8 Myths About Sleep Studies and CPAP Machines

You've heard of MythBusters and while Adam and Jamie weren't available, we thought we should talk about some of the common myths surrounding sleep studies and CPAP machines.

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Millions of Americans with sleep apnea are neither diagnosed nor treating it, and a big culprit is misinformation about the condition and what it takes to manage it. Whether these myths are caused by dated information, misunderstanding of the condition, or simply not knowing the facts, GEM wants to be a trusted source for sleep apnea support and information.

Here we debunk 8 of the common myths about managing sleep apnea…

MYTH #1

“Getting a sleep study is so difficult / time-consuming / unpleasant…”  

Many people have an unpleasant picture in their mind of what having a diagnostic sleep study looks like; You have to spend the night at a strange medical facility hooked up to all sorts of electrodes and dials, right? Not necessarily. There are now options for at-home sleep tests. These at-home tests are safe, easy, and can be used in the comfort of your own bed!  

MYTH #2

“A sleep study just means they’ll prescribe me a CPAP machine. They’re in the business of selling CPAPs!”  

GEM SLEEP is in the business of helping people manage their sleep apnea. And that means getting the right tools in the hands of the people who need them. Sure, that might be a CPAP machine, but at GEM, we provide other options, like a dental appliance (looks like an athletic mouthguard) that can help you with your sleep apnea. The goal is to match the patient with the treatment that is right for them!

MYTH #3

“I couldn’t possibly tolerate wearing a CPAP!”  

Everyone seems to know a guy whose neighbor’s uncle’s grade school teacher got one and it didn’t work and/or it was worse than just living with sleep apnea. But here’s an important thing to keep in mind; Everyone is different, and you don’t know how you’ll handle sleeping with a CPAP machine until you try it. Millions of people have tried it and it’s made all the difference to their sleep and quality of life. Another thing to keep in mind is that should a CPAP not be right for you, there are other options!

MYTH #4

“CPAPs are so loud. I’d never fall asleep with one on!”

This might have been true years ago, but the CPAP machine of the modern age is virtually silent. It’s specifically designed to help you sleep, so engineering it to be quiet has been one of the top priorities since the beginning. If a CPAP is loud, that just means it’s not working correctly and needs to be replaced or looked at by a technician.

MYTH #5

“I can’t use a CPAP because I have to sleep on my side / stomach / snuggle with my partner!”  

CPAP technology has come a long way over the years. Nowadays there are lots of different CPAP models and masks that cater to all the different things people need in their sleep routine. This also applies to people who think they’re too claustrophobic to sleep with a mask on.  

MYTH #6

“CPAPs are difficult to maintain”  

Alright, yes, you will have to clean your CPAP, just like anything that you wear on a regular basis. But it’s a quick and easy process (just check out YouTube) AND it usually only needs to be done once a week. Compared to chores like folding laundry or mowing the lawn, maintaining your CPAP is NOT a reason to forego treatment.

MYTH #7

“I travel regularly, so I can’t be hauling around some sleep machine!”  

It’s a CPAP, not a bowling ball. They’re small, portable, and come in a handy carrying case. And once you know what to look for, you’ll be able to spot countless other travelers who have one as well. Once you’re in the know, you’ll start to see just how common the condition is after spending time people-watching at the airport.

MYTH #8

“I knew someone who was given a CPAP machine, but they quit using it because…”

If someone stops trying to treat their sleep apnea for whatever reason(s), it’s almost certainly a lack of support. Yes, difficulties might arise when trying to alter your regular nightly routine and that’s why it’s so important to have resources and support. And just like any change in lifestyle, it takes some time to adjust. Having a resource like GEM can make all the difference. So, before you throw in the towel, check out GEM for potential solutions.

Myths about managing sleep apnea scare so many people away from getting the help that they need. With these myths busted, we hope that you feel better prepared to take that first step! Whether you need help getting diagnosed or assistance finding the treatment that’s right for you, GEM is here to help you start your journey toward better, healthier sleep.

If you're ready to get started with GEM, let's go!

If you are tired or exhausted do not operate a vehicle or machinery.
The information contained in this document is for educational purposes only, Sleep Apnea can only be diagnosed via a medically approved sleep study. A sleep study must be ordered and reviewed by a professional provider trained in Sleep Medicine.

GEM Sleep is focused on treatment and support of Sleep Apnea, not other sleep conditions.

