Mastering Apnea: Your 3-Step Guide to Effective Treatment

Mastering Apnea: Your 3-Step Guide to Effective Treatment

Those sleepless nights, trouble focusing, and headaches might become a thing of the past once you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea and start treatment. However, just because you’ve got a solution doesn’t mean it won’t take some time to get used to.

Adjusting to sleep apnea treatment is just like getting used to braces or glasses – it requires some time. If you’re still adjusting, here are three steps that might help you out:

1. **Evaluate Your Personal Habits and Changes**
Sometimes, lifestyle changes can affect how well your therapy works. For example, drinking more alcohol, weight fluctuations, or starting/stopping medications can have an impact. Make sure to discuss any of these changes with your doctor.

2. **Talk About Your Struggles**
Feeling self-conscious about wearing a sleep mask in front of others is natural. But remember, there’s nothing strange about treating a health condition. If you’re uncomfortable with how it looks, talk about your feelings with a sleep apnea coach or someone you trust.

3. **Practice Using the Therapy During the Day**
Usually, the problem isn’t about the social aspect but getting used to the physical feel of the device. To make it part of your routine, try using the mask during the day when there’s no pressure. Start by holding it to your face to get used to the airflow. Then, put it on and breathe with it until it feels normal. Do this regularly, maybe while reading or watching TV, so you’re distracted and not overthinking it.

With patience and practice, your sleep apnea treatment will soon become second nature.