Guide for Troubleshooting CPAP Problems

Guide for Troubleshooting CPAP Problems

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When working properly, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines offer an effective treatment for sleep apnea. CPAP machines should remain quiet and help you get restful sleep.

But in some cases, these machines feel uncomfortable, make noise, or cause side effects. If you experience any of these problems, do not give up on wearing your CPAP. Remaining compliant with your CPAP therapy helps prevent more serious health conditions.

Common CPAP Problems and Solutions

This is a list of the most common CPAP problems. If you try these tips and your problem persists, contact your healthcare provider or CPAP supplier.

You can’t get used to sleeping in a mask or find falling asleep hard:

    The Problem
    For many people, wearing a CPAP feels big, bulky, and just plain uncomfortable, especially at the beginning. The mask feels bulky, and the constant pressure takes some time to get used to.

    If you’ve had your CPAP for a while and still can’t get used to it, delaying your therapy because it’s uncomfortable will only delay your feeling comfortable with the machine.

    The Solution
    If it’s the mask, you’re uncomfortable with, start by wearing your CPAP for short periods during the day while you’re awake and slowly build up how long you wear it. Once it’s more tolerable, wear it while napping during the day and for short periods at night until you’re sleeping with it all night long.

    Wear your CPAP every time you sleep to ensure you get the best therapy and avoid moving backward in your progress. If the pressure keeps you up at night, use the ramp feature on your machine if available. The ramp is a feature that starts your therapy with a low CPAP pressure and gradually increases until it reaches your prescribed pressure setting.

    Many people find that using the ramp provides more comfort since it allows you to slowly get used to the pressure.

You’re wearing the mask, but you’re still snoring:

    The Problem
    Your CPAP machine’s purpose is to hold your airways open, so tissues don’t collapse, causing snoring or pauses in breathing. However, some people find they continue to snore, despite wearing the mask.
    The Solution
    If you wear your CPAP and still snore or wake up choking or gasping, you’re probably using the wrong CPAP pressure. Check your prescription to make sure it matches the pressure on your machine. If you have trouble with this, contact your CPAP provider.

    Tell your healthcare provider if your machine is set at your prescribed pressure and you’re still snoring. You might need a new pressure setting.

You’re Claustrophobic:

    The problem
    For people with claustrophobia, wearing a tight-fitting mask over the face causes feelings of fear, anxiety, and panic.

    The Solution
    If claustrophobia keeps you from wearing your CPAP, consider wearing a nasal pillow mask. Rather than fitting over your nose, nasal pillows fit up into the nostrils, providing more comfort for many people with claustrophobia.

    Similar to masks, nasal pillow masks may take some time to get used to, so start slowly if needed, increasing the time you wear it until you can wear it all night.

    For some, nasal pillows may not be an option. In this case, practice wearing your CPAP mask for short periods and practice relaxation techniques to lessen your anxiety while working your way up to wearing it throughout the night.

You wake up with a dry mouth, nose, or throat:

    The Problem
    Sleeping with a CPAP machine can cause a dry mouth, nose, or throat. If you wear a nasal mask but breathe through your mouth, it can cause your mouth to become dry. A dry nose or throat could indicate you need more moisture while wearing your CPAP.

    The Solution
    If your mouth or throat are dry and you’re a mouth-breather, consider a chin strap to hold your mouth closed while you sleep. You could also talk to your provider about switching to a mask that sits over your nose and mouth and using a humidifier to ensure adequate moisture.

    If you have dry nose problems, ensure your humidifier has enough distilled water. You may also need to adjust the temperature, starting with the lowest temperature and working up until you feel adequate moisture.

You wake up with swollen or dry eyes:

    The Problem
    Some CPAP users wake up with irritated, dry, or swollen eyes after wearing a CPAP, which could be a sign that your mask isn’t fitting well and air is leaking and irritating the eyes.

    The Solution
    First, make sure you have the correct size mask. Then, make sure the mask is adjusted correctly to prevent air leaks. Make sure it fits snugly but not too tight.

    If you’ve had your mask for a while and didn’t have air leaks before, the cushion on your mask might have worn down, and you may need a new one. Also, weight loss sometimes changes how your mask fits, so if you recently lost weight, ensure you still have the correct size mask.

Your mask causes skin irritations:

    The Problem
    Skin irritations, redness, and sores are signs of your mask not fitting correctly. If your mask is too tight, it can irritate the skin.

