Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask is used for those diagnosed with sleep apnea disorders.
Sleep apnea causes trouble in breathing, often because it blocks the airways and causes suffocation.
A CPAP mask allows you to breathe normally by sending a sufficient and steady flow of oxygen prescribed by your doctor into your respiratory organ by nose and mouth as you sleep.
Let’s discuss the unknown and interesting facts about CPAP masks here.
HOW DO CPAP MASKS WORK?
- Air pressurizing part - CPAP mask contains a motor and it pulls out the air from the room and pressurizes and delivers oxygen in sufficient amount as per you need. The intake part of CPAP masks contains a filter to remove the dust and impurities in the air.
- Humidifying part - The humidification chamber is one of the important parts of the CPAP mask. Here the water is heated to pressurize the air before it is delivered. The warm air keeps you away from the swelling and discomfort caused during the CPAP therapy. This humidification part is optional and it helps people in dry climatic conditions to face their obstacles.
- Connecting part- A CPAP machine is connected to the mask by hose. The hose is around six feet which makes your movement flexible during your sleep. The success of CPAP therapy depends on the comfort of wearing a CPAP mask. So it is important to choose the perfect one. CPAP masks are available in different styles and sizes. The maintenance of a CPAP machine is very easy and affordable. While you sleep, the air from the CPAP machine removes the blockage and opens your airway so your respiratory system receives a sufficient amount of oxygen. This results from a continuous and comfortable sleep and avoids repeated wake up during sleeping.
The latest trends in CPAP Masks
The different types of CPAP masks available are:
- Nasal pillow mask: This type of mask is light weighted and has minimal contact with your face. It is recommended for those who have trouble with large masks and lots of facial hair. A nasal pillow mask covers your nostrils and leads pressurized air directly into the nose. It also provides more visibility and reduces air leakage than another mask. A nasal pillow mask is not ideal for those who require high pressure.
2. Nasal CPAP mask: This type of mask covers the whole part of the nose. It is suitable for those who require high-pressure settings and a tendency to move around in sleep. Patients who prefer natural airflow can also go for this one. Nasal CPAP masks are available in various sizes. It is not suitable for those finding difficulty in breathing through the nose.
3. Full face CPAP mask: This type of mask covers the mouth and nose completely. It is a better option for those who are comfortable breathing through the mouth and requires high-pressure settings. Patients with frequent cold symptoms and sleeping with a back position can choose this mask. The drawback of this type of mask is that the chance of air leakage is higher.
Is there any risk with CPAP mask?
CPAP therapy is relatively safe. To avoid the side effects of the CPAP machine, first, you need to talk with your doctor and follow the prescription correctly. The most common issue faced during CPAP therapy is the ill-fitting mask and dry mouth due to lack of humidification. So it is important to choose the right CPAP mask and check if the flow of air is proper or not. People with sensitive skin may get rashes and marks while CPAP therapy. To avoid this you need to choose the right mask.
- Cause face growth problem in kids
- Rashes and marks
- Experience air swallowing
- Dryness
- Discomfort in breathing out
How to determine required CPAP pressure
It is very important to know about the CPAP pressure settings. Because using the correct pressure settings can only improve the treatment and avoid risk. CPAP settings as prescribed by the doctor and depend on various factors including sleeping position, degree of sleep apnea, etc. Obstructive sleep apnea is determined by a home sleep test by a polysomnography technologist and some of them are observed in the home by a self-adjusting CPAP machine. The lowest setting of CPAP is 4 to 5 cm of water pressure and high settings 25 or 30 CWP. The technologist will analyze the patient's breathing pattern and adjust the settings. If the pressure setting is high it may cause side effects like air swallowing so it is important to set the settings as per the prescription by a specialist.
At first, using a CPAP machine will be a little bit uncomfortable and then it gets used to. The risk in CPAP machines is minimal and it makes the life of those diagnosed with sleep apnea easier. Make sure to check with your doctor before buying a CPAP and choose the right mask to improve your condition. If your CPAP machine is not comfortable for you need to talk with your doctor or provider.
