CPAP Face Masks Allow A Good Night’s Sleep
The National Institute of Health states that sleep apnea is a very common problem that affects more than twelve million Americans. “Apnea” literally means “without breath” and is commonly caused by a blockage of the airway. People with sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during the night. At each apnea event, the brain briefly awakens the sleeper in order for them to resume proper breathing. Consequently sleep is extremely fragmented and of poor quality. Lack of a deep, restful sleep causes you to wake up feeling tired and unrefreshed. It can also lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, which is falling asleep when you shouldn’t. You may experience memory loss and concentration problems, and even personality changes in more extreme cases. If left untreated, sleep apnea can be the cause of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed by a doctor or sleep specialist and treated. Your doctor or sleep specialist can tell you which treatment option is best for you.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea and doctors frequently prescribe Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy as treatment. CPAP therapy provides a steady stream of pressurized room air into the patient’s throat at a high enough pressure to keep the throat open during sleep, without being aggressively strong. The pressure is set to meet the need of each individual patient and is gentle enough to not disturb the patient’s sleep. A CPAP machine is small enough to fit on a bedside table, about the size of a shoe box or smaller. The patient wears a CPAP nasal mask or full face CPAP mask which is connected by a flexible hose to the CPAP machine. The mask needs to fit comfortably and have a good seal to maintain constant pressurized airflow during sleep. A well fitted CPAP nasal mask will help eliminate the apneas that cause interruptions and awakenings during sleep.
Most CPAP face masks have universal fittings that will work with a variety of air hoses and CPAP machines. Although many manufacturers of CPAP machines offer masks and other interface devices, there are many choices of CPAP face masks on the market so you will find one that is both comfortable and affordable for your condition. Even though your machine may be made by one company and your mask by another, the components can work together in harmony to provide the effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
The pressurized air is delivered through the mask directly into the throat via the nose or the mouth. A full face CPAP mask can deliver air through both the mouth and nose. People who tend to breathe through their mouths during sleep are frequently prescribed a full face mask. Sizes of masks vary, depending on the size and shape of the patient’s face, but are predominantly triangular. The mask is held in place with straps or various types of headgear, many of which are available over the Internet. An important consideration in the purchase of the headgear, is the comfort of use while you sleep.
CPAP machines compensate for a built-in leak in the system usually near the exhalation port of the mask that is necessary to keep the air supply fresh. Many masks have a hard plastic body and softer silicone seal that touches the face. The seal may inflate once the machine is turned on so the straps do not need to be as tight. Several masks on the market now are made out of gel-like material, sometimes referred to as a comfort gel CPAP mask. They are intended to mold to each person’s face in order to alleviate pressure points and to be more comfortable. A more recent variation of the comfort gel CPAP mask, marketed as one-size-fits-all, has a soft, flexible shell and gel cushion with a pliable wire, molded into the shell, that allows the mask to be shaped to adjust for individual comfort and differences.
Some discomfort may develop on the nose, lips or skin where the mask, straps & headgear touch, from repeated nightly use of the same mask. Your doctor or sleep specialist may recommend that you use more than one type of CPAP face mask, to vary the pressure points and alleviate skin discomfort. An oral mask for CPAP delivery requires no headgear, but needs heated humidification to hold the mask in place. Since this type of face mask only touches the skin around the mouth it can accommodate eye masks, which many people find soothing for a deep sleep. This type of oral mask may not be usable by all patients, however. It is not recommended for patients who grind their teeth and some who have had surgery for sleep apnea.
Some patients can adjust to the use of small, flexible tubes that are inserted into the nostrils. These are known as nasal pillows. The small tubes are attached to a plastic adapter that connects with the tubing from the CPAP machine to deliver the airflow through the nostrils and then to the throat. Some headgear is designed to hold the nasal pillows in place and offer adjustment points for a comfortable fit. Since the pillows do not rest on the nose, upper lips or cheeks, nasal pillows may be a good alternative to the typical, triangular CPAP face masks that can cause skin irritations. Patients who need a high air pressure to prevent apnea events may find the nasal pillows to be uncomfortable. Many patients with facial hair, such as beards or mustaches, find the nasal pillows to be more comfortable than the typical, triangular masks, as the facial hair can compromise the effectiveness of the seal.
Regardless of the type of nasal or face mask that you use for the delivery of airflow through your CPAP machine, quality, comfort and fit are factors that are ever important. Your doctor or sleep specialist can help you make intelligent choices about which devices will work best for your condition and will treat your sleep apnea problem, so you can get a good night’s sleep.
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