People often go to the doctor for long-term sleep apnea, poor sleep quality, and daytime fatigue, and are diagnosed with the need to use a sleep apnea machine to optimize their sleep quality. However, some users cannot get immediate help or immediate improvement from the sleep apnea machine, but need to spend time adapting to the machine to get results. For this group of people, choosing a good CPAP mask becomes an important key to success.
The CPAP masks on the market generally include headbands, masks, frames, and various styles and sizes. In addition, the designs and patents of various manufacturers often make users who try to wear a sleep apnea machine for the first time dazzled and at a loss. However, according to the classification of the covered parts, they can be roughly classified into three types: nasal mask, nasal pillow, and oral and nasal mask. Users can choose according to their own habits, sleeping posture, and face shape.
The mask is the interface between the CPAP machine and us. Its selection has a great impact on whether we can adapt to and use this non-invasive treatment method for a long time. Whether the mask is comfortable to wear, or at least acceptable, directly affects our adherence to this treatment method. In addition, personal special conditions will limit the type of mask we can choose. Whether the selected mask is prone to air leakage also has a great impact on the treatment effect. Masks are generally divided into nasal mask, nasal pillow, and full face.
Nasal CPAP Mask
Nasal masks are the most commonly used of all types of masks. Nasal masks only cover the nose. The nasal mask part is usually triangular and is made of very soft silicone (Silica gel) or silicone. For some users who cannot get used to silicone or silicone materials (some silicone masks will leave red marks and spots on the faces of more sensitive people, and may cause compressive pain around the nose for some people!), Some manufacturers also provide soft cloth materials.
The nasal mask is generally triangular, cone-shaped, and mainly covers the nose. It is the most common choice, and most people can use it happily as long as they choose the right size.
This mask makes the gas pressure more consistent with natural breathing. The pressurized air is sent into the nasal mask through the pipeline connected to the machine, and the air is pushed into the airway with the autonomous breathing rhythm. It is suitable for people who sleep straight, sideways, and turn over, and can get enough air pressure.
However, it should be noted that if the user has nasal congestion, nasal allergies, runny nose, and other related rhinitis symptoms, and the nasal airway is inflamed and blocked, if you still want to use a nasal mask, you should consult your doctor whether you need to use nasal spray to relieve symptoms and ensure that you can breathe naturally from the nose. Otherwise, you can only consider using an oronasal mask instead.
Benefits Of Nasal Mask:
1. Comfortable wearing feeling
2. Less coverage area, more natural feeling
3. Natural air intake, less wind interference on other parts of the face
4. There are various styles on the market, and everyone has the opportunity to find the nasal mask that best suits their face shape
5. Can withstand higher pressure than nasal pillows
6. Also suitable for people who sleep on their side
Disadvantages Of Nasal Masks:
It is not suitable for people who breathe with their mouths open when sleeping, because the airflow will leak out of the mouth and cannot generate enough therapeutic air intake pressure. However, if users have already bought a nasal mask, doctors usually recommend that users stick it on or buy a headband to prevent mouth breathing, but this will more or less increase the discomfort.
For users with a bent nasal septum, nasal congestion, other nasal structure and physiological problems, using a nasal mask may not achieve the desired effect.
Nasal Pillows CPAP Mask
A nasal pillow mask only plugs (or covers) the nostrils. The entire nasal pillow is relatively small, and the headgear (headgear or strap) generally covers less of the face. It is a good choice for users who want to use the lightest and smallest mask, and for patients who are more prone to claustrophobia. Although this type of mask has the smallest contact surface with the facial skin among all types of masks, because the pressure will be directly injected into the nostrils, it is usually not recommended for patients who need greater pressure or who are new to using CPAP machines.
Nasal pillows are the option that has the least contact with the face. The air supply port is directly placed on the upper lip and nostrils, which can deliver pressurized gas to the nasal cavity more directly. It is a good choice for people who don’t like the sickly appearance of other masks, wear glasses to read before going to bed, or are used to wearing eye masks to sleep. Especially for men with beards, who are prone to air leakage in other styles of masks due to the presence of beards, nasal pillows are an option to consider.
