CPAP Mask types
There are a variety of CPAP Mask types available on the market that will meet just about every ones needs as well as comfort.
Personally I chose the nasal pillow mask which is the mask portrayed in the picture on the bottom right. There were several reasons for this choice. First I really did not think that I would adapt well to sleeping with a full mask and the corresponding straps that go with a full mask. Secondly I cough a lot due to asthma and allergies and I wanted my mouth to be free so that I could cough without removing the mask or cough into the mask which did not sound very attractive to me.
CPAP Mask types
Lucky for me that I am not a mouth breather. These are people who for one reason or another cannot breathe through their noses and breathe through their mouth instead. They have to either wear a full mask that covers the nose and mouth as well or they can wear a special strap that keeps their mouth closed. Not too exciting, but then you do what you got to do. The alternative is to continue with sleep apnea with the corresponding lack of sleep and risk of a stroke or heart attack!
Discuss Your Needs with Your Respiratory Therapist
Your choice of mask will depend on personal likes and dislikes as we mentioned and also your sleep Apnea. Some masks will work better depending on the degree of sleep apnea that you have. Higher pressures require more complete masks and more straps to ensure that they stay in place at night. If you move around a lot at night you may need more security in terms of keeping the mask in place.
Personally I sleep in my back and my sides and will move around a lot at night. I have found that the nasal pillow mask is fine for me with a strap around my head as well as one over the top of my head. It stays in place for the most part. Occasionally I need to adjust it slightly to make sure that it is in place.
Your therapist has a lot of experience with CPAP mask types and will recommend the correct one for you as well as adjust the tightness to make sure that it is secure on your head.
Getting Used to Your CPAP Mask
It will take a few days to get used to your mask. For me , even on the first night I had a better sleep than I have had in months. Now I do not snore at all. The machine makes less noise than a small fan than what you might have in your bedroom at night.
Friends with CPAP machines have told me that it took them as long as a month to get used to their mask. I find that to be a very long time. He really resisted the machine or even talking to someone about it for a long time and I think that his mind set was not really prepared to be receptive to the CPAP mask.
If you are tired and exhausted all of the time, then this is really going to change your life with all of the sleep that you are going to get now. All I can say is learned to get comfortable with the mask and embrace it. It will make your transition from no sleep to a great sleep that much quicker. Your therapist may also allow you to try different types of masks if you are having a problem adjusting. There may be a small charge for this service, but then you will have a much more restful sleep in the end.
Sleep Apnea Problems
If you think you have sleep apnea, don’t wait to see your doctor. Sleep apnea is a major cause of strokes and heart attacks. Your heart beats really fast and your blood pressure goes way up during a sleep apnea episode. If you are prone to strokes etc, you are a leading candidate for a sleep apnea related problem.
Arrange for a sleep test to be scheduled and then it is straight forward from there. Either you have sleep apnea and can deal with it. Or there is some other problem that is giving you these symptoms. Your partner will be very happy in that you will totally stop snoring. Imagine!
Your insurance will pay for the cost in most cases, although some companies have restrictions. In some states and provinces the government will even step in and pay a large percentage of the cost. Your therapist can assist you there as well. Good luck with dealing with sleep apnea and obtaining the correct CPAP mask for you. It is definitely worth it. For more information about CPAP Mask types, click here.
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October 24th, 2015 at 6:27 am
I hate the mask (as many people do). I have sereve obstructive sleep apnea. I am considering surgical options but I’ve been told the only one that may work for me is the mandibular advancement (when they break your jaw and move it forward). Has anyone had this before? What were your experiences? Did it work? Do you know of any other surgery that may help? Oral appliances?