcare provider. It may be that the pressure setting is too high for you.How to Determine the Correct CPAP Pressure Setting
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Breathing Against the Pressurenicolesy/Getty ImagesOne of the hardest adjustments when you first begin is learning to breathe out against the pressure. Try setting the machine at a lower pressure when you first put it on. You can gradually raise the pressure as you start to fall asleep. This is known as a ramp function.Some machines also havebi-level (BiPAP)or C-Flex settings. They alternate between inhalation and exhalation pressure so it’s more like natural breathing.If you still have trouble breathing against the pressure, speak with your healthcare provider. It may be that the pressure setting is too high for you.How to Determine the Correct CPAP Pressure Setting
Breathing Against the Pressure
nicolesy/Getty Images
One of the hardest adjustments when you first begin is learning to breathe out against the pressure. Try setting the machine at a lower pressure when you first put it on. You can gradually raise the pressure as you start to fall asleep. This is known as a ramp function.
Some machines also havebi-level (BiPAP)or C-Flex settings. They alternate between inhalation and exhalation pressure so it’s more like natural breathing.
If you still have trouble breathing against the pressure, speak with your healthcare provider. It may be that the pressure setting is too high for you.
How to Determine the Correct CPAP Pressure Setting
2Swallowing AirSwallowing air is uncomfortable for some CPAP users. It may leave you feeling bloated or cause you to burp. This could mean your pressure is set too high.To correct this, you may need to:Decrease the pressureGet a ramp pressure deviceHave a new CPAP titration study to find a better pressure levelWhat to Expect the First Night of CPAP Therapy
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Swallowing AirSwallowing air is uncomfortable for some CPAP users. It may leave you feeling bloated or cause you to burp. This could mean your pressure is set too high.To correct this, you may need to:Decrease the pressureGet a ramp pressure deviceHave a new CPAP titration study to find a better pressure levelWhat to Expect the First Night of CPAP Therapy
Swallowing Air
Swallowing air is uncomfortable for some CPAP users. It may leave you feeling bloated or cause you to burp. This could mean your pressure is set too high.
To correct this, you may need to:
What to Expect the First Night of CPAP Therapy
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Overcoming Claustrophobia
A CPAP device fits over your face. The snug fit makes some people feel stifled or smothered. That feeling may make your heart race. You might feel like tearing off the mask. Those are signs that you are havingclaustrophobia.
If the claustrophobia doesn’t get better, you may want to seekalternative CPAP therapies. Speak with your healthcare provider.
Do You Have to Use CPAP Forever?
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Dealing With Condensation
Extra moisturein the air can make breathing more comfortable. But sometimes water droplets collect inside the CPAP tubing. This extra water can end up reducing your airflow. Too much moisture is a common complaint among those who use a heatedhumidifierand sleep in a cooler room.
Placing the CPAP machine on the floor will also help keep the extra moisture from building up in the mask.
How Often Should CPAP Parts Be Replaced?
5Developing a Dry MouthYour mouth shouldn’tdry outwhen you use a CPAP machine. If it does, your mouth may be falling open with the mask on. When this happens, the airflow will escape from your mouth and make it very dry.To prevent this, try:Using a heated humidifierWearing achin strapto keep the mouth closedChanging to a mask that covers the nose and mouthSpeaking with your healthcare provider about adjusting the pressure setting on your machineUsing CPAP When You Mouth Breathe
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Developing a Dry MouthYour mouth shouldn’tdry outwhen you use a CPAP machine. If it does, your mouth may be falling open with the mask on. When this happens, the airflow will escape from your mouth and make it very dry.To prevent this, try:Using a heated humidifierWearing achin strapto keep the mouth closedChanging to a mask that covers the nose and mouthSpeaking with your healthcare provider about adjusting the pressure setting on your machineUsing CPAP When You Mouth Breathe
Developing a Dry Mouth
Your mouth shouldn’tdry outwhen you use a CPAP machine. If it does, your mouth may be falling open with the mask on. When this happens, the airflow will escape from your mouth and make it very dry.
To prevent this, try:
Using CPAP When You Mouth Breathe
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Smelling Unpleasant Odors
If your CPAP mask develops a smell that won’t go away, you may need new equipment. Any off-putting “new” smell should lessen over time.
