CPAPs, or continuous positive airway pressure machines, deliver pressure regulated to produce the needed amount of air for a person suffering from respiratory ailments including sleep apnea. The machine works by providing pressure to keep airways open, making it easier for the person to sleep at night. These machines are especially helpful to people whose airways become blocked at night due to a history of respiratory failure, obesity and asthma.
Step 1
Place the CPAP machine on the table next to your bed. Use a steady and strong table that can provide a stable resting place for the machine. The CPAP comes with a mask that fits over the face, allowing no air to escape. The nurse or doctor will help fit the mask over your face for the first time to make sure it fits correctly, MedinePlus indicates.
Step 2
Fill the machine’s receptacle with distilled water if it has an area for this. Using distilled water as recommended will prevent clogging the CPAP machine. It also will help the air infused into your throat, nose and lungs from becoming too dry. Change the water every 24 hours to keep the machine clean and safe for use. Bacteria and mineral deposits can grow within the system if the water is not replaced on a daily basis. Not only will it affect the machine, but it also can cause sinus and lung infections in the person using the machine.
Step 3
Allow your respiratory therapist to program the CPAP machine for its initial use. The therapist can best make the adjustments for you. The respiratory therapist will adjust the CPAP machine according to the amount of air pressure that you will need delivered into your lungs. You will program it yourself later based on instructions given to you by the therapist along with the written instructions inside a booklet. If you have problems with the CPAP machine you cannot solve, consult with your respiratory therapist and have the programming on the machine readjusted.
Step 4
Use the ramp pressure button to adjust the air pressure you breathe with the CPAP machine. This feature controls the amount of air pressure that enters your lungs as you sleep. Setting this feature to a low level on the machine and building up to a higher level will help you get used to the amount of pressure used to open the airway to your lungs. It takes at least a few days to adjust to the ramp cycles of air flow along with sorting out adjustment issues, MayoClinic.com indicates.
Things You'll Need
- CPAP machine
- Distilled water
