CPAP Masks For Side Sleepers - What's Best?

Finding CPAP masks for side sleepers is a critical component for many people determined to use CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) as a viable sleep apnea treatment. Typical CPAP masks and machines can be extremely difficult to use if you're used to sleeping on your side. There are several reasons for this including:

Hoses not allowing you to lay on your side (particularly those that attach to the side of the mask)
Hose entanglement when you want to shift positions and roll from one side to another
Irritation caused by pressure against the mask when you lay on your side
Pressure against the pillow causing the mask to buckle or move which can lead to a poorly fitting mask and air leaks
Straps or headgear pressing into your head during sleep which can lead to morning headaches

When people can't find a comfortable mask, they often give up too soon and CPAP fails as a sleep apnea cure. When this is the case, sleep apnea must be solved through other CPAP alternatives such as surgery, singing therapy, or oral devices.

There are many side effects to wearing a mask, and the most common CPAP mask problems include:

Improperly fitting masks that are uncomfortable to wear
Leaking air that makes CPAP ineffective
Facial irritation including sores, bruises, and spots
Constrictions on sleeping positions

What is the best cpap mask for side sleepers?

The type and style of mask you buy can make a big difference in your ability to fall asleep on your side. Different types of masks include gel cushions, bubble cushions, impact absorbing cushions, gel/bubble combination cushions, and nasal pillows.

Many side sleepers report having the best success with nasal pillow CPAP masks because they tend to be lighter, less invasive, and more comfortable than other kinds of masks. An example of this kind of mask is the Puritan Bennett Breeze SleepGear CPAP Mask. The hose on this mask is designed to float over the face and back over the head. This leaves the side of the head free of any intrusions that might cause a dilemma for side sleepers.

Impact absorbing cushions like that found on the Mirage Activa are also good for side sleepers because they are specially designed for active sleepers who shift positions multiple times throughout the night. Side sleepers may also benefit from masks like the SleepWeaver Soft Cloth Nasal CPAP Mask. Because it is made from cloth rather than plastic, this mask allows for greater flexibility and causes little to no irritation of the skin.

Next, avoid sleep apnea treatment side effects and find top CPAP masks along with the best CPAP alternatives by visiting: CPAP Masks For Side Sleepers

If you really want to cure sleep apnea and end your daytime fatigue so you can get your life back, then discover how sleep apnea sufferers are finding relief without CPAP by visiting: Sleep Apnea Treatment

CPAP Nasal Masks and the Other Components of CPAP Machines

Do you know what a CPAP machine is? Better yet, do you know what CPAP means? For starters, CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. Yes, there's a lot of technicality there, but the whole point of this jargon is that this kind of pressure is generated to help a person who cannot generate it on his own. In other words, CPAP is a kind of pressure used to help someone who has difficulty in breathing, most especially for those who suffer from sleep apnea.

Oops, that's another medical and technical term! Once again, in simple terms, sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by breath interruptions. This condition happens when the person's air passage is blocked (usually by the tissues in the throat).

The CPAP machine was developed by Dr. Colin Sullivan in 1981. This Australian researcher, together with his colleagues Berthon-Jones, Issa and Eves, "invented" this mechanism primarily for the treatment of sleep apnea. Early CPAP machines were large and bulky, but today, they are getting more compact, making them capable for transport. While early CPAP machines are only used in the hospitals, today, they are widely used in the homes of patients as well. You can even rent CPAP - in Toronto and elsewhere - nowadays.

So what does a CPAP machine look like? What are its components?

The CPAP machine is divided into three major parts. Let's discuss them one by one.

1. The Flow Generator. This is the heart of the machine. It is the part responsible for providing the airflow pressure.

2. The Hose. Obviously, this part is responsible for connecting the interface (discussed below) with the flow generator.

3. The Interface. This is the part that you put on your face and which makes the introduction of the airflow pressure into your system possible. The most common interfaces are CPAP nasal masks, nasal pillows, and full-face masks.

CPAP nasal masks are perhaps the simplest among the three interfaces considering that they cover only your nose. In essence, pressure goes through your nose, then down to your throat, and to your lungs. Among the three, CPAP nasal masks are perhaps the most comfortable.

Contrary to CPAP nasal masks, full-face masks cover your whole face. If you are a bit claustrophobic, you may not want to use this interface. Full-face masks, however, are great at preventing you from breathing through your mouth. Sleep apnea patients must breathe through the nose to keep a "close pressure system."

In addition to CPAP nasal masks and full-face masks are nasal pillows. CPAP nasal pillows - in Toronto or elsewhere - are also known as lip-seal mouthpieces. This interface is made up of a "pillow" (a small tube) and a set of straps that keep it in place (right below the nostrils).

The flow generator, the hose and the interface are the three main components of CPAP machines. But there are a number of accessories and optional features available in the market today. All of them are meant to give the patient comfort in an uncomfortable state - they are all meant to help them sleep better.

CPAP Clinic - healthcare at your home

We serve Greater Toronto Area in Canada.

