15 CPAP Side Effects & How to Prevent Them

Use a chinstrap with your nose-only masks: Sleeping with your mouth open while using a nasal mask increases your chances of mouth leaks and potentially swallowing room air. Using a chinstrap prevents mouth breathing and swallowing air.

Enable pressure relief features: Expiratory pressure relief reduces strain while exhaling.

Try a nasal or nasal pillow mask: Nasal masks or nasal pillow masks are less likely to cause you to swallow CPAP air because the air is delivered through your nose, rather than your mouth.

Try a V-Com comfort device: The V-Com pressure relief comfort accessory softens airflow when you breathe out, reducing the amount of pressurized air flowing into your throat, and making it easier to breathe without swallowing air. 

Adjust your air pressure: If you cant find relief, talk to your doctor about adjusting your CPAP pressure. Using an auto-adjusting machine, like the AirSense 11 AutoSet, can help with this.

Use Ramp function: Turning on your machine's Ramp feature tells your CPAP machine to begin slowly adjusting your CPAP pressure over a set period of time or until you fall asleep.

Enable pressure relief: Expiratory pressure relief lowers your machine's pressure settings each time you breathe out, making it easier to breathe more naturally without having to force it.

Increase your humidity: Using a CPAP machine without sufficient humidity can irritate your airway over time, leading to chest discomfort. Youu can fix this be increasing your humidifier settings adding a heated hose to your set up.

Try a V-Com comfort device: It softens airflow when you breathe out, reducing the amount of pressurized air flowing into your throat, and making it easier to breathe without accidentally swallowing some of it. 

Relax your mind and body before therapy: Sometimes, chest pain can be a sign of distress. While this isn't always the case with CPAP chest discomfort, it can be helpful to start your therapy session feeling calm and centered to ease any physical symptoms of anxiety.

Your pressure may be too high: Speak with your doctor to discuss your pressure settings and concerns. Using an auto-adjusting machine, like the AirSense 11 AutoSet, can help with this.

Practice wearing the mask while awake: Keep your line of sight open and build confidence by wearing your mask while reading or watching TV.

Choose a low-profile CPAP mask: Masks with minimal touchpoints, especially those that sit under the nose, often feel less intrusive compared to bulkier over-the-nose masks. 

Use relaxation techniques: Breathing exercises, music, or meditation can help ease stress. CPAP-safe aromatherapy can also help with this. 

Slowly work up to using your CPAP machine full time: Start by sleeping with your CPAP machine for just a couple of hours during the first few days, then start adding more therapy time until you work up to a full night of sleep with your machine.

Use Ramp on your CPAP machine: Ramp helps you ease into therapy, starting with a lower pressure setting and increasing as you fall asleep

Turn on expiratory pressure relief: Expiratory pressure relief lowers your CPAP pressure while you breathe out, making it easier to breathe more naturally. 

Use a chinstrap with your nose-only masks: Mouth breathing with a nasal mask can cause air leaks. Use a chinstrap to keep your mouth closed and improve therapy.

Choose a full face CPAP mask: If you use your CPAP humidifier, a full face mask delivers mosturized CPAP to your mouth and nose, reducing your chances of experiencing a dry throat that could trigger a CPAP cough.

Prevent mask leaks with a mask liner: A mask liner covers your CPAP mask cushion, creating a more secure seal to reduce your chances of an air leak. 

Increase your humidity: Sleeping with a CPAP machine that doesn't produce enough humidity can irritate your airway over time, resulting in a cough. To avoid this, increase your humidifier settings or add a heated hose.

Replace your CPAP filter: An old, dirty CPAP filter can let irritants through your machine and into your airway, causing coughing and reducing air quality during therapy.

Clean your CPAP equipment: Regularly cleaning your CPAP hose and water tank helps prevent mold, bacteria, and mineral buildup that can irritate your airways and trigger coughing.

Turn on expiratory pressure relief: Expiratory pressure relief lowers your CPAP pressure each time you exhale making it easier to breathe with your machine and less likely to trigger a coughing fit.

Choose a low-profile CPAP mask: Dry eyes are often caused by air leaks near the nose bridge. Using a minimal, low-profile mask that seals under the nose can help prevent this.

