CPAP therapy

Frequently asked questions about CPAP treatment

• What does CPAP treatment mean?

  CPAP treatment (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or positive airway pressure therapy is the most effective form of treatment for sleep apnoea.

  Sometimes the acronym APAP is used, where the first letter A comes from the word automatic, meaning that the device automatically detects pressure fluctuations and adjusts the pressure level accordingly. The majority of today's CPAP devices are automatic, although a fixed-pressure device is still justified for some patients.

  CPAP treatment does not cure sleep apnoea, but the treatment improves sleep quality, reducing daytime fatigue and other health harms caused by sleep apnoea, while also improving quality of life.

• What does a CPAP device do?

  A CPAP device is a continuous positive airway pressure device that uses positive pressure to keep the upper airways open. The CPAP device includes a mask connected with a hose. There are different types of masks: a full-face mask, a nasal mask, and a nasal pillows mask. The CPAP device available through Mehiläinen also includes a humidifier and a heated hose, which help with dry mouth.

  CPAP treatment does not cure sleep apnoea, but using the device improves sleep quality, reducing daytime tiredness and other health harms caused by sleep apnoea. Thus, the treatment improves the patient’s quality of life by reducing breathing pauses when the device is used.

• What is sleep apnoea?

  Sleep apnoea is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which breathing stops or weakens significantly and repeatedly during sleep. Breathing pauses cause the person suffering from sleep apnoea to experience repeated awakenings during sleep, which can occur up to hundreds of times in a single night. In such cases, sleep is not restorative. If left untreated, sleep apnoea strains the body and predisposes a person to many different diseases.

• How is sleep apnoea treated?

  Avoiding overweight, losing weight if necessary, non-smoking, exercise, reducing alcohol consumption, and avoiding central nervous system depressants reduce the risk of sleep apnoea and often alleviate the severity of already diagnosed sleep apnoea.

  If lifestyle treatment is not sufficient, sleep apnoea can be treated with a continuous positive airway pressure device, i.e., a CPAP device, or with a dental splint intended for the treatment of sleep apnoea, i.e., a sleep apnoea splint, and in some cases also with positional therapy (for example, aiming to prevent sleeping on one's back with a sleep apnoea belt) or surgically.

• What happens at a sleep apnoea nurse’s appointment?

  During the sleep apnoea nurse's appointment, sleep apnoea is reviewed as an illness and guidance is provided on the use of the CPAP machine. In addition, the mask is fitted and the patient tests how breathing with the device feels during the sleep apnoea nurse's appointment.

  The CPAP machine is placed on remote monitoring, which allows the functioning and usage of the device to be monitored. If necessary, the device's settings can be adjusted via remote monitoring.

  The sleep apnoea nurse contacts the patient usually two weeks after starting the CPAP treatment, and the next time three months after starting the treatment. After this, follow-up of the treatment takes place annually. The first annual follow-up is carried out at the sleep apnoea nurse's appointment.

  The patient has the opportunity to contact their own sleep apnoea nurse in problem situations.

• What factors affect what kind of mask is suitable for me?

  The selection of a suitable mask (full face / nasal / under-the-nose / nasal pillows mask) is influenced by:

  • Facial features (nose and jaw/chin): The height and width of the nose, as well as the shape of the nasal bridge, directly affect how a nasal mask, for example, sits on the face. If the mask is not compatible with the shape of the nose, it may cause air leaks or press uncomfortably. Correspondingly, the shape of the chin particularly affects the fit of full face masks; the bottom part of the mask must seal properly under the chin and around the sides.
  • Beard and moustache: Hair between the skin and the mask is a common cause of air leaks. A thick beard can prevent the mask from sitting well against the skin, which allows treatment pressure to escape and reduces the effectiveness of the treatment. A nasal pillows mask that seals at the base of the nostrils is often the most functional alternative for someone with a beard.
  • Bite splints or dental prostheses: Devices used in the mouth can alter the position of the mouth and jaw, which may particularly affect the fit of a full face mask. It is important to ensure that the mask feels comfortable and airtight even when the splint/prosthesis is in place.
  • Sleeping style (mouth open or closed):
    • If you sleep with your mouth open: A full face mask covering both the nose and mouth is usually needed, because when sleeping with your mouth open, the therapeutic air supplied through a nasal mask escapes out through the mouth. When air escapes through the mouth, the effectiveness of the treatment decreases and the mouth becomes dry.
    • If you sleep with your mouth closed: A nasal mask, which is smaller and lighter than a full face mask, is often sufficient when the mouth stays closed during sleep.

