Sleep Apnea and CPAP Masks: Why They Make the Best of Friends?

At times, the diagnosis and the mode of treating the condition, both take us by surprise. Take the instance of sleep apnea and CPAP masks. You are clueless about both. Neither do you know what the disorder is , nor why the doctor is asking you to wear something you have never worn before? Plenty of questions crop up in your mind regarding these two alien-sounding terms. You are desperate for answers. What is sleep apnea? Going by the severity and the kind of distress it brings, sleep apnea could easily be termed as one of the worst types of sleep disorders that happens when the airway narrows, causing major obstruction in breathing. Primarily triggered by neglected snoring, the condition is characterized by recurrent pauses in breathing, where a single pause could last for about 10 seconds. Depending on how serious the condition is, the patient could experience such pauses 5 to 30 times in one hour. What has masks got to do with treating the condition? CPAP or Continuous Positive Air Pressure therapy is recognized as one of the most effective ways to treat this disabling disorder. It entails pumping in pre-set pressurized air directly into the lungs in order to prevent it from collapsing during sleep and blocking the airway. The equipment designed to carry out this function consists of the air-generating device, the mask that carries the pressurized air into the lungs and hoses that connect the machine to the mask. Considered to be the most important component in the equipment set, the CPAP mask can be worn around the nose, mouth or both. CPAP masks: What are they? What are the options? Usually triangular in shape to match the contours of the face, these masks are made from soft silicone material. Since the sleeping and breathing habits of users differ, selection of the most suitable mask is an important criterion for consideration before purchase. To suit individual customer preference, there are several types of CPAP masks available today. Here is information to get acquainted with some popular options: 1. Gel mask: For users who are allergic to silicone, the CPAP gel mask is most suitable. It assures a snug fit and is considered to be one of the most comfortable masks available. The material used to make this type of mask is gelatin mixed with some soft plastic. It needs to be pre-heated prior to use, in order to make a personalized mask that matches the facial contours in the most ideal kind of way. Of course, there are gel masks also available that needs to pre-heating. 2. Full face mask: this kind of mask spreads across the entire face, starting at the bridge of the nose, extending up to the lower lip and covers the chin. To retain its position during use, the mask carries extra straps at the level of the forehead and mouth. 3. Nose mask: When you talk about sleep apnea and CPAP masks, chances are that you would hear more about the nose mask than any other type, since its use is most common. Covering only the nose, this mask is worn with the help of straps that go around the head for security during use.