CPAP Basics and Common Problem Solve Tips
Table of Contents
You May Also Like
CPAP Common Problems Solve Tips
| Problems | Estimated Cause | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
|
Skin Allergies and Nasal Ulcers |
Exhaled breath stimulation |
Removes oil from both sides of the nose, which will disappear within a few hours after getting up |
|
Nasal mask compressed |
Partial padding with paper towels |
|
|
Nasal mask too small |
Replace the nasal mask with a suitable one |
|
|
Headband too tight |
Adjust the tightness of the headband |
|
|
Allergic skin |
Consult a doctor and discontinue use if necessary |
|
|
Dry mouth, dry nose, nosebleed |
Insufficient humidity |
Increase room temperature and use a humidifier |
|
Insufficient pressure/Excessive pressure |
Contact your doctor to adjust your pressure |
|
|
Habitual mouth breathing |
Gradually adapt and you can get better |
|
|
Improper use of medication |
Avoid taking medications that cause dry mouth |
|
|
Eye irritation or conjunctival hyperemia |
Leakage above the nasal mask |
Adjust the tightness of the headband and the position of the nose mask |
|
Sneezing, itchy nose, runny nose, nasal congestion, general discomfort |
Severe septal deviation, nasal polyps, or chronic sinusitis |
Use CPAP after surgical correction of deformity |
|
Cold air irritates the nasal mucosa and induces allergic rhinitis |
Use a humidifier and nasal ephedrine drops before bedtime |
|
|
Common cold |
Suspend use during acute phase |
|
|
The dust filter is covered with dust |
Cleaning and replacing the dust filter |
|
|
Hiccups, bloating, chest tightness |
Mouth breathing into the esophagus |
Contact a doctor to reduce stress and take oral medication for symptomatic treatment |
|
Feeling of fear |
Lack of coordination between human and machine, excessive ventilation, conscious breath holding, psychological tension |
Contact your doctor and adjust your blood pressure using the boost function |
|
Automatically remove the mask to interrupt treatment at night |
Insufficient pressure/Excessive pressure |
Contact your doctor to adjust your pressure |
|
CPAP Reasons |
Choosing Auto CPAP or BiPAP |
|
|
Headache |
Transient vasodilation |
It may disappear on its own within two weeks |
|
Too high pressure |
Contact your doctor to adjust your pressure |
|
|
Headband too tight |
Adjust the tightness of the headband |
|
|
Accompanied by symptoms such as tinnitus and dizziness |
It is not caused by CPAP, please go to the hospital for treatment |
|
|
Water accumulation in pipes |
The humidifier is too high and water flows back into the machine. |
The humidifier should be placed below the head. |
|
The humidifier is filled with water exceeding the maximum water level |
The water filling cannot exceed the maximum water level |
|
|
The temperature difference between the inside and outside of the pipeline is large, and condensation is formed. |
Increase indoor temperature |
|
|
Insomnia, difficulty falling asleep (elderly) |
Changes in sleep structure, increased deep sleep |
Gradually adapt and you can get better |
Ventilator Overview
What is a ventilator?
A ventilator is a medical device that provides respiratory support to patients with respiratory failure through mechanical ventilation, helping them to breathe effectively.
Working principle of a ventilator
The ventilator delivers air into the patient’s lungs through positive pressure to help the patient complete the inhalation action. The patient’s lungs naturally expel carbon dioxide and complete the exhalation action. The ventilator repeats the inhalation and exhalation process to provide continuous respiratory support for the patient.
Common types and features of ventilators
Invasive ventilators require the trachea to be connected to the ventilator through endotracheal intubation or tracheotomy. Non-invasive ventilators do not require endotracheal intubation and deliver gas to the patient’s respiratory tract through a mask or nasal mask.
Development Trends of Ventilator Technology
Manual Respirator
Early manual ventilators, such as artificial breathing balls, required manual operation.