• The mask of my CPAP device is leaking or pressing against my face. What should I do?

  Place the mask in the center of your face so that the thickest part of the strap is positioned right in the middle of the back of your neck. Check that the mask is in place. Turn the device on. Pull the mask evenly slightly away from your face forwards and slightly downwards so that the silicone part of the mask straightens out and does not remain wrinkled against the skin. This allows the cushion part of the mask to fill with air, making it tighter and softer against the skin. Return the mask to your face.

  If you use face cream in the evening, apply the cream 2–3 hours before putting on the mask so that the silicone mask stays in place.

  Always adjust the mask straps on both sides at the same time. Ensure that the mask fits evenly tight both at the top and the bottom. If the lower straps of the mask are tighter, it will leak from the top and vice versa.

  If red marks appear on your face and the bridge of your nose, the mask straps are too tight. Loosen the straps; loosening them by just a few millimeters is often enough. Please note, however, that some marks will always remain on the face, as the straps cannot be too loose in order to maintain the mask's seal.

• My sleep apnoea symptoms have returned. What could this be due to? What should I do?

  Have you had a break from your CPAP device treatment, for example due to a cold? Remember to return to using the device daily.

  The best treatment response is achieved with nightly treatment that lasts throughout the entire night. In order to feel refreshed and avoid constant fatigue, the CPAP device should preferably be used every night, all night long. If the CPAP device is used for less than four (4) hours a night, you may still feel tired in the mornings.

  Fatigue can also be caused by many other factors that are worth considering, especially if the CPAP treatment is carried out properly. You can also check with your sleep apnoea nurse to ensure that your CPAP device is functioning as expected and that your treatment response is as anticipated.

• I am still tired. What could this be due to?

  It is typical that when starting sleep apnoea treatment, the patient may feel more tired than before the treatment. The feeling of tiredness will subside over time, and the patient will gradually begin to feel a response to the treatment.

  A working-age adult should sleep an average of 7–9 hours a night.

  In addition to sleep apnoea, there can be other reasons for tiredness. If, when viewed through remote follow-up, the CPAP device treatment appears to be working, the number of breathing pauses is less than 5/h, and the CPAP device is used for at least 70% of the night, the cause of tiredness is probably something other than sleep apnoea.

  Other sleep disorders that impair sleep include, for example, restless legs. Stress or a demanding life situation can also affect sleep.

  It is a good idea to discuss the matter with a physician. Other causes of tiredness, such as abnormal thyroid values, changes in the CBC, or an abnormal ferritin level, for example, can be ruled out with laboratory tests.

• Why is the CPAP device blowing hard?

  An automatic CPAP device increases the pressure only as much as the patient’s breathing pauses require, no more. At the beginning of the treatment, there are more breathing pauses, which is why the device uses more pressure. Regular use of the CPAP device reduces the number of breathing pauses, and at the same time, the device's need for pressure decreases.

• Why is my CPAP mask blowing so hard that it even disturbs the person sleeping next to me?

  The mask has openings through which the carbon dioxide from breathing is discharged while sleeping. In some mask models, the holes are quite far forward, and a person sleeping next to the device user may wake up to a cold airflow.

  If the mask comes slightly off the face, the CPAP device will start increasing the pressure to correct the situation, even if it is not a breathing pause.

  In the initial stages of treatment, the airflow from the mask may feel strong because there are many breathing pauses. If the device is used regularly, for at least four (4) hours a night, the situation will stabilize within 1–2 weeks.

• I often wake up and my nose and mouth get dry. What should I do?

  The humidifier unit of the CPAP device can relieve these symptoms, but even that does not always help with a dry mouth.

  Remember to care for the nasal mucous membranes with an oil-based nasal spray or drops.

  If you breathe through your mouth, the mouth dries out. Make sure you drink enough fluids during the day. You can try an oral moisturizing gel available from pharmacies.

• Does my weight change affect the treatment of my sleep apnoea?

  An automatic CPAP device takes into account the need for pressure and is able to adjust it automatically if necessary. The device can also account for minor weight changes.

  If your weight has changed significantly (more than 10 kg) and you have a fixed-pressure device (i.e. not an automatic CPAP device), contact the Mehiläinen location responsible for your care.

