Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is a highly effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. This machine delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the user’s airway open during sleep. Given the common nature of sleep issues, it is understandable to consider trying a spouse’s CPAP machine. However, using a device prescribed for someone else poses significant safety, legal, and health concerns that make it medically inadvisable.
Why Sharing is Never Recommended
A CPAP machine is classified as a Class II medical device by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning it must be sold by prescription only due to the moderate risk associated with improper use. This prescription is tailored to one individual, including their specific pressure settings and mask type. Using a device prescribed to another person bypasses the necessary medical oversight and violates the foundational requirement for therapy. Most insurance companies require a valid, personal prescription to cover the cost of the machine and replacement supplies, creating a financial and legal barrier to shared use.
Risks Associated with Shared Equipment
The physical components of the CPAP system, such as the mask, tubing, and humidifier chamber, become contaminated with use. When a person exhales into the mask, they introduce moisture, skin oils, and microscopic organisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi into the equipment. Sharing this equipment can transfer respiratory infections, sinus issues, or other germs from one user to another. Even with basic cleaning, internal components can harbor contamination, which is then blown directly into the user’s airway.
Mask fit is another serious practical concern, as masks are sized specifically to the contours of an individual’s face. An improperly sized mask will inevitably lead to air leaks around the edges, causing eye irritation and dryness. A poor fit also compromises the effectiveness of the therapy and can cause skin irritation or pressure sores.
The Critical Issue of Air Pressure Settings
The most substantial danger in sharing a machine is the incorrect air pressure setting. CPAP pressure is determined through a specialized overnight sleep study known as a titration study, where a specialist remotely adjusts the air pressure until the lowest, most effective setting is found to stop breathing interruptions. This setting is highly individualized, based on the user’s unique anatomy, weight, sleep stage, and the severity of their sleep apnea.
If the pressure is too low for the new user, the therapy will be ineffective, and they will continue to experience the symptoms and health risks of untreated sleep apnea, such as high blood pressure. Conversely, if the pressure is too high, it can lead to physical discomfort, difficulty exhaling, and frequent mask leaks. High pressure also commonly causes a condition called aerophagia, where air is forced past the esophageal sphincter into the stomach, resulting in uncomfortable bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. Even with Auto-CPAP (APAP) devices, which automatically adjust pressure within a prescribed range, that range is still calibrated based on the original user’s specific medical needs.
Next Steps for Personal CPAP Treatment
If you suspect you have a sleep disorder, the safe path to treatment begins with a consultation with a physician. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and determine if a referral to a sleep specialist is appropriate. The specialist will likely recommend a formal sleep study, or polysomnography, to diagnose the presence and severity of sleep apnea.
Following a diagnosis, a CPAP titration study will be performed to determine the precise air pressure setting required to keep your airway open. Once optimal settings are established, a personalized prescription for a CPAP machine and a correctly fitted mask will be issued. This process ensures your therapy is safe, effective, and tailored to your specific physiological requirements.