Prevent mask leaks with a mask liner: A mask liner covers your CPAP mask cushion, creating a more secure seal to reduce your chances of an air leak, whether its near your eyes or anywhere else.

Apply artificial tears: When you first wake up with dry eyes, it can be hard to see. Keeping artificial tears beside your bed may help your eyes recover faster after waking up.

Use a CPAP pillow to keep your mask in place: A CPAP pillow supports your mask and reduces pressure when you're lying on your side or stomach. This keeps your mask from shifting out of place so it doesn't leak air.

Use a chinstrap to keep your mouth closed: A CPAP chinstrap supports your jaw and encourages nasal breathing, helping reduce air loss and the dry mouth that comes from sleeping with your mouth open.

Switch to a full face mask: Full face masks cover both your nose and mouth, ensuring you get effective therapy and preventing mouth leaks, even if your mouth stays open during sleep.

Increase heated humidification: A heated humidifier or heated tubing adds moisture to your therapy air, preventing it from drying out your mouth and throat overnight.

Prevent leaks with a mask liner: A mask liner cushions the seal between your face and the mask, helping reduce air leaks that can dry out your mouth, especially if you shift positions during sleep.

Stay hydrated before and after CPAP therapy: Drinking water before bed and after waking up helps maintain overall moisture levels and soothes any CPAP-related dryness.

Avoid dehydration triggers like alcohol or caffeine: These can dry out your system and worsen the effects of CPAP dry mouth, especially when consumed before bed.

Use heated humidity: Moist air soothes your nasal passages and prevents dryness during sleep. You can increase humidity by increasing your humidifier settings.

Try heated tubing or a hose cover: These help maintain a consistent air temperature, reducing nasal irritation caused by cold air.

Apply nasal gel before bed: Use a CPAP-safe hydrating nasal gel like NasoGEL or lanolin to lock in moisture and protect your nasal tissue from direct airflow.

Avoid using a nasal pillow mask: A nasal or full face mask delivers airflow more gently than nasal pillow masks, which can help prevent irritation.

Use saline spray before and after therapy: Spritzing with a saline mist keeps your sinuses moist and relieves the effects of dryness.

Stay hydrated throughout the day: Drinking water before and after therapy helps your nasal passages retain moisture and recover overnight.

Use heated humidity: Warm, moist air can help reduce sinus swelling and ease airflow through your nasal passages.You can increase humidity by increasing your humidifier settings or using a heated hose.

Treat sinus congestion before bed: Use a saline spray or sinus rinse to keep nasal passages open and prevent pressure buildup.

Avoid using a nasal-only mask: A full face mask delivers airflow more gently to your entire airway, rather than sending air to your sinuses, which are connected to your ear passages.

Try ramp mode to ease into pressure: Ramp gradually increases air pressure as you fall asleep, giving your body time to adjust.

Talk to your doctor about lowering pressure: If the pressure feels too strong, your provider may be able to reduce your minimum setting.

Use a heated humidifier or heated tubing: Moist, warm air helps prevent nasal dryness and sinus irritation that can lead to headaches.

Loosen your headgear slightly: Make sure your mask fits securely but doesn’t apply too much pressure—this helps reduce tension and soreness around your face or scalp.

Use sinus spray to ease congestion: Use a saline spray or rinse to reduce sinus swelling and improve airflow, reducing congestion, irritation, and pain.

Switch your mask style if needed: If you're using a nasal mask or pillows and experiencing sinus headaches, try switching to a full face or hybrid mask to ease direct airflow into your sinuses.

Talk to your doctor about your pressure settings: If your pressure feels overwhelming or triggers sinus pressure, ask if an adjustment or APAP machine might help.

Use ramp mode to ease into therapy: Ramp starts your therapy at a lower pressure and gradually increases it, making it easier to fall asleep without feeling overwhelmed.

Practice wearing your mask while awake: Use your mask during calming activities like reading or watching TV to help your brain associate it with relaxation.

Stick to a consistent bedtime routine: Establishing nightly habits signals to your brain that it’s time to sleep, making the CPAP transition feel more natural.

