Whether you’re brand new to sleep apnea, or a veteran of CPAP therapy, there are a number of reasons you might be wondering about changing your CPAP pressure settings. Show
Maybe it’s taking longer than you expected to adjust to your air pressure. Maybe you’re experiencing some new and uncomfortable side effects, like bloating or dry mouth. Maybe your CPAP treatment isn’t as effective as it once was. Whatever the reason, it's entirely possible that your pressure needs to be changed! Today we’ll take a look at how to recognize when your CPAP pressure is too high or too low, and how to have your pressure settings adjusted. But first, let’s make sure we’re on the same page for what exactly your CPAP settings mean… What Do My CPAP Settings Mean?Take a look at the pressure level settings on your CPAP machine and you’ll probably see a number between 6 and 20. This is your airflow measured in ‘centimeters of water pressure’ or ‘cm H2O’. Why water? It’s the amount of air needed to push a column of water up 1 centimeter. So 6 cmH2O is enough pressure to push that water up 6 centimeters. Most CPAP users will see a setting around 10 cmH2O, although it’s perfectly normal to have a setting outside of the average range. What Should My CPAP Pressure Be?You may assume that someone with severe sleep apnea would need a higher pressure, and someone with mild sleep apnea would need a lower pressure, but it’s not that simple. Your AHI (or apnea-hypopnea index– the measure of the frequency and severity of obstructive sleep apnea) does play a role, but it’s not the only factor. Your anatomy will play a bigger part– whether your OSA is caused by your tongue, soft palate, airway size, or other obstruction. Your pressure needs may also vary depending on your weight (BMI), blood pressure, and other health conditions. Even lifestyle factors– like smoking, drinking, or taking medication– may result in a different pressure setting. Because of this, your personal pressure settings will be determined by your doctor or sleep specialist through a kind of sleep study called a ‘titration study’. During the titration study, a clinician will monitor your breathing patterns while under different pressure levels, until you no longer snore or experience apneas. How Do I Know If My CPAP Pressure Needs Adjusting?If you suspect that your sleep apnea treatment needs adjusting, you should listen to your body. It’s not uncommon for pressure needs to change over time, or even throughout the night, resulting in CPAP therapy that’s too low or too high. If your airflow is too low, you won’t be receiving effective treatment. Too high and you could experience side effects that range from uncomfortable to outright dangerous. You can tell if your pressure needs adjusting by paying attention to your symptoms... How to Tell If Your CPAP Pressure Is Too LowIf your pressure is too low, the symptoms will feel like untreated sleep apnea. You may notice difficulty breathing, snoring, daytime sleepiness, headaches, or a lower quality of life. If your AHI is higher than 5, this may also be a sign that your air pressure is too low, as your CPAP device isn’t fully preventing your airways from collapsing. How to Tell If Your CPAP Pressure Is Too HighWhen your air pressure is too high, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
How Do I Adjust My CPAP Machine Pressure Settings?It’s extremely important that your pressure settings are correct. Air pressure that’s too high can irritate your lungs and airways, and may possibly lead to Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)– a sleep disorder where your brain fails to signal your body to breathe while sleeping. On the other hand, CPAP settings that are too low can leave you at risk from your original obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, your CPAP settings should only ever be adjusted under the supervision of a doctor or sleep specialist. They’ll order a new titration, then provide a prescription for new settings. Additionally, depending on your pressure needs, your healthcare provider may recommend an alternative CPAP device, such as a BiPAP or APAP. BiPAP, or BiLevel CPAP, provides a lower pressure during exhalation, to help you breathe more naturally. This is commonly prescribed for CPAP users with very high pressure settings, or additional health concerns like COPD. APAP machines– sometimes called autoCPAP, auto-adjusting CPAP, or auto-titrating CPAP– can detect your breathing pattern, and adjust your pressure accordingly. Some popular examples include the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet and Philips Respironics Dreamstation Auto. These are extremely helpful for those whose pressure needs vary throughout the night; however, they’re not a substitute for a sleep study. An APAP will need to be set to a range of pressures determined by your doctor. Since properly adjusted CPAP settings are so important, Aeroflow offers pressure adjustment at no extra charge. After receiving your prescription, your personal Aeroflow Sleep Specialist can guide you through the process, to safely and effectively find the right CPAP pressure settings. If you suspect that your CPAP pressure needs adjusting, talk to your healthcare provider, and then reach out to Aeroflow Sleep! Can I adjust my CPAP pressure myself?Air pressure calibration on CPAP machines is done through a process called titration. So you are advised against trying to adjust the air pressure of a CPAP machine on your own. Also, never get the air pressure adjusted without a medical prescription.
What happens if CPAP pressure is too low?If the pressure is too low, you may continue to experience difficulties breathing through the night, despite you using your CPAP machine. You need enough pressure to keep your airways open, so if they are still being restricted, your body won't be getting the amount of oxygen it needs throughout the night.
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