Optimizing Comfort with Sleep Apnea Masks

If you’ve recently been diagnosed and started your treatment for sleep apnea you might feel that sleep apnea masks are a little uncomfortable. It may take a while for you to get used to sleeping with it on, and have the urge to take it off at night. Removing your sleep apnea mask during the night does nothing for your treatment and is harmful to your health, as the sleep apnea machines are built to help you breathe. Here are a few tips to help you sleep easier, without interfering with your treatment.
• If you like to read in bed, nasal pillows are great. If you’re a side sleeper, these may not work for you if the air hose comes out of the side and could be uncomfortable.

• For many wearers of sleep apnea masks, they can be itchy, especially on your nose. If this is your case, try getting an inexpensive paper tape, about half an inch wide.
1) Cut a piece that could cover the entire bridge of your nose without blocking your eyes.
2) Next cut a smaller piece and place it on the bigger one, adhesive to adhesive so a small part of the sticky side is on both ends, this makes next day removal easier. The main thing to keep in mind is that the tape can’t cause any air to come out the sides of the mask.

• Many sleep apnea machines have a ramp feature that means your machines pressure starts off low and slowly works up to the pressure you require, giving you time to fall asleep.

• You may also want to consider taking a non-habit forming sleep aid until you get used to the machine.

Sleep Apnea Machines Benefit You - And The Person You Sleep Next To!

Sleep apnea refers to a condition where a person suffers from intermittent lack of breathing during sleep. Each "episode", called apnea (meaning without breath) can last as long as 10 seconds and most of the times the sufferer is not even aware of it. Sleep apnea machines can help people suffering from the most common type of sleep apnea called OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) where the respiratory passage becomes narrow or obstructed as the muscles governing the airway relax during sleep.

This leads to the obstruction of air entering the lungs and the person involuntarily stops breathing. Sleep apnea masks help patients by injecting a flow of air directly into their throats such that the obstructed airway is forced open by the air pressure, thereby preventing the apnea. This also reduces the snoring that is commonly associated with sleep apnea. A good knowledge about various features of the mask is important in buying a good mask. Respironics CPAP masks for example, are known to be made with patients and user-friendliness in mind.

Respironics CPAP mask is long lasting, has a high oxygen tank capacity and fits the needs of both sleep care professionals and patients.

Visit our website for more information about sleep apneas masks and CPAP machines!

Problems and Solutions for Sleep Apnea Masks

Even though sleep apnea masks help people all over the world sleep better every night, many apnea patients have trouble with their masks or machines, especially when acclimating themselves to new products. Three of the most common problems are skin irritation, bloating, and dry air irritation, and fortunately all of these can be solved.

Skin irritation occurs in patients whose CPAP masks are too tight—so tight, in fact, that they leave red marks on wearers' faces. To solve this problem, begin by loosening the straps on your mask. If this doesn't help, you may have to replace your mask with a larger model.

Sleep apnea patients may also become bloated, a condition which actually occurs from swallowing too much air at night. To prevent this, experts recommend experimenting with different sleeping positions, particularly on your side, to note how it effects your breathing. Even something as simple as adding or removing a pillow can make a difference.

Last, dry air irritation occurs as a natural symptom of the air from sleep apnea machines, which is technically classified as an irritant. Dry air irritation can manifest itself in the form of chapped lips, sore throat, or even nosebleeds. Wearing chapstick to bed will help a little, but to really address this problem you need to invest in a humidifier to attach to your CPAP machine (or a machine with a built-in humidifier).

Who should use Sleep Apnea Machines?

For those of you that have sleep apnea and have been dealing with it for a while, you know that you aren't the only person dealing with this! If you sleep with someone else in the same bed, chances are it is effecting them as well. When most people have an attack they literally stop breathing for seconds at a time. When they come to they often choke or gasp for air. Also, other symptoms may happen and you may notice restless tossing and turning, snoring and nightmares from the emotional stress you are going through - all of these symptoms can cause sleep problems for your bed mate as well!

However, by using sleep apnea machines which will help open up your airways, you won't, nor will your loved one have to deal with your apnea anymore! These sleep apnea masks fit comfortably yet snugly right over your face and produce a light stream of air to your airway passages - this usually allows whatever is blocking your airway to be "moved". This ensures safer sleep, and allows you to be more comfortable as well.

If you or a loved one is suffering from sleep apnea, please take a look at our Respironics CPAP machines or Respironics CPAP mask now.

Breathe Easier and Sleep Better With Sleep Apnea Machines

In the old days, when people had sleep apnea, they just had to deal with it, the best way possible, most of the time it didn't work and only made sleeping worse. However, throughout the years, through technology and generous research, we now have sleep apnea machines that completely treat sleep apnea!

These apnea machines are called CPAP machines for continuous positive airway pressure. This ingenious little machine was actually invented in 1981 by a professor named Colin Sullivan at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, located in New South Wales, and was originally invented for use at home.

Nowadays, these machines are much cheaper, much more convenient and much smaller than they used to be. The selection is pretty much endless, even for masks.

How would you know which brand should you buy? Well, the Respironics CPAP and Respironics CPAP mask get really great reviews on some of the top apnea forums online.

For more info, visit us at www.cpapmart.com and browse through our large selection of sleep apnea machines, respironics CPAPs, sleep apnea masks, respironics CPAP masks and sleep tight, all night!

Finding the Right Sleep Apnea Masks and Machines

Doctors agree that sleep apnea masks and machines are the most effective ways to treat the disorder, but many new patients have trouble getting used to their new devices. Some even give up.

Here are some tips to help you feel comfortable in your CPAP mask and machine:

• Some new CPAP users complain that their machines are too loud. If so, try placing the machine unit underneath your bed to muffle the noise.
• If congestion to the nose is contributing to your sleep apnea, try using a decongestant or saline nasal spray.
• Get to know your mask by using it first in small increments throughout the day, raising air pressure slowly as you feel comfortable.
• Clean your CPAP mask and tubing regularly, in addition to changing the filters on your humidifiers and CPAP devices.
• Join a group of sleep apnea patients, online or in person, to exchange advice on finding the right CPAP equipment.

But above all else, making sure your mask is comfortable is your top priority—after all, that’s the part touching your face. Experts recommend considering all the different CPAP mask sizes and shapes, many of which you can find online at www.CPAPmart.com. For example, patients whose masks are normally uncomfortable around the nose might enjoy masks with nasal pillows. Finally, be sure to explore the different strap and tubing settings for your new Respironics CPAP mask to make it as comfortable as possible.

What Really Causes Sleep Apnea?

When you’re shopping for sleep apnea machines online, you might wonder: Why do I have sleep apnea? What really causes it?

Most people think sleep apnea is caused by being overweight and/or a smoker, and although these are two risk factors, they do not describe everyone with sleep apnea. In fact, half of all sleep apnea patients are not obese.

The breathing interruptions characteristic of sleep apnea occur when the airway is obstructed, which can result from a number of factors, including:

• Being obese or overweight
• Certain physical qualities, such as large tonsils or enlarged tongue, deviated septum, receding chin, or even the structure of the neck and head
• Nasal blockage, which can be caused by allergies, illness, sinuses, or smoking
• Throat muscles that relax too much as you sleep, potentially the result of alcohol, sleeping pills, or old age

As some of these physical attributes and conditions are genetic, sleep apnea is often runs in families.

Of course, understanding sleep apnea is only half the battle—you also have to treat it. Visit www.CPAPmart.com for quality Respironics CPAP machines and masks that can help you breathe easier.