Try sound therapy or guided relaxation: Listening to calming music, sleep stories, or meditation can help ease anxiety and distract from CPAP-related sensations.

Switch to a softer or smaller mask style: Minimal-contact masks reduce claustrophobia and discomfort that might be keeping you awake.

Check for secure hose and mask connections: Loose or twisted fittings can create airflow noise. Double-check everything is firmly attached before bed.

Use heated tubing or hose covers to prevent rainout: Heated hoses and tubing covers help regulate air temperature and reduce CPAP rainout, which causes water buildup that can cause bubbling or gurgling sounds.

Replace worn parts regularly: Aging masks, cushions, or tubing can leak air or vibrate louder over time. Replacing your CPAP equipment on time can make a big difference in noise levels.

Try using a mask liner to prevent leaks: Mask liners can reduce airflow turbulence and create a quieter, more stable seal.

Use a hose holder to reduce tugging and vibration: Keeping your tubing in place with a CPAP hose holder prevents movement that might pull on your mask or make noise as you shift in bed.

Drown out the noise with other sounds: Try using a white noise machine, sound machine, box fan, or earbuds. These sounds are much more sleeper-friendly are are less likely to keep you up.

Turn on exhalation relief: These features reduce pressure as you exhale, making it feel more natural and less forced.

Try ramp mode to ease into therapy: Ramp starts at a low pressure and increases gradually, helping your body adjust without feeling overwhelmed right away.

Use a V-Com to soften pressure: This small add-on device lessens the intensity of airflow during exhalation, helping you breathe more comfortably.

Stay relaxed and distract your mind: Anxiety can worsen the feeling of breathlessness—focus on your breathing rhythm or listen to calming audio.

Use an APAP machine for personalized pressure: Auto-adjusting machines fine-tune your pressure throughout the night based on your breathing, avoiding unnecessary highs.

Use heated humidification: Moist air soothes and hydrates your sinus passages, reducing dryness and inflammation.

Try a saline rinse or spray before bed: Rinsing your sinuses helps remove allergens and preps your nasal passages for therapy.

Hydrate before and after CPAP use: Staying well hydrated throughout the day keeps nasal tissues resilient and less prone to irritation.

Apply nasal gel or lanolin before bed: Hydrating gels protect and soothe sensitive nostrils, especially if you're using nasal pillows.

Switch to a full face mask: If nasal pillows feel too harsh, a full face mask delivers gentler airflow with less direct pressure.

Consider aromatherapy near your air intake: Mint or eucalyptus scents (never placed directly in the humidifier) can help open sinuses and reduce irritation.

Clean your mask daily: Use mild soap and warm water to remove oils, sweat, and bacteria from your mask cushion.

Use a mask liner or strap covers: Liners and strap wraps add a soft barrier between your skin and mask materials, reducing friction and red marks.

Apply barrier creams or moisturizers: Use lanolin or aloe-based moisturizers (only when not wearing your mask) to calm irritation and protect sensitive areas.

Replace old equipment on schedule: Worn cushions and stretched-out headgear can lead to overtightening, leaks, and skin breakdown.

Try a different mask style or material: If you're sensitive to silicone, consider gel or cloth masks for a gentler fit.

Clean your mask daily: Use mild soap and warm water to remove oils, sweat, and bacteria from your mask cushion.

Use a mask liner or strap covers: Liners and strap wraps add a soft barrier between your skin and mask materials, reducing friction and red marks.

Apply barrier creams or moisturizers: Use lanolin or aloe-based moisturizers (only when not wearing your mask) to calm irritation and protect sensitive areas.

Replace old equipment on schedule: Worn cushions and stretched-out headgear can lead to overtightening, leaks, and skin breakdown.

Try a different mask style or material: If you're sensitive to silicone, consider gel or cloth masks for a gentler fit.

Voice changes: Constant airflow over time may dry out or irritate the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness or a change in voice quality.

Complex sleep apnea (CompSA): In rare cases, someone undergoing CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnea can develop central apneas, where the brain temporarily stops sending signals to breathe. This condition is called complex sleep apnea.

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