But like nasal masks, nasal pillows are suitable for users who are accustomed to breathing naturally through their noses. However, they are not suitable for users who have mouth breathing, nasal structure, or inflammatory blockage problems, or those who toss and turn too frequently and have frequent sleeping positions that easily pull the nasal pillows.
Benefits Of Nasal Pillows:
1. The best choice for claustrophobia (least facial coverage)
2. Provides the best vision before bed, can wear glasses to read, and wear a blackout eye mask to sleep
3. Airflow directly into the nasal cavity
4. Bearded men (other styles are prone to air leakage) can consider
Disadvantages Of Nasal Pillows:
1. The weight is on the upper lip, and sometimes wearing it all night can cause pain at the pressure point
2. It is not suitable for people with severe apnea who need higher treatment pressure
3. Direct wind flow into the nasal cavity can easily cause dryness and nosebleeds for people with fragile nasal mucosa
4. It is not suitable for people who cannot breathe naturally through the nose (open mouth or nasal problems).Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Full-face CPAP Mask
The users of nasal masks and nasal pillow masks are those who are used to breathing through their noses. If you are used to breathing through your mouth, you must choose a full-face mask or a mouthpiece mask! A full-face mask covers the user’s mouth and nose, and the headband usually extends over the cheeks, chin, or forehead, which is difficult for patients with claustrophobia to accept. Because air flows through the mouth, a full-face mask may make the mouth drier, like nasal masks and nasal pillow masks, the padding material of the full-face mask that contacts the facial skin is mostly silicone or silicone resin.
As the name suggests, the oronasal mask covers both the nose and mouth, from the lower lip to the bridge of the nose, forming an enclosed space for oronasal breathing. The forehead and cheeks are used as triangular supports for the weight of the oronasal mask to ensure the stability of wearing.
Although the area of ​​the face covered is larger, because the mouth and nose are covered at the same time, the air pressure entering the airway can be better ensured, and there is no need to worry too much about the problem of open-mouth breathing. Also, because the mouth and nose are covered at the same time, for people with claustrophobia, it is generally at the critical point of acceptance. Some users may have the illusion of difficulty breathing psychologically after covering their mouth and nose.
In addition, sometimes users complain of dry mouth after waking up, then the adjustment of the heated humidifier is very important. In addition, when the original nasal mask is replaced with an oronasal mask, the air pressure may need to be slightly increased to meet the pressure required for treatment intake.
Advantages Of Full Face Mask:
It is suitable for people who tend to open their mouths to breathe when sleeping, or those who have air inlet and outlet obstruction caused by structural or inflammatory problems of the nose (allergies, runny nose), and for a few people who have a psychological fear of suffocation when covering their nose alone.
It also allows the airflow to enter the airway indirectly through the back of the mask, reducing the impact of air entering the nasal cavity directly. It is mainly suitable for sleep apnea users who lie on their backs.
Disadvantages Of Oral And Nasal Masks:
1. Compared with nasal masks, it is more difficult to adjust to a full fit (a large area of ​​fit is required)
2. It is not suitable for people who feel psychological discomfort when covering a large area of ​​the face (patients who may have a sense of illness and psychological rejection, or people with claustrophobia)
3. It is easy to leak air from the root of the nose, causing dry eyes.
4. Habitual side sleeping (easy to press the mask, causing it to slip and move)
5. The line of sight is blocked, which is not conducive to reading before bed, wearing glasses, and watching TV
CPAP Mask Tips
1. You should choose the original mask from the CPAP machine manufacturer, because the design of the machine itself must be compatible with the pressure compensation of the mask itself! Every mask design has a vent, because the airflow sent out by the machine becomes a gas filled with carbon dioxide after being inhaled into the lungs, and must be discharged to avoid re-inhalation, and the higher the pressure of the machine, the greater the airflow sent out.
