Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing periodically ceases during sleep. Left untreated, people with sleep apnea cease breathing repeatedly per night, sometimes up to hundreds of times. This can lead to insufficient oxygen in the brain and other parts of the body, and further physiological complications. It can also exacerbate other conditions and disorders. Thankfully, sleep apnea treatment exists, via continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
With CPAP, patients wear a face or nasal mask when they sleep. The mask is connected to a pump that provides a positive flow of air into the airway, keeping it open. This sleep apnea treatment addresses the disorder’s symptoms and provides patients with sufficient amounts of oxygen. Needless to say, CPAP machines can be literal lifesavers, which is why keeping them in tip-top working condition should be a priority for those with sleep apnea. Here are five helpful ways to maintain your CPAP machine:
1. Emphasize Its Importance
This involves mindset and preparation rather than actual maintenance methods. The CPAP machine provides vital sleep apnea treatment. Learn how to properly operate it, remember the basic troubleshooting methods, and who to call when there are complications with the machine. A little awareness can go a long way if something goes wrong with the machine.
2. Unplug Before Cleaning
Whenever you perform maintenance on the machine, be sure it is turned off and unplugged. This is basic safety, but people can get hurt when they work on a plugged machine. If the CPAP is actually turned on when it’s being maintained, jams or obstructions to the pump might occur.
3. Clean the Tubing
Check and clean the CPAP machine’s tubing on a regular basis. It’s best to do it daily, preferably in the morning before things get too busy and it slips the mind. Inspect the tubing for any damage. Unhook the tubing from the mask and machine and then rinse it with warm soapy water. Let it dry so it will be ready for use by bedtime. Drying should be done at room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight as exposure to higher temperatures will degrade the tubing’s material.
4. Clean the Water Chamber
This component also needs regular cleaning. Every morning, rinse the chamber with warm soapy water and then clean water.
Perform more thorough cleaning every week. For this, use a solution that is one part white vinegar and two parts water, let it sit in the chamber for a while before removing the solution and rising the chamber with distilled water.
When handling the water chamber, be sure to avoid spillage onto the rest of the CPAP machine.
This is important because the chamber provides needed moisture to prevent irritation from excess dryness. Remember, it’s the air the patient breathes into their lungs, so the water chamber must remain sanitary.
5. Breathing Mask
Needless to say, this component should also be kept clean on a daily basis to prevent particulates and residues from accumulating. The proper cleaning procedure depends on the type of mask. Generally, the mask should be disassembled and its components washed with warm water and mild soap, or CPAP mask-specific cleaning agents. They should be rinsed thoroughly and allowed to dry at room temperature over the course of the day. Direct sunlight should also be avoided. By nighttime, the components should be ready to re-assemble and use.
Once a week, the masked should be soaked in the same type of water-vinegar solution as the water chamber and rinsed with distilled water.
Headgear and chinstraps should be washed by hand using warm soapy water, rinsed and air-dried. They should NOT be placed in washing machines or dryers.
Avoid Facial Oils and Moisturizers
Wash your face thoroughly before wearing the face mask. Facial oils and moisturizers can break down the mask’s silicone faster. There is also a slight risk that these substances’ residue can mix with the incoming air and inhaled by the patient.
Contact Jacksonville Sleep Center to Discuss Your Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
These are some of the ways a CPAP machine can be kept in optimal working order and ensure complication-free sleep apnea treatment. If symptoms don’t improve or the CPAP machine requires further maintenance or replacement, contact the sleep specialists at Jacksonville Sleep Center Today.
FAQs
Wash daily in warm soapy water (Ivory liquid or mild dish soap) and rinse thoroughly, then allow to air dry. Disinfect weekly by soaking in a solution of 2 parts white vinegar to 3 parts water (for example, 1 cup white vinegar to 1½ cups water), then rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.
What maintenance does a CPAP machine need? ›
Wash daily in warm soapy water (Ivory liquid or mild dish soap) and rinse thoroughly, then allow to air dry. Disinfect weekly by soaking in a solution of 2 parts white vinegar to 3 parts water (for example, 1 cup white vinegar to 1½ cups water), then rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.
What is the best thing to clean your CPAP with? ›
Machines are not necessary to clean your CPAP. Most CPAPs can be cleaned with mild soap and water as described in the owner's manual for your machine. Some manufacturers recommend using diluted vinegar.
