A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device, or CPAP, is a common machine that is used in aiding respiration. A CPAP provides a push of moderate air into the lungs of individuals who have difficulty breathing. It's particularly useful to those with ailments such as sleep apnea and those who have issues with abnormal breathing. However, CPAPs are not without their complaints. If you are using a CPAP for the first time, you might run into a few of the following issues and annoyances that come with using the device.

Claustrophobia

Many first-time wearers of CPAP devices experience claustrophobia. Having one's face encased in a mask while sleeping isn't the most natural way to fall asleep, and it can lead to the feeling of being trapped and can even lead to panic attacks.

There are numerous ways that you can address this psychologically taxing disorder. The first is to wear your CPAP mask during the day. This is so you can acclimate yourself to wearing at night and sort of get used to the experience. Another way is to consciously relax before falling asleep. Take a few deep breaths, as well as tense and release your muscles, and remind yourself that you're not being trapped or strangled.

Nose Dryness Or Stuffiness

A common effect of a CPAP machine is experiencing a dry or stuffy nose due to the machine. For those who are commonly affected by allergies or often experience a dry or stuffy nose in their day-to-day life, it is actually recommended that you purchase a CPAP device with a built-in humidifier. Humidity can be adjusted to suit your needs and rid you of the experience of having a dry or stuffy nose. If you already own a CPAP machine without a humidifier, it is recommended that you purchase a freestanding humidifier and invest in saline solution based nose sprays to clear up any unwanted stuffiness.

Difficulty Being Comfortable With The Air Pressure

Much like the notion of experiencing claustrophobia, being uncomfortable with the air pressure is a matter that is best resolved through the use of a CPAP machine during daytime hours. By using the machine during daytime hours, you can acclimate your body to this rather unnatural but entirely necessary experience of added pressure on your airways. It is important that you inhale the proper amount of air pressure that your doctor recommends, which is why it is important to not adjust the air pressure amount without consent of your doctor.

Disturbed By The Sound

CPAP devices are relatively quiet but do not produce the most natural sound in the world. Puffs of air can be heard, and many people who require complete quiet at night have difficulty sleeping with these machines at first. While this "hissing" sound can't be completely gotten rid of, there are a number of steps you can take to lessen the amount of noise that the device will produce.

First, it is imperative that the filters of the device stay clean. Dirty filters can create a louder gasping or hissing sound than normally desired. Second, you may want to try a different mask. Some masks are known for producing a smaller amount of noise in combination with some devices.

Disturbed By The Tubes

Many people complain that the tubes that attach the mask to the actual CPAP device are bothersome or even disturbing. There are a number of things that you can do as an attempt to circumvent this problem. First, try placing the tubes in different positions as you sleep. Is one area uncomfortable? Try moving them to the other side of your body. You can also try the tried-and-true method of wearing the device at dayto get used to how the tubes hang. Try lying in your bed during the day and see if you grow accustomed to the tubing.