Sleep apnea is a common problem that affects more than twelve million Americans, according to the National Institute of Health. During sleep, a person with sleep apnea will stop breathing and be forced to awaken to continue breathing. One of the most common causes is an obstruction in the airway passage. This interruption of the sleep pattern causes the sufferer to wake up tired and even exhausted the next morning. A person with sleep apnea may have trouble staying awake during the day, experience memory loss and have trouble concentrating. When sleep apnea is left untreated, over time more serious conditions may develop, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, headaches, impotency and severe memory loss. Sleep apnea can be diagnosed by a doctor or a sleep specialist and appropriate treatment can be prescribed.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most effective method for treating obstructive sleep apnea and is the treatment most often recommended by doctors. CPAP is considered a generic term, and not a brand name. A CPAP machine is usually about the size of a shoe box but can be smaller. CPAP therapy works by gently blowing pressurized room air through the airway at a pressure high enough to keep the throat open. A flexible tube connects the machine to a CPAP nasal mask or other interface device that is worn over the nose and/or mouth. The pressure is set according to the patient's needs at a level that eliminates the apneas that cause awakenings and sleep interruptions. Once you have been prescribed for CPAP therapy, it is very important that the mask or interface is comfortable and provides a proper seal for the airflow so you can get a healthy, uninterrupted sleep.
Other CPAP medical supplies may include headgear & straps to hold the CPAP nasal mask in place. Just as there are several CPAP manufacturers that offer different types of machines with different features, there are different masks and headgear styles within manufacturers' lines. Your mask may be manufactured by one company and the CPAP machine by another.
CPAP face masks can deliver air through the nose, or through the mouth, or both at the same time. A full face CPAP mask is frequently recommended for mouth breathers. The masks are mostly triangular in shape so it can be fitted comfortably over the nose and/or mouth. Some masks come with headgear or strapping to hold the mask in place, but you are not necessarily limited to what's provided with your mask purchase. There are a variety of different types of headgear and you will want to purchase a design that is comfortable for you while you sleep.
Your choices of materials in face masks is quite varied. Since some form of plastic will be touching your face, you should consider any allergic reactions to specific plastics before you buy. Masks can be made of hard plastic with a softer silicone seal against the skin. They can be made completely of a soft gel like material so the entire unit is softer to the touch. Other types of masks have an inflatable seal around the circumference of rigid plastic, which helps reduce the tightness of the straps or headgear. A newer model comfort gel CPAP mask is constructed with a pliable wire, molded into the flexible shell with a gel cushion, so you can adjust the fit to your face. All masks should have an exhalation port to expel your breath so that your next incoming breath is a supply of fresh air. Make sure your CPAP machine compensates for that built-in air leak in the system. Most of them do.
Chronic nose, lip or facial discomfort can occur from wearing the same mask and headgear or straps every night. To reduce this problem, you should vary the style or types of masks that you wear. Oral CPAP face masks do not need any head gear and only touch the skin around the mouth. It does require heated humidification to form a tight seal and is often a type of mask prescribed for mouth breathers. Not every patient can use this mask, however. Teeth grinders and some patients who have undergone surgery for sleep apnea are not good candidates. Since this type of mask restricts skin contact to the area around the mouth, patients who like to use eye masks may find this oral mask a comfortable choice.
Nasal pillows are another option. Instead of wearing a triangular mask, the user inserts two small flexible pieces into the nostrils. These tubes are attached to a plastic adapter that is in turn attached to the tubing. Some people with higher pressures may experience discomfort with the pillows. The pillows can also be inserted into headgear made of pliable metal and plastic which curves over your head and can be adjusted at four points. The pillows do not rest on the nose, upper lip, or cheeks, which may solve the problem of allergies to mask material. Some people, especially people with a beard or moustache, simply prefer nasal pillows to a mask. While some masks are made with moustaches and beards in mind, facial hair can compromise the effectiveness of CPAP masks.
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.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most effective method for treating obstructive sleep apnea and is the treatment most often recommended by doctors. CPAP is considered a generic term, and not a brand name. A CPAP machine is usually about the size of a shoe box but can be smaller. CPAP therapy works by gently blowing pressurized room air through the airway at a pressure high enough to keep the throat open. A flexible tube connects the machine to a CPAP nasal mask or other interface device that is worn over the nose and/or mouth. The pressure is set according to the patient's needs at a level that eliminates the apneas that cause awakenings and sleep interruptions. Once you have been prescribed for CPAP therapy, it is very important that the mask or interface is comfortable and provides a proper seal for the airflow so you can get a healthy, uninterrupted sleep.
Other CPAP medical supplies may include headgear & straps to hold the CPAP nasal mask in place. Just as there are several CPAP manufacturers that offer different types of machines with different features, there are different masks and headgear styles within manufacturers' lines. Your mask may be manufactured by one company and the CPAP machine by another.
CPAP face masks can deliver air through the nose, or through the mouth, or both at the same time. A full face CPAP mask is frequently recommended for mouth breathers. The masks are mostly triangular in shape so it can be fitted comfortably over the nose and/or mouth. Some masks come with headgear or strapping to hold the mask in place, but you are not necessarily limited to what's provided with your mask purchase. There are a variety of different types of headgear and you will want to purchase a design that is comfortable for you while you sleep.
Your choices of materials in face masks is quite varied. Since some form of plastic will be touching your face, you should consider any allergic reactions to specific plastics before you buy. Masks can be made of hard plastic with a softer silicone seal against the skin. They can be made completely of a soft gel like material so the entire unit is softer to the touch. Other types of masks have an inflatable seal around the circumference of rigid plastic, which helps reduce the tightness of the straps or headgear. A newer model comfort gel CPAP mask is constructed with a pliable wire, molded into the flexible shell with a gel cushion, so you can adjust the fit to your face. All masks should have an exhalation port to expel your breath so that your next incoming breath is a supply of fresh air. Make sure your CPAP machine compensates for that built-in air leak in the system. Most of them do.
Chronic nose, lip or facial discomfort can occur from wearing the same mask and headgear or straps every night. To reduce this problem, you should vary the style or types of masks that you wear. Oral CPAP face masks do not need any head gear and only touch the skin around the mouth. It does require heated humidification to form a tight seal and is often a type of mask prescribed for mouth breathers. Not every patient can use this mask, however. Teeth grinders and some patients who have undergone surgery for sleep apnea are not good candidates. Since this type of mask restricts skin contact to the area around the mouth, patients who like to use eye masks may find this oral mask a comfortable choice.
Nasal pillows are another option. Instead of wearing a triangular mask, the user inserts two small flexible pieces into the nostrils. These tubes are attached to a plastic adapter that is in turn attached to the tubing. Some people with higher pressures may experience discomfort with the pillows. The pillows can also be inserted into headgear made of pliable metal and plastic which curves over your head and can be adjusted at four points. The pillows do not rest on the nose, upper lip, or cheeks, which may solve the problem of allergies to mask material. Some people, especially people with a beard or moustache, simply prefer nasal pillows to a mask. While some masks are made with moustaches and beards in mind, facial hair can compromise the effectiveness of CPAP masks.
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.
About the Author:
Mr. Bantrey suffered from sleep apnea for several years without realizing that he had a condition. Once diagnosed, he was prescribed CPAP therapy and was impressed with the variety of CPAP face masks available. Go to his site for special deals on a CPAP nasal mask and other CPAP medical supplies.
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