Replacement CPAP Masks Come in All Shapes and Sizes

If You're Unhappy with Your Current CPAP Mask There are Plenty of Alternatives

For anyone with sleep apnea, CPAPs are a way of life. CPAP machines treat sleep apnea and allow people with sleep apnea to sleep normally. Since the CPAP machine must be used every night, it is important to have CPAP masks which are comfortable. Fortunately there are a wide variety of masks available.

Full Face Masks and Nasal Masks

CPAP masks comes in two major varieties. There are full face masks, which cover the nose and mouth, and there are nasal masks that only cover the nose. Which one is necessary varies on a patient to patient basis, dependent on their nighttime breathing patterns. If the patient occasionally or frequently breathes through his or her mouth while sleeping, a full face mask will probably be necessary. On the other hand, if the patient only breathes through his or her nose during sleep, then a nasal mask would probably be the best option.

Full face masks and nasal masks function the same way, full face masks simply cover the patient's mouth in addition to covering his or her nose. However, because they are smaller, nasal masks tend to be more comfortable. Given the option between a CPAP full face mask and a CPAP nasal mask, most patients would pick a nasal mask.

Hard Plastic Masks and Cloth Masks

While many CPAP masks are hard plastic, these usually aren't the most comfortable. There are several variations available to provide CPAP users the ability to find a mask that they find comfortable. Hard plastic masks with gel pads on them are one option. The gel pads are on the part of the mask which comes into contact with the face, and this makes the mask more comfortable by dispersing some of the pressure between the mask and the user's face.

Cloth masks are another option. These masks are made of cloth instead of being made of hard plastic. Since they are made of a softer material, they are less bulky. Also they can be more comfortable for patients who sleep on their side, because of their malleability.

Nasal Pillows

Nose pillows are a popular option among many CPAP users. Nose pillows are a type of nasal mask which involves small cloth nasal pillows which go over the user's nose. The patient can breathe through these plugs because they are porous enough to allow air to pass through them. Because there is not an actual mask covering the nose, many people find these to be the most comfortable.

There are Many Options to Chose from when Looking for a CPAP Mask

Whether a patient prefers a full face mask or nasal pillows, there are plenty of options available for everyone. If you or someone you know is unhappy with their CPAP mask, check out some of the other options. You'll be surprised what you can find.