    The Solution
    Try readjusting your mask, ensuring it’s not too tight or sitting too high on the bridge of your nose. If that doesn’t work, check the cushioning on your mask to ensure it hasn’t deteriorated. If it has, you might need to replace your mask.

    If these tips don’t work, you might have the wrong size mask, so talk to your doctor or CPAP supplier.

You get water in your tubing:

    The Problem
    When the air coming from your humidifier is warmer than the bedroom, it can create condensation in the tubing, which can get into your mask and irritate you.

    The Solution
    If you have water in your tubing, try lowering the temperature of the humidifier. If that doesn’t work, some CPAP manufacturers offer heated tubing or hose insulators to place over your tubing.

You find “stuff” growing in your water chamber:

    The Problem

    If you see film inside your water chamber, it’s probably bacteria, which is sometimes pink or white in color.

    The Solution
    Always use distilled water in your water chamber, and keep it clean. Empty the water out every morning, rinse the water chamber, and allow it to air dry to prevent bacterial growth completely.

    If you already have film inside, remove it by filling the water chamber with a water and vinegar solution, using ⅓ cup white distilled vinegar and ⅔ cup water. Soak for an hour, rinse thoroughly, and let it fully air dry.

Your mask is noisy or makes strange noises:

    The Problem
    Although CPAP machines should remain quiet, sometimes CPAP masks make noises that keep you or your bed partner awake. A whistling sound indicates a block in the exhalation port, a tiny holes that allow carbon dioxide to escape the mask.

    If the CPAP mask makes a loud “snore-like” noise, the mask is probably too loose.

    The Solution
    Routinely check the exhalation port to ensure it’s not clogged. If it seems blocked, use a tiny needle or toothpick to open it up. If your CPAP is loud because of a loose-fitting mask, tighten the mask, making sure it’s not sitting too high on your nose.

    If the machine is still making noises, check the filter to see if you need to replace it. If these tips don’t work, your machine might have a problem, so contact your CPAP supplier.

Your tubing is a nuisance, or your mask comes off at night:

    The Problem
    You may find yourself waking up tangled in the hose, with your CPAP machine on the floor, or find that your mask comes off at night. The tubing generally causes these problems.

    The Solution
    Generally, CPAP tubing is 6 feet, and some people find that they tug on it during sleep, which can cause discomfort, causing the machine to fall, or your mask to come off. If this is a problem for you, consider longer tubing, available with some CPAP suppliers.

    You can also try positioning your tubing above your pillow or behind your headboard. If this is difficult, some CPAP suppliers offer a tubing lift to hold it in place.

Related Information


Published: December 12, 2022

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Kristina Diaz, RRT, is a health writer and registered respiratory therapist with over a decade of emergency and critical care experience. She earned respiratory care and journalism degrees in Michigan, where she was born and raised. She now resides in Florida, where she works as a full-time freelance writer and part-time respiratory therapist.

Kristina began her respiratory career in 2011 in Saginaw, Michigan. She now works in Lakeland, Florida, in one of the busiest emergency departments in the nation, treating people with various lung conditions, like COPD, asthma, and sleep apnea, among others. She maintains her Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification and is a member of the trauma team at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Her favorite part of being a respiratory therapist is providing relief to people struggling to breathe.

Kristina began freelance health writing in 2014, and her work is published on multiple websites, including Philips Respironics, the American Sleep Association, the Sleep Doctor, and more. She writes about lung health, sleep disorders, nutrition, and other health-related topics. Since she was a child, she’s always wanted to write, and now she gets to combine her passion for writing with the knowledge obtained from her respiratory career.

About Kristina Diaz, RRT:

Kristina Diaz, RRT, is a health writer and registered respiratory therapist with over a decade of emergency and critical care experience. She earned respiratory care and journalism degrees in Michigan, where she was born and raised. She now resides in Florida, where she works as a full-time freelance writer and part-time respiratory therapist. Kristina began her respiratory career in 2011 in Saginaw, Michigan. She now works in Lakeland, Florida, in one of the busiest emergency departments in the nation, treating people with various lung conditions, like COPD, asthma, and sleep apnea, among others. She maintains her Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification and is a member of the trauma team at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Her favorite part of being a respiratory therapist is providing relief to people struggling to breathe. Kristina began freelance health writing in 2014, and her work is published on multiple websites, including Philips Respironics, the American Sleep Association, the Sleep Doctor, and more. She writes about lung health, sleep disorders, nutrition, and other health-related topics. Since she was a child, she’s always wanted to write, and now she gets to combine her passion for writing with the knowledge obtained from her respiratory career.

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