Is Dawn dish soap safe for CPAP? ›
DAILY CLEANING
Do not use moisturizing soaps, bleach, scented oils, chlorine, or alcohol-based solutions to clean your supplies. These solutions may cause irritation to your skin and lungs and may reduce the life of your products. Dawn Dish soap or Comparable works best for daily cleaning.
Why do I wake up after 4 hours on my CPAP machine? ›
You may not get the full benefit of treatment if your CPAP settings are incorrect. These settings regulate the pressure of air delivered to your mask. If the setting is too high, you may struggle to exhale and find yourself waking in the middle of the night.
How long should I soak my CPAP hose? ›
Remove the tubing from the CPAP machine and the mask. Wash the tubing in warm, soapy water. Soak for 30-60 minutes. Rinse well, hang over shower rod and allow to dry out of direct sunlight.
What soap should you use to clean CPAP? ›
Always opt for a mild, gentle soap. Ivory or a natural liquid castile soap like Dr. Bronners are good choices. Soaps made with plant-based ingredients are an excellent choice as well.
How to dry a CPAP hose after washing? ›
Here are three tips on how to dry a CPAP hose:
- Hang the hose over a towel rack or shower rod to air dry. ...
- With the hose attached, run your CPAP machine without water for a few minutes after cleaning.
- Be sure to let the hose completely dry before using it again.
You can use bottled water in your CPAP humidifier if it is distilled water. Most bottled water used for drinking is purified or spring water. These don't contain bacteria, but they may have minerals like calcium and magnesium that can leave residue in your humidifier and may cause it to wear out quicker than expected.
How often should I clean my CPAP water chamber? ›
CPAP equipment manufacturers recommend regular cleanings. They advise washing out the mask, tubing and CPAP humidifier chamber at least once a week. Rinsing the mask and hose daily is also a good practice that helps keep them clean in the interim. Experts also recommend washing the parts out daily if you are sick.
Most professionals recommend cleaning CPAP equipment with liquid dish soap and hot water or diluted vinegar and water. For decades, these cleaning standards have proven adequate in preventing widespread respiratory infections associated with CPAP use.
What can I use instead of CPAP wipes? ›
Simple baby wipes are perfect for this task. When shopping for wipes ensure the ones selected specify that they are alcohol-free. Antibacterial or alcohol based wipes will cause damage to the memory foam.
Can I use apple cider vinegar to clean my CPAP machine? ›
Vinegar is safe to clean your CPAP supplies with, but won't remove any buildup. It actually helps to use a vinegar solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water once a month to really disinfect your equipment like your mask and tubing. Allow each part to soak in the vinegar solution for about 30 minutes.
What is the life expectancy of someone with sleep apnea? ›
Severe Sleep Apnea Life Expectancy
Severe sleep apnea shortens life expectancy, in the worse case by as much as 4 times. Individuals with severe sleep apnea from the study reported having strokes and even cancer before they died, proving how much severe sleep apnea can be very destructive to someone's health.
Why does CPAP cause weight gain? ›
A decrease in energy expenditure and an increase in energy consumption as shown by Tachikawa and colleagues (2) are plausible candidates to explain weight gain after CPAP therapy (1).
How does my CPAP know when you are asleep? ›
How does my CPAP machine know when I fall asleep? Your AirSense 10 will know you're asleep no more than three minutes after. That's because the moment you turn on your machine, AutoRamp is looking for three things: 30 breaths of stable breathing (roughly 3 minutes)
Do CPAP machines need to be serviced? ›
We recommend that the CPAP machine be serviced by a professional every six months. This will help ensure that your machine is functioning at its best and provide you with the quality sleep you need to tackle each day.
Does a CPAP machine need to be cleaned every day? ›
CPAP equipment manufacturers recommend regular cleanings. They advise washing out the mask, tubing and CPAP humidifier chamber at least once a week. Rinsing the mask and hose daily is also a good practice that helps keep them clean in the interim. Experts also recommend washing the parts out daily if you are sick.
How often should you have your CPAP machine checked? ›
Every two years
Go back to your Accredited Outlet to have your CPAP, APAP or bilevel sleep apnea machine pressure tested to ensure you are still receiving the correct pressure.
How often do you need to water a CPAP machine? ›
Change water daily to prevent bacteria from collecting in stagnant water. Clean your CPAP water chamber once a week by carefully removing it from the machine to wash with warm, soapy water. Allow it to fully air dry before putting it back.
