Sleep apnea obstructs airflow and affects your ability to get much needed restorative sleep, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to health hazards, including high blood pressure and mental health impairment. A CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. A CPAP works by pushing air at high pressure from the machine through a tube to your body using a face mask. The most common side effects of using a CPAP are treatable and mild.
Skin Irritation
If the CPAP mask does not fit well, it can lead to skin irritation and discomfort, according to the Society of Critical Care Medicine's website ICU-USA.com. In extreme situations, an ill-fitting mask can cause skin sores at the pressure points where the mask makes contact with the skin around your mouth. Communicate with your doctor to ensure a proper fit.
Bloating
A bloated stomach is a common side effect that occurs when too much air is swallowed during the night. CPAP.com recommends trying different sleep positions to avoid gastric bloating. Try shifting from your back to your side, or removing or adding a pillow. If changing your position doesn't work, your doctor can work with you to adjust the machine's pressure levels. According to anecdotes on the talkaboutsleep.com discussion board, the condition (for many) seems to disappear over time.
Dry Air Irritation
Because the air forced out in CPAP machines is very dry, many suffer from side effects like dried, chapped lips and nosebleeds. Lip balm can be used to alleviate chapped lips, as can using a humidifier to add some moisture to the room during the night. The website of Sleep Medicine Associates also recommends placing nasal saline spray drops into your nose at night to keep the nostrils and nasal passages moist.
