We're Talking Masks Here
Do you have sleep apnea? If you use a CPAP machine, there are many different types of CPAP mask options. CPAP masks, BiPAP masks, Halloween masks. No, this isn't about Halloween masks!
(Yet, I did have a Halloween mask that I wore in a contest years ago; I won $50. It was a mask of a goofy witch. She had a rubber face, a long nose with warts there and also on her chin, and a silly grin. Oh, she had straggly hair. Silly witch, her black cat was a skunk. The mask was purchased in Seattle – that's quite a city coming from South Dakota – where I found a full costume from the Salvation Army. It was too good. Okay, okay...I’m off track. But I won $50 back in the 70s. That was big!)
Back to my article.
Getting the right mask fit matters
Some may feel that their masks don't fit right. It's important that we wear the right mask to sleep – one that fits and helps to regulate your breathing.
There are 3 types of CPAP masks that are suited to a person’s needs. It’s important to get a mask that fits. They come in different sizes. I had so much fun teasing my husband that I don’t have a big mouth, that mine is small! This made my day.
I use a full face mask
The mask for me is a full face mask. I’m a mouth breather. It took time to find the right type of mask and the right fit. Yet, I found that even the full face masks were different, and some didn’t feel right. You see, I could still open and close my mouth.
Dozing in one mask, where I could still open my mouth, I caught myself snoring.
My mask helps with my snoring
Years ago, I was so embarrassed when I was told that I snored. This was in a shared hospital room, and this stranger, my roommate, seemed repulsed by me. I had never thought of females snoring, except my grandma. And now it was me! Yes, even us girls snore! I had trouble sleeping near others. However, my CPAP mask changed that.
What I like about the full face mask
At the Mayo Clinic, my sleep doctor brought out a variety of masks. There was one mask that had a clear piece of plastic running across the inside of it. I call this my chin shelf. You can hopefully see it. I have a finger on it in the photo.
Other than a chin "shelf," which some suppliers are not familiar with, the full face masks are more familiar and similar to each other. Each brand may have various changes to them. Some are made to cover the nose and mouth. Mine also covers my chin. It’s a “Forma” full face shield/mask. Some face masks work with an oral appliance, which moves your lower jaw forward.
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Nasal masks and nasal pillow masks
There are also nasal masks. These fit over your nose. This mask is good if you are a nose breather. With this, nothing is placed in the user’s nostril.
Last is a nasal pillow mask. This mask has small flexible pieces that fit inside each nostril. This style is for the nose breather.
How the headgear works
These masks are held on with velcro straps, called headgear. Inside the mask is a “cushion.” This piece goes by size. It’s a foam piece that fits into a synthetic vinyl-type material. It's easily cleaned and protects the cushion. There is a small piece that fits into the full face shield mask for those that have the full face mask.
Do I need a special pillow?
Some people like the CPAP bed pillows; some don’t. It depends on how you sleep. I sleep on my sides and back. I never found a CPAP pillow that would work for me, so I use a regular pillow. Everyone is different. Check them out. Some people really like them.
Tell us about your sleep apnea:
- Do you have sleep apnea?
- How long have you had it?
- What kind of mask do you have?
- Do you feel that you were helped and directed toward the best potential mask?
- Do you have advice for our community members?
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