Approximately 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, which has varied degrees of severity. CPAP treatment, which employs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to assist the patient in maintaining regular breathing patterns while sleeping, is one strategy for reducing the symptoms of the illness.
A CPAP machine has numerous elements, some of which may be adjusted so that you can have the most effective and sleep apnea comfortable treatment possible. While some alternatives allow for visual customization, it’s more crucial to choose cpap masks that fits your sleep preferences and other requirements.
Related: Problems and side effects associated with CPAP masks
We have a guide detailing the various CPAP masks, but it is worthwhile going through the key distinctions between the two most common choices, full-face CPAP masks and nasal pillows.
CPAP Full-Face Mask
You usually picture the full-face mask that rests over the patient’s airways and is pretty bulky and huge when you picture the classic CPAP machine configuration. The fact that this is a non-invasive solution that rests on the face rather than within an airway makes it ideal for anybody who sleeps on their back or has claustrophobia, even if some patients find these CPAP masks to be unpleasant.
For those who mouth breathe or have allergies that make it difficult to breathe through the nose, full-face CPAP masks are also beneficial. Patients who need a high air pressure setting for their CPAP treatment may also benefit from a full-face mask because of the structure’s ability to create a tighter seal.
Patients should be advised that full-face CPAP masks may move about during active sleep, induce eye dryness from air leaking from the top of the mask, and be challenging to use when wearing glasses.
Due to their smaller size and wider range of view, nasal pillows are a common option for those with low to moderate air pressure needs. As opposed to nasal pillows, which sit at the nose opening and allow airflow that way, full-face CPAP masks make it impossible to read or watch television before going to bed.
Nasal pillows can provide active sleepers additional mobility without running the danger of compromising the seal. Another thing to think about is facial hair since nasal pillows work better for those with facial hair because they are less likely to obstruct airflow.
The disadvantage of a nasal cushion is the direct passage of pressurised air into the nostrils, which in some people may be uncomfortable and in others can lead to nose dryness and bleeding.
The good cannot exist without the evil. These fundamental principles of life are applicable to CPAP therapy. Here are eight strategies to help you adjust to CPAP therapy more easily, so you can sleep better and enjoy therapy more.
Leaks
A mask leak is irritating in and of itself, but the dampness and rubbing of the mask on your skin also causes skin chafing and rashes. Replacing the cushion on your specific mask usually solves the problem of a leaky mask.
Soreness
When starting their CPAP treatment for the first time, many patients report feeling sore. But your CPAP just has to be broken in, much like a nice pair of shoes. Additionally, if your face features are more pronounced, the mask may not suit you as well. Many CPAP users experience pain on the bridge of their nose, which is often where the top of the full face mask lays. Try the a nasal pad, which acts as a barrier between the mask and your nose’s bridge, to eliminate this difficulty. Another choice would be to get a smaller or bigger mask depending on the size and form of your particular face. Try a nasal pillow mask instead of a full-face mask if you find that it gives you a lot more movement for individuals who have trouble falling asleep.
Claustrophobia
Billy Bob Thornton, an actor, is the only person who has ever been documented to have a clinical dread of old furniture, yet there are literally millions of instances of claustrophobia worldwide. There are several strategies for CPAP users, especially new ones, to get over their claustrophobia. You might, for example, attempt certain breathing techniques to make donning a mask seem less confining, suffocating, or restrained. Another choice is to use a nasal pillows mask or a less-obtrusive full-face mask like the Amara View, which enables you to free up most of your face save for the tube.
Facial Hair
Before beginning CPAP masks therapy, you didn’t think your beard was all that cool, did you? In fact, CPAP therapy might be a bit unpleasant even if you have a five o’clock shadow. To get the most out of your CPAP therapy, you don’t have to give up your characteristic scruff or stockpile; all you need is a mask with a stronger seal. However, the Roll Fit Cushion, which enables the mask’s bottom to fit precisely under your chin’s contours, is its finest feature. The straps on this mask also make it quite simple to custom fit the mask, allowing you to choose your ideal comfort zone. Don’t let your CPAP masks deprive your beard of its championship title since it has undoubtedly faced off against many opponents, including your wife, mother, and employer. Choose the simpler nasal pillow CPAP masks if you seal your mouth when you sleep.
The mask does not remain in place in a straight line and does not fit well.
When it comes to the fit of your CPAP masks, it should never be too tight or too loose; rather, it should fit securely but comfortably, much like a great pair of socks that has just been purchased. There are a variety of potential causes at play if your mask does not fit you properly and securely. Check to see if you can change the headgear; it’s possible that it wasn’t set up to accommodate the size of your head in the first place. This is the easiest problem to solve.
Final thoughts
With this, you should have enough that’ll help you make a good buying decision.