CPAP machines may not immediately feel comfortable for all users. Individuals should work with their providers to increase comfort and compliance, try different mask types or sizes and use add-on features like a humidifier chamber or different pressure settings.

APAP machines deliver a lower average air pressure compared to a fixed-level CPAP. This makes APAP devices helpful for people who find the constant pressure from a fixed-rate CPAP machine uncomfortable.

If your otolaryngologist recommends CPAP, you may be scheduled for a second sleep study during which you will be fitted for a mask and CPAP device.

Oral appliances position the jaw or tongue to keep the upper airway open. Although these devices are an alternative to CPAP therapy in people who cannot tolerate continuous airway pressure, some people benefit from using an oral appliance alongside CPAP therapy.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a type of positive airway pressure, where the air flow is introduced into the airways to maintain a continuous pressure to constantly stent the airways open, in people who are breathing spontaneously. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is the pressure in the alveoli above atmospheric pressure at the end of expiration. CPAP is a way of delivering PEEP but also maintains the set pressure throughout the respiratory cycle, during both inspiration and expiration.

Some devices provide variable pressure and adjust automatically to the different patterns of breathing throughout the night. Very occasionally bi-level positive pressure ventilation, using a different type of machine, is used to deliver different pressures for breathing in and out.

If you’re still tired after CPAP, implementing these solutions and products into your sleep care routine can make all the difference.

Customer Service Expert Carol says: December 18, 2019 at 12:12 pm Hi Dorothy, my apologies for the delayed response. I’ve spoken with CPAP users that have the very complaint you have. What I have found is that initially you may gain weight, but over time you may not eat as much as you were before starting CPAP therapy.

Try CPAP Accessories: Sometimes, the secret to getting the most out of therapy is a mask liner, heated hose, fabric frame wraps, or a good CPAP pillow.

Doctors often recommend changes in behavior for people living with OSA. Rather than an alternative to CPAP, behavioral changes are often recommended here in addition to CPAP and other treatments.

We do not personally test CPAP equipment, anti-snoring mouthguards, supplements, and other medical devices that require a doctor's prescription. Rather than using specific rating criteria, we rely on our team's extensive knowledge of sleep products and medical industry standards to pair each reader with the right devices.

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Some appliances can be purchased in stores or online, while others may have to be custom-fitted by your dentist. Some devices include:

During a consultation, they will ask about your sleep patterns and perform a medical exam. A sleep specialist may suggest you participate in an overnight sleep study—a test monitoring your breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate—to diagnose OSA.