We all know that CPAP is effective at treating sleep apnea, but it’s also uncomfortable and inconvenient for many people. Having invested in an expensive device that they know is potentially lifesaving, people don’t want to give up on CPAP, despite the numerous inconveniences and discomforts. So, instead of looking for alternatives to CPAP that might work better, people improvise many home solutions that are jerry rigged to overcome the problems.
These solutions are not only time-consuming and difficult, they can potentially affect the efficacy of CPAP in some cases, and looking at them, we can’t help but wonder whether people in these situations would be better off with a treatment that works without improvised improvements, such as an oral appliance.
Wall Mounts for CPAP Hoses
One of the nuisances of CPAP is the air hoses. These air hoses run from the pump assembly to your mask, and they can get wrapped around your head or tangled in various places, creating a real nuisance as you move around.
To try to get around this problem, people make and sell wall mount brackets for CPAP hoses. This allows you to attach your CPAP hose to the wall so there is less slack that can get tangled around you. It also allows you to guide the CPAP hoses out of the way so they’re less likely to get tangled. And it gives you an intermediate tension point so if you do get tangled up in the hoses, you’re less likely to pull the CPAP machine off your bedside table and send it crashing to the ground.
Installing the wall mount isn’t a major project, but designing your own would be. A closely related alternative is the headboard clamp.
Mask Liner
Many people experience skin irritation related to the way their CPAP masks fit. For some people, this even leads to acne outbreaks. To avoid the skin irritation, many people will make mask liners. There are so many forums where people bring up this topic that enterprising CPAP users who made their own have started manufacturing and selling them to people in similar situations.
Although mask liners can help some people avoid skin irritation, they can also cause skin irritation for others. And if they’re not properly made, they can make it harder to get a good seal with your mask.
Battery Packs
One of the problems people have in traveling with CPAP is powering their system, especially when they’re camping. Battery packs that are available are often inadequate, so people try to improvise their own solutions to the problem.
There are many potential problems with DIY battery packs. The most serious being the risk of fire related to heat during charge or discharge, but also there is a risk that the battery pack just won’t work for your situation.
CPAP Pillows
CPAP pillows can help some people overcome the discomfort of sleeping with a CPAP mask and hoses. They can also help you keep your mask on properly so you get better compliance. By positioning your airway properly, it can help improve results. And it can reduce the pressure driving the mask into your face, reducing skin irritation. The goal is to create a pillow that still properly cradles and supports your head, even as it accommodates space for the CPAP masks.
But CPAP pillows seem absurdly expensive to many people, so they decide to make their own. The solutions range from simply wrapping a tie around a regular pillow to shape it to carving out your own custom-shaped foam pillow. The solutions may or may not work.
Sleep Apnea Is Already Taking Over Your Life–Skip the DIY
Sleep apnea is impacting your health, your relationships, and your profession. There’s no reason to let them impact your spare time, too. With a more comfortable, convenient sleep apnea treatment, you can spend your DIY time working on the house or crafts that you really want to get to. Maybe you can even start working on that hobby car you haven’t had the energy to tackle in the past.
To learn more about sleep apnea treatment options and whether an oral appliance is a good alternative to CPAP in Omaha, please call (402) 493-4175 today for an appointment with sleep dentist at the Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment Center.
