What is Sleep Apnea and Do You Have It?

Hi,My mom was recently dsiongaed with severe sleep apnea. She has been fitted with two different masks (nasal pads, and nasal mask) over the past couple of weeks and is still complaining of the feeling of pressure building up to the point of burping as well as EXTREME anxiety with relaxing with her gear on to fall asleep. She is beyond frustrated and exhausted and is longing for a good night’s rest. Any thoughts, suggestions on these issues would be greatly appreciated.Thank you![] Reply:January 7th, 2011 at 8:02 pmYour mother’s experiences are not unusual for a new CPAP user. Learning to breathe out against the pressure takes some time to learn. Most CPAP machines have a “ramp” feature which allows a slow build up of pressure while the patient is falling asleep. I would make sure your mother is utilizing her ramp feature. (Most CPAPs allow a maximum of 45 minutes of ramp time.) It is challenging to sleep wearing a mask and headgear. Some suggestions would be to make sure she is tired and ready to go to sleep before she puts on the CPAP. Sometimes patients find it useful to wear the mask around the house while watching television or reading to get used to the feel of the mask. Remind your mother this takes a commitment on her part, but it is well worth the health benefits she will be gaining. Patience is the key.[]