• Can I stop CPAP treatment?

  Device therapy should not be stopped independently. Sleep apnoea may be alleviated or change its form with lifestyle treatment. If weight and lifestyle remain unchanged, sleep apnoea generally remains unchanged. However, stopping CPAP treatment may sometimes be justified if, for example, there are difficulties sleeping with the CPAP device despite attempts.

  Always discuss with a physician before potentially stopping the treatment, as any discontinuation of treatment is always considered on a case-by-case basis.

  Discontinuing CPAP treatment may affect your health or your ability to drive. More information regarding the ability to drive can be found on Traficom's website.

  Discontinuing treatment may increase the amount of sleep apnoea symptoms even in milder cases, and untreated severe sleep apnoea increases the risk of, among other things, heart attacks and cerebral infarctions.

• What is myAir?

  myAir is a sleep apnoea app that you can use with the AirSense S10 and AirSense S11 CPAP devices.

  Through the myAir app, you have access to instructional videos, individual guidance and treatment reports.

  Daily myAir score gives you useful and motivating information about your previous night’s sleep and your CPAP treatment. This information helps you stay up to date on the progress of your treatment and your development in sleep apnoea treatment.

• How does remote follow-up of CPAP treatment work?

  The sleep apnoea nurse uses a CPAP therapy remote monitoring programme as a tool. Remote monitoring enables monitoring the use of the CPAP device and checking the patient's number of breathing pauses.

  If necessary, adjustments to the CPAP device can be made via remote monitoring.

• Is CPAP treatment included in the occupational health agreement?

  An occupational health corporate customer can include CPAP treatment in the services available through occupational health care. You can find out whether CPAP treatment is included in your occupational health agreement from your employer, or you can contact our customer service.

• Is CPAP treatment covered by my insurance?

  Check your insurance terms or your insurance company to see which operations and physician services your insurance covers.
  Using services with insurance at Mehiläinen is easy.

  More information for insurance customers

• How do I use a service voucher at Mehiläinen?

  You can find more information about using a service voucher for Mehiläinen’s services on our Service voucher page.

  How to use a service voucher

• Can I get help from Mehiläinen when I need advice regarding my CPAP treatment, but my CPAP treatment takes place somewhere other than Mehiläinen?

  Yes. You can book an appointment or leave a call request for a Mehiläinen sleep apnoea nurse to receive advice regarding your CPAP treatment, regardless of where your CPAP treatment is arranged or where your CPAP device was acquired. Sleep apnoea nurses work at our locations throughout Finland.

  Call request fees: Inquiries regarding our services and prices, for example, are free of charge for the customer. A call request is subject to a fee when the customer's treatment is elsewhere and they leave a call request to receive help and advice regarding their treatment.

• I want to buy a mask for my CPAP device, can I buy it from Mehiläinen?

  Yes. If you wish, you can purchase a mask for a CPAP device by leaving a call request for Mehiläinen’s sleep apnoea nurse at the location nearest to you, regardless of whether your sleep apnoea treatment is monitored at Mehiläinen or somewhere else. Please note that to receive the mask, it must be picked up from the agreed Mehiläinen location and sleep apnoea nurse; masks are not mailed at this time.

  Please note that masks cannot be picked up from the location without having contacted the sleep apnoea nurse, and masks must be picked up from a Mehiläinen location. from the sleep apnoea nurse. Masks are not mailed at this time.

• At which locations does Mehiläinen have sleep apnoea nurses?

  Mehiläinen’s sleep apnoea nurses work at our locations all across Finland. We offer CPAP treatment at our locations where a sleep apnoea nurse works.

  Meet our sleep apnoea nurses.

• Is leaving a call request for a sleep apnoea nurse subject to a fee?

  Charges for callback requests: Inquiries about our services and prices, for example, are free of charge for the customer. A callback request is subject to a charge when the customer's treatment is elsewhere and they leave a callback request to receive help and advice regarding their treatment.

• How can I rent or buy an AirMini travel device?

  You can purchase or rent a travel device from Mehiläinen locations.

  • If you wish to purchase a travel device: book a phone appointment with a sleep apnoea nurse at a location near you. The device will be ordered for you, and you will be contacted once the device has arrived.
  • If you wish to rent a travel device, e.g., for the duration of a holiday trip: book an appointment with a sleep apnoea nurse at a location near you. In the booking details, please specify that you are renting a travel device and state which mask you are currently using.