Contact: 1-877-430-CPAP(2727) or info@CPAPClinic.ca

Do you want to rent CPAP in Toronto? CPAPClinic.ca can help you with that. Visit the site too for great selections of CPAP nasal masks in Toronto, or perhaps CPAP nasal pillows in Toronto.

Choosing the Most Comfortable CPAP Masks for Sleep Apnea

Individuals affected by sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing is temporarily suspended or disturbed while sleeping, are often prescribed the use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) masks to facilitate even breathing while asleep. CPAP masks are an essential part of therapy to solve the breathing problems and sleep disturbances common to those with sleep apnea. Because there are so many different types of CPAP accessories available in today's marketplace, it is an important investment of the sleep apnea sufferer's time and energy to find out what qualities to look for in order to get a mask that is comfortable and fits well.

The most common CPAP masks are those which are triangular in shape and fit primarily over the sleeper's nose and mouth, using straps that fit around the head and possibly a third strap to fit under the chin. Oral masks are those designed to fit over an individual's mouth with plugs to block breathing through the nostrils. The nasal pillow mask can be inserted directly into the nostril, allowing the sleeper to turn and sleep on his side without dislodging the mask. Hybrid pillow masks are unique designs that combine certain features of the triangle, oral and nasal pillow masks to be accommodate the comfort of the user.

When choosing the most comfortable CPAP masks, the straps should fit comfortably around the head, chin and face. Straps that are too loose can cause air leakage and straps that are too tight can make sleeping uncomfortable. The mask should fit snugly around the nose and mouth of the user for a good fit and a complete seal without pinching, pulling or causing red marks on the sleeper's head or face.

Because CPAP masks must be worn nightly in order to be effective at correcting the sleep apnea problem, it is important for the user to select a mask that fits comfortably and has a tight seal. If there is not a proper fit over the nose and mouth of the sleeper, the mask will not perform efficiently at keeping the sleeper's air passages open and unblocked for easy breathing. Also, since CPAP machines must be used for anywhere between 6 and 10 hours each night while asleep, the fit should be as comfortable as possible, even if that means investing a bit more on a mask that has padded straps and uses soft quality material that won't irritate or cut into the skin, leaving unsightly marks the next morning.

Author is a freelance writer. For more information on CPAP masks please visit http://cpapplus.com

CPAP Nasal Masks - What's the Big Difference?

CPAP nasal masks spell the big difference in treating sleep apnea caused by the closure of airways during sleep. To prevent this from happening, regular air pressure is fed through the air passages. It's time to educate yourself about the device if you have this type of sleep apnea.

The Different Brands of CPAP Nasal Masks

The various CPAP brands offer different nasal masks. The masks play a pivotal role in sleep apnea treatment. These masks are placed over the nose and to hold it in place, these have chin straps. CPAP clinics in Ontario offer a wide range of masks and they offer rental service for patients who prefer to 'test-drive' their mask before making a purchase.

Ontario CPAP clinics have a line-up of nasal masks from ResMed, Respironics, ComfortLite, Fisher and Paykel, Breeze, and Mirage. They also have lesser known brands to widen your choices to suit your budget too, but these are carefully selected for their efficiency and durability. The CPAP nasal masks Ontario clinics have to offer are latex free, easy-to-assemble and easy-to-clean. These companies have been in the business for years and continue to improve their products.

These are models that are so light on the face the wearer can't feel any discomfort whatever sleeping position they assume and some these masks are designed with minimal or flexible adjustable head straps and parts which makes these easy to put on and remove and must be easy to adjust without much fuss. The easier these can be managed, the more convenience it gives to the user.

The different makes and models of CPAP nasal masks in toronto clinics have to be tried on to help customers find one that has an excellent fit, does not leak, or makes a ruckus when air is expelled. Excellent fit and comfort are top priorities when choosing a mask or else the CPAP treatment is ineffective. It is also more expensive in the long run if you don't like your CPAP mask because these cannot be returned or exchanged.

The feel of a mask on the face can be uncomfortable, unless it is of flexible material. The same is true with CPAP nasal masks. It has never been easy to choose a mask with the right fit and unless you try it on for a night, you cannot know if it indeed it has a comfortable fit. CPAP nasal masks in toronto CPAP clinics have different shapes to conform to different face sizes and shapes, because admittedly, no two face shapes are identical in dimension.

How it Works

CPAP increases the air pressure on the air passages - nose and throat. Patients with this type of sleep apnea go through alarming non-breathing episodes that cause fatigue and drowsiness during daytime. To determine the type of sleep apnea, doctors put patients through a polysomnography or sleep test; during the test doctors can pinpoint sites where air obstruction occurs and recommend a nasal mask if the obstruction is along the nose and throat.

The CPAP mask is attached to the CPAP machine by tubing, which transports a steady supply of pressurized air to the airways. The pressure is prescribed by a doctor not a CPAP machine seller who can only help you make a selection from the range of CPAP nasal masks in toronto health home care stores.

