CPAP devices are vital to ensure the success of your sleep therapy. The masks employed in CPAP help to eliminate or greatly reduce the effect of snoring and other associated breathing problems that comes with sleep apnea. However, if you are experiencing snoring while wearing your CPAP mask, it is an indication that something could be wrong.
Why am I still snoring with CPAP?
In most of the cases, snoring while using the CPAP is not a normal sign. If you are experiencing snoring even after wearing your mask for several days, you should seek professional advice and counsel from your sleep specialist. The best thing you can do is to go back to the sleep specialist with your machine to discuss all and any possible adjustments.
4 Reasons You’re Still Snoring with CPAP
- Your mask is not fitting your face.
- Air gaps are forming in certain areas around your mouth, nose, and mask.
- The air pressure in the CPAP device itself is too low to open your air passageways due to a recent gain of weight, leaking air, and/or improper settings.
- Your sleep position may sometimes affect the function of the machine.
4 Ways to Stop Snoring with CPAP
- Check your machine pressure — Visit your sleep specialist if you feel the air pressure in the machine is too low. Your sleep specialist can help in making the proper adjustments to your air pressure.
- Change sleeping positions — Snoring can also be caused by your sleeping position. Sleeping against your back may prohibit the air pressure in the machine from opening your airways. Sleeping on your side is an easy solution if your sleep position is the problem.
- Pay attention to your breathing pattern during sleep — A major concern for patients who are using a nasal mask is breathing through their mouth. When you are sleeping with your mouth wide open, you will exhale through the mouth instead of through the airway.
- Re-fit your CPAP mask — Getting the mask to fit properly to your face is very essential and is a matter of making a few minor tweaks.
- Make sure that the area the mask is attached to on your face is clean. CPAP wipes can be found which are specially formulated for patients who are using a CPAP machine to sleep and will ensure that your mask stays clean and fresh.
- Your mask should have a snugly fit your face. The elastic bands to adjust should fit around your head. There should not be any air gaps between your face and the mask.
- If all these anti-snoring techniques don’t work, try using another size. Some of the CPAP masks are specifically designed to fit a smaller female frame. Or it might be time to visit your nearest sleep apnea treatment centre in Singapore or your country.