Regardless of the pressure, the airflow that is not inhaled must be discharged through these vents to maintain the stability of the pressure and avoid accumulated pressure causing the mask to leak. Modern CPAP machines will mostly set the type of mask you are using, because even if they are all original masks, they will have different vent designs for different masks.
2. To choose the right size, the size of the mask’s contact surface with the mouth and nose (regardless of whether it is a mask or pillow type), as well as the size of the headband, will not only affect whether the air will leak (Leakage), but also affect the comfort of wearing. Manufacturers sometimes include all possible sizes in the set of products they sell, such as large, medium, small, widened, etc. (Remember: the size may include the size of the mask or nasal pillow itself, as well as the size of the headband.) It is also possible that there is only one size in a set of products. When there is only one size in a set of products, the manufacturer usually provides a measuring ruler (Sizing gauge) for the buyer to determine the appropriate size in advance. If purchased on the website, the measuring ruler can often be downloaded directly from the website.
3. No matter which mask you use, you will encounter dry mouth and tongue problems after using a CPAP machine. Therefore, when purchasing any CPAP machine, you can use a humidifier to make the air blown out by the machine less dry, especially when using the machine in a relatively dry environment, such as in an air-conditioned room in summer or in a heated room in winter.
If the mask you use leaks, especially if the pressurized air leaks from your mouth, the dry mouth and tongue problem will be exacerbated. For any type of CPAP machine, the manufacturer provides a humidifier that matches the model, which can be purchased. If you buy it on the website, you generally won’t be offered the option of buying a whole set together, because the buyer must decide which mask to buy and whether to use a humidifier, plus the option of buying a humidifier and a heated tube together. Even so, the mask part still needs to be purchased separately.
A heated air tube is an air tube that can reheat the air delivered by the ventilator. It uses a heating power source from a humidifier. In the southern region where the weather is warm, most people don’t usually need a heated air tube. However, for those who live in colder areas or are weak or elderly, you can consider purchasing and using it.
Selection suggestions:
Nasal pillow type: Prioritizes comfort and flexibility, suitable for beginners or users who are afraid of stuffiness.
Nasal mask type: Balances sealing and breathability, suitable for those who need medium to high pressure treatment but are accustomed to nasal breathing.
Full-face mask: Solve the problem of mouth breathing leakage; it is recommended to use it only when necessary (such as severe obstructive sleep apnea).
| ​Nasal Pillow Mask | Nasal Mask | Full-face Mask | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Coverage Area |
Contact only with the outside of the nostril (through the cushion inserted into the nostril) |
Covers the entire nose |
Covering the mouth and nose |
|
Target Group |
Suitable for people with smooth nasal breathing, mild snoring, or those who like lightweight design |
Suitable for those who mainly breathe through the nose but need a higher pressure supporter |
Suitable for mouth breathers, severe nasal congestion or those who need high pressure treatment |
|
Benefits |
– Small size, wide field of vision
– Suitable for side sleeping or turning over
– Lightweight and less oppressive |
– Better sealing performance
– Applicable to a wider pressure range
– Suitable for users who open their mouth frequently but can adapt to nasal breathing |
– Prevents air leakage from the mouth
– Suitable for people who are used to mouth breathing
– High pressure treatment is more stable |
|
Disadvantages |
– May cause nasal irritation
– May leak easily under high pressure
– Not suitable for mouth breathers |
– May press on the bridge of the nose (need to choose the right size)
– Can easily shift when sleeping on the side
– May leak air for mouth breathers |
– Large and oppressive
– May cause claustrophobia
– Not suitable for people with beards or uneven facial features |
|
Suitable Sleeping Position |
People who sleep on their side, back, or frequently turn over |
Mainly for supine sleeping, side sleeping requires specific design |
Sleeping on your back or side (you need to choose a model with a good fit) |
|
Sealing |
Depends on the fit of the nose, better at low pressure |
Stable performance under medium and high pressure |
Best sealing at high pressure |
|
Cleaning and Maintenance |
Simple structure, easy to disassemble and clean |
The nose pad needs to be replaced regularly and cleaning is more complicated |
There are many parts, so deep cleaning is required |
