If you're one of the many people with obstructive sleep apnea, you know your sleep pattern typically involves snoring, periods of no breathing (apnea), gasping until you breathe and then resuming the cycle again. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine delivers a steady stream of compressed air at a set pressure to keep your airways open and prevent sleep apnea. The REMStar Plus M Series of CPAP machines have a programmable unit that compresses the air, a face or nasal mask that fits tightly and tubing between the compressor and the mask. The CPAP machine will be programmed by a sleep care professional, but you can make some changes at home.
Instructions
1. Locate the patient setup menu. Press the start/stop button on the top of your CPAP machine to power it on, and then press the button labeled "setup +" until the patient setup menu appears.
2. Change the C-flex setting. The C-flex setting allows you to increase or decrease the amount of pressure the CPAP machine delivers when you're exhaling. Some people like more pressure, while others prefer a lower pressure. Use the left and right arrow buttons on the patient setup menu to scroll through the options until you see the C-flex menu, and then use the right and left arrows to raise or lower the pressure.
3. Adjust for a different altitude. If you'll be sleeping at an altitude above sea level, your machine will work best if you change the setting. Use the left and right arrows on the patient setup menu to move through the options until you come to altitude, and then use the right and left arrows to pick the right altitude range.
4. Adjust the ramp time. You can use the ramp feature to program your machine to deliver air at a lower pressure while you're falling asleep. Use the left and right arrows on the patient setup menu to get to this setting, and then use the right and left arrows to pick the desired ramp pressure.
5. Change the mask alert screen. You can program your machine to alarm (or not alarm) if your mask is not in place. Use the left and right arrows on the patient setup menu to get to this setting, and then use the right and left arrows to indicate yes or no.
6. Choose your auto off setting. You can program your machine to shut off automatically when you remove your mask. Use the left and right arrows on the patient setup menu to get to this setting, and then use the right and left arrows to indicate yes or no.
Tags: patient setup, patient setup menu, setup menu, left arrows, left right, right left