CPAP Clinic - HealthCare at your home
We serve Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada.
Contact us: 1-877-430-CPAP(2727) or info@CPAPClinic.ca

In search for an excellent fit for your CPAP nasal mask, check out the CPAP nasal masks in toronto clinics. There is a range of CPAP fullface masks in Toronto and CPAP parts in Ontario, Canada. Don't miss the interesting deals; visit CPAPClinic.ca today.

Opting for Fisher-Paykel CPAP Masks and CPAP Parts

Fisher-Paykel CPAP masks and CPAP parts help patients regain health and their normal sleep cycle. Fisher-Paykel (F&P) is a manufacturer of CPAP devices, humidifiers, interfaces and methods of treatment for sleep apnea. F&P offers many products like nasal masks, nasal pillows, full-face masks, replacement parts, humidifiers and CPAP and APAP (auto-titrating) machines that are used in the treatment of sleep apnea. F&P tries to deliver quality products at affordable prices with the use of innovative technology.

This provide ease in availability especially by providing replacement parts in the market. Maintaining the CPAP masks and machines during the treatment of sleep apnea is very crucial. F&P helps solve this issue by making the replacement parts more accessible in the market. They usually have most masks replacement parts for most of the masks that they market and which can be purchased at all the CPAP clinics.

Fisher-Paykel CPAP masks and CPAP parts are made for comfort and ease of use. Opus 360 is a small device that features a nasal pillow mask which is an automated silicone pillow that has a contoured mask frame of the face. F&P has on offer four different categories of masks each of which feature flexibility to the CPAP masks.

These inherent performance features add greater flexibility to the masks. By delivering pressure through the mouth the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Oracle 452 device is made helpful to patients with chronic nasal blocks who have difficulty taking therapy through a nasal mask. The SleepStyle 600 series comes attached with humidifiers and clear button controls. This series with ThermoSmart provides parts easy to use. The Fisher & Paykel Forma Full Face provides comfort with help of active contouring to the FlexiFoam Cushion.

Fisher-Paykel CPAP masks and CPAP parts and systems take very little time to set up and have relatively smaller issues after the set up. The mask replacement parts that are designed by F&P are designed keeping the patients comfort in mind. The easy availability of the replacement parts helps the health providers to manage their inventory effectively. The convertible technology that used in the products helps to reduce the quantity and the cost of the stock. It is sold in over 120 countries around the world which accounts for the easy availability of the product.

Learn more about Fisher-Paykel CPAP masks and CPAP parts and Resmed CPAP mask.

CPAP Masks

CPAP machines are devices that send pressurized air through a tube and into a mask on the patient's face to help the patient breath through apneas that may occur while sleeping. Masks can come in many different shapes, sizes, and styles. When choosing which mask is right for you, you must take into consideration things like your facial hair, which may interfere with a seal, as well as glasses you may wear and whether or not the masks make you feel uncomfortable or claustrophobic.

The most common form of delivery for a CPAP machine is the face mask. The face mask usually covers the nose or both the nose and mouth. The face mask is usually triangular in shape and has a hole for the tube leading from the CPAP machine. Some face masks also include another opening for the attachment of an oxygen supplement. Face masks also have a built in release valve, which acts as an intentional leak to allow fresh air to constantly enter the mask and prevent exhaled air from being inhaled again. Face masks have straps that are adjustable to allow a good seal to be achieved on the face. These straps usually encircle either the head, the back of the neck or both, with some masks including a strap for under the chin to prevent the opening of the mouth while sleeping, which would defeat the treatment.

An alternative to the traditional face mask is called nasal pillows, which are nasal inserts attached to the ends of the tubing that form the seal in the nasal cavity. While they make for a very comfortable experience by removing the need for straps and headgear, they are ineffective at higher pressures, where they may lose their seal and therefore compromise the treatment. Another alternative which is similar to the nasal pillows is a device that resembles a nasal cannula. The seal is formed by the diameter of the tubing being placed in the nose, but otherwise functions similarly to the nasal pillows.

When choosing the right mask or other form of delivery for you, it is tantamount that you choose as comfortable an option as possible to maximize the benefits of the CPAP machine. An uncomfortable mask or delivery system may result in a worsening of sleep due to discomfort caused by the mask, so ensure that your mask is the right one for you. Do not be afraid to try several different masks, or even a completely different method of delivery. Be sure to tell your doctor of any complaints you might have with your current mask, and do not hesitate to ask for a replacement mask if the current one is not satisfactory.

In some ways, the mask you choose is more important than the actual CPAP machine. Your quality of sleep is being treated, and if your treatment is lowering your quality of sleep then it has already failed. Be sure to try many different variations to find the one that suits you best.

Go to Sleep Apnea Zone to get your free eBook on Sleep Apnea at Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea Zone also has information on CPAP Masks along with a lot of other free information. Come by our new Sleep Apnea Community site today for free eBooks and other free information that can help you today.