Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person repeatedly stops breathing while sleeping due to a blocked airway, according to MayoClinic.com. This condition can easily be treated with a continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP machine. A CPAP machine delivers air pressure through a mask placed over the nose and mouth during sleep. It opens up the airways by increasing the pressure in the lungs. Air pressure problems and an ill-fitting mask can cause complications that can be easily treated by making adjustments.
Respiratory Problems
A common complication associated with CPAP usage is respiratory problems, according to the website Health.com. A CPAP machine can cause respiratory problems as constant air flows into the nose and increases the pressure in the throat so that the airway does not collapse during sleep. People who regularly use a CPAP machine to sleep may notice that they wake up with symptoms that resemble hay fever such as a sore throat, dry or runny nose, sneezing, irritated eyes and/or nasal congestion.
Leaking
Some people may experience leaking around the CPAP mask that covers the mouth and nose during sleep, according to Health.com. Leaking usually occurs when the mask does not fit properly. A CPAP mask that is too loose can allow air to seep out the sides while a mask that is too tight can irritate the eyes and skin, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. When the mask does not fit properly it affects the air pressure possibly resulting in interrupted sleep. While small leaks usually do not stop the machine from releasing the correct amount of air pressure, they can cause the machine to make a screeching sound that wakes others in the house.
Sleep Problems
People who use a CPAP machine to sleep can experience air pressure problems that awaken them during the night. Sleep problems can occur when a poorly fitted mask changes the air pressure and prevents someone from falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. When air pressure is too low it can make a person feel like he is choking or suffocating. The feeling of not being able to breathe can cause a person to swallow large amounts of air resulting in burping, a bloated and gassy stomach.
