CPAP Clinic Sleep Blog

Understanding your sleep health, sleep apnea and CPAP therapy

Living With The CPAP Mask

When you have sleep apnea, your doctor will prescribe a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine at some point to relieve the symptoms of the disorder. You have to use it all night, every night! Not doing so makes the symptoms come back, thus, worsening your condition. Admittedly, this is easier said than done especially with the initially unwieldy CPAP mask. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to love living with it. After all, a good night’s sleep for everybody after months of the worst of sleep apnea symptoms is good!

Use it Outside the Bedroom

You have to gradually adapt to the feeling of having a CPAP mask on. Thus, wear it around the house as much as you possibly can – while watching television, reading books and newspapers, even writing your letters. This way, you accustom yourself to the feeling of the mask hugging your face albeit without the forced air pressure.

Don’t worry if it makes you look like an alien from the far ends of the universe. It will only add to your worries if you worry too much about your vanity. The important thing is that you will be relieved of your sleep apnea, which will also bring relief to your family and friends. Yes, it’s not just you who is suffering – the people who care about you do, too.

Use it During Naps

Slowly but surely, you must wear the mask with air pressure blowing through it especially during your naps. This way, you get accustomed to the whole setup of the CPAP machine. Of course, the machine itself is relatively quiet so you won’t have much difficulty living with it. The CPAP mask is harder to live with because it is plastered unto your face!

When you have gotten used to the mask during short naps, it will be easier to translate it into longer sleep periods at night. Soon, you might even sleep with the mask on as if there’s almost nothing there! Emphasis is, of course, on almost.

Use the Right Size and the Right Mask

Some sufferers complain that their masks are either too tight or too loose. This is a minor problem considering that there are many types and sizes of masks available in the market today. The trick is in finding the CPAP that you can live with. Or at least, sleep comfortably with.

Mask styles range from full-face masks to masks with nasal pillows. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages so it’s advisable to experiment with the different styles under the guidance of your doctor.

Mask size is very important, too. Often, problems arise not so much from the style of the CPAP mask but the size of it. As much as possible, fit the mask before purchasing it just to be sure. Or better yet, opt for one with adjustable straps in a size that you know will fit you.

Indeed, living with a CPAP mask can be easy with the right style and size, not to mention the right attitude and approach to its use. Besides, it’s better to be alive and breathing with a CPAP machine than being alive but breathing through a respirator, right?

CPAP Clinic – healthcare at your home

We serve Greater Toronto Area in Canada.

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

At CPAPClinic.ca, you can find the best sleep apnea mask in Toronto and Respironics CPAP machines in Toronto. With a CPAP mask in Toronto, you can find relief from sleep apnea.

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1 thought on “Living With The CPAP Mask”

  1. Fortunately, breathing wins, it wins at the expense of my sleep. And unexpectedly I really love my machine because it helps lose my weight.

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