Has your doctor recommended using a CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea? While wearing a sleep apnea mask for the first time can feel daunting, the benefits of CPAP therapy are well worth it for many patients.
Keep reading to learn more about what to expect when trying a new sleep apnea mask and helpful tips to make your treatment more comfortable!
What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night, preventing you from getting the restful sleep you need. The frequency of these episodes varies from patient to patient, with some experiencing disruptions a few times a night and others experiencing them hundreds of times in one evening.
What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Because sleep apnea disrupts restorative sleep, patients often experience frustrating symptoms like:
- Fatigue during the day
- Headaches upon waking up
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Waking up repeatedly in the middle of the night
This chronic sleep deprivation can significantly impact your quality of life, making it more challenging to get through your daily routine or have enough energy to do your favorite activities. Depending on the type of sleep apnea you have, you may also experience symptoms like:
- Snoring
- Sore throat after sleeping
- Dry mouth after sleeping
- Unusual breathing patterns
- Night sweats
Aside from these symptoms, there are also long-term health implications if sleep apnea is left untreated. Each time your breathing stops and starts again throughout the night, oxygen levels in the blood drop.
Repeated drops in blood oxygen levels can lead to:
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart problems
- Liver problems
- Complications during surgery
Fortunately, treatments such as CPAP machines can help you get relief from frustrating symptoms and protect your long-term health.
How Do CPAP Machines Help Sleep Apnea?

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines can help patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea keep their airways open during sleep and prevent pauses in breathing. Treatment involves wearing a mask attached to the CPAP machine by a tube while you sleep.
Consistent use of CPAP therapy can improve the health and quality of life of patients with sleep apnea by:
- Reducing or eliminating sleep apnea events
- Reduced snoring
- Improved mood
- Lowering blood pressure
- Reducing daytime fatigue
- Boosting blood oxygen levels
- Improved cognitive function
- Decreasing the risk of cardiovascular complications
To find out whether a CPAP machine could be right for you, schedule an appointment with your ENT specialist at Chicago ENT. They will determine whether you need a sleep study to diagnose your condition and if you would benefit from sleep apnea treatment.
Tips When Trying a New Sleep Apnea Mask
When trying a sleep apnea mask for the first time or testing out a new one, it’s normal to experience discomfort or anxiety. However, there are steps you can take to make your treatment more manageable, smoother, and safer, including:
1. Trying Out Different Masks
Since you’ll be sleeping with your sleep apnea mask every night, it’s essential to make sure it’s fitted just right. You can try out different masks until you get the most comfortable one that suits you and only you.
Your ENT specialist at Chicago ENT can also provide recommendations based on your sleeping habits. For example, if you are a side sleeper, you may benefit from a different type of sleep apnea mask than someone who sleeps on their back.
2. Practicing Wearing Your Mask During the Day

If you’re having trouble getting used to wearing your sleep apnea mask, it can help to practice by wearing your mask for short periods of time throughout the day. For example, wearing your mask while watching TV, reading, or scrolling on your phone can help familiarize you with the feeling of breathing through the mask and prepare you for a great night’s sleep.
3. Upgrading Your Mask with CPAP Comfort Accessories
For patients still experiencing discomfort with their CPAP machine, there are plenty of accessories and add-ons that can increase your comfort, including:
- Mask liners
- Headgear strap pads
- Tubing covers
- Heated tubing
- Tubing hangers
- Neck pads
4. Making Sure to Maintain Your CPAP Machine

To ensure you get the best quality air, keep every part of your CPAP machine clean, including the tubing, water tank, and filters. Your mask and water tank should be washed with soap and water every few days, and your filter should be changed monthly.
5. Staying Consistent with Your CPAP Therapy
When starting CPAP therapy, be sure to use your sleep apnea mask every night without taking breaks. Stopping and restarting will make it more difficult for you to get used to your CPAP machine.
It can help to integrate the use of your CPAP machine with your regular routine, for instance, always putting on your sleep apnea mask after doing your nighttime skincare regimen.
Expert Sleep Apnea Treatment at Chicago ENT
Using a sleep apnea mask not only improves short-term symptoms like daytime tiredness and irritability but can also lower your risk of future health risks like heart disease and stroke. While they can be challenging to adjust to at first, remember that committing to wearing your sleep apnea mask can improve your quality of life and help you get the restful, restorative sleep you deserve every night.
Do you want to learn more about treating sleep apnea with CPAP therapy? Schedule an appointment at Chicago ENT in Chicago, IL, today!