Can a CPAP Machine Damage Your Lungs?

Suppose you continually wake up from the best dreams. Obviously, it’d be pretty frustrating. So, you get a sleep study. After the results come in, you are shocked and aghast. It seems that you’ve got a sleep disorder.

Now, you sleep with a CPAP machine. The question is, “can it do damage to your lungs?”

How Does a CPAP Machine Work?

Millions of people around the world suffer from sleep disorders. As a result, they walk through life weary. Since they do not get enough sleep, they go to the doctor eventually. Ultimately, they start sleeping with one of these machines. Be that as it may, what we want to know is how does it help you?

Years ago, Dr. Collin Sullivan was inspired after seeing a vacuum cleaner. Pondering on this, he began to dream up a device that would use pressurized air. Prior to the CPAP machine, tracheostomies were the only way to avoid a throat collapse.

Using the same principles, CPAP machines pump pressurized air into your throat. The pneumatic pressure prevents it from collapsing. Thus, your sleep apnea alleviates.

They Help Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
Has anyone ever told you that you snore when you are asleep? It’s a fairly common condition caused by the collapse of the throat. After it collapses, people struggle for air. Consequently, we hear them snoring.

By pumping pressurized air into the throat cavity, a positive pressure gradient is formed. This positive pressure gradient prevents your throat from crumbling under its own weight.

CPAP Stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure:
To pressurize the air, these machines use the same principles as a vacuum cleaner. From your room, air enters the machine. A fan inside of the machine pushes it into a small chamber where it is pressurized. Then, the pressurized air flows through a tube into your mask. From there, the air helps keep your throat open while you sleep.

Tips for Beginning Users

Give Yourself Time to Adjust: When you first get started, it may feel uncomfortable. After a while, this sensation should cease. Eventually, you’ll be sleeping better than ever before.

Practice Breathing With the Mask On: Sometimes, people struggle to breathe after putting on the mass. If that happens, try to get some practice before bed. That way, you’ve got more experience.
Use It Any Time You Go to Sleep: In some instances, we forget to use our device for daytime naps. However, this is a common mistake. Just because the sun is up doesn’t mean your sleep disorder disappears.
Wash Your Face Before Putting on the Mask: This does more than just clear up your acne. Washing your face also removes any dirt and debris left on your skin. These things would prevent a proper seal from your mask otherwise.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of Using a CPAP Machine?

Okay, you know how to use one of these machines now. Nevertheless, you still got something tugging in the back of your mind. What about the possibility of side effects? Of course, as with all treatments, side effects are possible.

Luckily, the vast majority of people never experience any of them. Plus, for the most part, those who do experience some do not experience them for long. Additionally, most side effects can be alleviated by adhering to proper use guidelines.

Possible Side Effects Include:

Air Leaks From the Mask: This is the most common side effect of them all. Occasionally, you may feel some of the air seeping out the side of your mask. When this happens, reapply the mask to your face with pressure.

Marks on the Skin: After sleeping with your mask, you may see some marks on the skin. These are nothing to worry about. Once you have been awake for a while, they should go away entirely.
Rashes: In some instances, you may begin to develop a rash or skin irritation. Typically, this is because you are using equipment that hasn’t been sterilized properly. Thus, disinfect all your equipment before use.
Dry Nose or Mouth: With constant pressurized air, your mucous linings may dehydrate. Most of the time, we experience this as dryness of the nose or mouth. With that said, bring some water with you when you go to bed.

Discomfort While Breathing: Seldom, users report feelings of discomfort as they are breathing. Immediately discontinue use if you experience any pain. Consult with your doctor before proceeding any further.
Swallowing Air: After you get up, you might feel like you need to burp. If you do, it’s because you’ve been swallowing air in your sleep. The pressurized air may enter cavities other than your lungs. It’s harmless, even though it’s pretty noticeable.
Central Sleep Apnea: This is the medical term for breath-holding behavior. Not very often, users begin to exhibit these characteristics while they sleep. Generally, these behaviors dissipate over time.

Rarely, Pneumonia: Due to the moisture, bacteria may begin to grow on the CPAP machine. If you continue to use it without disinfection, pneumonia is a possibility.

If I Already Have Lung Disease, Can a Cpap Make It Worse?

Let’s assume someone already has a lung infection. Would they be in danger if they began to use one of these devices? Unfortunately, it’s impossible to give a definitive answer. As of this moment, the science regarding the matter is inconclusive.

Generally speaking, it doesn’t seem as if existing lung conditions are worsened by using one of these devices. In fact, in some instances, it helps to reduce the severity of the previous condition.

Nevertheless, this doesn’t seem to be the case in each instance. On the contrary, some patients seem to worsen. Researchers continue to investigate these claims. As of now, there hasn’t been an answer one way or the other.

Some Studies Indicate Existing Lung Diseases May Worsen:

As we stated previously, the evidence is inconclusive overall. Still, there have been a few dribblings of information indicating there may be a genuine cause for concern. Up to 9% of patients developed pneumonia after using a CPAP machine in one study.

However, it is important to note. Despite the preliminary evidence, there has been nothing to indicate a conclusive result. Therefore, in our opinion, as long as you use it properly, you shouldn’t worry.

How Can I Prevent Getting Sick From Using a CPAP Machine?

It wouldn’t hurt for you to take some extra precautions. Even though it’s unlikely for you to develop an illness, minimizing the chances is probably the best course of action. So, how do you go about doing that?

Cleanliness and Proper Maintenance Are Vital:
Preventing the development of side effects is much more straightforward than you would suspect. Most of the time, you are following the proper guidelines already.

Below, we have listed a few pieces of advice. These should serve as a reminder for you. That way, you can cultivate good habits from the very beginning. Then, your chances of getting pneumonia are next to nothing.

Tips to Limit the Possibility of Illness

Replace Your Mask to Avoid Harboring Bacteria: How do most illnesses spread? Hopefully, you are an adherent to the germ theory of disease. If so, you understand the importance of eliminating bacteria. By using a new mask, you ensure your equipment is always sterile.
Disinfect Each Part of the Entire Machine: Other than the mask, every part of the machine needs to be disinfected. These pieces cannot be replaced. To disinfected quickly, we suggest using an alcohol-based sanitizer. As long as it’s over 70% concentration, it should suffice. Just wipe everything down. Then, you’ll be good to go.

Regularly Renew the Filters: Every ounce of air you breathe has been pumped through the filters of the machine. Thus, clean filters are vital. Otherwise, you are sucking in dirty air all night long.
Lower the Pressure: Occasionally, lower pressures may be better. Obesity can often cause difficulties when you are breathing against positive pressure. Thus, reducing the pressure can reduce these difficulties.
Raise the Pressure: On the other hand, in some instances, you should do the opposite. If your throat continues to collapse, the pressure should be raised. That way, enough force is applied to prevent the throat from collapsing

The Reality of CPAP Machines and Their Potential Health Concerns

At the end of the day, it seems as if CPAP machines are not a risk to your health, generally speaking. Nevertheless, there is some research that shows a link between illness and these machines.

To us, the evidence is not substantial enough to warrant discontinuing use. The best course of action would be to follow the proper guidelines closely. Never put the mask on if it’s contaminated. In addition, disinfect each part of the machine before you use it.