Sleep apnea affects over 22 million Australians, with varying degrees of severity. One method for easing the symptoms of the condition is CPAP therapy, which uses continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to help the patient maintain normal breathing patterns while sleeping.
There are several components to a CPAP machine, some of which may be modified to provide you the most comfortable and effective therapy.
Choosing a CPAP mask that matches your sleep preferences and other needs is more important than choosing an option that allows for cosmetic flexibility.
The many CPAP masks are covered in a handbook, but it is important to understand the fundamental differences between the two most popular options, full-face CPAP masks and nasal pillows.
Full Face CPAP Mask
When you think of the traditional CPAP machine setup, you often image the full-face mask, which is very large and cumbersome and sits over the patient’s airways. Even while some patients find these CPAP masks to be uncomfortable, it is great for anybody who sleeps on their back or has claustrophobia since it is a non-invasive solution that lays on the face rather than inside an airway.
Full-face CPAP masks are also helpful for those who mouth breathe or have allergies that make it difficult to breathe through the nose.
A full-face mask may also be advantageous for patients who need a high air pressure setting for their CPAP therapy because of its capacity to provide a tighter seal.
Patients should be informed that full-face CPAP masks may move about during active sleep, cause eye dryness from air seeping from the top, and be difficult to use if you wear spectacles.
Nasal pillow masks
Nasal pillows are a popular choice for those who require low to moderate air pressure due to its smaller size and greater field of vision. Full-face CPAP masks prevent reading or watching television before bed, in contrast to nasal pillows, which rest at the nose opening and enable airflow that way.
Active sleepers may benefit from greater mobility from nasal pillows without worrying about the seal being compromised. Another consideration is facial hair, since they are less likely to restrict airflow and hence function better for those with facial hair.
The direct flow of pressurized air into the nostrils, which may be unpleasant for some individuals and cause bleeding and dryness in others, is a drawback of a nasal cushion.
Without evil, good cannot exist. The use of CPAP treatment is compatible with these basic life values. Here are eight tips to help you acclimate to CPAP treatment more quickly so you may have a better night’s sleep and take more pleasure from therapy.
Leaks
Even while a mask leak is uncomfortable in and of itself, the wetness and friction of the mask on your skin also irritates it and might result in rashes. The solution to a leaking mask is often to replace the cushion on your particular mask.
Soreness
Many people report feeling painful upon beginning their CPAP therapy for the first time. But like a great pair of shoes, your CPAP only has to be broken in. Additionally, the mask may not fit you as well if your facial characteristics are more prominent.
Since the top of the full face mask often rests on the bridge of the nose, many CPAP users complain of discomfort there. To solve this issue, use a nasal pad, which forms a barrier between the mask and the bridge of your nose.
Another option would be to get a mask that is smaller or larger based on the size and shape of your unique face. If you discover that a full-face mask gives you a lot more movement and you have difficulties falling asleep, try switching to a nasal pillow mask.
Claustrophobia
Actor Billy Bob Thornton is the only person known to have a clinical fear of antique furniture, despite the fact that there are millions of cases of claustrophobia worldwide. For CPAP users, particularly new ones, there are a number of ways to overcome their claustrophobia. For instance, you may try a few breathing exercises to make wearing a mask appear less constricted, suffocating, or constrained. Another option is to use a nasal pillows mask or a full-face mask that covers everything except the tube and is less noticeable, like the Amara View.
Vanity Hair
You didn’t think your beard was all that nice before starting CPAP mask treatment, did you? In fact, even if you have a five o’clock shadow, CPAP treatment may be a little uncomfortable.
You don’t have to give up your distinctive beard or moustache to receive the greatest benefit from your CPAP treatment; all you need is a mask with a better seal. But its best feature is the Roll Fit Cushion, which makes it possible for the bottom of the mask to exactly fit under the curves of your chin.
Additionally, this mask’s straps make it very easy to customize the fit so you may choose your optimal comfort level. Your beard has certainly competed against many opponents, including your wife, mother, and workplace. Don’t let your CPAP masks rob it of its championship crown. If you close your mouth when you sleep, get a nasal pillow CPAP mask.
The mask does not fit properly and does not stay in place in a straight line.
Your CPAP masks should never be too tight or too loose when it comes to fit; instead, they should be snug yet comfortable, similar to a wonderful pair of new socks.
If your mask does not securely and comfortably fit you, there are several possible reasons why. It’s conceivable that the headgear wasn’t originally designed to fit your head size, so try if you can adjust it. The most straightforward issue is this one.
Several Common Issues and Their Solutions
Difficulty adapting to using the CPAP machine
Start by encouraging the patient to use just the CPAP mask when they are awake for brief periods of time, even while the CPAP machine is on low pressure. In order to assist the patient, become used to the CPAP machine, urge them to use it whenever they sleep, especially during naps.
Difficulty with air pressure tolerance
Using a device with a “ramp” function will help you get around this. The machine may start with low air pressure with this option. As the patient drifts off to sleep, the machine then gradually and automatically raises the air pressure to the desired level. Additionally, there are gadgets that continuously and automatically change the pressure as you sleep. A BiPAP machine is one example, which increases pressure during inhaling and decreases pressure during expiration.
Dry, congested nose
Make sure the mask fits comfortably. A patient’s nose may get dry if their mask is too loose. Try an alternative mask or interface if tightening the straps does not work or has to be done often. An inline heated humidifier is an alternative method. At night, using a nasal saline spray might be beneficial.
Dry mouth
Use of a CPAP machine may make dry mouth worse if a patient sleeps with their mouth open or breathes through their lips at night. If a nasal mask is used, a chin strap may aid to keep the lips shut and lessen air leakage. A heated humidifier that is attached to the PAP machine or a full-face mask that covers the mouth and nose may also be effective.
Having trouble falling asleep
Comfort at night may be enhanced with PAP devices that include a ramp function that gradually raises air pressure to the recommended pressure level while a patient drifts off to sleep. The use of coffee and alcohol close to bedtime should be avoided, as should other healthy general sleep practices like frequent exercise.
Accidentally taking the CPAP machine off at night
A full-face mask should be taken into consideration if the patient moves around a lot when they sleep. Encourage the patient to think about setting an alarm for later that night to ensure that the gadget is still on if this doesn’t fix the problem.
Unwelcome noise
The majority of CPAP machines are almost quiet, but if the noise the machine makes disturbs the patient, check to see whether the air filter is clean, unblocked, and functioning properly. Encourage the patient to try using earplugs or a white noise machine to block out the sounds if the equipment is operating properly. It could also be beneficial to position the machine as far away from the bed as you can.
Aerophagia
Aerophagia, which is brought on when air enters the esophagus and travels to the stomach and produces bloating, may be affecting CPAP users who feel excessive belching, stomach bloating, stomach distension, and gas pains. When air from a CPAP machine enters the esophagus and travels to the stomach rather than the airway and lungs, this condition is known as aerophagia.
Gas symptoms and stomach distension may result from this. Anyone who utilizes CPAP may experience it; however, when it persists for an extended period of time, it becomes a concern. When the root cause is correctly identified, this issue may be quickly fixed. Too-high or too-low pressure settings, nasal congestion, mouth breathing as you sleep, and difficulties exhaling against the CPAP’s continuous air pressure are some of the causes.
Final thoughts
You should have enough information with this to enable you to make an informed purchase.
Leave a Reply