Sleep Apnea Living With

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If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you will need to schedule regular checkups to make sure that your treatment is working. You may need to repeat your sleep study during this period, especially if you gain or lose a lot of weight.

Untreated sleep apnea prevents you from getting enough rest, which can cause problems with concentrating, remembering things, making decisions, or controlling your behavior.

Sleep apnea affects many parts of your body. It can cause low oxygen levels during sleep and prevent you from getting enough quality sleep. Also, it takes a lot of effort to restart breathing many times during sleep, and this can damage your organs and blood vessels. These factors may raise your risk for the following conditions:

• Heart and blood vessel diseases, such as atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis, difficult-to-control high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Dementia in older adults
• Eye problems, such as glaucoma, dry eye, or keratoconus
• Metabolic syndrome
• Pregnancy complications
• Cancers, such as pancreatic, renal, and skin cancer
• Worsening asthma attacks

It is important to use your PAP machine for all sleep, including naps. If you are traveling, bring your breathing device with you. Be patient, as it may take time to adjust to breathing with the help of a PAP machine.

• Adjust the mask every night while lying down with the machine on to ensure it fits properly.
• Wear your mask for part of the day, such as while watching TV, to get used to how it feels.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of the following problems:

• You feel claustrophobic or are bothered by the noise. Your provider can suggest a different type of mask or PAP machine. They may also adjust the settings, such as having the machine ramp up over time while you fall asleep.
• Your mask does not stay on or fit well, or it leaks air.
• You have difficulty falling or staying asleep.
• You have dry mouth or a stuffy or runny nose. Your provider may recommend a humidifier or nasal spray.

Your provider may ask you to try different masks or nasal pillows, types of PAP machines, or machine pressure and timing settings.

It is also important to take proper care of your PAP machine:

• Clean your mask and wash your face before you put on the mask. This can help make a better seal between the mask and your skin. You may need to try a different breathing device that has a humidifier chamber or provides bi-level or auto-adjusting pressure settings.
• Know how to set up and properly clean all parts of your machine. Be sure to refill prescriptions on time for all of the device's parts that need to be replaced regularly, including the tubes, masks, and air filters.

Your healthcare provider, and possibly your insurance provider, may check the data from your PAP machine. This data shows how often you use your device and whether it is working properly. Your insurance provider may use the data to determine whether they will cover the device.

If you are using an oral device, you may need to see your dentist after 6 months and then every year. Your dentist will check whether the device is working correctly and whether it needs to be adjusted or replaced.

Ask your dentist how to properly care for your oral device. If it does not fit right or your symptoms do not improve, let your dentist know. It is common to feel some discomfort after a device is adjusted until your mouth and facial muscles get used to the new fit.

Sleep apnea can raise your risk for complications if you are having surgery, and it can affect your ability to drive well.

• If you need medicine to make you sleep during surgery, or pain medicine after surgery, tell your healthcare provider that you have sleep apnea. Your provider may have to take extra steps to make sure that your airway stays open during the surgery and that the pain medicine doesn't make it harder for your airway to stay open.
• Untreated sleep apnea can make you sleepy during the day and make it difficult for you to pay attention and make decisions while you drive. This can cause road accidents. Pay attention to your symptoms and do not drive if you feel tired or sleepy.