Many obstacles can arise when using a CPAP machine. Understanding how to properly confront them, and knowing what is right for your personalized sleep apnea treatment plan, will help guide you to success. Unfortunately, doing so can be confusing without the right know-how. Thankfully, there are a few key preparation ideas that can keep you ready to go. To assist you in your journey toward treating your sleep apnea, here are 5 proven ways to improve your experience with a CPAP machine:

1. Familiarize Yourself With and Practice With Your Equipment

There are a lot of subtle details to your CPAP machine that you’ll need to learn. While the process of getting familiarized with the alien-looking machine can be intimidating, it does not have to be. Most importantly, you’ll need to make sure you have a comfortable, well-fitting mask that will not come off at night. Then you’ll need to check that every plug, hose, and attachment the machine has is snuggly connected. With these steps down, you should simply do a quick readthrough of your machine’s information pamphlet. This knowledge will provide the foundational information you need to master your CPAP machine and begin getting a restful night’s sleep day after day.

2. Avoid “Taking Breaks” From Using Your CPAP Machine

It is incredibly important that you never take a break from using your CPAP machine after you start your treatment. Random nights of not using the treatment, or abruptly cutting off your use entirely can have major health impacts, and worsen your sleep apnea. If you ever feel as though your machine is not functioning properly, that you cannot handle the oddity of using it, or that your treatment is not working, you need to contact your doctor before making any changes to your routine. Doing so will ensure you’re staying on an effective path in your journey to resting easier at night and lessening the negative effects of your sleep apnea.

3. Practice Your Breathing with the CPAP Mask On

Preparing yourself to use the machine before you actually lay down to use your CPAP machine is crucial. There’s a lot less anxiety involved in using your CPAP machine if you’re already feeling normal while wearing its mask. Try getting your mind and body to see the mask as a natural extension, as normal as your pajamas, and you’ll have much less anxiety when finally using the machine. Breathing exercises, both with the mask on and off, should help you complete this important step successfully. After you begin normalizing this process in your life, you’ll be on a clear path to treating your sleep apnea.

4. Ensure You’re Sleeping in as Comfortable of an Environment as Possible

The CPAP machine can be disruptive and alien at first, so making the environment that you’re using it in as comfortable and familiar as possible will prove extremely helpful. Find the exact right position that allows you to sleep without bothering your mask or the machine’s cord, and you’ll have the first important step of this strategy down. Next, make sure you have a space that can remain dark, and that avoids echoing the sounds of the CPAP machine. Add some white noise or some relaxing music to help add ambiance and drown out some of the CPAP machine’s noise, and you’ll be fully ready to experience a deeply healing, relaxing night of sleep.

5. Avoid Dry Nose and Mouth by Using a CPAP Humidifier

Not all CPAP machines come with a humidifier. However, it highly recommends that you get a humidifier attachment for your machine if it does not already have one built-in. Without the proper humidity around the machine and your sleeping area, the machine can cause you to have a runny nose and dry mouth when you wake up. Not only can this be uncomfortable, but it will make you feel an unneeded sense of anxiety and frustration during your treatment process. Since you’ll be using your CPAP machine for quite a while, it’s worth making an investment in a humidifier for your CPAP machine, as it will optimize your treatment process.

Sleep Easy and Comfortably While Treating Your Sleep Apnea

With these instructions, you’ll avoid all of the common pitfalls and obstacles that can come from using a CPAP machine. Investing in a humidifier and avoiding random moments where you cease your treatment is especially important, so be sure to take these notes to heart. Soon, you’ll have a setup where you will enjoy sleeping in a way that’s escaped you for years. With the right effort, your sleep apnea will be under control in no time.