If you use a humidifier at night, fill the reservoir with distilled water only. That will reduce the chance of unpleasant smells and scale buildup.
Are CPAP Cleaners Like Soclean or Lumin Worth It?
7Leaving Marks on Your FaceIt is fairly common to get some minor pressure marks on your face when you wear a CPAP mask. If the marks are excessive, it may mean your mask doesn’t fit properly. You may need to try a different size mask orchoose a new maskaltogether.Some people find it helpful to switch between different mask types from one night to the next so that the pressure points vary. If your skin becomes irritated, try using a face cream or petroleum jelly to prevent abrasion.CPAP linerscreate a barrier between the mask and your skin.A CPAP mask should never give you sores. If yours does, tell your healthcare provider so they can adjust or replace your mask.
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Leaving Marks on Your FaceIt is fairly common to get some minor pressure marks on your face when you wear a CPAP mask. If the marks are excessive, it may mean your mask doesn’t fit properly. You may need to try a different size mask orchoose a new maskaltogether.Some people find it helpful to switch between different mask types from one night to the next so that the pressure points vary. If your skin becomes irritated, try using a face cream or petroleum jelly to prevent abrasion.CPAP linerscreate a barrier between the mask and your skin.A CPAP mask should never give you sores. If yours does, tell your healthcare provider so they can adjust or replace your mask.
Leaving Marks on Your Face
It is fairly common to get some minor pressure marks on your face when you wear a CPAP mask. If the marks are excessive, it may mean your mask doesn’t fit properly. You may need to try a different size mask orchoose a new maskaltogether.
Some people find it helpful to switch between different mask types from one night to the next so that the pressure points vary. If your skin becomes irritated, try using a face cream or petroleum jelly to prevent abrasion.CPAP linerscreate a barrier between the mask and your skin.
A CPAP mask should never give you sores. If yours does, tell your healthcare provider so they can adjust or replace your mask.
8Coping With Nasal CongestionPeople with a deviated septum or a history of allergies ornasal congestionmay find it harder to breathe through the nose with a CPAP mask.A heated humidifier orsaline nasal spraycan sometimes open nasal passages.Oral antihistaminesor a prescriptionnasal spraycan help with chronic orseasonal allergies.For those who simply cannot breathe through the nose, there are alternatives that may help. You could try a CPAP mask that covers the nose and mouth. You could also opt for a newer oral CPAP mask that delivers pressure through the mouth only. If those don’t work, you may need to consider other treatments.Can You Use CPAP With a Stuffy Nose?
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Coping With Nasal CongestionPeople with a deviated septum or a history of allergies ornasal congestionmay find it harder to breathe through the nose with a CPAP mask.A heated humidifier orsaline nasal spraycan sometimes open nasal passages.Oral antihistaminesor a prescriptionnasal spraycan help with chronic orseasonal allergies.For those who simply cannot breathe through the nose, there are alternatives that may help. You could try a CPAP mask that covers the nose and mouth. You could also opt for a newer oral CPAP mask that delivers pressure through the mouth only. If those don’t work, you may need to consider other treatments.Can You Use CPAP With a Stuffy Nose?
Coping With Nasal Congestion
People with a deviated septum or a history of allergies ornasal congestionmay find it harder to breathe through the nose with a CPAP mask.
A heated humidifier orsaline nasal spraycan sometimes open nasal passages.Oral antihistaminesor a prescriptionnasal spraycan help with chronic orseasonal allergies.
For those who simply cannot breathe through the nose, there are alternatives that may help. You could try a CPAP mask that covers the nose and mouth. You could also opt for a newer oral CPAP mask that delivers pressure through the mouth only. If those don’t work, you may need to consider other treatments.
Can You Use CPAP With a Stuffy Nose?
9Waking With Dry, Red EyesDry, red eyes may mean that air is leaking from your mask into your eyes while you sleep. To stop this, try tightening the mask slightly. If this does not work, you may need to find a better-fitting mask.Saline eye dropsmay also help ease some of the redness and discomfort.Can Your CPAP Mask Make You Sick?
