Continuous positive airway pressure (C PAP) therapy has become a very popular treatment for sleep apnea, yet it is not without its difficulties. It may feel uncomfortable at first to have to wear a CPAP mask while sleeping. However, if you follow the treatment instructions carefully, you will find that it is easy to get used to. CPAP masks provide a constant stream of pressurized air to keep your airway open during your sleep. Working with your doctor and CPAP provider to ensure that you get a CPAP mask that properly fits will help you get the most benefit from CPAP therapy.
There are many cpap masks available from a variety of suppliers. Talk to your doctor or your CPAP provider about which one(s) will work best for you. You also have other choices, such as nasal pillows and masks. You may be better off using one CPAP mask from a well-known company, as your comfort level can be further improved by your practitioner if he or she knows which mask you prefer. The staff at your doctor's office should be able to provide you with all of your options, so take advantage of their experience.
One thing that may be particularly bothersome is waking up with a dry, worn-out CPAP mask. This happens to most users who start wearing masks right away. If your mask gets too dirty, you may have to clean it before wearing it again. Wearing your CPAP mask when it is dirty is frustrating because you are not doing anything to prevent it from getting dirty. While the material will feel rough to your skin when you put it on, you will quickly get used to the feel of the plastic. You should plan to clean your mask between cleanings.
In addition to the dirtiness issue, you might notice that your mask feels uncomfortable or even uncomfortable when you are sleeping on it. If the padding on your face feels strange or your device is rubbing your face while you are sleeping, you may want to try out a full face mask. These devices have padding over the entire mask, and it can be placed on your head. This may help keep your face in a more comfortable position while you sleep. When you are wearing your CPAP-heated humidifier may help keep the padding in place, though it cannot make up for the lack of padding on your face while you are wearing the device. You may also view this post for more about these products.
Your CPAP machine will need a few adjustments, too. You will need to make sure that the mask fits well and that it does not slip on your nose. It also helps if your machine has straps that go under your chin so that they do not slide down and cover your mouth. When you sleep on your CPAP, it can be very tempting to roll over onto your back, but this can cause problems with your machine. Also, make sure that you do not sleep with your mouth open because air can escape through this area. If you suffer from snoring, then you need to quit smoking before you ever try to roll over on your back to get used to your new CPAP machine.
Before you buy your CPAP masks, talk to your doctor about getting a trial pair. A trial mask will allow you to see if your condition qualifies for one of the larger masks available from your supplier. This can often reduce your overall costs. Check out this post for more detailed information on this topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_apnea.
