CPAP machines are a great way to treat sleep apnea. They provide continuous air pressure to keep you breathing easy throughout the night, and they can significantly reduce the severe health risks associated with the condition, like poor heart health and stroke.
But if you’ve just started treatment with a CPAP machine, you may find yourself struggling to deal with the feeling of wearing CPAP masks and nasal pillows. So what can you do if you can’t stand your sleep apnea mask?
Your best bet is usually to work with your doctor and CPAP machine supplier to find a mask that fits right and suits your needs. There are three main types of sleep apnea, obstructive, central and mixed, and you may need a different mask depending on your condition. Your face shape and sleeping style can also affect your ideal choice of mask.
A wide range of CPAP masks are available for you to choose from. If you feel claustrophobic wearing your mask, you may feel better with CPAP nasal pillows that are less bulky. Pillows may also be better for someone who reads or wears glasses while wearing the mask.
However, nasal pillows are unlikely to suit wearers who move around a lot during sleep. Restless sleepers might be more suited to full face masks that cover the wearer’s mouth and nose. Most of these masks come with straps that stretch across your cheeks and forehead to keep the mask on even when you move.
If you feel like you’re having trouble breathing with your mask, you can always switch to a BiPAP machine, which makes it easier to breathe out.
Size can also be a factor in whether or not a mask is comfortable, and even if you know your size in one type of mask, it may not be the same size in another. Though most CPAP masks can be adjusted, it helps to have one that fits well in the first place.
You don’t have to be uncomfortable in your CPAP mask. Talk to your doctor and supplier and find an option that works for you.