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Waking With Dry, Red EyesDry, red eyes may mean that air is leaking from your mask into your eyes while you sleep. To stop this, try tightening the mask slightly. If this does not work, you may need to find a better-fitting mask.Saline eye dropsmay also help ease some of the redness and discomfort.Can Your CPAP Mask Make You Sick?
Waking With Dry, Red Eyes
Dry, red eyes may mean that air is leaking from your mask into your eyes while you sleep. To stop this, try tightening the mask slightly. If this does not work, you may need to find a better-fitting mask.Saline eye dropsmay also help ease some of the redness and discomfort.
Can Your CPAP Mask Make You Sick?
10Returning SymptomsExcessive daytime sleepinessoften decreases when you start using CPAP. Over time, however, symptoms can return for some people.If this occurs, have your equipment checked to make sure it is delivering the prescribed pressure. It may also be necessary to have a new titration study to find a better pressure. As people age or have weight changes, the initial pressure setting may no longer be correct. It may need adjustment.If you start tosnorewhile using CPAP, your pressure level may no longer be right for you. It may need fine-tuning.Signs Your CPAP Machine is Not WorkingSummaryCPAP machines are a tried and true treatment for people with breathing problems. But that doesn’t mean they are problem-free. Some problems occur because the pressure setting is too high. Others are related to a mask that doesn’t fit quite right or trouble with the tubing. In some cases, other health conditions complicate the treatment. If you’re having problems with your CPAP device, talk to your healthcare provider. A simple solution may be available to help you get a better night’s sleep.
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Returning SymptomsExcessive daytime sleepinessoften decreases when you start using CPAP. Over time, however, symptoms can return for some people.If this occurs, have your equipment checked to make sure it is delivering the prescribed pressure. It may also be necessary to have a new titration study to find a better pressure. As people age or have weight changes, the initial pressure setting may no longer be correct. It may need adjustment.If you start tosnorewhile using CPAP, your pressure level may no longer be right for you. It may need fine-tuning.Signs Your CPAP Machine is Not WorkingSummaryCPAP machines are a tried and true treatment for people with breathing problems. But that doesn’t mean they are problem-free. Some problems occur because the pressure setting is too high. Others are related to a mask that doesn’t fit quite right or trouble with the tubing. In some cases, other health conditions complicate the treatment. If you’re having problems with your CPAP device, talk to your healthcare provider. A simple solution may be available to help you get a better night’s sleep.
Returning Symptoms
Excessive daytime sleepinessoften decreases when you start using CPAP. Over time, however, symptoms can return for some people.
If this occurs, have your equipment checked to make sure it is delivering the prescribed pressure. It may also be necessary to have a new titration study to find a better pressure. As people age or have weight changes, the initial pressure setting may no longer be correct. It may need adjustment.
If you start tosnorewhile using CPAP, your pressure level may no longer be right for you. It may need fine-tuning.
Signs Your CPAP Machine is Not Working
Summary
CPAP machines are a tried and true treatment for people with breathing problems. But that doesn’t mean they are problem-free. Some problems occur because the pressure setting is too high. Others are related to a mask that doesn’t fit quite right or trouble with the tubing. In some cases, other health conditions complicate the treatment. If you’re having problems with your CPAP device, talk to your healthcare provider. A simple solution may be available to help you get a better night’s sleep.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIf your mask is irritating your face, it may not be sized or fitted correctly. If you’ve ensured that you do have the proper fit, the mask cushion may be worn out, so you need to replace it.You might also try getting a mask liner.Learn MoreUsing a CPAP Mask LinerIf the air pressure is too high on the CPAP, you may end up swallowing air.This is called aerophagia. It can cause stomach discomfort, bloating, and gas pain. Adjusting the pressure or using a different type of mask may help relieve the pain.Learn MoreIs BiPAP Therapy Better for You Than CPAP?The air from the CPAP machine can dry out your nasal passages. You should be able to adjust the humidifier or temperature on the CPAP machine to help avoid this.You can also try a mask that covers the nose and mouth or just the mouth to avoid drying out your nasal passages.Learn MoreSigns Your CPAP Machine Is Not Working Right
Frequently Asked Questions
If your mask is irritating your face, it may not be sized or fitted correctly. If you’ve ensured that you do have the proper fit, the mask cushion may be worn out, so you need to replace it.You might also try getting a mask liner.Learn MoreUsing a CPAP Mask Liner
If your mask is irritating your face, it may not be sized or fitted correctly. If you’ve ensured that you do have the proper fit, the mask cushion may be worn out, so you need to replace it.You might also try getting a mask liner.
