Once diagnosed with sleep apnea, the next step is to start effective treatment with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Arguably the most important part when selecting your CPAP equipment is choosing the right mask for your sleep therapy.
CPAP masks are available in all shapes and sizes, and are designed for all individual preferences. There is no one size fits all method with CPAP masks, and it’s important that the patient selects the right mask that suits their sleeping habits, breathing needs, and level of comfort.
Types of CPAP Masks
The most common CPAP masks are known as the full-face mask, nasal pillow mask, and nasal mask. Let’s take a look at how these 3 masks differ in fit and functionality:
Full Face Mask
Full face masks are the bulkiest, as they cover both the nose and the mouth, while nasal masks cover only the nose. Full face masks are ideal for mouth-breathers and those that haven’t worked well with the nasal mask/chinstrap combination. This type of mask is Ideal for patients who have nasal obstructions or frequent congestion due to allergies or cold symptoms.
Nasal Pillow
Nasal pillow masks are among the most popular mask choices for CPAP users because of their minimal design. Nasal pillow masks are the least obtrusive, as they cover only the nostrils and dont have a hard shell. Nasal pillows are the smallest of the CPAP masks and rest on the user’s upper lip as it blows pressurized air through two soft nasal tubes that insert into the nostrils.
Nasal Mask
Nasal masks fit over the nose and cover the areas from the bridge of the nose to the upper lip. Nasal masks have a wide range of sizes that allow for patients to find the perfect mask that fits comfortably.
Steps To Choosing The Best CPAP Mask?
As you can see, there are 3 really great options when selecting your ideal CPAP mask. In order to make sure you pick the right mask for your sleeping habits and comfort level we recommend the following as a simple guideline:
- Pick a CPAP Mask that suits your own specific breathing needs.
- Make sure your CPAP Mask is fitted according to your size requirements.
- Consider additional accessories to make for easier compliance.
Finally, if you experience problems with your CPAP mask it’s recommended to have this fixed straight away. If you run into problems early or aren’t experiencing any benefits, you are less likely to want to keep it up. Therefore, it’s important to address problems early or you may feel like giving up.
Where To Buy Your CPAP Equipment?
Many online retailers offer a wide range of CPAP equipment which includes a range of CPAP masks. Before purchasing any equipment, a prescription will need to be presented which can be done with a simple upload before checking out.
CPAP Ontario is dedicated to providing affordable Sleep Apnea equipment to those who need sleep therapy in Canada. We offer products and equipment that is specifically made to help people in Canada improve sleep at an affordable price.
Millions of Canadians have trouble sleeping or suffer from issues relating to sleep. At CPAP Ontario we offer solutions to your sleeping issues with a wide range of products that include advanced technical machinery, masks, and accessories.
For more information on Sleep Apnea in general, and for a breakdown of all our CPAP products available, visit our product range here.
