People with sleep apnea often report that they feel like a new person when they begin using CPAP therapy. They sleep better at night and have more energy during the day. As a result their mood also improves. Now a new study shows that CPAP may help you look better too.
Some patients feel better after the first night of use. Others may require a week or two to get accustomed to the treatment. Various factors determine how quickly you get accustomed to the CPAP machine.
When you first use CPAP, you may find that it takes you a little longer to fall asleep; this will improve with time. It can be helpful to go to bed 1 hour later than usual so that you fall asleep more easily. You also may encounter a few other difficulties.
One of the most common side effects associated with CPAP therapy is congestion or irritation of the nasal passages. This can include the feelings of stuffy nose, runny nose, a burning sensation, or nosebleeds.
“About 2 to 3 weeks to get used to the CPAP.
CPAP side effects: shortness of breath
Although side effects are typically mild, some CPAP users report feeling short of breath after using their CPAP machine. While it is uncomfortable, the good news is that this sensation usually is not your body struggling for air and is likely not cause for concern.
It is not uncommon to start feeling daytime sleepiness, headaches, irritability, snoring or other sleep apnea symptoms months or years after a period of successful CPAP therapy.
Some patients immediately feel increased energy levels with their CPAP therapy, while others notice a difference in just a couple of weeks.
Compared with patients with poor continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compliance, patients with good CPAP compliance saw improvements in lung function after 12 months.
Most of the time, this happens because the CPAP pressure is too high. You feel claustrophobic. A snug-fitting CPAP mask can feel restrictive and make some people feel anxious. Avoid a full-face mask if this is an issue for you.
You will notice the difference
I wake up easily in the morning, when waking up used to be a huge struggle for me. I feel more refreshed in the morning and feel generally well-rested all day. I also don't feel as tired during the day after using the CPAP machine.
If your CPAP machine is working properly then you should be getting restful, deep sleep. You'll wake up feeling less agitated, and more refreshed and alert. It may take time to get used to sleeping through the night with a CPAP machine.
If you're wondering, “how many hours per night should CPAP be used?” the answer is, for the entire night while you sleep, ideally 7+ hours. CPAP compliance measures how many hours and nights you use your therapy and if you use it often enough for effective treatment.
CPAP machines can significantly improve sleep quality and reduce your risk for a number of health issues, including heart disease and stroke.
Weight loss of just 10-15% can reduce the severity of OSA by 50% in moderately obese patients. Unfortunately, while weight loss can provide meaningful improvements in OSA, it usually does not lead to a complete cure, and many sleep apnea patients need additional therapies.
Using a CPAP machine is one of the most effective treatments for obstructive sleep apnea and can stop snoring associated with OSA. CPAP machines generate pressurized air that is carried by a tube to a mask on a person's face. The steady flow of air holds the airway open during sleep to prevent breathing disruptions.
CPAP machines can have the following side effects: nightmares, nasal discomfort (including congestion, dryness, sneezing and runny nose), sore throat, irritated eyes, skin irritation and abdominal bloating.
Because CPAP opens the airways, breathing improves, and oxygen inside the body increases. Because CPAP decreases choking and snoring while increasing oxygen levels, it helps those with sleep apnea sleep through the night. There are many different kinds of CPAP devices with different masks and nose pieces.
CPAP benefits: 'Gold-standard treatment'
Green said CPAP is by far the most effective and least invasive cure for sleep apnea. “The gold-standard treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine. If you can wear it, it's 100% effective. If you can sleep with a CPAP machine, it can provide a 100% correction,” Green said.
Researchers from the University of Michigan used facial mapping technology to track the facial characteristics of 20 sleep apnea patients. After undergoing two months of CPAP treatment, the patients' faces showed less puffiness and redness, and were perceived to appear more youthful and more attractive.
Notably, IGF-1 stimulates protein synthesis and maintains muscle mass. Our study and others have reported significant increases in IGF-1 in patients adherent to CPAP. Thus, the restoration of the GH axis and increase in IGF-1 in CPAP adherent patients likely contributed to weight gain and potential increase in LBM.
People usually use a CPAP machine while they are sleeping. However, you may be wondering can you use CPAP therapy while awake? We're going to clear up the confusion that exists, so you can find out whether there is any benefit to using continuous positive airway pressure while awake. The short answer is yes, you can.
The results will vary from person to person, and your experience may be different from anyone else. However, CPAP machines are known to be effective quite quickly. Some people feel better after the first night that they use them. Others find that they take a week or two to get used to using the CPAP therapy.
®" Here's why. While CPAP is highly successful when used properly, many patients have trouble complying with the directives, leaving only 23% - 45% of patients who have success with the CPAP method. When used as directed, however, the success rate of CPAP is nearly 100%!
Consistent use of your CPAP machine is especially important. Whether you're at home or out of town for the weekend, always use your CPAP device for a restorative night of sleep. Even one missed night of therapy can jeopardize your health, which is why investing in travel-sized CPAP machine is important.