Learn MoreUsing a CPAP Mask Liner
If the air pressure is too high on the CPAP, you may end up swallowing air.This is called aerophagia. It can cause stomach discomfort, bloating, and gas pain. Adjusting the pressure or using a different type of mask may help relieve the pain.Learn MoreIs BiPAP Therapy Better for You Than CPAP?
If the air pressure is too high on the CPAP, you may end up swallowing air.This is called aerophagia. It can cause stomach discomfort, bloating, and gas pain. Adjusting the pressure or using a different type of mask may help relieve the pain.
Learn MoreIs BiPAP Therapy Better for You Than CPAP?
The air from the CPAP machine can dry out your nasal passages. You should be able to adjust the humidifier or temperature on the CPAP machine to help avoid this.You can also try a mask that covers the nose and mouth or just the mouth to avoid drying out your nasal passages.Learn MoreSigns Your CPAP Machine Is Not Working Right
The air from the CPAP machine can dry out your nasal passages. You should be able to adjust the humidifier or temperature on the CPAP machine to help avoid this.You can also try a mask that covers the nose and mouth or just the mouth to avoid drying out your nasal passages.
Learn MoreSigns Your CPAP Machine Is Not Working Right
5 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.Javaheri S, Brown LK, Abraham WT, Khayat R.Apneas of heart failure and phenotype-guided treatments: Part one: OSA.Chest. 2020;157(2):394-402. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2019.02.407Edmonds JC, Yang H, King TS, Sawyer DA, Rizzo A, Sawyer AM.Claustrophobic tendencies and continuous positive airway pressure therapy non-adherence in adults with obstructive sleep apnea.Heart Lung. 2015;44(2):100-6. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2015.01.002National Sleep Foundation.How to use a CPAP machine for better sleep.American Sleep Apnea Association.Troubleshooting Guide for CPAP Problems.American Sleep Association.Side Effects.
5 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.Javaheri S, Brown LK, Abraham WT, Khayat R.Apneas of heart failure and phenotype-guided treatments: Part one: OSA.Chest. 2020;157(2):394-402. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2019.02.407Edmonds JC, Yang H, King TS, Sawyer DA, Rizzo A, Sawyer AM.Claustrophobic tendencies and continuous positive airway pressure therapy non-adherence in adults with obstructive sleep apnea.Heart Lung. 2015;44(2):100-6. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2015.01.002National Sleep Foundation.How to use a CPAP machine for better sleep.American Sleep Apnea Association.Troubleshooting Guide for CPAP Problems.American Sleep Association.Side Effects.
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.
Javaheri S, Brown LK, Abraham WT, Khayat R.Apneas of heart failure and phenotype-guided treatments: Part one: OSA.Chest. 2020;157(2):394-402. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2019.02.407Edmonds JC, Yang H, King TS, Sawyer DA, Rizzo A, Sawyer AM.Claustrophobic tendencies and continuous positive airway pressure therapy non-adherence in adults with obstructive sleep apnea.Heart Lung. 2015;44(2):100-6. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2015.01.002National Sleep Foundation.How to use a CPAP machine for better sleep.American Sleep Apnea Association.Troubleshooting Guide for CPAP Problems.American Sleep Association.Side Effects.
Javaheri S, Brown LK, Abraham WT, Khayat R.Apneas of heart failure and phenotype-guided treatments: Part one: OSA.Chest. 2020;157(2):394-402. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2019.02.407
Edmonds JC, Yang H, King TS, Sawyer DA, Rizzo A, Sawyer AM.Claustrophobic tendencies and continuous positive airway pressure therapy non-adherence in adults with obstructive sleep apnea.Heart Lung. 2015;44(2):100-6. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2015.01.002
National Sleep Foundation.How to use a CPAP machine for better sleep.
American Sleep Apnea Association.Troubleshooting Guide for CPAP Problems.
American Sleep Association.Side Effects.
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