CPAP machines have been in the news lately, and it hasn’t been favorable. A company had to recall a good number of their machines due to the possibility that they helped cause cancer. Go to Dolman Law (www.dolmanlaw.com) to learn more. 

Faulty CPAP machines aside, how safe are they? People use them to help negate the effects of sleep apnea. But is this a situation where the cure could be as harmful as the illness? Would people be better off seeking other alternatives? 

What Is A CPAP Machine? 

This is an acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine. It continually pushes air through a mask while the person wearing it sleeps. That way, if they stop breathing at times, which is what sleep apnea is, they are still getting oxygen. 

But there were certain parts of these machines that might have actually caused chemicals to go into these people’s bodies that contributed to their getting cancer. That is why the maker of the CPAP machines recalled them. 

Are there other side effects that could come from using a CPAP machine? 

Side Effects of Using CPAP Machines

Many people have reported significant benefits from using them. They have literally saved people’s lives, since sleep apnea can cause a lot of conditions that could be fatal if left untreated. But it has not been perfect. There have been non-life-threatening issues with these machines. They include: 

• Getting sores and irritation from the masks. This could be from a poor fitting, so making adjustments can ease that. 
• Congestion 
• Headaches
• Runny Noses
• Dry Mouth
• Nosebleeds

All of those, aside from the sores, could also be caused by conditions in the room that the people sleep in. Having a nebulizer or humidifier in the bedroom or wherever you sleep, could alleviate a lot of those other side effects. Also, maybe taking a decongestant before bed could keep you from getting congested. 

Another of the main ways to help keep your CPAP machine from causing you any problems is to clean it daily and check the filter each day. That will keep potential contaminants out and ensure that you breathe clean air each time. That could prevent you from getting headaches. 

More Serious Side Effects

If you notice that you are getting stomach bloating or discomfort from the CPAP. The most dangerous potential side effect could be bacterial meningitis. If you get a sinus infection from CPAP and don’t treat it, then you could get meningitis, which could be fatal. 

Go to the emergency room if you feel these symptoms: 

• Changes In your Vision
• Confusion
• High Fever
• Excruciating Headache
• Neck Stiffness
• Vomiting

Time is of the essence here. If you wait, it could be too late. 

Other Considerations

There are those who feel like the walls are closing in if they wear the mask. If that is the case with you, you should talk to a doctor about another type of mask. You could also use relaxation techniques to get past claustrophobia. 

CPAP machines help many people. But you need to make sure that it works best for you. If you feel any of these symptoms, talk to a doctor. They can show you other treatments, like surgery. Then you will be able to sleep well again.