Using the CPAP machine to go to sleep can be a hassle to some and some people can’t even tolerate wearing the equipment for longer hours. In this case, let me tell you about the average hours of using the machine.
So what is the average hours of sleep using CPAP machine? The average hours of sleep using CPAP machine is 6 to 7 hours each night.
According to health experts, using the CPAP machine for at least 6 hours will help reduce the long-term health risks of obstructive sleep apnea.
This means that it is the minimum recommended amount of sleep that sleep apnea patients should get using the CPAP machine.
Some people may extend their usage up to 8 hours, which is completely okay, but it’s less likely.
More and more people only sleep for about 6 hours a day as they reach adulthood.
CPAP works as long as you use it but there are also times when patients reported withdrawal benefits.
For example, if you’ve been using CPAP therapy for quite a while and you suddenly stopped using it for the meantime, you may experience an improvement with your comfort and health.
The sleep apnea may stop as well, but it is usually temporary.
Symptoms will come back if you don’t continue using CPAP as you sleep.
The reason why some people cannot tolerate using it longer than 6 hours is because of the fact that there is usually limited movement during sleep.
Older versions of CPAP machine uses a mask that is attached to the machine using a wire or a cord that is not long enough to help give room for the patient to move.
But today, more people are becoming comfortable in using CPAP for 6 hours and longer because the newer CPAP machines are smaller, quieter and provides more mobility compared to before.
There are even “wireless” CPAP masks that are being developed until today which can probably help sleep apnea patients use the machine and sleep with it for more than the average 6 hours.
A CPAP machine can last up to 7 years, but do you ever wonder if you have to use it forever? Or only temporary? Will sleep apnea go away by itself? Read on to find out the answers!
How long should you use CPAP machine
Now, here comes the next question. After wondering about how many hours should you sleep with CPAP machine, it’s not a surprise to wonder if you have to use the machine forever.
Well, that depends.
For most cases, CPAP machine can only continuously treat sleep apnea when it is also being continuously used, so it will stop working the moment you also stop using it.
Some people can be permanently cured after long term use of CPAP machine but that isn’t usually the case.
In a sense, the amount of time you have to use the CPAP machine is for as long as your sleep apnea isn’t cured.
Treatment for sleep apnea will be different depending on the cause and other contributing factors which is why CPAP may not always permanently cure it.
Yes, the CPAP machine is one of the most effective methods of treating sleep apnea but it is not a permanent cure.
Usually, permanent cures involve surgeries but only if you have obstructive sleep apnea caused by your anatomical build.
For most cases, sleep apnea does not go away by itself and can’t be cured naturally which is why more people have to use CPAP machine longer than they expected.
You will have to keep using the CPAP machine as long as you have sleep apnea and the minimum amount of sleep you should get while using it is only for six hours.
Why you should use CPAP machine
Next, what’s the good thing about CPAP machine that any age can experience? Well, the CPAP treatment has a lot of good things to offer to our health. Here’s a list of positive effects the CPAP machine have for us.
- Lessen daytime sleepiness
- Sleep apnea can make it difficult to fall asleep at night. If you use CPAP, you may prevent this.
- Anti-snoring device
- Using a CPAP mask can control snoring tendencies.
- Avoid morning headaches
- Sleep apnea also causes headaches. CPAP users report better mornings without headaches after using CPAP.
- Avoid heart failures
- May lead to fatal conditions such as brain damages or even death, CPAP can prevent heart failures caused by sleep apnea.
- Avoid heart attacks
- Sleep apnea can trigger heart attacks and can also be severely threatening however, this can be prevented by using the CPAP machine.
- Stop irregular heartbeats
- Worsens the ability to breathe
- Can trigger anxiety
- CPAP can bring your heartbeat pattern back to normal.
- Prevent stroke
- Can leave permanent damage
- May lead to paralysis
- Sleep apnea can also be the cause of stroke but the help of CPAP machine can lessen the risk of stroke.
- Avoid depression
- Not an easy condition to treat, sleep apnea can cause mental problems but CPAP can prevent that
- Avoiding the risk of diabetes
- Leaves you prone to more heart attacks
- Avoid uncontrolled weight gain or loss
- Sleep apnea also messes with the body’s hormones, causing the patient to usually gain weight uncontrollably. For rare cases, patients lose weight too.
- Avoiding high blood pressure
- Aside from your physical health, this can also affect your mental health and relationship with people around you including your work. CPAP treatment can prevent this.
- Avoid worsening ADHD
- Sleep apnea reduces your ability to focus which is what happens when you have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- Having a lack of control to focus can lead to frustration
- Wake up with full energy
- With sleep apnea, your energy will be reduced since you are unable to sleep well. The CPAP machine can fix that for you.
- Avoiding the risk of seizures
- Sleep apnea patients are more prone to seizures during sleep compared to epilepsy patients without sleep apnea.
When do you need to use CPAP machine
After learning about the benefits, how can you tell if you actually need to use the CPAP machine?
- When you snore heavily
- Maybe, it can be a sign of fatigue but snoring loudly and usually can be a sign of sleep apnea.
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Losing control of your weight can be a sign of sleep apnea.
- Gasping for air during sleep
- The feeling of drowning without knowing it and suddenly you’re out of air.
- If you have insomnia
- Having trouble going to sleep because you have breathing problems that you may not notice
- If you experience hypersomnia
- Having trouble staying awake in the morning because you were unable to sleep well due to your sleep apnea
- Waking up with a headache
- Sleep apnea can disturb your body’s “charging” state. Since you can’t sleep well, your body will use energy for means that can help you breathe which may lead to headaches.
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- With sleep apnea, the person tends to snore and keep their mouth open when gasping for air which leads to a dried up mouth once we awaken.
- Decreased ability to focus
- Sleep apnea can give lack of sleep which will also result in difficulty to focus on anything
- Feeling uncomfortable
- Your lack of energy due to sleep apnea can make you feel uncomfortable and irritable without your knowledge
- Suddenly stop breathing during sleep
- Your housemates should notice this and tell you about it. Sleep apnea can disrupt breathing that may last for up to 10 seconds which is already risky.
You must also keep in mind that a formal medical check up or a sleep study can be done to properly determine if you have any sleeping condition that requires the help of CPAP machines.
Related Questions
What is the average age of CPAP users?
The average age of CPAP users ranges between 30 to 50 and above.
Today, there are now younger people who are using CPAP but that is because the technology of CPAP continues to be developed and advanced.
Perhaps in the future, we will see more and more children using CPAP and the average age will be different.
How much is the CPAP machine?
CPAP machines can cost between $500, $850 up to $3000 depending on the brand and place where you live.
The newly invented CPAP machines are smaller which can provide more comfort and can adjust to the user’s breathing pattern for better treatment.
The older CPAP machines have a fixed air pressure that it can provide and comes in larger sizes which is why more and more people are looking for alternatives if they cannot afford the new CPAP machines.
It is suggested to check with your insurance company if they can cover the costs for CPAP machine treatment to save money.
How long CPAP machine can last
A properly cared for CPAP machine can last up to seven years. Machines tend to last longer as long as it is properly maintained but if you want to be safe, it is usually replaced once every seven years.