Mechanical Ventilator
The emergence of mechanical ventilators provides more effective and stable respiratory support for patients with respiratory failure.
Intelligent Ventilator
Modern ventilators integrate intelligent control systems that can automatically adjust parameters according to the patient’s respiratory condition.
Personalized Treatment
In the future, personalized ventilators will be developed to provide customized respiratory support for different patients.
The Main Functions of The Ventilator
Provide oxygen: provide oxygen to patients and improve blood oxygen saturation.
Assisted breathing: help patients complete breathing movements and reduce breathing burden.
Control breathing frequency and depth: adjust the patient’s breathing frequency and depth to ensure the effectiveness of breathing.
Maintain airway patency: clear respiratory secretions and keep the airway open.
Basic Operation Steps of CPAP
Connect the patient: First, make sure the CPAP machine is connected to the power supply, then connect the patient to the CPAP machine and select the appropriate ventilation mode and parameters.
Set parameters: Set parameters such as respiratory rate, tidal volume, and inhalation time according to the patient’s condition and breathing needs.
Monitor the patient: Closely observe the patient’s breathing condition, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate and other indicators, and adjust the CPAP machine parameters in time.
Regular cleaning: Regularly clean the CPAP machine, including the machine body, pipes and accessories, to prevent bacterial growth.
CPAP machine pipeline connection method
Prepare the pipeline: Check whether the pipeline is intact and connect the pipeline to the ventilator.
Connect the patient: Connect the connecting pipeline to the patient’s endotracheal tube or mask to ensure that the connection is firm.
Check airtightness: Check whether there is air leakage at the pipeline connection to ensure airtightness.
Adjust the flow rate: Adjust the oxygen flow rate according to the patient’s needs and observe the patient’s breathing condition.
Parameter settings of CPAP machine
Tidal volume: the amount of air delivered to the lungs per breath, generally 6-8 ml/kg body weight.
Respiratory rate: the number of breaths per minute, generally 10-16 times/minute.
Inspiratory time: the duration of inhalation, generally 0.5-1 second.
Expiratory time: the duration of exhalation, generally 1-2 seconds.
Common Problems in Using CPAP
1. Will CPAP cause harm to the body?
The CPAP machine itself will not cause harm to the body, but improper use or complications may cause some problems.
2. How long does it take to use the CPAP machine?
The time to use the CPAP machine depends on the patient’s condition. Some patients may only need a few days, while others may need weeks or even months.
3. Can I talk while using the CPAP machine?
During the use of a non-invasive ventilator, the patient can talk, but the mask or nasal mask may need to be adjusted.
However, you cannot talk during the use of an invasive ventilator because the endotracheal tube blocks the airway.
4. Can I eat while using the CPAP machine?
During the use of a non-invasive ventilator, the patient can eat, but be careful to avoid aspiration.
However, you cannot eat during the use of an invasive ventilator, and you need to supplement nutrition through a nasogastric or gastric tube.
5. Will there be sequelae after using the CPAP machine?
After using the CPAP machine, patients may experience some minor sequelae, such as airway sensitivity, muscle weakness, etc., but most patients can gradually recover.
6. When do I need APAP for sleep apnea?
CPAP therapy is suitable for most OSA patients, but sometimes another treatment option is automatic positive airway pressure therapy (APAP), which can automatically adjust the pressure at night according to the upper airway condition.
7. What can I get from CPAP therapy?
Successful CPAP users will have improvements in many aspects:
- Energy and motivation
- Work performance
- Mood
- Sexual desire and sexual ability
- Alertness when driving
- Quality of life
- Sleep quality
8. What risks may I have if sleep apnea is not treated?
Patients who do not use CPAP may increase the complications related to OSA:
- Hypertension (OSA increases the risk of hypertension by 5 times that of normal people)
- Stroke
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
Let's Get In Touch
Sign up for special offers, sale events, and more. Let’s level up your home CPAP experience together!