If you or someone you care about has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the mask you use is likely the most crucial aspect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. Because the cpap mask serves as the interface between you and your CPAP machine, it must be as comfortable as possible, maintain an efficient seal to your nose or mouth, and be simple to clean.
There are several aspects that must be considered to ensure that the CPAP pro mask fits properly. The size and form of the patient’s face, the patient’s diet and lifestyle, and the bone structure of the face. Which of the following is the patient’s favored sleeping position? Is the patient sporting a beard or other facial hair? Any problems with the nosebleeds? Septum deviation? These are just a few instances of variables to consider.
Aside from these considerations, there are so many devices on the market today that it may be difficult to filter through them all to pick the best CPAP mask for you. This is particularly true if you have just been diagnosed with sleep apnea and this is your first experience with CPAP treatment. Don’t worry, the best CPAP mask for you is out there; keep reading to learn how to discover it.
There are three main types of CPAP masks
Though there are thousands of alternative mask and accessory combinations that may be used to address the demands of individual sleep apnea sufferers, there are three major mask types. The majority of them are made up of the same basic components: A mask frame, headgear, and a mask cushion. Let’s look at each of the three major categories separately.
CPAP mask for the entire face
We’ll start with the full face mask, which has the biggest surface area. It is meant to cover both the nose and the mouth, from the bridge of the nose to just beneath the lower lip, unlike the other two designs. A headpiece holds it in place.
While some CPAP users report that the size of a full face mask induces claustrophobia, others report that it is more pleasant. Without the danger of dry mouth, you may breathe through your mouth or sleep with your mouth open. Newer versions are also smaller than classic face masks and provide a clear field of view.
CPAP nasal mask
A nasal mask is worn across the bridge of the nose and seals immediately under it. People who find that a full face mask produces claustrophobia yet do not appreciate the sense of direct airflow to the nostrils that a nasal cushion mask provides are fans of nasal masks.
If you find yourself mouth breathing at night, a simple chin strap to keep your mouth closed may be all you need to make a nasal mask work for you.
CPAP nasal pillow mask
Let us conclude with the little yet powerful nasal pillow CPAP mask, commonly known as a nasal cushion mask. This mask has the lowest surface area and is popular among those who desire a lightweight mask with less touch.
The mask is worn on the top lip and has two silicone pillows or cushions that are put into the nostrils to transmit air pressure directly into the nasal passages.
