How to Sleep Comfortably with a CPAP Mask

sleep apnea affects more than 12 million Americans. This means that millions of people experience their airway collapsing repeatedly throughout the night, causing them to stop breathing, at times for a minute or more. People suffering from sleep apnea face both sleep and oxygen deprivation. This lack of sleep leads to daily challenges such as difficulty paying attention and falling asleep in inappropriate places. A lack of oxygen can cause serious long-term affects including heart disease, high blood pressure and memory loss. The word “apnea” is of Greek origin and means “without breath.” There are ways, however, to give breath back to people suffering from sleep apnea. There are almost always ways that you can take control to help treat a condition. When dealing with sleep apnea, there are a few actions that can be done to breath easier throughout the night. Losing weight, sleeping on your side and elevating the head of your bed four to six inches are just a few ways to naturally open the airway and get some relief from the stress of sleep apnea. Another option for treatment is surgery. A doctor will increase the size of your airway by removing tonsils, adenoids or excess tissue. This is the most drastic treatment and should only be considered after exhausting all other sleep apnea treatments.A more effective, surgery-free form of treatment for sleep apnea is a nasal CPAP mask. CPAP refers to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. The masks use pressurized air to prevent the airway from collapsing. There are several different types of masks available and you may find one to be more comfortable than another. By finding a mask that fits you correctly, allows for more sleep positions, does not cause skin irritation, creates less noise and has minimal air leakage and pressure from headgear, you will get the maximum benefits from your CPAP therapy. Today, improvements are constantly being made on nasal masks. For example, cloth masks are now available to people with sleep apnea. There are many advantages to this type of mask. The cloth material is very smooth and breathable, reducing skin irritation. Also, the light and soft texture of the mask makes sleeping in different positions much more comfortable. These are just a couple of the reasons a cloth mask may be preferable to a hard, plastic mask. There are many suggestions on how to be comfortable while using a CPAP mask; however, the best possible way is to take the time to find the mask that best fits you. When searching for the right mask, try it on lying down to get a feel for how it will feel while wearing it at night. Remember, wearing a CPAP mask while sleeping is always going to require some adjustment. Make sure you spend a couple weeks with a mask once you find one that you believe works best for you. If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, be sure to look into CPAP therapy. It’s important to research and try out several different nasal masks before giving up or settling for one that isn’t right for you. Chances are there’s a mask out there that’s perfect for you and will eliminate the stresses in your life caused by sleep apnea.