| If you've recently been diagnosed with sleep | | | | piece is comfortable, etc.) Then focus on |
| apnea, your doctor has probably prescribed a | | | | something else, such as reading a book or |
| CPAP machine for you to use while sleeping. This | | | | watching television and forget about the machine. |
| is a device that helps you breathe more easily | | | | Most people need to do this for about a week |
| and keeps the air flow continuous in your lungs so | | | | before they feel really comfortable with it. By |
| that you don't stop breathing during the night. | | | | wearing it during the day, they become used to |
| Unfortunately, many people find the machine | | | | breathing with it without the added burden of |
| cumbersome and intrusive and soon give up on | | | | trying to sleep with it. |
| using it at all. | | | | Next, move your half hour sessions to right |
| It's important to remember that you've been told | | | | before your normal bedtime. Try wearing the |
| to use a CPAP for very good reasons, and you | | | | CPAP mask while you're relaxing in bed, whether |
| may be jeopardizing not only a good night's sleep | | | | you just rest your eyes, watch television, or |
| but your health as well if you discontinue using it. | | | | some other restful activity. After about a half |
| We've put together some tips to help you adjust | | | | hour, or whenever you are ready to go to sleep, |
| to your machine so that you are able ease | | | | remove it and go to sleep as usual. |
| yourself into using it every night. By using these | | | | The final step is to take the use of the CPAP |
| tips, you can quickly get used to the sound, feel | | | | machine from using it before sleeping to using it |
| and function of your CPAP machine and begin | | | | while sleeping. Since you've trained yourself to |
| feeling the benefits of a better night's sleep within | | | | relax and unwind while breathing with your CPAP |
| a few weeks. | | | | mask in place, you should be able to fall asleep |
| It's important to allow yourself to adjust to your | | | | more easily wearing it. During the initial several |
| machine gradually. Most people who stop using it | | | | days, you may find that you wake up after falling |
| gave up because they immediately tried to sleep | | | | asleep with the mask on. Don't feel pressured to |
| through the night with it and were quickly | | | | put it back on if it makes you feel anxious. Give |
| frustrated. By going slowly and allowing your mind | | | | yourself permission to take it off and sleep the |
| and body to adapt, you increase your chance of | | | | rest of the night without it. |
| success. | | | | You'll soon be able to fall asleep for increasingly |
| When you first get your machine, take the time | | | | long periods of time while using your machine. If |
| to understand how it works, ask the technician | | | | you do occasionally wake up, it can help to get up |
| questions, and make sure it is fitted properly. The | | | | and splash some water on your face before |
| mask should fit snugly, but not dig into your skin. | | | | putting the mask back on if it has shifted. This will |
| There should be no loose or rattling parts, and | | | | make it more comfortable and allow you to fall |
| you should have enough tubing to allow you to roll | | | | back to sleep more easily. Eventually, using your |
| around and move in bed freely. | | | | machine will no longer seem disruptive; it will |
| Begin wearing your CPAP mask during the day | | | | become second nature and just as much as part |
| rather than at night. Set aside about a half hour | | | | of your bedtime routine as brushing your teeth. If |
| when you can simply relax with it on, and give | | | | you take the time to adjust properly to your |
| yourself the chance to experience how it sounds | | | | CPAP machine, you'll experience great health |
| and feels. Take about five minutes to focus on | | | | benefits and finally get the restful sleep you |
| how it fits and let yourself think about the | | | | deserve. |
| positive aspects of it (it's not that loud, the nose | | | | |