Written by:
Dr. Mike Howell
Co-Chief Scientific Officer

Millions of Americans with sleep apnea are neither diagnosed nor treating it, and a big culprit is misinformation about the condition and what it takes to manage it. Whether these myths are caused by dated information, misunderstanding of the condition, or simply not knowing the facts, GEM wants to be a trusted source for sleep apnea support and information.

Here we debunk 8 of the common myths about managing sleep apnea…

MYTH #1

“Getting a sleep study is so difficult / time-consuming / unpleasant…”  

Many people have an unpleasant picture in their mind of what having a diagnostic sleep study looks like; You have to spend the night at a strange medical facility hooked up to all sorts of electrodes and dials, right? Not necessarily. There are now options for at-home sleep tests. These at-home tests are safe, easy, and can be used in the comfort of your own bed!  

MYTH #2

“A sleep study just means they’ll prescribe me a CPAP machine. They’re in the business of selling CPAPs!”  

GEM SLEEP is in the business of helping people manage their sleep apnea. And that means getting the right tools in the hands of the people who need them. Sure, that might be a CPAP machine, but at GEM, we provide other options, like a dental appliance (looks like an athletic mouthguard) that can help you with your sleep apnea. The goal is to match the patient with the treatment that is right for them!

MYTH #3

“I couldn’t possibly tolerate wearing a CPAP!”  

Everyone seems to know a guy whose neighbor’s uncle’s grade school teacher got one and it didn’t work and/or it was worse than just living with sleep apnea. But here’s an important thing to keep in mind; Everyone is different, and you don’t know how you’ll handle sleeping with a CPAP machine until you try it. Millions of people have tried it and it’s made all the difference to their sleep and quality of life. Another thing to keep in mind is that should a CPAP not be right for you, there are other options!

MYTH #4

“CPAPs are so loud. I’d never fall asleep with one on!”

This might have been true years ago, but the CPAP machine of the modern age is virtually silent. It’s specifically designed to help you sleep, so engineering it to be quiet has been one of the top priorities since the beginning. If a CPAP is loud, that just means it’s not working correctly and needs to be replaced or looked at by a technician.

MYTH #5

“I can’t use a CPAP because I have to sleep on my side / stomach / snuggle with my partner!”  

CPAP technology has come a long way over the years. Nowadays there are lots of different CPAP models and masks that cater to all the different things people need in their sleep routine. This also applies to people who think they’re too claustrophobic to sleep with a mask on.  

MYTH #6

“CPAPs are difficult to maintain”  

Alright, yes, you will have to clean your CPAP, just like anything that you wear on a regular basis. But it’s a quick and easy process (just check out YouTube) AND it usually only needs to be done once a week. Compared to chores like folding laundry or mowing the lawn, maintaining your CPAP is NOT a reason to forego treatment.

MYTH #7

“I travel regularly, so I can’t be hauling around some sleep machine!”  

It’s a CPAP, not a bowling ball. They’re small, portable, and come in a handy carrying case. And once you know what to look for, you’ll be able to spot countless other travelers who have one as well. Once you’re in the know, you’ll start to see just how common the condition is after spending time people-watching at the airport.

MYTH #8

“I knew someone who was given a CPAP machine, but they quit using it because…”

If someone stops trying to treat their sleep apnea for whatever reason(s), it’s almost certainly a lack of support. Yes, difficulties might arise when trying to alter your regular nightly routine and that’s why it’s so important to have resources and support. And just like any change in lifestyle, it takes some time to adjust. Having a resource like GEM can make all the difference. So, before you throw in the towel, check out GEM for potential solutions.

Myths about managing sleep apnea scare so many people away from getting the help that they need. With these myths busted, we hope that you feel better prepared to take that first step! Whether you need help getting diagnosed or assistance finding the treatment that’s right for you, GEM is here to help you start your journey toward better, healthier sleep.

If you're ready to get started with GEM, let's go!

If you are tired or exhausted do not operate a vehicle or machinery.
The information contained in this document is for educational purposes only, Sleep Apnea can only be diagnosed via a medically approved sleep study. A sleep study must be ordered and reviewed by a professional provider trained in Sleep Medicine.

GEM Sleep is focused on treatment and support of Sleep Apnea, not other sleep conditions.

Written by:
Dr. Mike Howell
Co-Chief Scientific Officer