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.