If you wear CPAP masks, you could have run into some difficulties. We’ll go through these issues as well as their fixes in the sentences that follow.
Inconvenient CPAP Masks
Finding a cpap mask that is comfortable enough to use all night long might be challenging. Working with their medical team to examine other mask solutions might be beneficial for persons who are having trouble wearing their mask.
CPAP masks come in a wide variety of designs and forms. How it feels might vary depending on the cushioning and strap placement. With so many choices, many individuals may need to test out several masks before deciding which one suits them the best.
Related: FAQ About CPAP Masks
Dry nose upon awakening
Particularly for persons who live in arid locations or have their home heating system on, breathing pressured air via the nose may cause the inside of the nostrils to dry up.
The heated humidifier on a CPAP machine may often reduce nose dryness. On certain machines, settings on the CPAP device itself may be used to change the amount of heated humidification.
Nasal congestion
Nasal CPAP masks could exacerbate nasal congestion. This congestion may be treated with prescription drugs, and for some individuals, switching to a mask that covers the mouth and nose may be the solution.
Fear of closed spaces while using CPAP masks
If using the CPAP mask makes you feel claustrophobic, a few other methods can be helpful.
- Mask desensitization: This method entails wearing the mask while engaging in a soothing activity throughout the day. As a person becomes used to the CPAP mask, the length of time spent wearing it should progressively increase, leading to use of the device throughout the night.
- Changing CPAP masks: By switching to a smaller mask or one with a different facial profile, the sense of claustrophobia may be lessened.
- Relaxation exercises: Acquiring and using relaxation methods might help to lessen the anxiety that can accompany wearing a mask. Better sleep hygiene may also be facilitated by calming exercises before bed.
Mouth breathing may cause dry mouth in those who use nasal CPAP masks; this issue may be resolved by using a chin strap that keeps the mouth shut while you sleep. People who use an oronasal mask may want to consider utilizing their CPAP machine’s heated humidifier to lessen dry mouth.
Air leaks in CPAP masks
When the rear of the throat’s airway is not reached by the pressured air from the CPAP, air leaks happen. This could happen if the nasal CPAP user uses their mouth to breathe or if the mask does not seal tightly against their face.
By altering the style or design of the mask, air leaks may be stopped. Users using nasal CPAP masks may want to consider a mask with a chin strap to keep their mouths closed at night.
CPAP ask Interference from facial hair
For those whose facial hair prevents a CPAP mask from fitting properly, some advice is to:
- Change to a mask with a different form
- Use a different kind of mask, such as a nasal cushion mask
- Trim or shave facial hair.
Skin Irritation from CPAP masks
If a mask or its straps are hugging the face too tightly, it may irritate the skin. Cleaning the mask frequently, adjusting straps to prevent the mask from being too tight or loose, switching to a different type or size of mask, and experimenting with one or more types of padding or cushions to lessen pressure on the skin are all practical ways to reduce skin issues caused by a CPAP mask.
Sound of CPAP masks
Although contemporary CPAP machines are now quieter, some persons or their bed partner may still find the noise to be annoying. Noise disturbances may often be reduced by placing the machine beneath the bed or by using earplugs.
A doctor can assist determine if there is a problem with the CPAP machine or whether a different kind of CPAP can work more quietly if noise is still an issue.
Cleaning and upkeep of CPAP masks
It is crucial to abide by these guidelines and any advice provided by the physician. CPAP equipment often come with precise instructions for cleaning and maintenance.
The CPAP may need daily cleaning of certain components, such as the mask, and weekly cleaning and disinfection of other components.
Additionally, it’s critical to keep an eye out for CPAP component deterioration and replace them as needed. According to the recommendations of the manufacturer, CPAP masks, straps, and hoses should be changed occasionally. If the material is visibly soiled or damaged, these things should also be thrown away.
Consulting your physician about CPAP masks
A doctor must write a prescription for CPAP treatment. A physician or sleep expert may provide assistance in device selection, pressure level determination, setting suggestions, and mask recommendation. Patients may express any preferences they may have about certain parts of their CPAP setup, including the mask, throughout this phase.
It is crucial to be in constant communication with the doctor about any issues or difficulties that develop after starting CPAP treatment. In many instances, the physician may provide recommendations for ways to handle or get around challenges so that the device can be used every night to cure sleep apnea.
Patients should keep seeing their doctor periodically to discuss how their CPAP masks therapy is doing and to bring up any new problems that may have arisen. In order to check that the mask and device are operating correctly and to assess how well the therapy is working, the doctor may utilize data gathered by the CPAP masks.
Final thoughts
Millions of Australians suffer from sleep apnea, a breathing problem that is often treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Many people think CPAP users must sleep on their backs because a mask is too large for them to comfortably sleep on their side or stomach while receiving CPAP therapy. CPAP masks come in a variety of styles, some of which are thicker than others. Some CPAP users are required to wear a certain kind of mask, but others are allowed to choose a mask depending on their preferred sleeping position.
