If you have obstructive sleep apnea, there's a good chance you may have been recommended to try a CPAP machine. This is a mask that attaches to a pump at the bedside that blows gentle, positive air pressure through your nose to keep you from breathing stoppages at night. In general, people have a love and hate relationship with their machines. Some people love them, and some absolutely despise them.

What I've noticed over the years is that there are 5 common habits and characteristics the successful CPAP users all share.

1. Their top priority is their health. They are open-minded and willing to try strange looking devices and gadgets. What others may think is irrelevant.

2. They are willing to invest in upgrades and devices that regular insurance doesn't cover for. Most insurances only cover for the basics, and although most people do fine, some need more sophisticated machines or various other masks.

3. They make sure that they are breathing through their nose well all the time. Either they control nasal congestion with allergy medications or use nasal saline routinely. Some even have to undergo surgery to breathe better.

4. They join live or virtual support groups, sharing, learning, and educating within the collective wisdom of these groups.

5. They constantly monitor the data from their machines to work with the sleep doctor and equipment company, making constant adjustments and fine tuning various settings.

6. They surround themselves with a team of doctors and trusted advisors, collaborating with and troubleshooting any issues that may arise.

7. They don't rely only on their machines for sleep apnea relief. They incorporate other healthy habits such eating early, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and finding ways to de-stress and relax on a regular basis.

As you can see, successful CPAP users don't rely on their machines alone to solve all their problems. They use it as a tool that helps them accomplish their other health goals more effectively. Some people adjust to immediately, whereas others can literally take months to find significant benefits.

Author's Bio: 

Then there are others that do everything possible to use CPAP and become frustrated, and even angry at the situation. This is the time to have a discussion with members of your team to discuss other options. A successful sleep apnea patient doesn't give up very easily. One option that's not very well understood is surgery for sleep apnea. For a free report on "The Truth About Obstructive Sleep Apnea Surgery," go to http://www.thetruthaboutosasurgery.com Dr. Steven Y. Park is an otolaryngologist and author of Sleep, Interrupted: A physician reveals the #1 reason why so many of us are sick and tired. It was endorsed by New York Times best-selling authors Christiane Northrup, M.D., Dean Ornish, M.D., Mark Liponis, M.D., Mary Shomon, and many others. http://www.sleepinterrupted.com