If you are a CPAP user, then you may be wondering what the issues are concerning skipping a night of using your CPAP machine. You may want to avoid the CPAP if you have a common cold, or are travelling away for a night, and do not want to take your machine and all of its components with you. However, you may be concerned about the risks that this entails.
The good news is that not using your CPAP machine for just one night will not put your health greatly at risk, as sleep apnea can be a long term health problem rather than something that would kill or harm you overnight. Much like many health conditions, it is the persistent and extensive exposure to the problem that will be dangerous to your health, rather than just one night where you skip treatment.
That being said, you should continue the treatment as soon as possible to reduce the risk of struggling to breathe. If you do decide to skip a night of CPAP therapy, then this will not have a detrimental effect on your health, however, your breathing may return to the way it was before you started using the treatment. Sleep apnea is not a short term risk, but more of a long term health issue that needs persistent treatment.
This means that one night without your CPAP machine will not kill you, or provoke further issues, but you should stick to the treatment, and get back to using the CPAP machine as soon as possible, to reap the long term health benefits.
If you do have any concerns about your sleep apnea treatment, and have serious tendencies to avoid the CPAP therapy, then you should seek the advice of a medical professional or a certified sleep medicine specialist. This way, you can discuss any changes or alterations that may be suitable for your needs.