What’s the best CPAP mask for you?

The CPAP mask is important to your continued successful CPAP treatment. This article will show the different types of masks available and the reasons you may try these different types of CPAP masks.

The Nasal CPAP mask

The nasal mask is usually tried first. A majority of patients claim they cannot sleep with a nasal mask because they breath through their mouth at night. Often when people start CPAP treatment they will breath well with the nasal mask. Keep in mind the relationship you have with your sleep clinic helps to ensure that you are trying the best mask suited to you and your comfort. Reasons not to use a nasal mask would be if you continued to breathe through your mouth and /or developed mask leak. This is unintentional leak caused from air escaping the sides of the mask. A chin strap may be all that’s need to keep your mouth closed during the night to reduce mouth leak. Or you may need to try the next type of CPAP mask.

The Full-Face mask

This is the large CPAP mask that covers both your nose and mouth. This mask can help with discomfort for certain people who have difficulty breathing through their nose. Some difficulties that could arise from this mask is that unintentional leak is sometimes hard to rectify. The fit may also be uncomfortable for certain individuals due to its large surface area. A qualified sleep technologist can help ensure a proper fit to reduce problems.

The Nasal Pillow mask

This little number is a nice CPAP mask to try especially if you feel encumbered by the nasal mask. Nasal pillows have less contact with the face compared to nasal masks and may benefit patients by minimizing side effects like leak between the mask and face. A study showed that nasal pillows are as efficacious as nasal masks at high CPAP pressures.

Dry-mouth and dry nasal passages are common problems that occur. Heated humidity can help assuage any dryness that can occur with initial and continued CPAP treatment. It pressure sores are occurring your mask may be too tightly strapped, loosen the harness for a better fit.

Problems need to be addressed in the initial first few weeks of using CPAP. Contact your provider with any problems that occur. Having a clinic that is supportive and able to address your concerns can help to ensure long term consistent use of CPAP.